Chandra Kumar Phuyal

The Kathmandu Valley is surrounded by beautiful green and serene hills. These incredible towering hills are natural viewpoints. Lying to the southwest of Bhaktapur, Ananta Kailash Danda is among scenic places to visit. The hill is located near Dadhikot in Suryabinayak Municipality. It is just 13 kilometres away from the heart of Kathmandu. The place is home to some of the famous temples and shrines such as Ananta Lingeshwor, Bindabashini, Krishna and Barahi.
The place offers a blissful and mesmerising experience to visitors. This is an unmatched tourist spot to be explored. Nestled atop a tranquil hill covered with a verity of green trees like colorful rhododendrons, bamboos, pines, Rudrakhya and chestnut, this wonderful area could be paradise for nature lovers.
Situated at an elevation of about 2,100 metres above sea level, the place offers a panoramic view of snow-clad Himalayan ranges and beautiful clusters of modern and traditional houses and some lush green fields near the Hanumante River to the north. A renowned Lichhavi-era Ananta Lingeswor Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva lies to its northeast. Another equally important Bindabashini Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Durga, is also located in the nearby area. Bindabasini is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple is situated in quiet and calm area inside a beautiful subtropical forest of Ananta Lingeshwor. Many pilgrims are found visiting the temple on Saturdays and Sundays. Devotees from all ages and walks of life make their trips to the temple.
With tourists from home and abroad visiting this area, the Kailash Danda is gaining popularity day by day for its religious, historical, cultural and natural significance. The temperature of this place is mild and cool. People come here mostly for observing, relaxing and having picnic, especially during holidays.
During Bala Chaturdashi fair, a lot of pilgrims visit Ananta Lingeswor Temple. They extend their trips to Kailash Danda by walking uphill for 30 minutes to sow the satbij (mixture of seven holy grains). This has been a religious and ritual practice exercised since time immemorial. It is believed that if the holy grains are sown in this place, their ancestors could live in eternal peace in the heaven and bless the doers. Kailash Danda is also known as Ananta Lingeswor Kailash Danda.
Lord Shiva, who is believed to have dwelled in this place where the present temple is located, would also perform his meditation there according to a mythology. So, those who perform meditation and ritual or religious activities at this place are believed to get blessed with divine power, success, peace and bliss inside.
There is a small settlement in Kailash Danda. People belonging to various ethnic communities live in a peaceful co-existence, happiness and mutual cooperation. Most of them are farmers while some are businessmen and job holders. They are friendly and cooperative who heartily welcome guests as gods.
Kailash Danda is entirely unique and famous for its scenic beauty, holiness and other lively attractions. One can take spectacular views of sunset and sunrise from this place. The wonderful seclusion under the blue sky, the high hills around, green bushes, the sweet chirping of birds, gentle and pollution-free breeze make the place quite alluring. One can also have a view of planes landing in and taking off from the Tribhuwan International Airport.
One can start his/her journey after receiving blessings from the God and Goddess at Ananta Lingeswor and Bindhyabasini temples. If you choose the way from Ananta Lingeswor temple, you can take an uphill hiking route leading you there through the middle of a dense forest with full of lively temptations of chirping of birds, rhododendron flowers and greeneries around. You can hike through the winding route located atop a green hill till Lakuri Bhanjyang via Kailash Danda through Rishal Danda if you are fond of hiking. You can reach Ananta Lingeswor Temple by a vehicle from Naya Thimi via Dadhikot and Tarkhagal Chok. But, if you take the way to reach the destination via Bindhyabasini temple, you can travel through Koteshwor, Kaushaltar, Balkot and Biruwa.
Realising the urgency, potentiality and importance of this place, the local government is working aggressively to build infrastructure in the area. “Much has been done in terms of sanitation, drinking water, electricity and roads in the area, so far. We are committed to making effective long and short term plans and strategies for the development of this area’’, said Ward chairman Uttam Thapa.
Private entrepreneurs have also shown their interest in operating tourism-related enterprises in the area. They are planning to establish a star-hotel while some home-stay facilities have already been running around the area. Several home-stays facilities will come into operation in the area in the near future. The government is building a view tower.
“We have prioritised the overall development of this beautiful place. Basic amenities such as smooth roads, enough drinking water, and electricity along with other modern facilities like paragliding, cycling and hiking routes will be developed in the area,” said Mahesh Basnet, lawmaker and former minister.
Basnet hoped that the area would be one of the preferred tourism spots in Bhaktapur district.

(A freelance writer, Phuyal writes on social issues. He can be reached at ckphuyal1975@gmail.com.)