Historic Nisan trek to begin from January 8

By Kokila Dhakal,Ilam,  Jan. 2: Preparations are underway for the historic Nisan Trek, which aims to preserve the trail used to bring back the Nisan (military insignia) hoisted during the unification of Nepal. The trek will take place from January 8 to January 10, 2025.

The Nisan Trek traces the path where the military insignias planted by the then Sreenath Battalion after conquering eastern territories were later retrieved following the Sugauli Treaty. 

The trek will begin on January 8 from the Nepal-India border town of Mechi Bazaar, as announced by the organising committee in a press conference held in Ilam.

Starting from Mechi Bazaar, the trek will proceed to Karphok’s Purne Danda, where the Nisan was initially brought after its retrieval. On January 9, an official inauguration of the trek will be held at Purne Danda, said Bimal Baidya, a ward member of Ilam Municipality and one of the organisers of the trek.

After the inauguration, the trek will continue to Namasaling’s Hattitar in Maijogmai, another historical site where the Nisan was later relocated. On January 10, the trek will resume from Namasaling and pass through Maibeni before concluding at Maithan, the current location of the Nisan and cannons, in Ilam Bazaar.

Around 100 participants are expected to join the trek. The trek is jointly organised by Ilam Municipality, Suryodaya Municipality and Maijogmai Rural Municipality.

Historian Yuddha Prasad Baidya said that the trek serves to commemorate the unification of Nepal led by Prithvi Narayan Shah and aims to establish Ilam as a new tourist destination.

Historically, the Nisan retrieved from the eastern frontier at Tista was first brought to Purne Danda in Karphok. Due to security reasons, it was later relocated to Hattitar in Namasaling and eventually moved to Maithan in Ilam Bazaar after it became the district headquarters. The Nisan Trek spans around 42 kilometres.

Photo Credit: Kokila Dhakal Organisers providing information about the preparations for the Nisan Trek at a press conference held today in Ilam Municipality.