Devghat

Visit Devghat to get a picture of hindu culture. The natural beauty tops it up, making it a beautiful destination. It is around 5 kilomiters north-west of Narayanghat city. Independent from the city, it has a lot to offer. From cultural vastness to natural allure, Devghat has it all.

Devghat lies at the junction of two holy rivers Kaligandaki and Trishuli. These two rivers mix to form Narayani at Devghat. The Kaligandaki brings with it the Shaligrams to the bank of Narayani river. Shaligrams are holy stones that symbolize lord Vishnu in the Hindu culture. The Narayani river, later flows to mix to the great Gangas.

As you enter Devghat, you will catch sight of exotic natural environment with trees on either side of the road. As you reach near the main temple, you will find a lot of other temples. Devghat is home to a lot of temples of hindu gods and goddesses including Sita’s cave, Bashistha Cave, Radha Krishna Temple, Harihara Temple, Galeshwor Temple, Sita Ram Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Shankaracharya Temple and many more. Along with it, the Narayani river is a sight you would not want to miss, with high current river flowing with grace. A stretched suspension bridge makes the whole of Devghat come to light.

The best time to pay a visit to Devght is in Makar Sankranti during winters. A massive mela (gathering) is held there every year at January and is one of the largest religious melas in Nepal. A large number of hindu devotees from near and far gather to perform ceremonial bathing rituals in the river.

As per the legend, Sita, the wife of lord Rama of the Ramayana, died at Devghat. Since this holds great significance in the hindu culture, Devghat is seen as a historic landscape. Many elderly people live at Devghat as they believe this will give them a favorable death and rebirth. Also, in hindu culture, children have to perform rituals after the death of the parents. Thus, elderly who have no children, or do not want to be a burden to their children, live at Devghat as the resident priests (known as pujari) there perform the necessary rituals upon their death.

Additionally, there are a number of historical and sacred sites in and around Devghat, which are interesting to the visiters. These are, the Someswar Kalika temple and the Kabilaspur fort, which was built by the kings of ancient Palpa. Another noteworthy site is Pandavanagar, the home to the supporters of the Mahabharata.

Devghat, being only around 20 kilometers from Sauraha, is an amusing one-day trip. Bus services are available from Chitwan as well as Pokhara. Taxies and cars can be hired to visit there.