The jewel of Eastern Nepal, Bhedetar, is an attractive destination that is popular for its constant cold weather. If you are seeking some mind-blowing destinations in the East that have unique features and are not very far from the city, Bhedetar can be your ultimate treat.
Until ten years ago, this beautiful place was not as popular as it has become today. With several hotel and resort entrepreneurs investing in Bhedetar, it has allured and brought several tourists from the entire East and some from Western Nepal. Despite the number of hotels and resorts in Bhedetar, each one gets occupied during summer from the people from the Eastern Terai Region.
Situated in Sanghurigadhi Rural Municipality of Dhankuta, Bhedetar is 20 minutes ride from Dharan with an 18 km uphill distance. Bhedetar lies at an altitude of 1,420 m above the sea level and is recognized as an all-weather tourism destination. The unique thing about Bhedetar is how it has sunny days during the cold hour in southern plain and chilling winds with serene surroundings during sunny days in south plains.
4 km East of Bhedetar is a village called Namje, a popular homestay destination in the East, which receives several visitors every day. After Namje, a specific part of Bhedetar was declared as one of the top 12 underreported tourism destinations by CNN, which added limelight to Bhedetar worldwide.
Bhedetar is full of agro-products and is a destination for world-class tourism with seminar tourism, picnic, hiking, mountain biking, hangout, etc. The top destinations in Bhedetar are mentioned below.
Bhedetar Bazaar
Bhedetar is not just a destination point but also a transit in Eastern Nepal. It acts as an escape from the baking sun in summer and extreme cold in winter and a transit point to journey into hilly regions. The bazaar of Bhedetar is full of agricultural products like chilly (akabare khorsani), tomatoes, oranges, and varieties of green leafy vegetables. The popular Dhankute biscuit and other local sweets are available in the bazaar that people take as souvenirs of Bhedetar. The bazaar has several teashops and restaurants which serve yummy thukpa (noodle soup) with pork sukuti (preserved meat).
Pathibhara Temple
Pathibhara Temple of Bhedetar is a famous shrine for Hindu and Kirat folks. It is just half-hour hike from Bhedetar bazaar. It is a branch of the main Pathibhara Temple of Taplejung district. Devotees from many parts of Eastern Nepal and Indian states bordering Eastern Nepal come to visit the temple. The temple’s trail is covered with colorful strings, and the path is full of greens, making it an exciting hike. Notably, the temple is crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Namje Village
Namje Village is situated at an altitude of 1,770 m above the sea level. The village is just 4 km from Bhedetar Bazaar. Magar dominated community, Namje, is a popular homestay destination, where visitors can stay in a local style, be part of Magar culture, perform Magar dance - Hurra, wear traditional costume, and eat local conventional delicacies. With a cool climate, the weather of Namje is believed to vary in every 15 minutes.
The views of majestic mountain peaks like Mt. Everest, Mt. Kumbhakarna, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and other peaks are possible Namje. It is one of the famous hilltop villages in Eastern Nepal that receives plenty of visitors every day.
A popular hiking destination in Namje Village is Aatma Ghar (house of the souls). The structure was designed by American architect Travice Price, who collected 231 graves of the place, assembled them, and prepared a collective grave. CNN listed the village as a top 12 underreported traveling destination globally, and the village is described as the 17th wonders of the world.
Accommodations in the village are of different types, including homestays, lodges, and resorts. The hospitality of people in the village is outstanding and welcoming. The village is a complete package with panoramic views of the alluring mountains, rich cultures of Magar community, and comfortable accommodations.
Sayok Yak (Sanghuri Fort)
An ancient fort of Eastern Nepal, Saghuri Fort, was built by Sayok Hang, an old Limbu King. The fort was built as a memory of winning Thebohang. The fort is popularly known as Sayog Yak and Sanghuri Gadhi. It was built as an ancient strategic point of the Limbu King. With ten stone rooms, the fort was occupied by the guards in the old time. The remnants of the fort are still available today. It is believed that the fort was built with the stones collected from Fushre Stream of Dharan. One of the exciting places one must visit to learn about the history of the Limbu King.
Bhedetar View Tower (Shailung Danda)
The viewpoint of Bhedetar is also known as Charles Point or Shailung Danda. The name Charles Point is because the Royal Prince Charles of the UK climbed the hilltop during his visit to Bhedetar in the 1980s. The prince was happy with the majestic mountains like Mt Kumbhakarna, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest, etc. from the hill. The tower is a multistoried building with a number of stairs in a circle. The view of sixteen districts is visible from the top of the tower.
Okhre View Tower
Okhre view tower is a multistoried tower with circular stairs. The tower is located in Sanghurigadhi Rural Municipality of Dhankuta District. The place lies 6 km away from Bhedetar Bazaar to Rajarani. It is a popular picnic spot in the Eastern region. The view of the mountains and cities of Eastern Nepal is possible from the tower. The cold breeze flows in the area, which is the exciting thing about the place.
Bishranti Temple
Bishranti Temple, a famous temple and elderly home of Eastern Nepal, lies on the lap of the famous white-water rafting river – Tamor that originates from the Himalayas. The temple shelters around 50 elderly citizens who are provided with free food, accommodation, and treatment. The temple is a popular destination near Tamor River for both pilgrims and wanderers.
Places To Visit In Bhedetar
Namaste Jharna
Namaste Jharna or Namaste Falls is a popular tourist destination in Eastern Nepal, located in Bhedetar, 23 km away from the beautiful city – Dharan and 8 km from the main town Bhedetar in Province No. 1. By name, it is clear that the jharna or fall forms Namaste like image as it cascades down the slopes of a rocky hill. The height of the fall is 80 m, and it is refreshing to be near or in Namaste Falls.
The falls were discovered in recent decades but surprisingly has gained a lot of visitors. The area of the falls is quite remote and uninhabited as it is not suitable for inhabitation. Despite the remoteness, several teahouses and lodges are available for tourists. The view of the Namaste Falls is fascinating. Reaching the falls is itself an adventure. You need to go through several slippery areas, above the water, through the spaces, and finally reach the base of the falls.
Recognized as a plunge waterfall, Namaste Jharna is known for the greatest number of rainbows sights. One of the popular outing destinations of Eastern Nepal, Namaste Falls, is an escape from the baking heat during summer. The people come to Namaste Jharna for a refreshing shower, and enjoy swimming in the small pond formed at the base of the falls.
Another popular sport at Namaste Jharna is canyoning, which requires special permission, gears, and professional guidance. People in the summertime crowd the place while it is vacant during winter. One has to be very attentive while reaching the falls as the stones fall from the top of the falls sometimes, making it risky. Similarly, the path is slippery and can cause minor cuts if one is not attentive while walking.
The falls are 10 minutes of walk from the highway. You can take a public bus or private vehicle to reach the area. Recently, the trail to the Jharna has been cemented, and iron railing is provided to make the path more protected as it is narrow and risky. Overall, the area is well-maintained and taken care of by the local community.
People looking for an ultimate adventure within a short time, or those who want to escape the baking sun during summertime, or want to be part of exciting canyoning, then Namaste Falls can be the perfect destination. It is a fantastic outing destination with friends and families. Even camping facilities are also available in the area.