PANAUTI

Panauti, a small town located 32 km Southeast of Kathmandu, found in the central regions of Nepal. Panauti is a very historical city found in Nepal, as it was originally a small state given by King Bhupatindra Malla as a dowry to his sister. This small town has a population of under 30,000 people and a few prominent icons, such as the Indreswor temple and Durbar square found in the town center. At the end of the 13th Century, Panauti was finally integrated into the unified kingdom of Nepal, along with Kathmandu, Patan, and Bakthapur, which are all former capital cities of the Kathmandu valley. Panauti consists of a variety of Buddhist and Hindu religious monuments, and is considered to be one of the area’s most important medieval sites.
Panauti, situated at the confluence of the two rivers Rosi and Punyamati, has been regarded as an important religious site since very early times. In Nepali society, such river scared places. A visit or just an ablution in such places enables man to be freed from many sins and anxieties. Moreover, it is also believed that at Panauti, in addition to aforesaid two rivers, a third river Lilawati also converges making it again a tri-junction called Triveni. However, the last one is said to be visible only to the sheers and the intellectuals. The presence of this at Panauti has added and remarkably enhanced its religious sanctity and popularity as well. On account of this, every festive occasion, a great number of devotees from all across the country pour here for a holy ablution and to pay haomage to the nearby Indreshwor Mahadev Temple and other holy sites located here. The site is also regarded as Prayagtirtha of Nepal.

Places to visit around Panauti

Triveni Ghat
One of the holiest sites for Hindus, the month long Makar Mela is held here once every 12 years. There are more than two dozen temples at the site.
 



Indreshwor Square
It has many ancient temples. The three Indreshwor Mahadev Temple is an excellent example of Newari craftsmanship. Unmata Bhairav Temple, Krishna Temple and Ahilya Temple are located in the courtyard as well. On the northeastern side, across the Punyamati River, is the 17th century Brahmayani Temple while the Krishna Narayan Temple is near the confluence of the rivers. Other temples are scattered around the square making the whole place akin to an open museum.

Gorkhanath Hill
Gorakhnath Hill (2000ft) is a 15 minute walk uphill to the north east of the town from where one can get a wonderful view of the town, the Himalayan peaks and the mountains of the Mahabharat range.

Namobuddha (3hr walk)
Approximately 10km east of Panauti, there are numerous Buddhist monasteries here. Legend has it that a prince named Mahasatwo, while hunting in Namobuddha jungle, came across a tigress and her newborn cubs that were dying from hunger and could not even move. Cutting himself, he fed the tiger and her cubs with his own flesh.

Other Interesting Spots

Sorahkhutte Pati: The Sorahkhutte Pati in the centre of the town had sixteen wooden pillars and no walls.
Siran Chaur (3 min walk): This large open field is the centre for sporting activities.
Bhimsenthan (10 min walk): A holy site for the worship of the god of strength and power.
Bhagaban Danda (10 min walk): It was declared a conservation area after ancient period coins were discovered here.
Jela Pati (10 min walk): Known as ancient Panauti, even digging a few feet here can reveal the foundations of old houses.
Kapalkot Hill (15 min walk): It is a picturesque picnic spot and a good view point.
Fadkeshori Mahadev (30 min walk): The site of a Shiva lingum that is covered with water droplets at all times.
Chaukot (45 min walk): Located on a hill, it is said too have been inhabited since the 14th century.
Balthali (2 hr walk): A famous place for Hindu pilgrims to see the huge Trishul (Shiva’s main weapon-Trident).
Phulchoki 97hrhike):
Situated at a height of 2762m to the north of Panauti it is an excellent vantage point from where to view both the Himalayan ranges as well as the Kathmandu Valley.
Khopasi Bazaar (10 min drive): An anciend Newari village, it has a beautiful water pond. One also has the opportunity to observe the electricity house and visit the silk worm project on the way back to Panauti.
Tipchok (2hr drive):
One gets to view beautiful sunrises and sunsets from this Tamang village (3018m) 4km south of Panauti. A two-hour bus ride along a river bypassing Khopasi will reach you to the base of the mountain. A four-hour climb to the top will be rewarded by the splendid sight of the snow capped mountain peaks as well as the vast Terai plains.
Home Stay for traditional Nepalese culture experience
Although hotels and guest houses are available in Panauti, visitors are encouraged to take advantage of home stay programs and live in local people’s homes. Meals are also provided. A home stay program is offered by the Panauti Tourism Development Committee to enrich your cultural experience. Many local households have been given suitable training to improve the quality standards required to host guests.
Major Festivals celebrated
Jya Punhi: The Panauti Jatra (Jya Punhi in Newari) is held at the end of the monsoon season. Images of the gods from the temples are taken around the city on chariots. The last day of the festival falls on the full moon day during which, the chariots of the gods are made to strike each other.
Makar Mela: Besides the Roshi and Punyamati Rivers, it is believed that there is also a third river, the Lilawati, visible only to the wise and said to flow into the others from the Gorakhnath Shrine. A month-long fair known as Makar Mela is held once every 12 years at their confluence.
Yomari Punhi: Annapurna, the goddess of grains, is worshipped on this full moon day after the rice harvest. According to legend, a couple first experimented with a fresh yield of rice from their field to make a new delicacy. It was named Yomari, literally meaning ‘tasty bread’ in Newari.
Namobuddha Festival: It is celebrated at Namobuddha (where are Buddha offered his body to a hungry mother tigress) three days before mother’s day.
Achhyaya Tritiya: This festival is celebrated by Newar girls between 7 to 13 years old at the Tribeni Ghat area. It is also known as ‘Bel Bibaha’.
Sithinakha: Newar families gather once a year in their birth place to worship the family deity.
Ghantakarna: It is also called ‘Gathe-mangal’. People put on irons rings on fingers and hammer irons nails into door lintels to drive away evil spirits.
Ganesh Chauthi: A festival dedicated to lord Ganesh to request His blessings for prosperity in business and for good luck.
Gai Jatra: An eight-day long celebration to commemorate dead relatives. People who have had a death in the family within the past year bring a cow (either real or someone in costume) to participate in the festival.
Devi Nach : The masking dance, which originated from Panauti, is performed on this day. This day is also known as Indra Jatra.
Madhab Narayan Festival: This festival is celebrated to worship Madhab Narayan (preserver of the world). Many people observe a fast and eat only once a day for a whole month.
Interesting Facts About Panauti
A traditional Newari confection called ‘Yo mari’ made from a mixture of treacle and sesame seed wrapped in the shape of a Stupa with rice dough originated here. It is the birth place of Mahasatwo, a prince who sacrificed his body to feed a starving tigress and her cubs when he went to Namobuddha jungle. The town is believed to be located on a single rock which has been taken as the reason for the town not being too severely affected by earthquakes in the past. It is the birth place of King Ansubarma, a great king of the Lichavi period.
All of old Panauti has been proposed to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.