Travel trip to Dhulikel

 The Himalayan Times_Travel & Lifestyle 

 July 21, 2016

"In the midst of splendor"

 

Soni Rai visits Dhulikhel and wraps herself in its beauty

Living in Kathmandu, surrounded by compact houses, busy streets, loaded vehicles and big malls, I was planning on taking a break for some rest and relaxation. I could not make up my mind about just where to go! But, soon enough, I got the opportunity to go to Dhulikhel.

The destination was perfect — just a one and half hour drive from Kathmandu and I could stay the night and get the much needed break. Though the journey was a short one the view that accompanied us throughout was breathtakingly beautiful. After about 50 minutes we reached Sanga, which houses a gigantic statue of Lord Shiva. It was a sight to behold — Lord Shiva in all his glory atop a green hill.

Crossing Banepa, we came across a big signage of Kathmandu University; which meant we were getting closer to our destination. After about 15 minutes we reached Dhulikhel Resort. We were greeted warmly and informed that because we were at the resort during the off season we had the place almost to ourselves! Tourists usually frequent Dhulikhel between October to December. That said, there were a couple of foreigners enjoying the off season as much as we were. Some locals and foreigners alike were out on hikes by the hillside, dotting a pretty picture across the hillock.

Without much ado, after we checked in, we headed out to explore Dhulikhel bazaar. We were anticipating this visit because we’d heard so much about the vivacity of this market place. The roads were free from traffic, and the market place itself was not very crowded. We walked around a bit and bought some knickknacks to bring back home. Taking a right turn from the main bazaar, we went for a visit to Dhulikhel Hospital, which is one of the main attractions of the town. The hospital stands tall and proud of the service it provides.

The next spot on our list was to the 1000 steps, which is quite popular for its scenic beauty and calm weather. When I first heard about 1000 steps, I immediately thought that it was going to be a tough climb uphill. After about 300 steps, we came across Shanti Ban where we saw a huge statue of Gautam Budhha, where a modest number of visitors were taking pictures. It was still under construction but even in its half built state it looked beautiful. I can only imagine how stunning it’s going to look on completion.

Climbing up the stairs made me realise that there were quite a few hiker’s rest stops which made the climb easier than expected. Finally reaching the top, I felt elated! The steep climb was worth it. The last few steps led to the old Kali Temple, and a nearby view tower, which was padlocked. The view from top was all about fog settling down on the valley below; the sky hanging low on the horizon. The locals informed us that on a good sunny day you could see the mountains.

The 45 minutes climb was exhausting but we couldn’t wait to explore more. We headed towards Palanchowk Bhagwati Temple and walked along Lamidada and Panchkhal where the roads were bigger. We reached the Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre (BPOTC) where the roads were narrower with numerous little alleyways going in different directions. These routes make for a good drive or a refreshing walk. Bhagwati Temple is a must visit while you’re here.

From BPOTC, Palanchowk Bhagwati temple is only eight kms away. As soon as we reached there I saw a statue of goddess Bhagwati beautifully carved in black stone. The Palanchowk Bhagwati Temple has a female priest, unlike many other temples. The architecture is intriguing and I was charmed by the tinkling of hundreds of bells and mirrors hanging on the temple walls.

Details:
How to get there: Daily buses to Dhulikhel are available from Old Bus Park

Hotel to stay: There are many hotels and resorts available in Dhulikhel. One such is The Himalayan Horizon Hotel with great hospitality.
Local attractions: You can always stroll through the Dhulikhel town or hike up to the lofty Namobuddha, enjoy the splendid view with a packed lunch.