Dahachowk
Dahachowk is situated in the hilly area. From the top of the hill,
the whole Kathmandu valley can be observed. Also the parts of Dhading,
Nuwakot, and even some parts of Dahachowk can be viewed from the top of
the hill. The unique feature about Dahachowk is that it has got
religious, cultural, environmental and historical importance. A very
popular pilgrim
site i.e. Indra Daha, which is a holy pond is situated at the top of
the hill. To reach Indradaha we have to go through the deep forest. The
forest has got many beautiful trees and rhododendron.
During Spring the whole forest looks beautiful with red and pink
colored rhododendron. A graveled road passes through the forest up to
Indrasthan. Cycling and bike riding is fun there. Various important
places like Indradhaha, Kalupandey cemetery, King Prithvi Narayan Shah’s
Forts, Deurali devi, Manakamana madir, Chuchuregadi, Thaple chaur and
Drigung Kagyud Rinchen Palri Monastery are situated in Dahchowk.
Sightseeing and jungle safari and hiking is adventurous and enjoyable
there.
Dahachowk has got a diverse ethnic community and hence has cultural diversity. Majority of the population are Dashnamis (Giri, Puri, Bharati, etc.), Chhetris, Brahimin, Tamangs, Magars, Damai, Sunuwars, etc. They have their own culture and traditions. Kathmandu valley has got many villages of Newar community. Dahachowk provides a different taste for khas-culture for tourists. The innocent kind, caring and helpful local people are always welcoming to tourists. Even at present we can see may traditional parbate style houses. They are mostly two storied with clay tile roof. The place has got rural community identity and one can find a completely different pollution free and peaceful environment even in noisy and polluted Kathmandu valley.
Dahachowk has some historical connection as well. Dahachowk used to be the place of strategic importance. There used to be fort fort in Dahachowk since the Malla Era. During the unification campaign of King Prithvinarayan shah, on Shrawan, 1811 B.S he attacked on Dahachok & constructed a new fort in Dahachowk. Prithvi Narayn Shah also constructed small temple for his holy goddess, Manakamana there. After fort was constructed it used to be the headquarter base for attack on Kritipur, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur. Lalitpur and Makawanpur. Gorkhali troops, led by Prithvi Narayan Shah, used to guard the fort throughout the unification campaign. Even at today we can find a military base at Dahachowk. The remains of fort can still be seen in the place. Even at present the same Manakamana temple established by PN Shah still existed there.
On Jestha 19, 1814 B.S. during the first attack on Kritipur, PN Shah meet a very bad defeat. He lost his brave commander in Chief Kaji Kalu Pandey. According to the folk lore, Kalu Pandey on his last breathe requested PN Shah to bury his dead body in the place from where he could see his mother land i.e. Gorkha. PN Shah then buried Kalu Pandey on the top of Dahachowk hill, from where Gorkha could be seen on a clear day. Now at the same cemetery place a small park existed in the memory of Kaji Kalu Pandey.
At the middle of the deep forest, a big plain grass land existed. The local name for the ground is Thaple Chaur. The ground is surrounded by trees on all sides. It is connected by a gravel road. A picnic spot has been developed in the place. The facilities include firewood, drinking water, electricity, tents, and other logistic arrangements are all managed there. Many groups of people come to this place to celebrate picnics, camping, hiking, etc.
According to the legend, during Satya Yuga Lord Indra was cursed by Gautama Rishi. He was charged with his illegal relationship with Ahalya, the wife of Gautam Rishi. According to purans, Indra, who was in the guise of Gautam Rishi, has cheated Ahalya and he established a sexual relationship with Ahalya. When Gautam Rishi came to know about this fact, he punished Indra with a curse of losing his manliness and Ahalya too was cursed of being invisible to the eyes of everyone. Lord Indra felt very guilty for his crime, so in order to get rid of curse he mediated in the Himalayan for ages. After meditating for so many years he got relief from crime. To end his meditation he developed a divine pond with his power and took bath in the pond. The pond at the top of Dahachowk is considered to be the same pond that existed during Satya Yuga. The pond is now called Indra daha and the hill is named Indrasthan. Now the pond has religious importance and every year during Bhadra sukla purnima (fullmoon day), Indrasthan mela is observed. People from different places of Kathmandu valley and Dhading visit this place for religious purpose. During Indrasthan mela it is compulsion for the Newar community of Balambu and Thankot and the surrounding area, whose family members died in the year, to visit this place, take bath in the pond and worship god in the name of the dead family members. Every years thousands of pilgrim visit this place.
Dahachowk has got a diverse ethnic community and hence has cultural diversity. Majority of the population are Dashnamis (Giri, Puri, Bharati, etc.), Chhetris, Brahimin, Tamangs, Magars, Damai, Sunuwars, etc. They have their own culture and traditions. Kathmandu valley has got many villages of Newar community. Dahachowk provides a different taste for khas-culture for tourists. The innocent kind, caring and helpful local people are always welcoming to tourists. Even at present we can see may traditional parbate style houses. They are mostly two storied with clay tile roof. The place has got rural community identity and one can find a completely different pollution free and peaceful environment even in noisy and polluted Kathmandu valley.
Dahachowk has some historical connection as well. Dahachowk used to be the place of strategic importance. There used to be fort fort in Dahachowk since the Malla Era. During the unification campaign of King Prithvinarayan shah, on Shrawan, 1811 B.S he attacked on Dahachok & constructed a new fort in Dahachowk. Prithvi Narayn Shah also constructed small temple for his holy goddess, Manakamana there. After fort was constructed it used to be the headquarter base for attack on Kritipur, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur. Lalitpur and Makawanpur. Gorkhali troops, led by Prithvi Narayan Shah, used to guard the fort throughout the unification campaign. Even at today we can find a military base at Dahachowk. The remains of fort can still be seen in the place. Even at present the same Manakamana temple established by PN Shah still existed there.
On Jestha 19, 1814 B.S. during the first attack on Kritipur, PN Shah meet a very bad defeat. He lost his brave commander in Chief Kaji Kalu Pandey. According to the folk lore, Kalu Pandey on his last breathe requested PN Shah to bury his dead body in the place from where he could see his mother land i.e. Gorkha. PN Shah then buried Kalu Pandey on the top of Dahachowk hill, from where Gorkha could be seen on a clear day. Now at the same cemetery place a small park existed in the memory of Kaji Kalu Pandey.
At the middle of the deep forest, a big plain grass land existed. The local name for the ground is Thaple Chaur. The ground is surrounded by trees on all sides. It is connected by a gravel road. A picnic spot has been developed in the place. The facilities include firewood, drinking water, electricity, tents, and other logistic arrangements are all managed there. Many groups of people come to this place to celebrate picnics, camping, hiking, etc.
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