There is a move to add Halesi to the list of World Heritage Sites

Halesi Mahadev, a well-known tri-religious complex, is being considered for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Halesi Tuwachung Municipality is working to have Halesi recognized as a sacred location for Buddhists, Hindus, and Kirat adherents.

The municipal winter assembly has decided to strive toward Halesi’s inclusion as a World Heritage Site, according to Mayor Bimala Rai. “There is a place in our municipality where three major religions come together,” she said. It must be included on the list of World Heritage Sites. We will collaborate with the Department of Archaeology to submit the required paperwork to UNESCO in order to accomplish this. She also underlined that talks with different stakeholders had already started and that the recognition would open the door for general development.

According to a number of legends, Halesi is considered a tri-religious site: it is believed to be the location where Guru Padmasambhava reached enlightenment, a sacred spot found by the Kirat forefathers, and the sanctuary of Lord Shiva from the demon Bhasmasur. The Maratika Monastery draws Buddhist devotees from all over the world to the location, where they spend months meditating.

In addition to local tourists, Halesi is visited by travelers from China, India, France, Bhutan, Singapore, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and other nations. The temple management committee claims that the number of daily visitors has increased dramatically as a result of better transit options.

Religious and natural significance

Halesi is noteworthy for its natural beauty as well as its religious convictions. Encircled by enormous rock formations, the primary shrine of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is housed inside a sizable cave. Basaha Cave, another similarly important cave, is located behind the main cave. It is a one-of-a-kind natural wonder with a breathtaking view from the natural skylight inside.

The Bhairav Cave, another popular destination, is ahead of these two caves. These rock formations are regarded by observers as geological wonders. Halesi is located in Mahadevsthan, Ward No. 7 of the Halesi Tuwachung Municipality, 40 kilometers west of Diktel, amid the foothills of the Alps. Worshiping Shiva and Parvati in Halesi is thought to grant believers their desires. The number of pilgrims and visitors visiting Halesi has increased since the Terai is now directly accessible by road.

Lamidanda Airport was the only way to get to Halesi prior to road accessibility. But now that concrete bridges have been built across the Dudhkoshi River at Jayaramghat and the Sunkoshi River at Harkapur, tourists can go by bus or jeep with ease. To go to Halesi, some pilgrims even choose to take helicopter charters.

From Kathmandu, it takes roughly seven hours to go to Halesi by bus or jeep along the Mid-Hill Highway. Additionally, travelers from the Terai can use the Siddhicharan Highway to Halesi, and those who land at the airports in Lamidanda or Khanidanda can continue their trip by road. Sacred gates like Dharmadwar, Papadwar, and Swargadwar are thought to provide spiritual purification, merit, and freedom within the Halesi caves.

Halesi legends

The origins of the Halesi caverns are the subject of several stories. Kirat devotees view it as their ancestral homeland, Buddhists call it the “Second Lumbini,” and Hindus call it the “Pashupatinath of the East.”

According to one account, Kirati King Baghbangshi lost his dog while hunting and chased a deer into a cave around 1820 BS. When he heard the dog barking from inside the cave, he used vines to climb down and found a glowing Shiva Lingam. As a result, the cave was acknowledged as a revered Shiva sanctuary.

According to Hindu legend, Shiva and Parvati were pursued to Halesi by Bhasmasur, a demon who had a blessing from Lord Vishnu that allowed him to burn anybody he touched. They fled into the cave in search of safety, where Lord Vishnu eventually tricked and destroyed Bhasmasur. It has since been thought that Shiva and Parvati live there.

Since the Maratika Cave is mentioned in Buddhist texts as the location where Guru Padmasambhava obtained enlightenment, it is a major destination for Buddhists all over the world. The caves are regarded as a site of immense spiritual significance, and thousands of devotees visit them every year.

Festivals and fairs

Halesi has a number of significant fairs and festivals all year long. Three days are dedicated to the Teej festival in Bhadra, seven days to the Shivaratri fair in Falgun, twelve days to the Bala Chaturdashi fair in Mangsir, and fifteen days to the Ram Navami fair in Chaitra. These lavish festivities are attended by devotees from all across Nepal as well as nearby nations including Bangladesh, Japan, China, Bhutan, India, and the US. Both domestic and foreign traders set up shop during these fairs, resulting in trade worth billions of rupees.

Participation of the government

Through the Halesi Development Committee, the government has been attempting to establish Halesi as a tri-religious place since 2053 BS. Improvements are being made to the lodging, dining, and touring options available to pilgrims and tourists.

The government sets aside money each year for Halesi’s development since it recognizes it as a vital economic resource for Koshi Province. Locals are worried about the implementation’s sluggish pace, though. The site’s overall development is still supported by the local government.

Development of infrastructure

Numerous physical infrastructures have been built with funding from the Guthi Institution, Development Committee, and Temple Management Committee in response to the year-round influx of tourists. These consist of platforms for fire rituals, stairways, and entrance gates. Interlocking blocks have also been used by the municipality to pave the temple courtyard. In order to better coordinate sales, shelters for the sale of traditional prayer scarves, or dorama mala, have also been established.

The town has set aside a space outside the main door for lighting incense sticks in order to control the long-standing custom of burning incense within the temple. Additionally, the temple’s circumambulation pathways have been improved. The municipality and Nepal Oil Corporation are working together to build a dharmashala, or pilgrims’ rest home.

Growth in tourism and business

The economic and hospitality sectors have grown rapidly in Halesi, a unique sacred place where Buddhist, Kirat, and Hindu traditions coexist. Modern hotels and restaurants have expanded in the area due to its location along the Mid-Hill Highway. At the moment, Halesi’s hotels can house about 500 visitors, and the city is trying to control and oversee these businesses.

Through the Locha Khola Water Supply Project and deep borewell installations, a drinking water project has been started to address the parched region’s water needs. This guarantees pilgrims and visitors a steady supply of water.

Plans for Halesi’s future

With an emphasis on infrastructure development, promotion, and conservation, a master plan for Halesi’s development has been started. Authorities have prioritized comprehensive development through strategic planning in response to growing encroachments. Surveys for upcoming projects have already been carried out by a group of geologists.

Halesi has the potential to become into a well-known spiritual and travel destination with sustained work and investment.