Dharan Bazaar

Introducing Dharan Bazaar

Just off the Mahendra Hwy, at the foot of the Chure hills, Dharan feels like a hill town that has been transported to the plains. You'll see lots of tribal women wearing their wealth in the form of heavy gold jewellery and the overall mood is prosperous and upbeat - you'd never realise that an earthquake almost destroyed the place in 1988. Dharan is famous for its metalworkers, who produce high quality cauldrons and gaagri (brass water jugs) for villages in the hills.

Dharan is also one of the shakti peeths, marking the spot where part of the body of Shiva's first wife, Sati, fell after she was consumed by flames. There are several important Shaivite temples northeast of the centre in the village of Bijayapur. Set among dense bamboo thickets down the path beside the four-tiered concrete tower, Budha Subba Mandir contains a curious collection of mud-covered rocks, said to represent the reclining body of Mahadev (Shiva). The smaller Dantakaliand Pindeshwartemples are both on the road leading south from the small roundabout with the concrete football. To reach Bijayapur, take the steps leading uphill near the Panas Hotel, or charter an auto-rickshaw.

Several net cafés around Bhanu Chowk (the square with the bus stand and clocktower) offer fast net access for Rs 30 per hour. The Nabil Bank has an ATM that accepts foreign cards.

Last updated: Sep 25, 2008