Bandipur worth a detour?

Is Bandipur worth the side trip on the way to Pokhara (and thus traveling by land instead of flying)? It looks like an interesting place. Has anyone been there who can tell me if they found it worth the detour? Thanks.

I have visited Bandipur. This was five years ago. A friend of mine has built his house up there. Although I was only there for an afternoon I was offered a job teaching English by the school! (If weather conditions right, you get great mountain views).

I found an unspoilt little village...I liked it. I remember a couple of very simple 'hotels' in the main street. You won't find tourists there. On my last visit to Nepal I mentioned returning to Bandipur but was told it is now controlled by maoists! not that I mind but the person I was with, she minds. So I didn't return.

There really isn't much to see or experience in Bandipur and hardly worth the detour. However if you do decide to go, then also combine a visit to the Kali temple at Manukamana which is fairly nearby. You could stay at Silver River Springs Resort (name perhaps not quite right)...Manakamana was an eye-opener for me and something very different.

Also if you arrive at Mugling at lunchtime be sure to eat lunch there...you get really delicious thali. I stop and eat at the Green Hills 'hotel' on the main street, owned by an ex-Gurkha...good food and friendly people. This is how I prefer to travel in Nepal, taking my time and stopping here and there.

Thanks for that info WriteOn, great.
Kevin

Yes, Thank you for the detailed information

I have been to Bandipur 4 times - usually for 2 nights on each visit. It's possible to do a home stay program there. Also a great hotel "Bandipur Mountain Resort" sits right on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the village of Dumre far below. Wonderful mountain views on a clear day. Scenic orange groves on the hillsides below. Local village walks are interesting. We cliimbed one morning to a small temple on a high ridge above the village - wonderful views from there, as well. I liked it and others I have taken there have also enjoyed the visit. This town was once an important stop on the salt trade route from Tibet to India. When the highway to Pokhara was completed - all the commerce moved down to the valley floor, leaving Bandipur sleeping in a time capusle on the high ridges above. It is actually possible to walk local trails from Bandipur southward into the Chitwan area.
On the old trail between Bandipur and the valley floor, there is a complex of sacred caves much revered by local people. The original trail between Dumre and Bandipur is 8 km long. But it is possible to drive on a paved, winding road all the way to the ridge top village now.