Devghat: Meeting place of the gods

Often overlooked when travelling from border areas of Chitwan and India, Devghat is a travelers’ and devotees’ paradise. The hills of the Mahabharat Range meet the Tarai plains here at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers. Forested rolling hills abound here at the meeting place of the gods.

The beauty of Devghat is unique in its lay, deep wide ravines are looked upon from the high grounds of Devghat village reached by an expansive clickatee-clank suspension bridge, reminiscent of India’s Rishikesh. Here every second building is a temple or ashram.

Devghat is auspicious to Hindus as the meeting point of two important rivers. The Kali Gandaki’s black waters snake from Muktinath in Nepal’s western Himals—considered the abode of Vishnu—King of Hinduism’s Gods. While the Trishuli River flows from Suryakundh (Sun-Lake) and Gosaikund (Cow-Lake) in the Langtang Mountains, where Lord Shiva (God of Destruction) drove his trishul (trident) into a cliff’s face, spouting forth three points of water. Making Devghat the meeting point of two important God’s. Proven by countless shaligrams: stones with round fossils inside, considered Vishnu incarnate, and, lingams: phallic shaped stones representing Shiva incarnate. Both are gatherable along either river’s banks. If not enough these rivers will join the sacred Ganges.

Many Gods and sages are reputed to have visited Devghat, which has always been inhabited by holy men in caves and huts along the rivers. Amongst the known Gods and Goddesses are Lord Rama, his wife Sita, Lord Krishna and King of Mithal: Lord Jhanak, considered an advisor to the Gods. Legends go further saying that this was the cremation ground for the Goddess Sita.

Numerous Hindus live-out their lives last stage here; focusing on meditations and worships per scriptures; to be in a good place for their cremation, moving onto new life-cycles. Many ashrams have been constructed accommodating this. Parks, gardens and forests abound with numerous trees such as banyan, rudraksha, pipalbot, sal, banana and mango, along with countless medicinal herbs. Various music programs, feast and rituals are regular—yet Devghat still retains its village feel.

The best time to visit Devghat is during the festival of Makar Sankranti, when the Sun begins regaining its power—beckoning spring’s dawn. Worshippers number into thousands, bathing and visiting countless temples. As it’s winter’s end, there will be no annoying mosquitoes, a problem most months.

Coming here is not difficult; take a three-four hour micro ride from Kathmandu towards Naryanghat (confluence of nine rivers), getting off five kilometers before. Your driver will know. From here it’s a four-kilometer walk, or, wait for the next bus. There are no hotels, but for the adventurous and those speaking Nepalese it is possible to find a corner for sleeping and a warm meal.

So next time you are on your way to or from the border area why not give Devghat a try, and see something special to many.


Charlie Das is a bhakta who loves divine places.Contact at charliedasudasin@gmail.com.

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