Khotang District (खोटाङ) is in Province No. 1 of eastern Nepal and Diktel is its administrative headquarters. Khotang is known as a holy place of eastern Nepal, the Halesi is the Pashupati of eastern Nepal. So it is the main destination from the tourism point of view. Khotang is a land of scenic beauty and attractive tourist places.
A big fair is held on Shivratri, Ramnavami, Balachaturdashi, and Teej. Along with this shrine, there is also a Buddhist gumba known as Maratika shrine. A large number of Buddhist devotees also visit this shrine.
Attractions:
Ponds – Salle, Baraha, Chitapokhari
Waterfalls – Dhiplung, Dhande Changa, Vulvuley
Viewpoint – Sunapatal, Sialme, Tamke, Rupakot, Chilim dhunga
History of Khotang District
Before the unification of Nepal by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, Khotang was a part of Majha Kirat also known as Khambuwan. The land area between two rivers from Arun to Dudh Koshi was Majha Kirat which was under the suzerainty of Sen King of Chaudandigadhi.
Best place to visit
Diktel Bazaar
Diktel is the headquarters of Khotang District, situated in the North-east of Khotang. It is a remote but very beautiful. Diktel Village Development Committee (VDC) covers about 10 square km but Diktel bazaar covers about 1/15 square km. Diktel bazaar is one of the busiest places where people have to come for official work. The majority of people who live here are Rai, Tamang, Newar and Brahman, Gurung, Thapa etc.
In Diktel, there is a campus called Diktel multiple campus and it has a high school also named Saraswati Secondary School. There is a place called Hatdanda where people go to buy their necessary things every Wednesday and Saturday. It is a small place but it is really beautiful. If you want to see then you can go to worship, is called Debisthan and you can see all the beautiful views of Diktel. It is 5000 m high from sea level.
Haleshi Mahadevsthan
Haleshi Mahadevsthan is situated in the Khotang district in Nepal which is the most important and attractive natural place to bring people in Khotang. It is approx 30 km away from Diktel (district headquarters). Actual Mahadevsthan is located at a small rocky knoll. It looks like a pot, made by a pottery and made of stone. There are some trees on the knoll. There is a hole on the other side of the Mahadevsthan at the same knoll, which is called the Basaha hole.
It is approximately 100 meters long and 20 meters wide. The entrance of the hole is approx 3 meters high and 3 meters wide, up to 50 meters long and the remaining space is wider. Many people come here for worship. Some of the Pilgrims come from India and Tibet as well. This place is welcome for any religion or culture so you can see Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, etc. People do believe that, if someone wishes to go to Mahadevsthan, he must go there otherwise Mahadev will punish him someday and in some way.
Baraha Pokhari
Baraha Pokhari is in the middle of the forest, and there is a pond surrounded by hills.
Lamidanda
It is a beautiful village in Khotang District in the Sagarmatha Zone of eastern Nepal. One can get beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains such as Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu.
Tamke Danda
It is located on the border of Tamke Danda Bhojpur and Khotang districts. From Tamke Danda one can see the beautiful views of Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, and Dhankuta.
Kalika Devi Temple
Kalika Devi Temple is located on the south side hill of the Diktel. It is a popular tourist attraction. There is about 30 meters long natural cave. A fair is held in Teej, Ram Navami, and Valachaturdashi.
Caves
There are 2 caves in the Hasesi temple area. One cave lies on the west side of the site known as Basaha Cave. It is 150 feet long, 20 feet wide and 15 feet high. Along with the entrance of this cave, there is a natural stone Shivlinga in the shape of Basaha exists and is worshiped in the form of Mahadev.
Geography
It is connected by Bhojpur District in the east, Okhaldhunga District in the west, Solukhumbu District in the North, and Udayapur District in the south. It spreads within the tropical zone and covers around an area of 2000 square km.
People
The majority population is Rai and the rest of the percentage of the population is Magar, Gurung, Tamang-Sherpa, Newar, Brahman-Chhetri, and others.
Khotang Airport
There are three airports in the Khotang district Lamidanda, Man Maya Airport, and Thamkharka. Lamidanda is the nearest airport to Haleshi. The weather is not variable even in summer.
How can you reach Khotang?
By Road – Khotang is approximately 222 kilometers away from Kathmandu and it will take about 8 to 9 hours.
By Air – There are three airports to reach Khotang. They are –
- Man Maya Airport (Khanidanda Airport)
- Thamkharka Airport Khotang
- Lamidanda Airport