This place is said to
have been formed and established as a pilgrimage site by Guru Maharaj Narayan
Khatri (Swami Hamsananda). locally, he is also known as Swagadwari Mahaprabhu.
This place was discovered by him as the place from where Pandavas went to
heaven in Dwapar Yuga or the time of “Mahabharat”. It is said that he acquired enlightenment
here and could do several miraculous things like curing the sick in a touch.
Also, Guru was very close to the cows of the place and he had a self-aware
death. It is also said that he started a fire that is still burning and that
never ends. Swargadwari is simply one of the holiest places for Hindus all over
the world.
Located over a hill top
in Pyuthan district of Rapti Zone in the Mid-Western Nepal is the famous
pilgrimage Swargadwari (meaning Heaven’s Door). Hundreds of people, especially
Hindus, travel to this place with a belief that this is the door to Heaven and
one should try to get to the Heaven to be blessed by God after his/her death.
The place itself has a lot to offer to tourists from pilgrimage, amazing views
of Snowcapped Mountains, lush-green paddy fields, dense coniferous and
rhododendron forests, and the rural life of the Western Nepal. The area is
maintained by Swargadwari Ashram Guthi which carries out daily rituals and
operated the day to day activities of the Ashram.
Legends
1. Swargadwari
Mahapravu proclaimed himself as the Avatara to reinstate the Dharma, Culture,
yoga and to retard the unseen force of impeding catastrophe forecoming to the
existing civilization. He performed Yagyas and spent all his life in this place
herding and milking thousands of cows. He took his last breathe (Samadhi) in
this very place and all the rituals he started have been continued by his
disciples till date.
2. This place is
believed to be the Taposthal where Tapasya (meditation) was performed by the
Panch Pandavas during their journey in the Himalayas enroute to the Heaven.
Also, this is believed to be the very place from where Yudhistir (the eldest
son of Pandava) entered Heaven (Swarg) with his dog.
3. King of Gods- Indra
performed Yagyan during the Satya Yuga at this place. The Temples along with
the Ashram lie on the hill top (approx.2300mtrs above sea level) in Puythan
Where
is Swargadwari Located?
The Temples along with
the Ashram lie on the hill top (approx.2300mtrs above sea level) in Puythan
District.
Transportation/Road
condition
1. Bhalubang (Daang)
–Bhingri-Swargadwari
This route is the best
one. Bhalubang is some 100kms west of Butwal or 360kms from Kathmandu on the
East-West Mahendra Highway. You’ll get vehicles every time as this is the
National Highway. Once you get down at Bhalubang, you’ll find direct buses to
Swargadwari (they’ll charge around NRs.300) or else you can catch a bus to
Rolpa and get down at Bhingri (70kms, 2hrs, NRs.240). At Bhingri there’s a gate
welcoming you to Swargadwari. Till Bhingri the road is blacktopped. The road
has lots of twists and turns so be careful enough if you vomit during travel on
such roads. From Bhingri it’s 13kms till the hill top. You can hike for around
4-5 hrs enjoying the rural life and enticing views of the Jhimruk and Madi
Valley or take a bus. This leg of the trip is difficult. The roads are just
built and not properly maintained. There have been lots of accidents on this
road. Still, there were people surveying the road for up gradation so hopefully
by the end of 2015, there will be proper road to the hilltop.
2. Ghorahi (Dang)-
Swargadwari:
This route is very difficult. It takes around 7-8 hours and the
road is very rough. You’ll need to pass through Cement factory and the road is
pack with trucks/trippers of the factory. Its dusty, rough and bumpy so better
not take this route.After you reach the hill top, at Dharampani, the bus park
is some 400mtrs to the left while, the Ashram is on the right side. You’ll have
to take around 300 steps to reach the Ashram and no vehicles can go till the
Ashram so it’s a 15-20 walk for everyone. You can find horses to take you till
the Ashram premises from Dharampani, which will charge NRs.200-250 per head.
Level
of difficulty/ Highest Point
The hill top is at
around 2300 meters above sea level, and also the route is clear, this trek has
a moderate level of difficulty. You can take a bike or any four wheel drive
vehicle to this place. The road is very bumpy and rough for such vehicles and
you need to be prepared for any emergency.
What
is there to see? What to do?
The route itself will
bless you with amazing scenery of the Jhimruk and Madi Valley from the top.
Also, stunning views of Snowcapped mountain ranges (Annapurna, Dhaulagiri,
Manaslu and many more), dense coniferous and rhododendron forest, wild animals
(antelopes, deer) are other things you can Inside the Ashram premises, there
are lots of temples, ponds, Caves, Canteen, Dharmashalas.
Check the Everyday,
hundreds of students (Batukas), teachers (Gurus) and spiritual trainers, carry
out holy rituals and Aakhanda Yagyans, since the time immemorial. Early morning
prayers are observed when hundreds of Panditas perform Hawan and Aarati. The
ritual fire which has been there for hundreds of years- Hawan is performed with
pure butter-ghee for hours in tune with the Vedic Mantras. Various other
activities like Kirtan and Vajan are performed daily. Laakh Batti, Rudri and
other religious/holy rituals can be performed at the ashram on request. The
ashram has fixed rates for each ritual.
There’s a main temple,
Gufa Mandir where daily Puja is carried out. Aakhanda Yagya Shala Mandir is
where the ritual fire is burning since ages. Every evening, there’s a holy
Aarati when the Jwala of the Hawan Kunda glows with pure butter-ghee pouring,
don’t miss to witness that. In the evenings, people carry out Bhajan/Kirtan and
dance in those holy tunes giving you a spiritual retreat. Moving uphill from
the Ashram is a cave from where Mahaprabhu, the holy saint used to get to the
Madi valley. Also, in between the Rhododendron forest is the Siddha-baba
Temple. Also, there are a hundreds of cows inside the Ashram. The Ashram takes
care of those cows and in turn manages all the day to day rituals with Milk and
pure butter. Thousands of cows are seen grazing the ground below the Ashram in
terraced land. You can enjoy breathtaking views of early morning sunrise over
the mountains. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu ranges are clearly seen in the
morning.
Food
and Accommodation
The Ashram itself
manages food and accommodation for all of its visitors. There’s a counter where
you need to pay for receipt of NRs.30 per bed and NRs.100 per meal. Healthy,
plain meal is served in the canteen managed by the Ashram. Also, if you plan to
cook your own meal, the Ashram provide firewood, utensils for your group. There
are hotels/lodges near the bus park but almost all of the people stay inside
the Ashram as many rituals are performed till midnight.
Best/Suitable
month to visit Swargadwari
The best time to visit Swargadwari is Feb-May
and September-October.
Do not Forget to :
- Carry warm clothes even during the summer season as its windy and cold at the hilltop
- Pack your bags light.
- Carry a torch light and multi plug to charge your mobile phones as there are very limited charging points.
- Carry all your plastic waste like wrappers, bags and bottles with you and dispose them at the garbage bins
- You don’t need to carry blankets for your stay. Ashram takes care of your stay.
- You are not allowed to take pictures inside the temples.
- Take off your shoes before you enter the temple premises.
- Do not litter around.
