In eastern Nepal, the Okhaldhunga District is one of 14 districts that make up Province No. 1. The district, which has its headquarters in Okhaldhunga, has a population of 156,702 in 2001 and 147,984 in 2011. It occupies an area of 1,074.5 km2 (414.9 sq mi) and has a population of 1,074.5 km2 (414.9 sq mi).
Okhaldhunga is located between 390 and 3627 meters above sea level. Between Khotang, Ramechhap, Solukhumbu, Udayapur, and Sindhuli is this district.
How does Okhaldhunga get its name?
It is thought that the word Okhaldhunga comes from a stone in the form of an Okhal that can be found in Okhaldhunga VDC 6 at Shiddeswor Park.
Okhaldhunga: Hills and Valleys Harmony
Credit:nepaltraveller.com
There are several legends about the origins of this location's name. Any of them can be seen during:
Mahabharata Period
Bhim is said to have eaten his food in Okhal by consuming rice. A stone with a lot of cracks. A big grinding stone known as Okhaldhunga can be found at the district headquarters.
Malla Regime
According to another account, Bhim Malla was sent to the eastern part of the country to lead the troops in an expansion. Kiraat ruled Okhaldhunga at the time, and by displacing the Kiraats of that place, they arrived here and ate food by beating rice in a deep hole stone similar to Okhal. As a result, it was given the name Okhaldhunga.
Introduction to Okhaldhunga District
This is a developing neighbourhood that is rich not only in natural beauty but also in cultural heritage. This location is part of Wallo Kirat, which is home to the Rai and Sunuwar ethnic groups. We can also include Limbu, Magar, Tamang, Bhujel, Newar, and other ethnic groups.
Okhaldhunga: Tranquil Hillside Beauty Captured
Credit:Wikiwand.com
This district contains a number of religiously and biologically significant sites. The attractive point of this location is a range of rivers, waterfalls, hills, caves, and religious sites.
The main rivers in this area are the Dudh Koshi, Sun Koshi, and Likhu. Tholedemabaa Peak is a prominent peak in Khiji Chandeswori VDC, Falaate VDC, and Kaati VDC, and it draws a large number of tourists.
During our visit to this place, we can see a variety of waterfalls, including the Pokali waterfall, which is 131 meters high, the Raatmate waterfall, which is 111 meters high, Sepli fall, Dhikure fall, Selele fall, and Nyaule fall, which are all located in this district.
How can you reach Okhaldhunga District?
There are two ways by which you can reach Okhaldhunga. They are by:
- Road
- Air
Road
It takes almost about 6 hours or more to travel from Kathmandu to Siddhicharan, Okhaldhunga, which is about 220 kilometres away. The trip there is bumpy and needs off-road training.
Since the headquarters is not yet linked to the national highway, a two-day walk from Katari is the best alternative.
Air
Okhaldhunga residents will fly to Rumjatar Airport to connect with people from Lukla, Biratnagar, and Kathmandu. Nepal Airlines and Tara Airlines are the air transportation providers.
The Rumjatara Airport is located 5.3 kilometres from the headquarters.
Places to Visit in Okhaldhunga
There are several places to visit in Okhaldhunga. They are:
Champadevi Temple
This temple, located in Bilandu VDC 9, is one of Goddess Durga's most prominent temples.
Tolu Gumba
It is located in Janatarkhani VDC and is a famous Buddhist destination, especially for the Sherpa community. The monastery is filled with wooden and concrete images of Lord Buddha and is well worth a visit.
Chandisthan Cave
It is a well-known cave in Ragini VDC. It's a 300-foot-long cave with hot wind movement that's been described as a sacred mystery spot.
Khoji Tholedemba
This is the highest and most beautiful hill in western Okhaldhunga, with spectacular mountain views and lush vegetation.
Other places to visit in Okhaldhunga are:
Okhaldhunga Gadhi
Riyal Gumba
Chaisankhukot Gadhi
Dolakhark Gumba
Chyanmakot Gadhi
Bhaluithumka Gadhi
Taluwa Gadhi
Interesting fact about Okhaldhunga
Siddhicharan Shrestha, a well-known poet and writer, was born in this town. Nepal's 'Yug Kabi' is another name for it. This location is depicted in the majority of his poetry and compositions. He has explained how lovely this place is and how it is made up of every part of it (rivers, birds, greenery, everything). This place is home to a variety of breathtaking landscapes, including many large waterfalls and scenic beauty.