Dupcheshwor Mahadev Temple - Nuwakot
Dupcheshwor Mahadev Temple is located in the Nuwakot District of Nepal. Almost all Hindu people believe in Lord Mahadev, and many come here for pilgrimage purposes. This place is also an excellent destination for visitors. Nature lovers should definitely visit, as it’s very close and easily accessible from Kathmandu. According to Google Maps, it is only 62.7 km away from Samakhusi Chowk, Kathmandu.
Transportation
If you’re planning to go to Dupcheshwor from Kathmandu, you can catch a bus or microbus from Machchhapokhari, Balaju, or Samakhusi Chowk. Most buses to Nuwakot depart from the Machchhapokhari Bus Park. There are multiple routes to Nuwakot, including via Galchhi, Kakani, and Tokha. To reach Dupcheshwor, you’ll need to either take a direct vehicle to Dupcheshwor or travel via the Tokha-Chhahare route.
If you have your own vehicle or are renting one, you can easily reach Dupcheshwor by following Google Maps or asking locals for directions. The route is straightforward—you just need to take the Tokha-Chhahare route. Keep a few key points in mind along the way, and you’ll reach your destination without difficulty.
Route to Dupcheshwor form Kathmandu
Your Route to Dupcheshwor Mahadev Temple: Key Points to Keep in Mind
To reach Dupcheshwor from Kathmandu, you can take a bus (often an EV microbus) from Machchhapokhari, Balaju, or start your journey from Samakhusi if you’re traveling by private vehicle. Head towards Tokha, following this route:
Key Route Landmarks:
- Samakhusi Chowk → Grande Hospital → Tokha City → Surya Chour (Shivapuri Hill)
Notable Spots to Visit Along the Way:
- Tokha Bhutkhel Ground
- Ganesh Temple
- Jhor Jharana (Boudeshwor Waterfall)
- Surya Chour – Shivapuri National Park
- Top of Shivapuri Hill – offers stunning views of the Kathmandu Valley and Nuwakot from the other side.
Note: Be mindful of the time, as the journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. While the distance may seem short, the route is not straightforward, so you won’t be able to travel quickly. And At the top of the hill, you may stop and asked by officers, as this route passes through the National Park area.
Beyond the Hill: Entering Nuwakot
From the top, start descending to leave Kathmandu and enter Nuwakot. This area is cooler, with limited sunlight. You might see blooming Laligurans (seasonal), birds, forest roosters, and Kalij pheasants along the way.
After a while, you’ll reach Chhahare, where you can stop for breakfast or a quick rest if needed. When I traveled this route before, the road was in poor condition. I’ve been to Nuwakot 3 or 4 times, and at that time, the road was entirely off-road. However, it has greatly improved now, and it’s great to see this development.
Fuel and Charging Alert: There is only one fuel station and EV charging point on this route, so ensure you have enough fuel. If you miss this, you’ll have to go to Trishuli Bazar to refuel.
Route Directions:
At Chaughada, you’ll see both an overhead suspension bridge and a motorable bridge. Here, you’ll need to leave the main highway. Take a right turn and cross the Chaughada Bridge over the Likhu River (missing this turn will lead you to Dhikure, a longer alternative route).
After crossing the bridge, you have two options:
- Left Route: This is the easier path and will lead you directly.
- Right Route: If you choose this path, be sure to take a left turn at one of the first three intersections to stay on track. This may be short then left Route.
- After Bahunbesi, take another right turn—this is where the Dhikure route intersects.
Soon, you’ll arrive at Kharanitar, followed by Satbise Bazar in Samundratar. Along the way, you might notice shutters painted with Juventus and PSG logos, reflecting the local enthusiasm for football.
From Satbise to Dupcheshwor: Along this stretch, you’ll see mini-hydropower stations and large water pipes, possibly for hydro or irrigation purposes. If you enjoy swimming, you’ll find a popular natural swimming pool nearby—now a sensation on social media. We missed it on our trip due to time constraints and fasting, but it’s definitely worth a visit on a future trip.
After about 2-3 hours of travel, you’ll reach your destination: Dupcheshwor Mahadev Temple.
Here, you can purchase puja Saman and place an order for lunch at the local hotels. Pre-ordering your meal can save you time, allowing you to enjoy lunch right after returning from the temple without waiting for food preparation.
Reached Dupcheshwor Mahadev Temple
There are some stairs to reach the main temple, requiring a short hike. According to local stories, a long time ago, a farmer’s cow went missing and was later found in a difficult-to-reach spot, spontaneously giving milk onto a stone. After witnessing this, people began to believe that Lord Mahadev resided here. Some even refer to Dupcheshwor as the “second Pashupatinath.”
Along the way, there is a challenging path beneath a large rock formation. Locals believe that passing through this pathway can relieve back pain. If you’re visiting the temple on a holiday, you may need to wait in line. My humble request to everyone is to wait patiently for your turn. Visiting religious places is about earning spiritual merit; rushing or overtaking others detracts from this purpose. We should give priority to the elderly and disabled.
Volunteers are also present to assist with the worship process, guiding visitors on where to pray, where to place tika, and where to light incense.
Here are some pictures of Dupcheshwor Mahadev Temple and Area.
Cost to visit Dupcheshwor Mahadev Temple
We traveled with a group of 14-15 people and reserved a microbus for Rs. 10,000 (round trip). The driver picked us up and dropped us off at our location. For lunch, we had a vegetarian Khana Set, which cost Rs. 200/- per plate. The food was quite decent, and we all found it tasty though it might have been because we were very hungry. Other expenses depend on your personal choices.
Author's Opinion
My personal experience on this trip was sweet and memorable. After a long time, I traveled in a four-wheeler, and at times, I even felt motion sickness.
I wish that rivers and such beautiful waters were available near my place, it would be so much fun. I found farming in Nuwakot is so good may be because of sufficient water to irrigation.
I highly recommend this place to anyone who is a devotee of Lord Shiva (Mahadev), and also to those who love exploring nature.
In addition to the main trip, we also visited Nuwakot Durbar. I will cover this extra trip in my next article, so stay tuned!
Thank you for reading my article.
