Nagarkot cycling

The cycles were hired from chettrapati at Rs.275 per day with helmets, pumps and puncher tools a day before the tour day, on Friday.

Selecting the bicycle at chettrapati Morning cycling Gathering at baneshwor Breakfast with laughs at kamalbinayak When its too diffucult to peddle Images on mirror Photoshoot after tiffin

At 7.30 am on Saturday, Sabin, Arbin, Sakund, Maheshowor dai and myself gathered at Baneshwor from where journey to Nagarkot started on the muscle power and two wheels. The foggy morning on the Suryabinayak highway was chilling to bones. I had to buy gloves on the way to beat this cold. The wide 6-lane road was an opportunity for warm-up. After peddling for 15km, at 8.15am we were at Kamal Binayak at Bhaktapur. Jeri, puri, tarkali, pakoda and tea was the breakfast at Kamal Binayak. After brief shopping for tiffin, we were ready for the uphill journey.

Nagarkot is about 30km from Kathmandu and lies at the altitude of about 2150m . The uphill cycling journey is 15km from Kamal Binayak. This route is perfect for the starter cyclist who wants a tough yet easy ride. Furthermore, this route is also very close to Kathmandu and vehicle are available incase of emergencies. And if one wants an easier ride, he can take the bike on the bus and return downhill journey only!

The time we were riding was the school time; hence lots of school children were seen on the way. The waving hands of children and school girls were an encouragement to the journey while the fat breaking tough ride was harder part. To pass each kilometer stone was a challenge to accomplish.

On the way lots of couples on motorbike were seen. Since Nagarkot is close to Kathmandu, it is ideal place for couples to pass some time together in peace and private.

Energy was draining out of the body. Even the intake of glucose couldn't give enough energy to peddle the bike. About half kilometer before the Nagarkot, the situation was worst and the team couldn't peddle further even an extra meter. With grace of god and human effort we were top of Nagarkot at 12pm. But we had few more kilometers to peddle to reach the view tower of Nagarkot. For this 3 km of journey it took 3 hours. The body was deprived of energy so we had to rest in between to recharge the body with food and some more time were spent to click photos.

Finally after reaching the view tower the energy was revived by the beautiful view of mountains. The view tower was crowded with young people who had come for picnic. More interesting activity was that people were trying to climb the leaderless view tower through the truss.

After that, we returned to Nagarkot for dal-bhat. Rs. 170 for vegetarian food is a bit costly than normal price of the food. However there were no alternatives.

At 4pm we started downhill journey and at 6pm we were at Baneshwor. On the way we took a brief intermission at Bhaktapur. Some photos at Nyatpol and few more at the Bhaktapur durbar square were taken. We were at Chettrapati at 7pm to return the bicycle to the shopkeeper.

A day full of cycling without any prior exercise had made our legs very stiff and pain was observed. Further there was pain in pelvic muscles due to seat of bicycle. In summary, whatever happened in the journey, it taught us one thing that "will is the power to win". Youtube.

Dhanushadham-Janakpur-Jaleshwor

Janakpur was the capital of

Illam Bajeko peda pasal

Mithila when Janak ruled as the King. Janaki (or Sita), daughter of Janak was married by Ram, the son of King Dasratha. For the marriage king wanted his son in law to be brave enough to handle the bow of lord Shiva. Janak arranged a festival calling the entire prince of neighboring countries and announced that anyone who could lift the bow he Janaki would marry the price. Nobody could lift the bow. At last prince Ram tried, surprisingly not only did he lift the bow, he broke the bow while putting an arrow on it. The bow was broken into three pieces, one piece went to heaven, second fell to the hell from where water started to come out and third one (the middle part) landed on the Dhanushadham.

The journey to these historic places started from Illam after finishing the works (16hrs per day) at the field office of Mai hydropower project. On the next day after staying at Mirchaiya (at Nishant's) we planned the circuit tour of Dhanush temple- Janakpur- Jaleshwor. Haat bazzar at Mirchaiya was as colourful as the rainbow while the reflection of setting sun on the pond was amazing.

Dhanush Mandir (the bow temple) located at Dhanushadham still preserves the bow of lord Shiva that Ram broke. Scientifically, there is a tree at the temple whose root is growing in the shape of Dhanush (the bow). Dhanush temple is about 20km from Dhalkebar, and about 123 km south east of Kathmandu.

The temple lies in the mid of terai village of Nepal. Beside Dhanush temple there is Ram-Janaki temple which has beautiful carvings on its wall. Mithila is also famous for art and culture. And a glipse of this beautiful art could be seen at this temple.

Panpasal and hat bazzar at Mirchaiya Ram-Janaki Mandir at Dhanushadham Dhanush Mandir The bow shaped Dhanush tree

After Dhanush temple, next spot was the capital of Mithila, Janakpur. Janakpur is about half hour ride from Dhanush temple. Janakpur is filled with ponds and fishes and temples. Sankata temple, Das Vigha (open field), Ram Mandir and many other temples beautifies this place. However the center of attraction is the Janaki Temple. This temple is the evidence of richness of Mithila art. It also signifies the glory of this historic kingdom. Bibah mandap where Janaki and Ram were declared husband and wife is also located on the side of Janaki temple. A garden is maintained and idols of Ram, Janaki, Janak and other people are put in this temple. During Bibha Panchami (the anniversary of Ram- Janaki wedding) a big festival is organized in this city by the devoted Hindu pilgrims.

We left Janakpur and headed towards Jaleshwor where lord Shiva was supposed to rest inside the water. Jaleshwor is about 45 minutes ride from Janakpur with narrow road. Jaleshwor is a small town with people of terai origin. Jaleshower got its name from the name of temple itself. The temple is surrounded by ponds.

From Jaleshwor there is shortcut route to meet the Mahendra Higway at Lalbandi. We followed this route while returning back.

As observed during the tour, the whole circuit area lacks sanitation measure. People were seen in the fields to empty their stomach and children were on the street. There seemed no proper toilets in this area.

Janaki Temple Bibaha Mandap Jaleshwor templell

Flowers at Janaki temple Janaki Temple Ram Mandir

Kritipur-Khokana-Bungamati hike

khokana, a set on Flickr.

On 15 october 2011, with anoj i went to stretch legs on the field of western kathmandu. We hiked from kritipur to khokana and then to bungamati. Crosed the mustered field and the paddy fields.Clicked photos on the way.




Crossed bagmati at Chovar near Jalbinayak. Fields were yellow with flowers of mustard. Farmers were busy to harvest paddy. We Reached khokana in about three hours.




2 plates Choila,1 plate bara, 1 plate chatamari, 1 plate sukuti with 1 batuko chyang, beautiful Sauni and a Sunny saturday that is how life should be. No sunday, no monday..just saturday!






Via Flickr:


Khokana lies at the southern end of Kathmandu valley. Historically famous for mustard oil.