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Khaptad National Park |
Khaptad is Nepal's newest national park, receiving its
designation only in 1985. It consists of 225 sq. km of
forest and grassland, and lies on a plateau where the
districts of Bhajhang, Bajura, Doti and Achham meet. The
forest comprise a mixture of tall fir, yew, rhododendron
and oak along with dense stands of bamboo and numerous
shrubs, and represents one of the last remaining such
areas in the lower Himalaya. The vegetation provides a
natural habitat for healthy population of wildlife,
including the musk and barking deer, bears various birds
including the impedance pleasant. One flower. Known as
Bheeg and resembling a white rose, grows in several
parts of the park. It is said to be so poisonous that
single sniff from close up can be lethal!
Khaptad Swami among Nepalis, Khaptad is best known as a
holy site and is closely associated with a widely revert
ascetic who lived here for Mandu years and who was known
simply as the 'Khaptad Swami'. The origins and
background of Khaptad Swami, who died in 1996 at the
grand old reported age of 110, are shrouded in mystery.
Some speculate that he was a doctor from India who
renounced his worldly life in favor of a purely
spiritual existence in a remote part if the holy
Himalaya. In any event, he never divulged either his
name or anything of his own life to anyone-including to
King Birendra who went to consult him several occasions.
He was undoubtedly a good, learned and widely read man
who also had a good command of English. He lived in a
cave on the eastern side of the park to where pilgrims
traveled from far and wide to see him and receive his
counsel and blessings.
It is said that Khaptad Swami was instrumental in
persuading the King to give National Park status to
Khaptad. About 1 km from the Swami's cave is the small
Bhagawan Shanker Mandir with a Dharmalala. Nearby is the
small pond, or Pokhari, whose water is said to be
lethally contaminated by the Bheeg and other toxic
flowers growing around it. Symptoms of poisoning are
believed to begin with joint pain, lethargy, nausea and
vomiting. Some people carry lemons and chills with them
as an antidote when walking through the area, through it
is interesting to remember that strings of lemons and
chills are also widely used elsewhere to ward off evil
sprits. Fencing now surrounds the pond. The Khaptad Mela
[Festival] takes place in September / October and
attracts several thousand pilgrims from throughout Nepal
for whom this pilgrimage is believed to be especially
meritorious. Celebrations include the pouring of milk
over the Linga of the Bhagawan Shanker Mandir and,
reminiscent of Diwalii, the lighting of ghee lamps at
night. Visiting Khaptad very few westerners ever visit
Khaptad. The best time to visit is from April to
September. The monsoon is relatively weak in West Nepal.
At other times, snow makes travel to and through most
areas impractical.
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Itinerary in Detail |
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Day 01 : |
Arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan Intl. Airport
and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free. |
Day 02 : |
Breakfast Kathmandu city sightseeing Lunch
Continue sightseeing Dinner and night halt
at hotel |
Day 03 : |
Breakfast Transfer to domestic airport. Fly
over the Mahendra Nagar, Lunch Walk along a
clear trail to the park at Jhigrana [4 hrs]
Night stop at Jhigrana, Dinner [Dal-bhat-tarkari
tipical Nepali's foods supply by our staffs] |
Day 04 : |
Breakfast Trek start from Jhigrana to
village Chorpani [3 hrs] Lunch,Trek to
Chorpani to Khaptad National Park back to
Chorpani and over night at camp. |
Day 05 : |
National Park Program end Back to Jhigrana
about 7 hour's trek Night stop at Jhigarana |
Day
06 : |
Break fast Walk 3 hrs from Jhigrana to
Mahendranagar airport Fly back to Kathmandu
Overnight at hotel. |
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For
Further Information & Booking
CLICK HERE. |
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Picture of Khaptad National Park |
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