Experience the Rich History and Culture at Halesi Mahadev Temple in Nepal

Halesi Mahadev Temple

In one part of the cave, Hindu devotees can be seen praying, while in the other corner, Lama Gurus of Buddhism, followers of Kirant religion can be seen doing their religious activities. It is a rare sight to see people from different religious communities performing their religious activities in the same religious place.

There is a monastery in the cave complex. Buddhist Lama Gurus and Buddhist followers can be seen meditating in the monastery. There is a Shiva temple along with it. Hindus can be seen performing religious activities in the temple. Where a sense of co-existence is awakened among religious communities after stepping on it.

Hindus smile when they see Buddhist Kirant. Buddhists do darshan when they see Hindu Kirant. Kirants show respect to Hindus and Buddhists. After doing their religious work, they sit together and have tea and breakfast and gossip. Different religious communities, different beliefs and different religious activities in one place. Respect and goodwill towards each other is evident.

Although the name of religion, religious activities, method and process are different, Halesi Mahadev is giving the message that God is one. Halesi Mahadev is a moving whip for those who believe only their own religion and belief is right and look down on other religious communities or those who are trying to create unrest in the world by fighting in the name of religion.

Spiritual Celebrations 

Halesi Mahadev is the Triveni of Hinduism, Kirant and Buddhism. Halesi Mahadev, located in Halesi Tuwachung Municipality of Khotang District under Koshi Province, is also called Pashupatinath of the East by Hindus. Buddhists consider this religious place as the second Lumbini, while Kirantis consider it as the primeval land and worship it.

Hindus believe that if you visit Halesi Mahadev, you will get relief from suffering, relief from drought, childless people will get children, they will be promoted and they will be healthy. Buddhists believe in attaining enlightenment and getting rid of worldly suffering. The Kirants consider Halesi to be the ancestral home of their ancestors. It is believed that ancestors will be happy if they see Lord Halesi Mahadev. The Kirants believe that human civilization developed from Halesi. They believe that everything from farming to clothing production is from Halesi.

As it is a tri-religious place, there is no less tourist traffic in Halesi. Not only Nepalese, but also tourists from India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and other countries. It is believed that Buddhists must reach Halesi once. Similarly, the activity increases during the Buddha Jayanti/Vaisakh Purnima and special festivals of Buddhists. Mahashivratri, Ram Navami and Bala Chaturdashi are crowded with Hindu devotees. Special crowds increase during big festivals like Undhauli and Ubhauli of the Kirants. On other normal days also, the movement of visitors is the same.

A hill covered with thick forest in the lap of evergreen hills like Gurase, Tuwachung, Jayjum, Malathumki and Rupakot hills. There is a large rock cave facing the sky at Takura in Thumka. That cave is called Halesi Mahadev Cave. After entering the cave and going down about 300 feet, you will reach a flat place where hundreds of people can stay.

The natural idol of Mahadev and Ganesha are located in the same place in the dimly lit and flat place inside the cave. There is Parvatisthan on the south wall from there. At that place, there is a figure like Parvati bringing milk for Ganeshji, where the childless people ask for children.

In the northern corner of the cave, there is Dharmadwara and Papadwara. There is a legend that righteous souls can enter through that door and ungodly ones cannot. Apart from this, there are natural stone statues of special importance such as birth door, heaven door, karma door, idols of 300 deities, etc. inside the cave.

Bhashathan Cave

There is another big cave in Thumko where Halesi Mahadev is located. It is known as Basahathan. It is said that Mahadev left Basaha in the mouth of the cave. The cave is called Basaha Than. At the mouth of this cave there is still a rock of Ajang and it is worshiped as Basaha.

The cave of Basahathan is pierced horizontally from the foot of the mountain called Kailash Parvat and after reaching about 150 feet, it rises vertically at an angle of 90 degrees like the English letter L (L) and splashes into the sky. Its length is 220 and the vertical face is about 90 feet high. After entering about 210 feet from this cave, which can be easily entered and exited by hundreds of people at a time, you will reach an open and bright flat area. Where the open sky can be seen through the hole in the rock.

Looking at the appearance of the cave, it is similar to the world’s largest cave in Vietnam, Han Saen Daeng. The entrance is a bit small. After entering, there is a large spacious area. In between there are various figures made of rocks. The sky can be seen above from the last part of the cave. There is a big hole. Entering the cave feels strange.

8/10 people can easily enter through the mouth of this cave at once. Its belly is about 45 feet wide. The mouth towards the sky is very wide. Its corners are leaking water from the capcha. In one place, on the wall, there are beaked figures like cow’s udders melting from limestone. Lime-colored water drips from it. Devotees pat milk there saying ‘Dudh Deumai’. It is said that milk leaks from the hands of the lucky ones. Needless to say, lime water falls on the hands of some people. The religious devotees call it the milk of Kamdhenu, while the materialists speculate that the milk offered to Mahadev in the Mahadevathan has leaked out.

Trekking Trails to Reach the Temple

One of the best ways to reach Halesi Mahadev is via scenic treks that take you through charming hill villages and lush forests. From Kathmandu, you can take a bus to Khotang Bazar and begin the 3-4 hours hike to the temple. Stop at typical Nepali villages along the way where smiling locals welcome you into their homes adorned with woodcarvings.

Alternatively, start trekking from Haleshi Mahadev Bazaar through rhododendron and pine forests. Cross blossoming meadows and gushing streams to arrive at the Mahadev Cave after 4-5 hours. You can also trek to the less-explored Basahathan Cave, which takes about 2.5 hours from the Bazaar.

These walking trails winding through the misty lower Himalayas provide a soul-stirring experience. Not only does the landscape enchant you, but the journey also builds anticipation of soon beholding the mystical cave temple.

Tales Behind the Sacred Caves

There is a lot of fascinating mythology around the genesis story of Halesi Mahadev. The caves were originally covered in thick forests teeming with fauna, so goes the popular belief.One day, a Kirati hunter fatally injured a deer that scrambled into the Mahadev cave seeking refuge. When the hunter followed it inside, he was amazed to see dazzling lights emanating from within. Lord Shiva appeared from the depths and blessed him. After this divine encounter, the hunter swore to give up hunting and spread the word about the sacred site.

Many myths attribute the creation of the caves to Lord Shiva himself. It is said that Shiva dug these caverns to escape the clutches of the demon Bhasmasura, who misused a boon to reduce anyone to ashes by touching their head. To evade him, Shiva pierced the mountains and exited through another opening. Later, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini distracted Bhasmasura by dancing, making him touch his own head and perish. The legend explains how the tunnels came into being.

According to another popular story, when Sati immolated herself at her father Daksha’s yagna, her right elbow fell at this spot, leading to the manifestation of Shiva’s shakti as Haleshi Mahadevi. The mythology and folklore shrouding Halesi Mahadev add further mystique and draw.

halesi mahadev in map of nepal

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