Exploring the Mystical Ugratara Temple in Far-West Nepal

Dadeldhura in the Far West is known as geographically difficult, but it is also beautiful in nature. Along with the gifts of nature, there are also attractive destinations for religious tourism in this region. One of them is the Ugratara temple located in Dadeldhura’s Amargadhi Municipality-7, Pokhara. This temple is four/five kilometers west of Dadeldhura headquarters Bagjar.

This temple is considered to be one of the 9 temples of Bhagwati in the far west of Nepal. Ugratara Bhagwati temple is built in pagoda style. No authentic inscription has been found regarding the origin of Ugratara temple. However, the legend of the origin of Ugratara Bhagwati Temple is interesting.

This famous temple in Amargadhi Municipality-8 of Dadeldhura is situated in a tall, vast and beautiful valley on the west side of the Mahakali highway connecting Dadeldhura-Baitadi, about 5 km from the headquarters. Devotees who want to see Ugratara Devi, located in the nature reserve, should go up from the Tatesiling of Amargadhi-8.

At present, a tarmac road has also been constructed from Amargarhi-8 docks and Ratagaun to reach Ugratara temple. Last year, ‘Ugratara Temple’ was also among the 100 new tourist destinations selected by the government. Devotees come here every day to worship.

Vibrant Traditions and Rituals

Ugratara comes alive with vivid rituals and traditions during the Deijat Mela. Each morning, processions bearing the goddess’s idol make their way to the temple from surrounding villages.

Pilgrims express devotion through ecstatic singing and dancing. At night, the dark hills echo with the blowing of conch shells and clanging damau and ruising cymbals. On Ashtami, the eighth day of the festival, devotees sacrifice a cow within the temple grounds.

The Mela also features more lighthearted traditions. Dozens of Hindu couples arrive to get married at the auspicious Ugratara temple. Locals exchange wedding gifts and celebrate late into the night. For many pilgrims, visiting Ugratara provides a rare chance to reconnect with far-flung family and friends.

Exploring the Temple Architecture and Treasures

The Ugratara Temple’s distinct pagoda-style architecture sets it apart from more prevalent designs in Nepal. The idol of Bhagwati resides in the garbha-griha or sanctum sanctorum, while four smaller shrines honor other deities. Ornate wood carvings adorn the roof struts, columns, doors and windows.

Within the inner sanctum lies the temple’s most prized treasure – four ancient Bhram [relics] connected to the goddess. These include the Khanmada, Chachoda, Dumda and Jiloda Bhram which hold symbolic spiritual significance for devotees.

The main temple is surrounded by a sprawling complex of rest houses, shops, auxiliary shrines and bathing ghats along the Talanvakhola river. Massive Sitapaila trees dot the landscape, with some dating back centuries.

Some legends

For many years, Sanki caste lived in Latauli village near the place where Ugratara Bhagwati was located. Which is also clear from the shape of the current map. Around the present Ugratara Bhagwati temple, the Sanki castes of Latauli used to do agricultural work.

One day, a farmer of the same Sanki caste was ploughing, and the blade of the plow stuck in a stone, and blood flowed continuously from the stone, even though the Sanki tried many times to stop the blood, it did not stop. When the blood came in abundance, the river of blood started to flow. Even now this river is known by the name of Talanvakhola of this temple. To stop the bleeding in this way, when the same farmer brought Khichdi (made of meat) to the wound from the same stone, the bleeding stopped. After that, the stone was protected and the temple was built. That farmer became the priest there.

When his children were priests, there is a tradition of lying upside down from a place called Nachantukri in the Ugratara area, entering through a small window in the Shaileshwar Mahadev temple about 5 km below, and performing other traditional activities, and remaining a real householder in the worship of Bhagwati. Thus, when the priest is not incarnated, it is customary for Brahmins to worship only a little away from the outer rock of the temple. There is another legend about this priest.

At one time, Ugratara Mata asked him to have a child as he was childless even in his old age. When the son grew up, the son took care of all the household affairs of the priest. However, one year before the fair of Ugratara, many guests came to that village. Which is still the same today. The people of that village remember their duty to welcome the guests.

In the same half of the night, the time of that old woman’s son and daughter passed away in the hospitality of the guest and because she did not care about herself during that period, the old woman again went to the Ugratara temple in the night with anger and cried out that the son received from the lord’s palace should be destroyed.

Every year ‘Dehijat’ Mela

Thus there is another legend about the glory of Ugratara. In the famous festival Deijat held on the Kattik Shukla Purnima, in ancient times, the warriors from Garkha used to fight with their bravery and a river of blood flowed, which has been named as Nwakhola. Every year thousands of devotees come to the Ugratara Bhagwati Mela, which is considered as Dehejat, from the Far Western Province, Karnali and neighboring India.

Every year a fair is held on the full moon night (Ratedi) and the second day (Diusedi). At the Ugratara Bhagwati temple where Khanmada, Chachoda, Dumda and Jiloda bhran (repository) are located, the Diunsedi Mela starts after the morning ‘deuro’ comes from all these four villages in the Ratedi Mela.

According to Pandit Bhojraj Bhatt, at 4 o’clock in the morning, the worship of Goddess Bhagwati begins as soon as the doli of Mother Bhagwati reaches Deuro Ugratara Temple from all the four villages along with Dain Damah, Ruising, Vikul, Bhokar, Shankh, Ghanta etc.

After the morning puja, in the afternoon, the Ganj Mandir of Bhagwati Mata, along with the special four places of the grounds spread over hundreds of acres, are taken around with bajagaza. Even on the day of Ashtami, there is a tradition of sacrificing a cow in the temple.

Ugratara Mela is famous as an opportunity for business and meeting with relatives. There is a good trade in Pathan, various greens and vegetables used to make mohi along with various locally produced items such as Fapar, Bhimur, Sesame, Ginger, Turmeric, Chuk, Honey, Ghee, Oranges, Moosumi, Bananas, which are disappearing. The fair is also famous for the sale and promotion of local endangered products. With the preliminary plan to sell in the Ugratara Mela, the locals have prepared food items and agricultural implements along with various bamboo and bamboo materials. Traders from different parts of India make and sell sweet dishes in the fair.

Planning Your Visit to Ugratara Temple

If you’re captivated by the legends of Ugratara and want to plan a trip, here are some tips:

• Best season: Spring and autumn offer moderate temperatures and clear skies. Time your visit to attend the Deijat Mela, which peaks on Kartik Purnima, a full moon falling between mid-Oct and mid-Nov.
• How to reach: Fly or take a bus to Dadeldhura, then hire a jeep for the 5-6 hour drive to Ugratara. Or spend a day hiking uphill from Amargadhi. Join an organized tour for hassle-free transport.
• Where to stay: Options range from basic guesthouses in Amargadhi to camping in the hills. Or consider day trips from Dadeldhura to experience the key events.
• What to bring: Warm layers, hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen and flashlight for poorly lit paths. Bring temple offerings like fruits, flowers and sweets for pujas.
• Guides: Hire a knowledgeable local guide in Dadeldhura to maximize your experience and bridge language barriers.
• Respect local culture: Dress and behave conservatively. Absorb the festival spirit but avoid rowdiness. Ask before photographing people.

Let the mysticism of Ugratara Temple awaken your spirit and appreciation for Far-West Nepal’s unique culture. As the locals say – ‘एक बार आउ, हर बार याद आउ!’ (Come once, remembered forever!)

Map to Ugratara Temple

FAQs About Ugratara Temple