Koshi and its wider surroundings: waterfall, birdlife, pilgrimage sites

In the wider region around Koshi, travel interests range from Namaste Falls and the birdlife of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve to temples and pilgrimage traditions. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus more on observing nature, landscapes or religious culture.

Waterfall and birdlife in the wider region

Namaste Falls is located in Sangurigadhi Rural Municipality in Dhankuta District, and thus in the wider region around Koshi. The drive passes Bhedetar and follows a section of the Koshi Highway; from the main road, a 10- to 15-minute walk leads to the waterfall. You can factor in this final stretch on foot when planning your day.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve extends across Saptari and Sunsari districts. Grassland with shrubs and deciduous riverine forests characterize the protected area. Around 479 bird species have been recorded there; some fly in from Siberia in winter. Activities include wildlife viewing and birdwatching. For nature enthusiasts, this offers a different perspective from visiting religious sites: the focus here is on habitats and observing wildlife.

Another natural attraction in the wider region is Taltalaiya in Itahari. The area covers around 20 hectares in Wards 2 and 3. Visitors come from different parts of Nepal as well as nearby India. The approximate area and the stated origins of visitors give you a specific sense of this place without conflating it with the reserve or the waterfall.

Temples, pilgrimage traditions and legends

Barah Kshetra lies near Chatara in Sunsari District, on a gently rising hill at the confluence of the Sapta Koshi and Koka rivers. Several temples there are dedicated to Lord Barah, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. An Ardha Kumbha Mela is held in Barah Kshetra every six years. If this festival is a deciding factor for your trip, check the specific event dates in advance.

Dharan, too, brings together several religious sites associated with different traditions. Budhasubba is in Dharan’s Bijaypur area and is worshipped by the Limbus as Kewasumang. Dantakali Temple is located in the Bijayapur Hill area. It is visited by a large number of devotees. According to the Swasthani stories, a tooth of Satidevi, the consort of Lord Shiva, fell to the ground there. Pancha Kanya Temple, in turn, was built in the 17th century AD by King Mukund Sen.

Pindeshwar Baba Dham is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva near Dharan Bazaar. During the Bol-Bam Tirtha Yatra, thousands of devotees walk barefoot carrying a vessel of water to offer it to the Shiva Lingam in the temple. This tradition offers a glimpse of a religious practice that differs from the stories and dedications associated with the individual temples.

Active experiences and travel guidance

Bhedetar, also known as Charles Point, is in Dhankuta District in the wider region around Koshi. Adventure seekers can go paragliding there. If your group has a range of interests, you can consider this active pursuit as a distinct focus alongside nature observation and cultural sites.

For general travel orientation, the bus connection between Biratnagar and the Bijaypur Hills north of Dharan is also relevant. This information refers to the hills; it does not provide a timetable. This helps distinguish the transport information from the specific directions to the waterfall, which include a 10- to 15-minute walk.

Choose a holiday apartment to match your travel priorities

When looking for a holiday apartment in Koshi, you can start by prioritizing your interests: birdwatching and protected-area landscapes, temples and pilgrimage traditions, or more active experiences in Bhedetar each offer a different focus. You can choose the location of your accommodation accordingly, depending on which themes matter to your travel group. These places are in the wider region around Koshi, so a single focus will not necessarily suit every travel plan.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Biratnagar.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Eastern Region.