Dharan sits at the foot of the hills, 16 km below Bhedetar, and its temples cluster on the wooded slopes on the eastern edge of town. Budha Subba, a shrine revered by Kirat and Hindu worshippers alike, is set among bamboo groves whose stems grow without tips, according to local belief. Couples often come to pray here, and a festival atmosphere fills the grounds on Saturdays.
Nearby, Dantakali temple is associated with the tooth of the goddess Sati, and Pindeshwar, on a hill above, is a Shiva temple that draws thousands of devotees during the month of Shrawan, when pilgrims carry water from the Koshi at Chatara. Each temple is a short drive and a flight of steps from the next.
Your guide also explains Dharan's history as the site of a British Gurkha recruitment camp until 1990, now the campus of the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Many ex-Gurkha families still live in the town, which helps explain its cosmopolitan feel and lively food scene.
Good for
- Pilgrims
- Families
- Couples
- Groups
Questions travellers ask
What is special about Budha Subba temple?
Budha Subba is revered by Kirat and Hindu devotees, and the bamboo around it is said to grow without tips. Many couples come to pray for a happy marriage, and it is busiest on Saturdays.
What is the Bol Bom pilgrimage in Dharan?
During the month of Shrawan (July–August), devotees walk barefoot from Chatara on the Koshi to Pindeshwar temple in Dharan carrying holy water, a journey of around 20 km, chanting 'Bol Bom'.
How long does the Dharan temple tour take?
About 3 to 4 hours for Budha Subba, Dantakali and Pindeshwar with time for darshan. Add an hour for lunch in the town's lively bazaar.
