Bardiya National Park – Bardiya District: Religious, Touristic Site

Bardiya is a district in province – 5, previously in mid-western region, which covers an area of 2025 square kilometer. There are 8 local levels in the district of which 6 are municipalities and 2 are rural municipalities. According to 2068 BS census by government of Nepal the population count is 4 lakh.

Bardiya is one of the districts which once was lost by Nepal to the East India Company after Anglo-Nepalese war but later returned during the administration of Jang Bahadur Rana along with other district Kanchanpur, Banke and Kailali. So the place is now also known as Naya Muluk (New Country). It is the richest district of Nepal in terms of ethnicity, language, religion, culture and biodiversity. It is connected to other places through Hulaki Rajmarga (Postal Highway) and East-West Highway. It takes half an hours’ bus ride from Nepalgunj airport to reach there.

Three types of climate zones viz. Lower Tropical (below 300 meter), Upper tropical (300 meter to 1000 meter) and Subtropical (1000 to 2000 meter) can be found in Bardiya. Most of the land is fertile, and occupied with forest and agricultural land. Bardiya National Park is the biggest national park in lowlands of Nepal which belong to Bardiya. It covers 968 square kilometer area.

Bardiya is also a hub of different natural wetlands and lakes like Badhaiya Taal, Satakhaluwa Taal, Rara Taal, Bhagar Taal. The rare deer Krishnasar (Black Buck) can be seen in Bardia only. Chisapani Pool (Coldwater bridge) standing on single pillar, the longest bridge of Kothiyaghat, historical temples and pilgrimages, cultural homestays etc. are also the tourist attractions of Bardiya.

Major Tourist Attractions of Bardiya

Bardiya National Park:

The popular Bardiya national park is located in Thakur Baba municipality of Bardiya district. It’s a habitat of spotted tiger, one-horn rhino, wild elephant, gharial crocodile, deer and different species of birds. Till now 46 species of mammal (including 10 protected mammals), more than 438 species of birds (including 6 protected birds), 52 species of reptiles (included 3 protected reptiles) and 121species of fishes have been recorded. According to 2018 tiger census 87 young spotted tigers have been spotted. Similarly 37 one-horn rhino and about 100 elephants are also spotted there. Karnali river and Babai river are flowing respectively in the west and mid of it. The Babai valley is the habitat of rare animals and hence is the cynosure of tourist attraction. The activities that can be enjoyed in the national park are Elephant safari, Jeep safari, Trekking, Fishing, Camping etc.

Chisapani Bridge:

The Chisapani Bridge across Karnali River which stands on a single pillar is another major attraction of Karnali River. Beneath the river rafting can be enjoyed.  Doing rafting from there one can reach to Kothiyaghat and Khauraha stream picnic spot near Hattisar (Elephant stable) of Bardiya national park.

Thakurdwar Temple:

The Thakurdwar temple has the artistic construction and great spiritual importance. So, many people come to visit the temple from distant places. There is a religious faith that if worshipped in a temple the wishes become true. Every year a religious ‘Maghi’ fair occurs for 4 days starting from Maghe Sakranti day. In the fair the indigenous people use to show ‘Tharu cultural dance’ and ‘Deuda dance’. In addition, in other religious rituals, Biwaha Panchami, Ram Nawami, Shiva Ratri, Ekadashi etc. many pilgrims visit the temple. This historic temple is also published in Postal tickets by government of Nepal. Thakurdwar temple has an area of 25 hector including its religious forest. It’s the temple of lord Vishnu. There’s no proper written evidence about the date of establishment of temple. According to local, 500 years before while ploughing a field a farmer found an idol of lord Vishnu with 8 arms and the temple was established. Later in 2036 BS the temple was rebuilt in the new form. The temple has tires in its four corners so looks like it can be moved.  Idols of Lichchhavi era are carved in the stones around the premises.

Khata Biological Corridor

Khata biological corridor is the popular way with animal movements which connects Bardiya National Park of Nepal with Wildlife Century of Kartaniyaghat, India. It belongs to the Madhuwan Municipality of Nepal. Tigres, Tigress, Cubs and Elephants use to be recorded frequently in this area. The tiger movement was also seen in nearby community forests like Gauri Mahila, Ganesh Sisnia and Sonahaphanta Community Forest of khata corridor. This corridor is playing vital role in maintaining biodiversity by facilitating natural migration of animals.

Dalla Homestay

Dalla homestay is in Dalla village of Madhuwan Municipality, ward no. one. This is the most popular biological homestay of Nepal, run by Tharu community, where 22 houses of a village are developed as homestays. The Dalla homestay is in service of national and international tourists since 2010. The guests are entertained with different tastes of Tharu cuisines and typical Tharu dances. Once visited by United kingdom’s prince Harry, the nearby community forest of Dalla village has run homestay by protecting endangered rhino, tiger etc.

Kothiyaghat Bridge:

This is one of the longest bridges in Nepal which measures 1 thousand and 15 meters. The bridge connects Rajapur Municipality and Madhuwan Municipality making a pathway to connect ancient historic Rajapur city.

Rajapur City

Once the Rajapur city was a hub for people of Karnali province to buy grocery items. They used to come there on foot. This historic city has the biggest rice mill in Asia in its center. The rice mill can store up to 55 quintal.

Ganeshthan Temple

The Ganeshthan temple is 38 kilometer away from Gularia; headquarter of Bardiya district. The temple was founded more than 1979 as people found shape of lord Ganesh on the holy plant Peepal. If worshipped it is believed that the wishes of prayers are fulfilled. In Tuesdays of Nepali month Magh there use to a crowd of pilgrims.

Dolphin Dive

A part of Karnali River near Rajapur Municipality is the habitat of human friendly animal Dolphin. Their dive can be seen almost always from Daulatpur to Nangapur of Karnali.

Geruwa

The Chinese Company had constructed a beautiful place to transfer water from Karnali River to the fields of farmers. It took 8 years from 1991 to 1999. It’s a viewpoint of wildlife activities. The Janaknagar village of Geruwa Village Municipality is the sample village of sanitation. From Banjariya post of Geruwa Village Municipality a new entry point has been opened to enter to Bardiya national park.

Barbardiya

It’s a municipality in Bardiya district. In the border between Barbardiya and Thakurbaba municipality there is a bridge of Babai River from which Ghadiyal crocodile and fishes can be seen. In ward no 09 of Barbardiya there is a beautiful Satkhaluwa lake where the water arrives from seven different streams. Hence it’s named as Satkhaluwa. This lake is famous for boating and bird watching. Targeting the visitors there is a Satkhaluwa Homestay nearby where the culture of different ethnics is presented to the guests. Tharu culture and hilly bhajans are major presentations.

Gularia

This is the most ancient historic municipality of Bardiya district. It has Parwatiya and Kotahi temple where the wishes of worshippers are believed to be fulfilled. Khairapur region of Gulariya municipality – 02 is the natural habitat of endangered Black Buck (Krishnasar). Khairapur is 5 km away from Gularia where more than 200 Krishnasar reside.

Bansgadhi

Bansgadhi bazar lies in Bansgadhi municipality of Bardiya district. The most famous shrine of this place is Kedarnath temple which has 108 feet tall Jyotirlinga, 108 taps and 108 Kailash margas.

Badhaiya Taal (Badhaiya Lake)

It is 20 km away in East of Gulariya and 16 km away in West of Nepalgunj. The rural municipality where it belongs has the name of it which is Badhaiyataal Rural Municipality. It has 109 bigaha area and 7 feet depth. This manmade lake is the place of water god as believed by Tharu community. Every year different birds from Siberia, Russia use to visit this lake. The lake lies in Simsar region. A view tower is also made there to ease the birdwatching. It’s also the popular picnic spot for locals.