Tanahun, 10 Jul: The tourist town of Bandipur has launched the campaign “Make Your Village Enjoyable” (Aafno Gaun: Ramailo Banaun) with the goal of developing every settlement as a tourist hub. Prioritizing tourism, the rural municipality plans to partner with communities to promote rural beautification and launch the “Bright Bandipur” and “Stone Pavement” initiatives.
According to Rural Municipality Chairperson Surendra Thapa, the municipality aims to conserve and promote major caves like Siddha Cave—claimed to be the largest in Asia—Pataldwar Cave, and Shankhe Cave, turning them into active tourist attractions. He stated, “Bandipur is a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. As a tourist area, we have made tourism a top priority in our policies and programs.”
Thapa added that to increase Bandipur’s tourism revenue, various tourist parks and tourism-friendly games will be developed, along with expanded fee collection systems. He also noted that historic forts from the Baisey-Chaubisey (22/24 principalities) period, such as Huslangkot, Chandrakot, and others within Bandipur, will be studied and preserved.
Chairperson Thapa stated that the Thanimai Temple and Mukundeshwari Palace, considered the cultural crown of Bandipur, will be preserved and the temple will be reconstructed. He also shared plans to continue building tourism-friendly infrastructure such as the Manimukundasen Trail, a rock garden, and rock climbing facilities.
He said, “The trail wall has already attracted the attention of visiting tourists. The construction work is in its final stage. Known as the ‘Mini Great Wall,’ we aim to complete it within the upcoming year.”
To promote religious tourism in Bandipur, Chairperson Thapa stated that the local government aims to conserve and promote ancient monasteries and temples that have been revered since time immemorial. These include the Mukundeshwari Temple, Thanimai, Khadkamaya, Bhutyai Baraha, Santaneshwar Mahadev, Mahadev Temple of Mulpani, Tindhara Mahadev, and the Mahadev Temple of Pahadpani. The goal is to preserve these sacred sites and integrate them into the region’s tourism offerings.
He said, “To ensure sustainable tourism development in Bandipur and to increase the length of stay of tourists, we will coordinate with neighboring municipalities to promote and develop various tourist destinations.”
Chairperson Thapa further shared that the rural municipality will launch programs to promote adventure tourism activities such as rock climbing, paragliding, cycling, canyoning, and water-based recreation, which hold immense potential in the region.
According to him, tourists from Switzerland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Iran, India, Greece, Argentina, and many other countries frequently visit Bandipur.
The municipality has listed Khadgadevi Temple, Thanimai Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple, Siddha Cave–Manimukundasen Trail (Mini Great Wall), Tindhara, waterfalls and fountains, Tundikhel, Manimukund Sen Palace, and Padma Library as major tourist destinations.
Structures built in Bhaktapur-style architecture, along with sites like Tundikhel, Thanimai, Tindhara, Raniban, Ramkot, Sunkhari, Khadgadevi Temple, Bindhyabasini Temple, MJapan, China, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France, the USA, Germany, Denmark, Pakistan, Australia, the UK, Ireland, South Korea, Belgium, Thailand, Taiwan, ahalaxmi Temple, and the Tourist Information Center, have become key attractions for visitors to Bandipur.
