DAMAULI: The Chimkeshwari Mai Temple, located at the highest point in Tanahun district, has been beautified as part of a broader effort to promote it as a religious tourism destination.
Situated at an altitude of 2,134 meters in Aanbukhaireni Rural Municipality-5, the temple has undergone various upgrades under a beautification and reconstruction campaign led by the local government.
Ward Chairman Santosh Gurung said that a traditional Pauwa Pati (rest house), reflecting Nepali art and architecture, has been constructed to offer shelter to pilgrims and visitors.
Additional renovations include the installation of brass canopies and decorative panels inside the temple, teriya bricks along the pathways and stairs, and stamped stonework in the courtyard to enhance the temple’s visual appeal.
The rural municipality also plans to reconstruct the nearby Budhimai Temple. The goal is to rebuild the shrine of Jethi Budhimai, the eldest among the seven goddess sisters, using a traditional wooden frame.
Chimkeshwari Mai, worshipped as the sister of Gorkha’s famed Manakamana goddess, holds cultural and spiritual significance. It is widely believed that prayers offered at this site lead to the fulfillment of one’s heartfelt wishes.
Among the seven Goddesses, both Jethi Budhidevimai and Maili Chimkeshwarimai reside in Chimkeshwari, while others—Saili Gorakh Kalimai, Kaili Manakamanamai, Antari Ichchakamanamai, Jantari Annapurnamai, and Kanchhi Akalamai—can also be worshipped from this location.
Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of mountain ranges including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Lamjung, Manaslu, and Machhapuchhre from the temple premises.
Shukra Chuman, Chairperson of Aanbukhaireni Rural Municipality, said that Chimkeshwari is being prioritized as a key center for religious tourism in the Mahabharat range, with dedicated budget allocations for its development.
Each year, approximately 100,000 visitors come to Chimkeshwari, particularly during Fagu Purnima and on the Nepali New Year (Baisakh 1), said Krishnaman Tamang, Chairperson of the Chimkeshwari Tourism Development Committee. Daily tourist numbers are also steadily rising. To improve access, a footpath and safety railings have been constructed with support from the Gandaki Province government.
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