DOLAKHA: Shailung Danda (Shailung Hill), a renowned tourist destination in Shailung Rural Municipality in Dolakha district, blends natural beauty with spiritual significance.
Visitors often describe the experience as filling both the body and mind with a unique energy. It is believed that Shailung relieves mental anguish and brings peace to the soul.
Located on the border of Ramechhap and Dolakha districts, Shailung is a place where nature and spirituality meet. In Tamang language, “Shailung” translates to “a hundred peaks,” referring to the area’s numerous high and low peaks.
Climbing these hundred peaks, visitors are greeted with breathtaking views of mountains shimmering like silver waves.
From here, you can clearly see majestic peaks such as Gaurishankar, Sagarmatha, Annapurna, Manaslu, Lamjung, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, and Numbur.
Religiously, Shailung is significant to both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus regard it as a sacred place of Lord Shiva, while Buddhists believe it to be the site where Buddha once walked.
The area is home to several religious sites, including the Shailung Monastery, Shailung Mahadev Temple, Dharma Cave, and a rock formation resembling a cow’s hoof and udder.
Other notable religious and natural spots include Dharma Door, the Godavari bloom site (which occurs once every 12 years), Mahadev Temple, Hanuman Cave, Danphe Dhunga, Jareshwor Mahadev, Gai Dhunga, and Bagh Dhunga.
This area holds great significance as a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, with the Buddhist Chaitya and Shailung Mahadevsthan being key landmarks for worship.
The tradition of visiting caves and staying on Shailung Danda during Buddhist Purnima has been practiced for centuries.
During this time, thousands of devotees gather to worship the Lama Guru at the Buddhist Chaitya.
Additionally, the Godavari Bathing Fair, held once every 12 years, is believed to bring spiritual merit, drawing large numbers of visitors.
Major festivals like Buddha Purnima, Bala Chartudashi, Teej, and New Year also see a surge of tourists to the area.
At 3,400 meters above sea level, Shailung Danda rises 100 meters. As the number of domestic tourists steadily increases, local businesses have also benefited.
The Legend of Bhimsen’s Sword
On Bhima Ekadashi, a Hindu festival, the Bhimsen Sword on Shailung Danda is worshipped.
According to legend, Bhimsen, one of the five Pandavas, rested at Shailung Danda while traveling from Dolakha to Nepal Mandal. He left his sword behind during his journey.
There are also legends of sages performing penance on Shailung’s hundred peaks, which stand at an elevation of 3,148 meters.
According to 76-year-old local Doshi Sherpa, “Shai” means “hundred” and “Lung” means “peak” in Tamang, hence the name Shailung.
Bhimsen, known as the god of truth and strength, is said to bless visitors with prosperity.
Local resident Namgel Tamang believes that the area’s potential can be unlocked by addressing local issues and promoting the area’s many temples, monasteries, and structures, including the recently constructed mini Great Wall.
Tamang hopes the mini Great Wall will further boost tourism, noting that Shailung, traditionally known for its hundred peaks, also offers various other attractions.
He adds, “It would make me very happy to see tourists visiting and leaving content after seeing the incredible mountains.”
Shailung is gradually developing, with local authorities taking initiatives, though there is still work to be done.
The mini Great Wall, now 500 meters long, will eventually extend to 900 meters, with hopes that it will attract even more visitors.
Dorje Lakpa Sherpa’s First Visit to Shailung
Dorje Lakpa Sherpa (Tamang), a 78-year-old from Ramechhap Pundi, was making his first visit to Shailung.
As he made his way back from the monastery with the help of his walking stick, he shared his thoughts: “I came here after hearing how good it is. The beauty of Shailung makes me feel like I could stay here forever, but I have to go home,” he said with a smile.
Mini Great Wall Drawing Tourists
The newly built mini Great Wall of Shailung, which resembles the Great Wall of China, stretches from Kalapani to Thumka.
Local resident Namgel Tamang believes that the staircase will make it easier to travel to Thumka and has already attracted many tourists.
Before the wall was built, there were concerns about getting lost or encountering wild animals on the steep paths.
However, these problems have now been resolved, and the new path has made Shailung more accessible to visitors.
At Shailung Danda and Thumka Gumba, locals have benefited from increased tourism, with many setting up small shops to cater to visitors.
In the past, tourists would often get lost, making their journey difficult, but now the improved infrastructure has eased the experience for travelers.
Koseli Chouri: A Gateway to Shailung’s Natural Beauty
To reach Shailung from Kathmandu, take the road towards Charikot from Mude and turn right at the junction.
After traveling about 130 kilometers, you will arrive at Sayat Thumka in Shailung.
Alternatively, after reaching Mude from Kathmandu, take a right towards Bagkhor, heading towards Charikot.
From there, you can reach Shailung Danda via Tamakoshi Bazaar and the Lamosanghu Jiri road. Continue on to Charnavatidham, and then pass through Fasku. Another route from Doramba in Ramechhap also leads to Shailung.
Accommodations in Shailung
Shailung’s tourism infrastructure is expanding, with several tourist-oriented hotels now open in Kalapani to accommodate visitors. More establishments are under development to meet the increasing demand.
Promoting Shailung for International Tourists
Thaneshwor Devkota, president of the Tourist Guide Association of Nepal (TURGAN), emphasizes the need to focus on bringing foreign tourists to Shailung.
“To establish Shailung as a prime destination for outbound tourists, the mayor and chief administrative officer of Shailung Rural Municipality should collaborate with the Nepal Tourism Board,” Devkota suggests.
“The Tourism Board can initiate targeted programs for Shailung, enabling travel agencies to prepare and offer packages for tourists.”
Devkota stresses the importance of internationalizing Shailung’s tourism potential. “Our travel agents need to fully understand what Shailung offers before we can send tourists there,” he explains.
Tourism professionals are eager to develop Shailung as a tourist destination, and Devkota encourages local authorities to send a formal letter to the Tourism Board to promote the region’s unique attractions.
Once the letter is received, Devkota suggests that homestays be promoted as a key part of the experience, with support from the Tourism Board and the Village Tourism Promotion Forum.
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