Mahawai Patan, located on the border of Kalikot and Dailekh districts, is becoming a popular attraction for domestic tourists due to its enchanting beauty throughout the year. Surrounded by tall hills and revered as a sacred site, Mahawai Patan has seen a surge in visitors recently.
Raj Bahadur Shahi from Odanaku, Mahawai Rural Municipality-4, Kalikot, notes that the region’s allure lies in its snowy landscapes in winter and lush greenery during the rainy season. Both Kalikot and Dailekh districts have started focusing on infrastructure development and promotion to attract more tourists to this scenic destination.
The name Mahawai Patan has inspired the names of Mahabu Rural Municipality in Dailekh and Mahawai Rural Municipality in Kalikot. At the center of Patan, there is a Shiva temple situated on a rock formation. The site hosts an annual fair during Janai Purnima, attracting a large number of devotees.
Locals refer to the Shiva temple as Mahabu Jagannath, and Mahawai Jagannath is also regarded as a symbol of Lord Shiva. Shahi explains, “There is a strong belief that wishes are fulfilled after praying here. Every year, during Janai Purnima, devotees from Kalikot, Dailekh, Jumla, Jajarkot, and Surkhet visit the fair.”
Mahabu Dham is listed among the country’s top 100 important tourist destinations, according to Khim Bahadur Singh, the chairman of the rural municipality. He mentions that efforts have begun to develop the area’s physical infrastructure. “We are initiating the construction of physical structures like a dharmashala to promote tourism,” he said, adding that both local governments and the provincial government have started working towards tourism development.
Singh highlights the need for significant funding to build infrastructure such as roads and temples at the site. Currently, a road is being constructed from Narayan Municipality in Dailekh through Mahawai Patan to Jumla. From Mahawai, one can see numerous locations including Jumla, Kalikot, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Bardiya, Tikapur, and Nepalgunj.
“During the rainy season, herds of sheep, goats, horses, and cattle from Kalikot and Dailekh are brought here for grazing,” Singh said. “The sight of these herds in the lush fields adds to the area’s charm and attracts more visitors.”
