Banaskhandi Temple, located in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City–2 of Makwanpur, has emerged as a prominent religious and recreational destination, attracting devotees and visitors with its spiritual significance, natural surroundings, and growing tourism infrastructure. Situated around 1.5 kilometres northeast of Hetauda, the temple lies at the foothills amid lush green forests, offering a peaceful setting close to the busy industrial city.
Its proximity to Hetauda has made the site increasingly accessible to both residents and visitors seeking a combination of religious activities and leisure in a natural environment. The temple area has gradually developed beyond a place of worship. It is now also being used for picnics, public gatherings, and other community events, while its scenic surroundings have made it increasingly popular among young people for creating social-media content.
A Hub of Religious and Cultural Heritage
According to temple priest Bishnu Prasad Ghimire, devotees regularly visit Banaskhandi, particularly during public holidays, in the mornings and evenings, and on important religious dates and festivals. The temple complex contains several religious sites, including Vindhyabasini Temple, Shiva Temple, Bhimsen Temple, Sai Baba Temple, Hanuman Temple, Bhairav Temple, Tileshwor Mahadev Temple and Radha Krishna Temple. A large Om symbol within the premises has also become a notable feature for visitors.
The temple and surrounding religious structures cover approximately four bighas of land within the Banaskhandi Community Forest area, according to Bhavsagar Shrestha, chairperson of the Banaskhandi Community Forest Users Committee. The wider forest area, covering around 100 hectares, also includes a monastery, Mata Temple, Jaleshwor Mahadev Temple, a law college and the Newa Museum, adding cultural and educational attractions to the area. Local stakeholders have envisioned developing the entire area as a significant religious tourism destination in Hetauda and promoting it as one of the places visitors should experience while travelling through the city.
Popular for Picnics and Cultural Activities
The natural surroundings and improved facilities have contributed to the growing popularity of the Banaskhandi area. The site is increasingly being selected for picnics, weddings, bratabandha ceremonies, and other social functions, according to Rajan Prasad Paudel, a member of the community forest group. The combination of forest surroundings and religious sites provides visitors with opportunities to spend time in a peaceful environment while also participating in religious activities.
Local stakeholders have emphasised the importance of collective efforts to further develop and manage the destination. Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City has also identified Banaskhandi Temple as one of the religious tourism sites within the municipal area. The site also carries historical and cultural significance. According to local historical accounts, the area is associated with the period of Nepal’s unification campaign.
On Bhadra 9, 1819 BS, the Gorkhali forces defeated Makwanpur’s King Digbandhan Sen. After seeking assistance from Mir Qasim of Bengal, another battle was fought, but Prithvi Narayan Shah’s forces achieved victory again on Magh 10, 1819 BS. A local legend connects the origin of the name Banaskhandi with a yogi who is believed to have lived in the forest as a spy during the period of state protection. According to the legend, the yogi named Banaskhandi worshipped a stone as a goddess, and the place where the worship was conducted was located within a fragmented forest area, eventually becoming known as Banaskhandi.
Dashain Ritual Adds to Tourism Appeal
One of the major annual attractions at the temple is the Phulpati ceremony during Dashain. According to Ram Man Shrestha, chairperson of the Banaskhandi Temple Tourism Development Committee, Phulpati is traditionally brought to Banaskhandi from Gorekhshwor Dham Temple through a religious procession. The Phulpati tradition has been observed at the temple for around 20 years, while for the past decade it has been celebrated on a larger scale with the participation of representatives from the Nepal Army and government agencies.
The ceremony has become an important cultural attraction, combining religious rituals, traditional processions and community participation. Such events can contribute to strengthening the cultural tourism appeal of Hetauda by giving visitors an opportunity to experience local religious traditions. Located close to Hetauda’s busy market area, Banaskhandi has considerable potential for further development as a religious tourism destination. Local stakeholders believe that better management of the temple complex, preservation of its cultural character and additional visitor facilities could increase its appeal and contribute to the development of surrounding communities.
An increase in religious visitors could also create new opportunities for local businesses. Residents expect greater visitor flows to support businesses selling ritual items, tika and prasad, tea, snacks, and other visitor necessities. With its combination of religious heritage landscapes, cultural traditions and accessibility from Hetauda, Banaskhandi Temple has the potential to become an important religious and community-based tourism destination in Makwanpur, while supporting local livelihoods and preserving the area’s cultural identity.
