Efforts are underway to develop the Nilkantheshwar Siddheshwar Cave, located in Payare, Magde Rural Municipality-7, as a tourist destination. The local ward has focused on infrastructure development to make the site a popular destination for domestic tourists.
The ward office has recently prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project. Ward Chairman Basanta Shrestha stated that due to a lack of promotion, the site has remained overlooked, and with the construction of necessary infrastructure, there will be an emphasis on tourism promotion. The plan includes building a stairway to the cave, a resting area with a park, and other facilities.
Shreebhadra Acharya, Chairman of the Nilkantheshwar Mahadev Siddheshwar Cave Management Committee, noted that despite the area’s tourism potential, it has remained unnoticed due to a lack of promotion. Locals recently discovered various structures inside the cave, including a Shivling, Ganesh, Nag, and Shankha, which had been unknown to them before. Acharya added that the Shivling in the cave exudes water naturally, which surprised the locals.
He expressed hope that building tourism infrastructure and promoting the site would boost religious tourism and improve the local economy. Acharya also mentioned that the site was believed to be the dwelling place of Lord Shiva in ancient times and that 108 bell trees were also found in the area.
Magde Rural Municipality Chairman, Shreeprasad Shrestha, shared plans for local government support in promoting the cave, with the rural municipality allocating a budget for infrastructure development and potential partnership with the provincial government if additional funding is required.
