In the Temke Maiyung-5 Majhaule area of Bhojpur, residents have come together to preserve and promote the Siddheshwar Shiva Panchayan Temple, a religious site aimed at boosting religious tourism. The temple, which has been part of the region’s cultural heritage, has remained relatively obscure due to lack of publicity. The initiative to restore and protect the temple is being led by the youth in the area, who have worked actively to secure funding and labor for the project.
With a budget of NPR 250,000, which includes NPR 200,000 from the local ward office and NPR 50,000 raised through community labor, residents have constructed a perimeter around the temple. This is crucial as previously, without any fence, animals and livestock could enter the temple area, creating security concerns. Resident Ramesh Bista explained that this restoration effort is a collective effort, with the community asking for more funding and providing labor to preserve the temple.
The Siddheshwar Shiva Panchayan Temple is strategically located near the famous religious and tourist destination, Temke danda, making it a promising spot for both internal and external tourism. Resident Shiva Kumar Bista believes that with proper publicity, the temple could attract tourists, which would contribute to the area’s economic development. Additionally, the site is part of the “Mundum Path,” a popular pilgrimage route in Nepal, which locals feel should be expanded to include the temple as part of its religious tourism offerings.
The community’s efforts are not limited to restoration; there are calls to expand the region’s tourism infrastructure. The village youth are not waiting for government intervention, instead, they have taken the initiative by providing free land for temple construction and planning further development. The community has already organized various religious events at the temple, such as Tihar, Shivaratri, Ram Navami, and other festivals, attracting local pilgrims who believe that visiting the temple can fulfill their wishes.
The temple houses important deities, including Shiva, Ganesh, Sun, Vishnu, and Devi, which are worshipped by locals. The presence of these deities at the site makes it a central place of worship and faith in the area. Resident, Ekraj Bista, mentioned that the temple has become a hub for the religious community, and despite its location in the scenic and religiously significant Temke danda area, it had been overlooked until now.
The residents are optimistic that with more awareness and proper promotion, the temple could contribute significantly to the local economy by attracting tourists, and pilgrims, and enhancing the region’s religious and cultural significance. The Siddheshwar Shiva temple’s restoration efforts are seen as a collective movement to preserve not only the temple but also to build a stronger cultural identity for the community.
