4-KHAPTAD NATIONAL PARK

Khaptad National Park in West Nepal has gained religious significance as the home of Khaptad Swami, the renowned hermit. The park with rolling hills of grassland and forest of subtropical, temperate and sub alpine vegetation is also a rich natural habitat. The park boasts of 224 species of medicinal herbs.

The park also offers excellent bird watching opportunities, with 270 species of birds, the common ones being different varities of Impheyan Pheasant, partridges, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagle. Animals in the park are barking deer, wild boar, ghoral, Himalayan black bear, yellow-throated marten, rhesus monkey and langur monkey. Khaptad National Park also offers religious sightseeing at Tribeni on the way to its headquarters. There are several historical temple surrounding this area and an annual celebration of Ganga Dashhara is held here every Jestha Purnima.

Another religious site is Shara Linga at 3,200 meters, the highest point of the park. Other religious areas in the park include Ganesh Tample, Nagdhunga, and Kedardhunga. These areas are ideal places for meditation. Towatd the northeast of the park is Khaptad Lake where a festival is held every August and September. The easiest way to reach Khaptad National Park is via Nepaljung in West Nepal. Daily buses and airplanes to Nepalgunj are available from Kathmandu and other cities. From Nepalgunj one can drive to Silgadhi in Doti district, from where the park entrance is a six-hour hike from this area.