Dolakha Bhimsen, Dolakha

The temple of Bhimsen in Dolakha town of the district by the same name lies to the east of Kathmandu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Bhimsen, the mightiest in physical strength and the second of the five Pandava brothers cited in the epic Mahabharata. It is believed that the Pandavas spent some time here during their one-year Gupta-baas (living in total concealment) while undergoing forced exile after losing everything to the Kauravas in the game of dice. The temple lies 4 km to the east of the town of Dolakha. Inside the temple is a boulder depicting Bhimsen along with stones on either side representing Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, and Draupadi, common consort of the five Pandava brothers. 

           There are fascinating stories related to the temple and coincidentally proven by unfolding events. The idol of Bhimsen is supposed to “sweat” to forewarn impending major catastrophes or natural calamities in the country. Such sweatings were reported prior to the Great Earthquake of 1934, death of King Tribhuvan and Mahendra and the Narayanhiti Palace Massacre in 2001 as well as the end of the monarchy in Nepal (2007). Thousands of devotees throng this temple during Chaitra Dashain and Bhim Ekadashi in the Nepalese month of Magh (January/February).

Access: There are regular bus services to Dolakha from Kathmandu. It’s a six-hour bus ride from Kathmandu. Dolakha is near Jiri, a postcard pretty countryside dwelling likened to Switzerland by Tony Hagen and a starting point of the Everest Trek.