Places to Visit in Nepal @ Tansen

Tansen

---

With its network of streets and courtyards, remarkable architecture and temples, Tansen is a great town for walking. The tourism office has maps and a brochure guide for walking-tours of the town.

Srinagar Hill (1/2km)

The 1650 meter high majestic ridge covered with dense pine forest in the south slope and natural vegetation with the National flower 'Rhododendron' in the North Slope is popular for naturalist, the nature lover, mediators, picnic, motion picture producers and visitors. A stone carved 'sitting and standing twine statue of the Lord Buddha has been established and is known as Parileyak Ban. It is the best viewpoint for majestic Himalayan Range, Madi valley and Mahabharat Mountains, villages, sunrise/sunset and Tansen Town.

Amar Narayan Temple

Built in 1807 AD by Amar Singh Thapa, the temple of Amar Narayan is considered an important landmark of Tansen. It is built in typical Nepali Pagoda style for its historical and architectural significance. The intricate works of wood carvings in the temple are simply marvelous. The temple is surrounded by one meter wide stone wall-locally known as the ‘Great wall of Palpa’. Inside the temple-complex there are the temple of Lord Mahadev, ponds, parks, rest houses and a natural water spring. Every morning and evening devotees gather in the compound and chant ‘Bhajans’ (holy recitals) in chorus.

Bhusal Danda (3km)

Bhusal Danda is famous place of UMN Hospital. Thousand of poor-health people from north part of India and Nepalese from west Nepal come for their better treatment here. A Lions guesthouse has been established here to provide services to the unwell people and belongings. Covered Hall for indoor games is located here as well.

Tansen Bazaar

Tansen Bazaar at an elevation of 1524 m. is rare vantage point to view the contrasting manifestation of nature. Here you can also see Rana buildings, Newari houses, carved windows and pagoda style temples, also meet folks at shopping in one of the highest and busiest bazaars in Nepal.

Palpa Ranighat - Nepal's Taj Mahal

Palpa Ranighat: Visit the ancient building (palace) set on a massive rock bed at the bank of the Kali Gandaki river for viewing palace garden, stone walls, and a small shrine. This palace was built in 1892 by Governor Khadka Shamser in memory of his wife Tej Kumari, and is often called the Taj Mahal of Nepal.

Bhairav Sthan Temple / Palpa Bhairab

Situated 9 kilometres west of Tansen, reached in a two-hour trek or thirty-minute drive, the temple sits on a hillock and is well known for its huge trident. General Pratap Shamsher rebuilt the famous temple, replacing its gold plate brass roof and offering the brass trident. Worshippers visit the temple on every Saturday and Tuesday offering Rot rice cakes and sacrifices. There is a legend about the statue of Bhairab that is kept so hidden even priests worship from behind a curtain. Its sight is too unbearably frightening risking, potentially fatal. Devotees of Bhairab can see his silver mask.

Ghorbanda-kumal Gau - Potter's Village

To see the unique way of pottery making in Nepal you should visit the village of Ghorbanda, on the road to Pokhara, approximately one-hour walk from the United Missions Hospital. Different from traditional western potter's workshops, where the relatively small potter’s wheel is driven by foot, the Kumal people (potters) spin a carriage-sized potter's wheel. They have to work fast, since, like a spinning top, after a short while the wheel begins to stagger and comes to a stop. The articles produced here are traditional water pitchers, pots and "Handa" (a vessel with holes in the bottom; used for brewing rokshi, which is Nepali brandy). Producing tiny bowls for organic samples for the United Mission Hospital nowadays generates an additional income.

Tansen Durbar / Palace

In the center of the town lies a 64 room Palace, a representation of arts and crafts of the ancient Palpa. On the saddest morning of 31st of January 2006, Nepal's Maoist Rebels launched attacks in Tansen with no apparent reasons. They fought with local authorities and bombarded many ancient buildings including the Palace which had housed government offices. Many historical buildings including the Tansen palace was destroyed.

Shitalpati(the Round House)

An octagonal building in the centre of town, providing both view and a cool spot out of the sun, Sitalpati was built in 1891-2 by Governor Khadka Shamsher. It stands in a large open circular courtyard, outside the impressive main palace gate, and is the meeting place of roads, people and their goods.

Mul Dhoka

Also known as Baggi Dhoka, this huge finely decorated doorway leads from Sitalpati to the palace grounds. At 30x12 feet, it is the largest doorway of its kind. Built in 1891/2 by Governor Khadka Shamsher, its size allowed for his entrance on an elephant and today it is a main feature of yearly chariot processions and festivals. Tansen is, like Kathmandu, rich in a culture of Temples. From early in the morning one can hear bells ringing and the beat of holy drums.

Bhagawati Temple - Mark of Victory

Built by Wajir Singh Thapa in 1814 AD to mark the victory over colonial British-India forces, the temple is a small structure but holds immense religions importance. Located near the Tansen Durbar, it is a pilgrimage of Palpalies. It is said that the original structure was remarkably bigger and beautiful. And it has undergone many physical adjustments, most recently after the great earthquake of 1934. In the month of august every year, a chariot procession of deities is taken out throughout the town with military honor to observe the historic battle.

Amargunj Ganesh

Before building the Amar Narayan temple in 1807 A.D. Amar Singh Thapa had built this temple. Architecturally, the temple bears the same style and character of Amar Narayan Temple. The temple has a big artistic ‘Rest House’ where a school has been run presently.

---