Bandipur is a living museum of Newari culture, a beautifully preserved village crowning a lofty ridge above the highway stop of Dumre. Its winding lanes are lined with traditional Newari houses. Time seems to stand still here, although it has taken a lot of effort to preserve the magic while developing the town as a tourist destination. Despite its proximity to the epicenter of the 2015 earthquake, Bandipur escaped with only minor damage, though a number of village houses collapsed. With impetus and substantial help from the owners of the adventure company Himalayan Encounters, the Bandipur Social Development Committee has put Bandipur firmly on the map. Abandoned buildings have been reborn as cafes and lodges, and temples and civic buildings have been pulled back from the brink of ruins. With its glorious 18th-century architecture, the absence of motorized vehicles and restaurant tables set out on the bazaar, it has a distinctly European feel. Yet, Bandipur remains very much a living community, bustling with farmers and traders going about their business alongside the tourists. Bandipur was originally part of the Magar kingdom of Tanahun, ruled from nearby Palpa (Tansen), but Newari traders flooded in after the conquest of the valley by Prithvi Narayan Shah. The town was an important stop on the India–Tibet trade route until it was bypassed by the Prithvi Highway in the 1960s.
Things to do in Bandipur
Silkworm Farm
An offbeat choice, a visit to Silkworm Farm takes you through the fascinating process of how silk is produced. The farm comprises orchards of mulberry plants, which are grown for worm food – the worms themselves are reared indoors, usually from August to December and March to May. But you can visit any time, with someone on hand to explain the process using jars of preserved displays.
Siddha Gufa
Making for a popular half-day trip, at 437m deep and 50m high, Siddha Gufa is said to be the largest cave in Nepal. Its cathedral-like chasm is full of twisted stalactites and stalagmites and hundreds of bats chirp and whistle overhead. Guides (Rs 400) are compulsory and await you at the cave’s entrance. Flashlights are also available for hire.
Thani Mai Temple
Perched atop Gurungche Hill, the main reason to climb up to Thanimai is for its spectacular sunrise views. On a clear morning, it has some of the most memorable 360-degree sights in the country, with the Himalayas stretching out along the horizon, while the valley beneath is cloaked in a thick fog that resembles a white lake. The trail starts near the school at the southwest end of the bazaar and is a steep 30-minute walk.
