Barahachhetra || Famous Hindu and Kirat Pilgrimage Site in Sunsari
Barahachhetra is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus and Kirat which remains between the confluence of Koka and Koshi rivers in Barahakshetra, Sunsari, and Koshi Province, Nepal.
Barahachhetra || Famous Hindu and Kirat Pilgrimage Site in Sunsari
Name | Barahachhetra |
In Nepali | बराहक्षेत्र |
District | Sunsari |
Festivals | Prabodhini Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima, Maghe Sankranti |
State | Koshi Province |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
Story Behind Barahachhetra:
Lord Vishnu, as Varaha or Baraha, used his long tusk to protect the earth from being submerged into Patala (underworld). The Lord then sat with his wife Laxmi on the bank of the Koshi River, surrounded by Himalayas and hills. As a result, this place was given its name.
Barahachhera is the famous pilgrimage place for Hindus and Kirat located at Barahakshetra Municipality of Sunsari District in Nepal. It is about 5km away North West from Dharan in Sunsari District. Sapta Koshi river flows through the town and is the main source of water. Also, this temple is one of the Char Dhams in Nepal.
Barahachhetra is one of Nepal’s oldest shrines described in Puranas like Brahma Purana, Varaha Purana, and Skanda Purana, where Lord Vishnu’s incarnation is worshipped.
The current look of the original Barahachhetra temple was first built in 1991 BS. Juddha Shamsher rebuilt the temple for the final time in 1991 BS after it was damaged by the earthquake of 1990 BS.
In Barahchhetra, there are nine temples, including those of Laxmi, Panchayan, Guruvarah, Suryavarah, Kokawarah, and Naageshwar. This location has found statues more than 1500 years old.
Festivals On Barahachhetra
Pilgrims visit Barahchhetra all year, but special festivals are held on Kartik Purnima and Makar Sankranti. Many people prefer to visit Barahachhetra, especially during Kartik Purnima, and people from Hilly Nepal mainly visit during Makar Sankranti.
Apart from this, a large number of pilgrims visit Rishi Panchami, Byas Panchami, Fagu Purnima, and other Ekadashi’s, or on fasts and festive days.
Kumbha Mela
World’s Fifth Kumbha Mela Destination is also, Nepal. A semi-kumbha mela has been held since 2058 B.S. every twelve years in Chataradham, Sunsari. Likewise, the second Kumbha Mela was held in 2070 B.S. for one month where over 600,000 people visited Koshi for Kumbha Asnan.
How can you reach Barahchhetra? [Updated 2024]
Visitors can reach there by a direct bus from Kathmandu Valley to Sunsari, located at a distance of 362km from Kathmandu, which takes around eight hours via bus.
FAQs
In which district does Barahachhetra lie?
Barahachhetra lies in the Sunsari District of Koshi Province.
What is the distance of Barahachetra from Kathmandu?
Visitors can reach Barahachetra by a direct bus from Kathmandu Valley to Sunsari, located at a distance of 362km from Kathmandu, which takes around eight hours via bus.
Destination: Bara, Raniwas Temple [Amusing History, Nepali-Indian border]
Hi, I’m Sandika Rijal, and I have been working as a Content Creator for the last 2 years. I will be writing about my beautiful country Nepal, and its famous places, and people. Hope you will enjoy reading my articles!