Halesi Tour Video

Khotang Halesi is being popular pilgrimage place for Kirat, Hindu and Buddhist religion follower.  Several people want to go there for pilgrimage purpose. That place is popular for pilgrimage, unique geographical structure and Kirat culture. Nepal Government and Nepal Tourism Board are promoting that place as a touristic place in Nepal. Several documentary and news story are covering in the media. The following YouTube videos are uploaded by Dil Rai which was broadcasted by Nepal Television for promoting the Halesi Tour.

Khotang Halesi Tour Part-1

Khotang Halesi Tour Part-2

Action plan in Halesi

The whole are ruled by Holesung was called Halesi in history. At present, Chyasmitar, Dikuwa, Badahare, Durchim, Dhitung and Halesi Mahadevsthan VDCs cover the area. We should rewrite the history in the same vein with the formulation of master plan, and other development projects. This helps correct the course of history and evoke respect for it. The formulated action plans for Halesi are listed below:-

Current action plan:

• To initiate the preliminary work of temple premise conservation and protection.
• To manage clean drinking water, public toilet and bathrooms.
• To create and develop the greenery as well as beautiful sceneries around the Halesi temple.
• To encourage the hotel, lodge, bank, communication, transportation, health-post and security services.
• To create awareness among people for conservation, development and ownership of the Halesi cave.
• To create website, make documentary, publish news, research articles, books, tourist-guide book for the publicity of Halesi.
• to commence preliminary study for the construction of museum in accordance with the advises from the stakeholders and locals.

The midterm and long term action plan:

• To construct and expand road transportation linking Halesi cave with historical places like Khimle (Old Halesi), The Kotdanda’s Kirat palace (Durchim), Bhumjudanda ( Chyasmitar), Lahachudanda (Dhitung), Tuwachung/Jayajungdanda (Halesi); to excavate the archeological sites; to make physical facilities avail easily. It helps increase the comfort of the tourists thereby extending their days in the site. The residents of Halesi will be highly benefited by this. This will also help attracting the researchers.·         To make a view tower in Bhamjudanda, Kotdanda and Tuwachung/ Jayajungdanda so that the entire tarai and mountain landscape could be seen.
• To make a detailed geographic survey in cooperation with the concerned authority.
•  To make the meditation places.
•  To create Halesi museum.
•  To make ring road around the Halesi.
• To make detailed and scientific Halesi urbanization plan under Puspa Lal Lok Marga.
• To make airport at Kotdanda ( Durchhim).
• To open an alternative foot track linking tarai, hills and himalayanm region.
• To start raffting in Sunkoshi, Bhotekoshi, Tamakoshi, Dudhkoshi rivers.
• To start a cable car service that joins Sagarmatha, Tayachung, Barahachhetra to Halesi.
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History of Halesi

Halesi is common pilgrimage place for the Kirats, the Buddhist and the Hindu. They have their own historical claim regarding Halesi.  

•  Kirat Mundhum, folk stories and other historical documents data back the Kirati civilization in Halesi to the pre-historic time. The ancient Mudhumi word for Halesi is 'Khuwalung'. The Kirati ancestors Toyama, Khiyama and Raichakule (Khokchilipa/Hechchhakupa) are supposed to have transformed their civilization into agricultural ara. In Tuwachung hill, people have found ancient remnants of archeological importance like pottery, igniting stone and weaver. This justifies the aforementioned claim that Kirat civilization in Halesi really ancient.

•   Naga's ancient graves with Pulik garland have recently been found in the site. It is said that a great famine drove them away from Halesi. The great Chinese traveler of seventh century Hwen Sang has mentioned about it in his travelogue. Naga Kirats might have abandoned the around the same time.

•    According to the latest history, the King Holesung was the first tribal chieftain/ruler of Halesi area. He was entrusted as a subordinated ruler by the Sen Dynasty.  Holesung  Honchha had participated on behalf of Sen Dynasty in a battle between Sen and Makwan in 1728 and 1729 AD. The remnants of his palace are still in Khimle of Durchhim VDC, Khotang. The nomenclature Halesi might have been derived from the King Holesung. King Prithivi Narayan Shaha defeated Bhwanram, the grandson of Holesung, making is a part of greater Nepal. The location of his palace is in Kotdada of Durchhim VDC, Khotang.

•  According to the Buddhist, the 8^th Monk Padmasambhava had meditated in Halesi while he was in route to Tibet during reign of Tibetan king Thrisang (742-797 AD). Mesmerized by the sublimity of the cave he exclaimed the word 'Halesu'. In Tibetan language it means something that is amazing. According to the Buddhist, this is how the name Halesi is derived.

•  Hindus coin the word Halesi with the myth of Mahadev and Bhasmasur. According to the myth Bhasmasur was blessed Mahadev with the power to kill anyone just by placing his hand over the head. This myth too is related to Halesi. They believe that Halesi comes from Hari and Iswor. Halesi is called 'Eastern Pashupati'. During the time of the King Gyanendra Shah,  Halesi Mahadev was given 'Birta' and later on Giris were appointed as a head priest in Halesi.