Triveni Dham and Valmiki Ashram in Nawalparasi

Link to Triveni Dham and Valmiki Ashram Tour

Devotees at Triveni Gajendramokshya Dham during Ekadasi Festival

Triveni Dham is a famous pilgrimage site in Nawalparasi at the confluence of three rivers; Narayani (Gandaki), Sona and Tamasa Rivers. This holy pilgrimage site is sacred as it is depicted in many holy books of Varaha, Himavat and the Skanda Puranas and mentioned in many plays and drama of Kalidas. He was a Classical Sanskrit Author and considered as ancient greatest playwright and dramatist. His plays and poetry are based on Vedas, Ramanayas, Mahabbharat and Purans. As legends say, Apsaras along with Gods and Goddess used to come from heaven to take bath at this holy river.

Just across the River, there is a famous Valmiki Ashram, where Adi Kavi Maharishi Valmiki who was thief earlier wrote Hindu Epic Book, Ramayana.  Valmiki Ashram is linked to Ramayana, where Sita was sent to exile by Rama and her two sons Lava and Kusha were born. This is also the same place where Sita returned to her mother earth and now famous as Sita Patal Temple.  She is the daughter of Vumi (Earth) and adopted by King Janaka of Janakpur, Mithila Kingdom. 

Remains at Valmiki Ashram related to Sita and her Sons, Lava and Kusha!

This place is linked with Gajendra Moksha or The Liberation of Gajendra; a Puranic legend from the 8th Skandha of the Bhagavata Purana, a sacred book in Hinduism. It is one of the famous exploits of the God Vishnu. In this episode, Vishnu came down to the earth to protect Gajendra, the elephant from the clutches of a Crocodile also known as Makara or Huhu. And with Vishnu’s help, Gajendra achieved Mokhsha or the liberation from cycle of birth and death. Gajendra then attained a form like that of god (Sarupya Mukti) and went to Vaikuntha (Heaven) with Vishnu.

Temple of Adi Kavi Maharishi Valmiki

In Triveni, there are many famous temples of Gajendra Moksha, Bhakteshwor, Laxmi Bainketeswara, Nagababakuti, Radha Krishna and the Kotihom Yajnashala.  There is Sisha Mahal which is famous for its artistic interior design made of glass and has idols of Lord Krishna and Radha. This place has been well managed with beautiful Gardens and now has the famous school for Sanskrit language.

Many pilgrims from Nepal and India come to this place to take a holy bath and perform pujas in the occasion of many festivals like Ekadashi, Purnima (Full Moon), Kumba Mela, Kartik Mela, Ram Navami, Beyas Holi, Chad and Buddha Jayanti and also performs the rituals related with death family members like Cremation, Shraddha, Priti darpan etc. Just near by the Dham, there is Ghat where dead bodies are burnt in a belief to get salvation

Sita Patal Temple where Sita returned to her mother earth

Apart from the Religious aspect, this place is equally famous for hiking, boating at Triveni River, Bird Watching and has beautiful well managed gardens. There are few local lodges as accommodation and is inhabited by mix culture of Brahmin, Chettri, Gurung, Magar and Local Tharu people.

With the Main Priest of the Temple at Sita Patal Temple

Triveni Dham lies around 20 km south east of Bardaghat Bazaar near Nepal India Border.  Separate way goes from west of Daunne Danda at Bardaghat and takes around 45 minutes drive. From Triveni Dham, we can boat to the other bank of the river and walk around 30 minutes to arrive at Valmiki Ashram. Valmiki Ashram is located inside Chitwan National Park in Nepal and the only way to visit Ashram is by the boat from Nepal side. The other way to get to Valmik Ashram is by crossing the Bridge over Gandak Barrage and enters India and drive through Valmiki Tiger Reserve. 

Boat at Triveni River to Valmiki Ashram

From Kathmandu, either we can drive to Bardaghat which is around 75 kms from Narayanghat and takes around 2 hours or fly to Bharatpur Airport and drive for 2 hours.  Also, you can fly to Bhairahawa Airport from Kathmandu and drive to Bardaghat which is around 40 kms and takes 1 hour.  From Barghat, the way goes through rice fileds and local Bazaars. Just before reaching Triveni, we drive alongside of water canal.

Written By: Gopi Chandra Bhusal, Alpine Holidays Pvt. Ltd

At Triveni Dham