Among the most popular pilgrimage site of Nepal, Khotang Halesi Tour is one of the popular temple known as The Pashupatinath of eastern Nepal. It’s situated in the Khotang district, 3,100 ft. – 4,734 ft above sea level and between two major holly river of Dudh Kosi to the right and Sun Kosi To the left. Halesi Mahadev is recognized site of Hindu, Buddhist pilgrimage and Kirant. It is 215 km east of Kathmandu valley. The Halesi Temple is located at the top of a small hill inside the beautiful caves. There are others numerous small beautiful caves as well. The importance here is the image of Lord inside of cave which is the additional beauty of the tour.
It is also a kind of pride for the people living there, as famous as other temples like the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Lumbini in Kapilvastu etc. internationally it is known as a natural cave which lies in the 4th remote hilly region and believed to be in existence since 6000 years.
Lord Haleshi Mahadev cave is a sacred temple situated in Khotang District of Nepal. It is believed that this cave has been used by Lord Shiva to be protected himself and hide from the demon Bhasmasur approximately past 6000 years. The glory of three different religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Kirat), this pilgrimage and Halesi Mahadev is worshipped as the great god even of gods and goddess (Devadidev) by Hindus, the founder of Kirat religion is believed to have origin at this place by Kirat people, whereas Buddhists venerate Halesi regarding it as one of their six important pilgrimage sites.
It is believed that ascetic of Shaiva (The existing Hindus from time immemorial), and Buddhists and also other several ascetics have obtained Salvation meditating at Halesi. Buddhists worship it as a divine place where their great Guru Rimpoche, Padmasambhava meditated and accomplished immortality. Hence, Buddhist religion followers, priests come to worship Halesi with a belief of getting 10 more years of lifespan and also Salvation.
It is known as ‘Marathi’ in the Tibetan language. This sacred site is worshiped as a chariot leading towards good deed from misdeed, unreality to reality, sin to justice and ultimately towards Salvation.
Likewise, the historical view about how this sacred place with ensconced Mahadev was addressed is like this, “There was a bushy jungle and once a local Rai caste hunter was hunting at this forest. He tried to hunt a deer that runs into the bushes. Hunting dog tried to search for the deer and went into the bushes but both of them didn’t return back. After this, the hunter seeks help from villagers and went to the bushes where they found a cave. Curiously, they entered the cave and found a big Shivalinga winded round by snake. They were delighted to see this and began worshipping it as a dwelling of Lord Shiva. There are several other religious and mythological reasons behind the growing religious significance of Halesi.”
This is how local people describe the reason behind the name of this sacred site located in a serene natural hilly environment. “Myth says that there was once a huge tree of Madane (tree of Seedless fruit) just above the current Halesi Mahadev. A bird named ‘Halesho’ used to chirp sitting at that tree. So, elderly people decided to name this place after the name of that bird ‘Halesho’ and it became ‘Halesi’.”
The glory of three different religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Kirat), this pilgrimage and Halesi Mahadev is worshipped as the great god even of gods and goddess (Devadidev) by Hindus, the founder of Kirat religion is believed to have origin at this place by Kirat people, whereas Buddhists venerate Halesi regarding it as one of their six important pilgrimage sites.
It is believed that ascetic of Shaiva (The existing Hindus from time immemorial), and Buddhists and also other several ascetics have obtained Salvation meditating at Halesi. Buddhists worship it as a divine place where their great Guru Rimpoche, Padmasambhava meditated and accomplished immortality. Hence, Buddhist religion followers, priests come to worship Halesi with a belief of getting 10 more years of lifespan and also Salvation.
It is known as ‘Marathi’ in the Tibetan language. This sacred site is worshiped as a chariot leading towards good deed from misdeed, unreality to reality, sin to justice and ultimately towards Salvation.
