I was wrong.
Even though Nepal is a small country, it is not limited to Kathmandu and major cities. True Nepal lies in the remote areas where the untouched beauty is just there, unknown to the people and yet thriving in the wilderness. As I used to say, it is because all the places are not easily accessible for everyone, Nepali natural beauties are preserved by nature itself. We Nepali need to appreciate the natural and sacred state of our landscape and places.
I started to be curious and addicted to traveling as I began to explore places outside my hometown. My hometown is the first place that made me believe, yes this place is beautiful. As I started going to a few places far from my hometown, I was mesmerized by the natural beauty I saw and the people I interacted with. Then I started believing Nepal is truly heaven. I was seeing with my own eyes that it was not a travel documentary or anything.
The lack of infrastructure and easy access to transportation, many treks are very challenging for travelers. This is the actual beauty. If a person wants to be in nature, let’s just forget the luxury and reach the destination on your strength, capacity, and dedication.
Shivdhara was the one destination that I was afraid to begin. The landscape, extreme uphill and downhill trail, weather, and lack of actual trail to reach the Shivdhara, it was terrifying at first. Even though the place is in Province 1, where I am from, I hardly hear or see any information or content on social media or digital platforms that made me go there instantly. I saw a video once of Shivdhara and the challenging route people were taking to reach the sacred Shivdhara. That triggered me to try at least once to go there. However, I kept hesitating to go there and kept pending the plan. Finally, after 5 years of planning, I went to Shivdhara which became one of the most meaningful and challenging treks of my life.
Shivdhara is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site located at the base of Mt. Makalu at an elevation of 5000 meters in the Makalu Rural municipality. The site lies on the Makalu Barun National Park, on the way to Mt. Makalu Base Camp. The waterfall is considered to be the holiest tap of Lord Shiva. A substantial rocky cliff features an opening from which a waterfall descends, reaching a height of 500 feet. It is also believed that individuals bathing in this sacred waterfall can be cured of all diseases. However, reaching Shivdhara is not easy but it is worth all fear, excitement, and dedication.
I started my journey from Kathmandu and reached my hometown Prakaspur. After having breakfast, I began my journey with the company of my dog, Covid. He guided me the entire journey and did not make me feel like giving up and feeling that I could not do this. I took my vehicle to reach Khandbari. I spend the night and shop for essentials to continue my journey ahead. The next day, I booked a Jip and headed to Num, and spent the night. Similarly, I reached Seeduwa Village, Tasgaon, Khongma, Dobato, Yangri Kharka, and finally Nghe Kharka and Shiva Dhara each day. The trek is challenging and tiring so it’s better to plan and target each of the mentioned places in one day.
I was accompanied by two porters. Their stories and music kept me going and connected with the place. As we went from Nghe Kharkha to Shavdhara and back, I was terrified. I was afraid that if something happened to my dog, how could I live with that? And what if something happens to me who will take care of my Covid? With these thoughts, fear, and concern for the well-being of both of us, we reached and came back to Nghe Kharka. When I completed the difficult route to Shivdhara, I finally breathed and thanked Shiva Parbarti for such memorable moments, experiences, and overall journey.
My journey is much more about what I felt, what I learned, and what I have to do more in my life. A journey like Shiva Dhara teaches such insightful experiences to life. It keeps the human curiosity alive and meant to be alive in every single breath.