Arjundhara Dham

Arjundhara is the spiritual centre of Jhapa. The complex of temples, ponds and shaded courtyards grew around a spring — the dhara — that devotees consider holy.

The legend

According to local tradition, during the Pandavas' exile Arjuna shot an arrow into the ground here to bring up water, and the spring has flowed ever since. The story links Arjundhara to a wider belief in eastern Nepal that the Mahabharata's Virata kingdom lay in these plains — the same tradition behind the names of Biratnagar and Kichakbadh.

Festivals

On Maha Shivaratri and the Mondays of Shrawan the site fills with pilgrims from Jhapa, the eastern hills and neighbouring Indian districts. Bala Chaturdashi, in late autumn, brings another large fair.

Around the temple

The grounds include several shrines, a pond, dharmashalas for pilgrims and shops selling offerings. It is a pleasant, shady stop on a day exploring Birtamod, the tea gardens and Kakarbhitta.