Chaughera Ratannath Monastery

Dang is an inner-Tarai valley between the Chure and Mahabharat hills, famous as the heartland of the Dangaura Tharu. It also holds one of the most important religious institutions of western Nepal: the monastery of Ratannath at Chaughera, in Ghorahi.

The yogis

The Kanphatta or 'split-ear' yogis belong to the Nath tradition of Gorakhnath, whose followers wear large earrings through the cartilage of the ear. Ratannath, the monastery's founder, was a disciple of Gorakhnath; he is revered widely in North India, where some Sufis also honour him as Ratan Baba.

Royal patronage

Kings of Dang and later of the hill kingdoms of Salyan and Phalabang granted villages to the monastery as a guthi (endowment), whose revenue fed pilgrims and paid for rituals. Records kept at the monastery mention the Chauhan kings of the region from the 14th century, making it a valuable source for the history of western Nepal. The monastery is also linked with the goddess Patan Devi across the border in India, with an annual procession between the two.

The temple

The main temple, a tall pagoda-style structure, is the centre of Tantric worship. Visitors are welcome in the grounds; some inner areas are reserved for initiates.

In Dang

Combine Chaughera with Tharu villages, the Ambikeshwori temple in Ghorahi and, in January, the Maghi festival — the Tharu New Year.