Visiting Sailung in Nepal, one can see hundreds of beautiful hillocks covered with high mountain grass.
Sailung Danda is endowed with geographical diversity, natural beauty, as well as the various historical, cultural, and religious significance and properties. Apart from this, a trip to Sailung will allow you to know more mysterious facts about the Hindu and Buddhist culture.
The place lies in the highlands within the Dolakha-Ramechhap district, east of the capital, Kathmandu. At the height of about 3200 m, it’s a unique place to visit in Nepal.
Also, it is a judicial site of Guru Padmasambhava. The area is called so because it is a place where Tisum Sange (Guru Padmasambhava) received the Lungten (blessing and teachings).
According to Buddhist tradition, the mandalas that are offered to God have taken the form of the present innumerable small hills there. So exploring Sailung lets you explore the unheard cultural side too.
If you are planning to travel to Sailung, the magnificent hillocks then explore our “Sailung Travel Guide”.
Table of Contents
Exploring Sailung Village
One of the popular hill stations in Nepal, Sailung is in a secluded and clean environment, as it is isolated from human settlements. It is always full of high mountain grass and countless beautiful scenery, so anyone who visits Sailung will want to stay longer.
When we enter the Thulo Sailung, it feels as if we are facing the Gaurishankar Himal to the north. There is no feeling of heat, even in the middle of the day, as high terrain and wind blow from the mountains.
From here, one can see the Langtang Himalayas in the east of the Manaslu Range in the west. Some mountains include Gaurishankar, Dorjilakpa, Gangchempo, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Manaslu. To the south, one can see the dense forests and mountain ranges of Chure and Mahabharat.
Besides this, exploring Sailung lets you go on a hike to large rural settlements. Thus, travelers can also consider Sailung as a short village hiking destination in Nepal.
Sailung Climate
As Sailung is in the highlands, the climate here is always cold. When you visit Sailung in the winter, it gets freezing with snow, and the temperature is below the freezing point. Especially in the days starting from mid-November to mid-February, there is regular snowfall, and fog covers Sailung Danda.
Because of the decrease in temperature, the forests and creeks around Sailung freeze with snow. In February, the cold decreases, and the snow and ice melt. The air gets a little warmer. During the rainy season, Sailung receives heavy rainfall. In April, May, and June, there is heavy fog and heavy rain in Sailung.
People are seen enjoying snowfall at Sailung danda in the Dolakha district. Photo: Gokaran Bhandari, Himalayan Times.
Places to visit around Sailung Danda
Danphe Dhunga (Danphe Stone)
Kalopani is the last permanent place of residence when visiting Sailung from the north. Some distance away from Kalopani, there is a stone in a special shape on the right side near the road at a height of 8–10 feet. This stone is called the “Danphe stone.” According to the locals, in the past, there was a lot of speculation about which hill was taller—the Kalinchowk hills or the Sailung hills.
So, to find out, one Danphe (Himalayan Monal) from both Kalinchowk and Sailung sides was sent to the other with the condition that the Himalayan Monal should reach the other side before dawn in the morning. And, the bird sent from Sailung hill crossed the Kalinchowk hill before the dawn. However, the bird sent from Kalinchowk could not reach the location of the current stone until dawn. And in time, it is said that the Danphe bird took the form of that stone.
Devithan Danda
After passing Danphe Dhunga near Sailung, you reach a place called Devithan (the place of the goddess). In the past, people used to organize big fairs in the Devithan, but now pilgrims only visit there to fulfill their vows. Likewise, Devithan Danda is on the hill to the north of that place.
There is a popular belief that if you can reach the top of the hill without breathing, from the bottom, your life expectancy will increase. According to the report, people come here to run even though it is difficult to reach the top without breathing.
Mahadevthan
An enormous cave in the forest is some distance east of Devithan. Villagers consider the cave being the abode of Mahadev. So, for years, people have been worshiping Mahadev in the cave. Since Hindus consider this place to be very sacred, they come from far and wide to pay homage to Lord Mahadev. Especially during Bhadra Purnima and Kartik Purnima, it is crowded with Hindu pilgrims.
Dharmadhoka (Door of Religion)-Papidhoka (Door of Sin) and Gadauri (holy water)
There is another small cave a short distance from Mahadevthan. Apart from the entrance of the cave, a small hole (path) protrudes from the rock on the west side. People can be dragged in and out of the hole. Traditionalists believe that people who can drag themselves out of the small hole are religious, and those who can’t are sinners.
The path that leads in and out of the hole is called the Dharmadhoka (Door of Religion) and the Papidhoka (Door of Sin).
Once every 12 years, a little white turbid water leaks from the inside of the cave for about a month. That is what the locals call “Gadauri”. It is believed that if someone applies the water to the body and is drunk, all the diseases can be cured and they can prevent other diseases.
A cow’s udder
On the hill just below Mahadevthan, there are four stone tops, exactly matching “Cow’s udder,” coming out of the rock. And people refer to it as “the cow’s udder.” But unfortunately, the stone tops are not in a perfect condition as people have broken them.
Jure Stone
There is a large rock in the forest just below the upper part of Sailung. There’s the shape of a bull on the upper middle part of the stone. That is why the stone is called Jure stone (stone reassembling into the upper part of the head of a bull). It looks like a sack that is enclosed with a drawstring.
According to religious beliefs, the lookalike adjoining part is considered being the door, which was used to open and close the stone in the past. Later, the door was closed forever because of the effect of worshiping in that place by a woman who just had menstruation. Here, a grand night fair is held on the Ekadashi of Mangsir month every year.
Places to Visit Near Thulo Sailung (Upper part)
Buddha Statue and Buddhist Stupa
After climbing from Devithan for about half an hour, you reach the Thulo Sailung (Upper Part). In comparison, the upper part is larger than the lower one. So, it’s also called Thulo Sailung (Large Sailung).
There are many Buddhist stupas and statues in various structures that are hundreds of years old.
Every year, locals held a grand fair in this place exactly two days before Shrawan Purnima. The locals call this fair “Sailung Jatra.” The fair attracts many people from all over the region. In particular, Jhakris (shaman or diviner) considers this day as a holy day to pay homage to Kailash Mahadev. Therefore, the fair has special significance in this region.
In the footsteps of Guru Padmasambhava
On a rock on the west side of the Thulo Sailung, there is an imprint of a foot corresponding to the left foot of a human. For a long time now, it has been considered the step of Guru Padmasambhava.
Jaar (the wife’s other husband) slashed swords.
There is a clear shape of a sword in a long stone on the way up to the Thulo Sailung just above Devithan. According to the locals, the sword was used to cut “Jaar” (the wife’s other husband).
The Earth’s Naval
A two-foot-long stone in the shape of a naval ship has protruded from the ground. The locals consider the pointed stone to be the navel of the earth.
Cow, tiger, and crab
From Thulo Sailung to the west, the three rocks at a regular interval are taken as tiger, crab, and cow, respectively. The characteristics of stone are like those of animals. The shape of the stone, which looks like a tiger, looks like a tiger with a wide mouth open facing west. According to the locals, when the tiger tried to attack the cow on the other side, a crab halted it in the middle. Thus, these creatures are still there like stones.
Pangiri Gumba (Monastery)
To the south of Sailung, just below Kholakharka, there is a monastery in the middle of the forest. The real name of the monastery is “Tashinamgel Choeling Gumba”, but it is more famous by the name “Pangiri Gumba” or “Pangiri monastery.”
Mysterious and amazing aspects of Sailung
Just below Sailung, on the south side, there is a rock facing east on the grounds of Kholakharka. Although the stone looks the same from the outside, it is a combination of two stones, one on top of the other. The locals call it Thulo Dhunga, i.e., enormous stone.
According to them, many years ago, some foreigners who came to visit Sailung had observed the stone through binoculars. And they saw innumerable lights burning a few feet below the rock. After seeing the lights, the binoculars burst into pieces. Therefore, the locals do not do any work to break that stone or else use the stone to build houses and barns.
Animals and birds
When you visit Sailung, you can see some animals and birds like deer, Himalayan Goral, Squirrel, Leopard, Red Monkey, Tiger, Bear, White Monkey, Himalayan Monal, Vulture, Jureli (Red-vented-Bulbul), Lampuchhre bird, Jamankanthe, and Kalij Pheasant (Lophura Leucomelanos).
Attractions and features of Sailung trekking
- Observing the natural beauty and geographical diversity of Sailung while playing hide and seek with the innumerable grasslands.
- A panoramic view of the long mountain ranges to the north,
- Visiting the dense forests and mountain ranges of the Mahabharata to the south,
- Observing the unparalleled beauty of the rising and setting sun and the mountain scenery it brings,
- Take a tour of the various historical and religious heritages mentioned above.
- Himalayan Yaks
- Nepal’s national flower, Laligurans (Rhododendron), is found only in the highlands,
- To research rural life, lifestyles, and cultural diversity.
Sailung village trekking can be divided into two routes: camping and general homestay hiking.
Nepali vegetation and herbs found in Sailung
Laligurans, Chimal Gurans Gobre Salla, Thangre Salla, Khanu, Asare, Shailunge Phul, Jatamasi, Padamchal, Thulo Okhti, Delling, Hiremire, Sisnu, Kukur Paile, Pahelo Phul, Lalgedi, Akselahara, Bhale Ghiraila, Dhasingi, and others.
Internal tourism
Sailung is also a suitable destination for domestic tourists. With low costs and simple travel time, students and the public can travel to Sailung. Domestic tourists can also visit Sailung within three days.
Short Sailung hiking itinerary:
1st Day: Drive from Kathmandu to Kholakharka (Araniko Highway) for 7 hours.
2nd Day: Overview of Sailung
3rd Day: Kathmandu to Kholakharka or Dhunge.
In the end,
Visiting Sailung on the borders of Dolakha and Ramechhap in Nepal, one can explore both the cultural and natural sides of the hillocks there. A popular place for the splendid views of the hundreds of hills around, it is also a place for village treks in Nepal.
Thus, if you wish to explore Sailung, then you can contact us at Heaven Himalaya.
Hear it to the beautiful Nepali traditional song about Sailung and its people, “Mathi Mathi Sailunge Ma. “
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