How to Visit Pathibhara Devi (Mukumlung) Taplejung

Glory of Pathibhara Devi Taplejung

The historic and famous Pathibhara Temple (Pathibhara Dham) is located in the Taplejung District, northeast of Nepal. This area is also a well-known and religious tourist site. It is believed to be the abode of Goddess Pathibhara Devi, known as the Pilgrims’ wishes-fulfilling goddess. This page provides detailed information on how to visit the Pathibhara temple or Pathibhara religious tourist site with ease.

In Nepal, Holy Places or religious places are called Dham, Tirtha, etc. Holy Places with the power of the Goddess are also called Shakti Pith. So, the Phathibhara Devi Temple (also known as Pathibhara Dham) is one of Nepal’s most famous Shakti Piths.

A shrine revered in the Kirat community as Mukumlung

The importance of the Pathibhara religious site is not limited to Hindus alone. This pilgrimage site is also the center of traditional faith for the local Indigenous Kirat community. They call Pathibhara ‘Mukumlung’. The Indigenous ‘Limbu’ ethnic group has been worshipping Mukumlung as sacred lands of Yakthung (“Limbu”) Indigenous Peoples since the Mukumlung area is also mentioned in their religious text, ‘Mundhum.’

More than half a million visitors are estimated to visit the Pathibhara Devi area annually, as the Dham’s glory and popularity continue to increase.

Therefore, we have provided all the necessary information to visitors who may not be familiar with the Popular Pathibhara Temple (Dham).

If you are considering visiting other famous places in Eastern Nepal, such as Jhapa, Ilam, and Pachthar districts, along with the Pathibhara Devi temple, at almost the same cost, you should first read our previous article. You will get detailed information about the entire visit. Please go to this link: Mystery of the Pathibhara Dham and Its Ever-growing Popularity

The previous article taught us how to travel by air and land to Pathibhara and the sightseeing tourist destinations of far eastern Nepal. Also, the information mentioned above gives instructions on how to reach Suketar (Taplejung District), a location near Pathibhara Dham, and is provided.

This article details all the necessary information on the journey from Suketar to Pathibhara Dham. Please read till the end to benefit.

The Journey From Suketar (Taplejung) To Pathibhara Devi

Suketar is a transit point from which to visit the Pathibhara Devi Temple. It is 10 kilometers east of Fungling Bazar, the headquarters of Taplejung district. Here is Suketar Airport too. Its altitude is 2394 m.

The blacktop road ends here, and the rough road starts for Pathibhara Temple while these lines are being written.

Proceed from Suketar to Pathibhara Devi Temple (Mandir)

Embarking on a Pathibhara Dham visit, the journey from Taplejung will be challenging but also very interesting. So, please read these articles carefully or ask local people before proceeding from Suketar, which will make your journey easier.

If you cannot walk much or are traveling with family, don’t stay overnight at Suketar or Fungling Bazar when visiting Pathibhara.

If you stay there, the distance to the next day’s journey is longer than you can walk, so your travel time may be extended by one more day. It may not be easy to reach Pathibhara and return early.

It is to be remembered that the road ahead of Suketar is under construction at the time of writing these lines. The situation may worsen during the rainy season. Until the road is entirely constructed, it is customary to keep a private car or bike at a hotel in this area by paying an average security fee. All do the same.

Then, travel with local, powerful hill vehicles to reach Kafle Pati (Sano Fedi).
However, some skilled bike riders take their bikes to Kafle Pati (Sano fedi).

Staying at Kafle Pati (Sano Fedi)

After traveling for about an hour in a local vehicle, you will reach Kafle Pati, also called Sano Fedi or Lower Fedi, where you can stop your journey today and settle down. This place is also known as Tallo Fedi. The Altitude of Kaflepati (Sano phedi) is 2800 meters.

There are almost a dozen hotels with accommodation facilities per hillin Kafle Pati (Sano Fedi), so food is not a problem. However, depending on the season, there may be more crowds.

If you go during peak season and arrive late in the evening, you may not be able to get a private room in the hotel. However, the facility of sleeping in a communal room on separate beds should not be deprived of.

Don’t forget to charge your mobile there

Remember to charge your mobile phone at night. You may be unable to charge it tomorrow and miss capturing precious moments.

Beyond that point, mobile networks also work sporadically.

A surprising religious culture in local hotels of the Pathibhara region

The tradition of fantastic guest service is still alive in Nepal’s religious and social traditions.
You don’t have to pay the bill for the night you stayed in the hotel; you can leave the next day without asking for the total bill.

When the writer’s team attempted to settle the bill for the night’s accommodation, they were refused and told to pay upon returning. That is a custom there. Everyone moves early in the morning without paying money.

Even though thousands of pilgrims were present, they didn’t register any information, such as names, addresses, or phone numbers, maintaining a unique pattern of religious beliefs.

When the pilgrims return, some stay in the same place, while others change. Most move down to Taplejung Bazar. But hoteliers say no one ever forgets to pay the bill while returning. They believed that if any pilgrim escaped without paying, they wouldn’t be blessed by Mother Pathibhara or punished.

In addition, the hoteliers are helpful on this route. They will remind you to bring hot water, a walking stick, a hat, strong shoes, an umbrella, a rainproof jacket, medicine, etc., whatever you need for walking in the morning.

(The list of essential things you must bring is written on the next topic.)

You can also stay at Thulo Fedi (Closer To Pathibhara Temple)

There is also an alternative to Sano Fedi: staying at Thulo Fedi at night if you arrive early.
After about an hour’s walk north uphill, you will reach the Thulo Fedi (Upper Fedi). There are also hotels with shared accommodations and food arrangements.

From here, it is closer to traveling to Pathibhara Devi Temple tomorrow morning. So, almost half of the pilgrims are found to stay at this place.
This place is also called Upper Fedi or Chiruwa. The altitude of this place is 3150 meters.

Things to bring and leave During the trekking

Before heading towards Pathibhara Devi temple (Mandir in Nepali) in the early morning or starting the journey on foot, you must pay special attention to the things you must bring and leave behind.
Because carrying unnecessary items can make your hiking trip very complicated.

Please note that shops are unavailable or rare after you move beyond Thulo Phedi market to Pathibhara temple. Shops are likely not permitted in sacred areas due to concerns about pollution and dirt.

Therefore, keep the necessary materials in a handbag or backpack and leave the main bag with all the materials at the hotel.

List of Essential things to take on trekking to Pathibhara Devi Temple

1. Be sure to bring an umbrella or raincoat and wear comfortable, warm clothes with woolen hats, as the weather can change instantly and may rain or snow at any time.
2. Worshipping (pooja) materials as you wish (like incense, lamp wicks, flowers, colors, coconut, fruits, sweets, cosmetics, offerings, liters, etc.)
3. Trekking sticks: per person, one or two
4. A little fried corn or flour (satu) works well if you have symptoms of altitude sickness. (It is the custom in the locality.)
5. Necessary water bottles: There is no water source on uphill.
6. You can choose your food items: light fruit, snacks, noodles, biscuits, chiura, murai, chew gum, dal bhut, bhajia, chips, or any other you like.
7. Energy drinks: Cane juices, etc.
8. Please consider whether shoes and slippers are suitable for walking uphill. Do not wear shoes with high heels or light slippers. Wear comfortable shoes.
9. Mobile, wallet, and personal medicine if necessary, etc

If you stay at night in Kafle Pati (Sano Fedi), don’t forget that there are enough shops selling tea, water, snacks, and other materials on the way up to the Thulo Fedi Bazar (Upper Fedi).

If you need light food or water for trekking, you can buy them at Thulo Fedi. Therefore, there is no need to bring these items from further down.

Essential facts about Pathibhara’s journey you must know

You may also have heard various misleading and rumored facts about visiting the Pathibhara Devi Temple. But based on our travel experience, Nothing is impossible or something to be afraid of on this tour.

Instead, this visit can be exciting and unforgettable. It can be as easy as visiting an average-altitude mountain tourist destination elsewhere.
Knowing these fundamental facts about Pathibhara’s visit is beneficial.

Walking time and conditions

Wherever you are at night, try to get up early and leave on time. Some travelers start walking as early as 2 or 3 am. But you can also move with the rising sun after drinking tea and hot water. You don’t need to hurry up to that extent.

Because even if you start your journey on foot at 6/7 in the morning, you can return to the same place (Fedis) in the evening after visiting Pathibhara Temple easily.

However, if you could return early (on 3/4), you can get the vehicle to Phungling Bazar, the headquarters of Taplejung District, where you can spend the night in high-class hotels or resorts.

The condition of the footpath leading to Pathibhara Devi Temple

The footpath is now well constructed. Walking wasn’t easy in the past, and one had to go by supporting themselves with hands-on assistance, ascending. However, the Pathibhara Development Committee has now constructed stone steps and prepared an easy path, 8 to 10 feet wide, for walking.

Duration of trekking or reaching Pathibhara Devi Temple (Dham)

If you move from Kafle Pati (Sano Fedi), it may take 3/4 hours on foot to reach Pathibhara Temple, and if you move from Thulo Fedi (Chiruwa), it will take 2/3 hours.

But this period of journey is for ordinary, healthy people.
Patients, the elderly, and children take longer to reach Pathibhara. Even after spending 4/5 hours going, people fulfill their desire to reach there.

The return time is halved

It won’t take long to come back because the path will descend. The main mysterious thing, the power of the Pathibhara Goddess (Mother), will be received in your body, and you will feel agile and light. So, the path will feel very short and easy on the return.

How much height to cross?

Regarding the altitude, to reach Pathibhara Devi Temple (a Religious site), if you spend the night at the Sano Fedi, you must climb 1000 meters, and if you stay at the Thulo Fedi, you must ascend 600 meters.

The Altitude or Elevation of the Pathibhara Temple site is 3,794 m. while Thulo Phedi (Chiruwa) is 3200 m. and Kafle Pati (Sanophedi) is 2800 m. from sea level.

Facilities for disabled

Until this article was written, there was no horse riding facility for disabled people who could not travel on foot and wanted to ride horses on this route. Maybe it was impossible because the path was steep and had rock steps.
But for the disabled and the sick, there is a paid facility for human-carrying to deliver to the temple or return through various means.

Is there a cable car facility for the Pathivara visit?

No, until 2025, there is no cable car facility to visit Pathibhara. However, the road extending to the approach near the pilgrimage site is under construction.

Is Pathibhara’s visit difficult to hike?

Although the footpath to Pathibhara is considered very steep, the Pathibhara Management and Development Committee has built a path with stone steps up to the Holy place. So, the pain of the slippery climb has ended, and trekking has become more accessible.

You will be encouraged more during the journey as you can see children from 4/5 to elderly 70/80 walking easily along the way.

Resting cottages are available enough in the path. You can go slowly with doing rest.

The footpath to Pathibhara is lined with lush forest and offers a serene and scenic view. Also, if you go in April and May, you will see the flowering trees of Rhododendron Arboreum or Lali Guransh (The national flower of Nepal) blooming, and the whole hill will look red. You will be able to get lost in the enjoyment of that beautiful scene.

Is there a possibility of high-altitude sickness going to Pathibhara?

Since Pathibhara Devi Temple is about 3800 meters high, you don’t need to go higher. Actually, the hill is not considered a hazard of altitude sickness.
Generally, this is not the height at which a healthy person can have altitude sickness. So there is nothing to be afraid of.

But those who are a little weak and unhealthy, those who are not able to walk, asthma patients, and significantly older adults may feel uncomfortable with normal breathing.

Although the problem of high altitude sickness is rare, please take the following precautions:

• No matter how healthy and agile you are, walk slowly; never walk speedily or jog fast.
• Drink water or juice occasionally, or be hydrated.
• Take a five to ten-minute walk and rest according to your health needs.
• Do not starve the very weak patients, children, and the elderly because you need the strength to climb such heights.
• If breathing becomes difficult, rest. Drink water, eat roasted corn flour (Called Satu, locally available), and enjoy its smell. As it is trending, it is supposed to be altitude medicine.
• Enjoy the beauty of Laliguras during the blooming season, but avoid the smell of this flower throughout the journey, as its aroma is intoxicating.
• If it is difficult to breathe, do not go up; rest for a while; if it doesn’t improve your condition, come back down. The lower the altitude, the more you feel a decrease in symptoms.
• After returning, try a local soup, rest for a day, follow the hotel’s advice, and try to go out the next day if you regain your energy. You can also consider the option of being delivered by people.
• It will be easier to walk with the help of sticks while traveling uphill or downhill. So keep the stick with you.

All these are things to be cautious about; you will see people from 3/4 years to 80 years old on the way anywhere. So don’t think about altitude sickness.

The secret of a light and agile body when returning from the Pathibhara visit (it takes only half the time to return)

Another mysterious aspect of the Pathibhara Devi Temple visit is that it takes only half the time to return.

As the devotees say, the almighty supernatural power of Mother (Mata) Pathibhara removes all the pains and fatigue of the journey by reaching the shrine region and performing the worship (Pooja).
As the body becomes light, the muscles feel healed, and the pains are over; there is no difficulty in returning. So, one can come down very quickly.

Understand the lack of water and food items.

The Pathibhara Devi Temple area is at the top of the hill, so water is lacking. The management committee uses modern technology to collect rainwater or fogwater.

Luckily, you may be able to wash your hands and feet before entering the temple premises, but it may be out of stock.

Drinking water should be taken by yourself when you go there. In addition, it is forbidden to shop in the shrine area (perhaps because of the fear of environmental pollution?). You may feel hungry and thirsty after your visit. The light snacks and water you have taken will be like nectar at that time.

Enjoy the Artificial, Natural, and Supernatural Beauties of Pathibhara

The Pathibhara Devi Temple (Dham) complex is very beautiful. As soon as you reach this area on the top of the hill, you will forget all the pain and fatigue. And the feeling of reaching transcendental bliss.

On reaching the main gate (entrance door) of the Pathibhara religious site, one feels a new sense of heavenly bliss, and all the pains of the walk gradually fade away.

With the peace, coolness, open environment, green slopes, and the amazing feeling of God’s abode in that place, which can be found in such a secluded place surrounded by the forest at such a height, you will feel lost in a divine region.

Then there, You will see many beautiful things on the Pathibhara Temple holy site; some are as follows:

Amazing things in Pathibhara Devi pilgrimage site

• Huge, beautiful, and smiling idol of Goddess Pathibhara (perhaps the biggest idol of Goddess in Nepal)
• Thousands of copper and brass bells, lamps, kalas, plates, trishuls, ornaments, and idols of various shapes and sizes are seen aggregated everywhere.
• Even in such a difficult place, modern paths, stone-laid temple courtyards, Inns (Dharamshalas), flower parks, helipads, gates, steps, etc.
• In the Hindu world, the gods and goddesses are typically kept inside the temple’s roof, apart from Hanuman. However, the idol of the Pathibhara goddess is installed in an open place where neither a roof nor a temple exists. Everything there looks pretty mysterious.

Apart from that, with the line of sacred thread visible across the road, the Bheti (money) scattered everywhere, and the religious atmosphere in everything, one feels supernatural joy.

Get lost in surrounding nature and mountain views from the Pathibhara shrine

If you are lucky and the weather is clear, you will be eager to capture many exciting and mesmerizing scenes of the surrounding nature and the Himalayan views.

If the weather is clear, one can enjoy the beauty of the following mountains from the Pathibhara temple complex:

• Kanchenjunga (M) (Sewalung) 8586 m.
• Kanchenjunga (C) 8482 m., Kumbhakarna (Phaktanglung) 7710 m.
• Kangbachen 7903 m.
• Kanchenjunga (S) 8476 m., Makalu 8463 m.
• Lhotse 8516 m., Notse 7855 m.

The fun of walking or playing on the snow

Due to the high altitude of Pathibhara Hill, snow falls with changing weather conditions. If you go during that lucky season, you will enjoy the sight of snow over the track and the temple premises.

But if the weather is clear, enjoy the Himalayan scenery. Depending on the season, lovely scenes of different-colored forests with blooming flowers are available.

mysteries, meaning, and origin Of Pathibhara Devi Temple (Taplejung)

The ‘Pathi’ means a traditional Nepali vessel for measuring or storing grains made of Copper or brass, and ‘Bhara’ means the act of being filled with the grace of the Goddess. Or, as a whole, ‘Pathibhara’ means the divine power of being filled with wealth, crops, or fulfilling one’s wishes.

The hill Pathibhara also looks like the shape of a Pot (Pathi) filled with grain.

Pathibhara Devi Temple is an ancient, mythological shrine whose origins are shrouded in many legends. In ancient times, there was a custom of keeping sheep.
Sometimes, many sheep get lost in that place, and they search for a reason for the loss.
One day, the Goddess informed the shepherds in their dreams that she abode in that hilly place.
After all these divine events, people began worshipping there as the Pathibhara goddess, and everything returned to normal.

The secret of offered money (Bheti) in Pathibhara everywhere

From the beginning of the trekking path, a lot of money is scattered along the way, and countless devotees are seen offering metal and paper money to many idols called ‘Bheti’ (Money).
Also, the money offered to the goddesses is visible everywhere at the shrine complex.

At first, the money (Bheti) was a lot of paper money rotting in the sun and water, but it was customary for no one to use it.
Later, the pilgrims asked Pathibhara’s mother for a loan and started a business, using some of the money. Later, they became successful. Many People began to do the same.
Some people have shared with us how they became wealthy in this manner.

Still, the practice of exchanging the temple’s offered money, keeping it in purses or places of worship, and investing in business can be seen among devotees. By doing so, it is believed that one’s economic status will increase.

Institutional development of Pathibhara Devi Temple

There are two types of committees managing the Pathibhara religious area. One is the Pathibhara Area Development Committee, formed by the Government of Nepal, and the other is the Pathibhara Devi Conservation Committee, formed by the people. Both these bodies have their scope of work and powers, but both organizations are committed to the development of this area.

There is a system of priests and employees in this religious area. Therefore, the money donated to the temple is not misused or wasted as in the past.

The amount donated by the devotees is deposited in the organization’s cash and material fund. The same fund is spent on employee salaries and infrastructure development.

According to the Pathibhara Area Development Committee, the metal coins offered here are worth hundreds of quintals and have been sent to Nepal Rashtra Bank for exchange.

In the end,

It is said that in Pathibhara Devi Mandir, pregnant women, menstruating women, people whose relatives have recently died, and those who want to ask for revenge on anyone should not go there. If they visit the shrine, they get a negative result. Pilgrims say.

That’s all on this page about the famous and mysterious Pathibhara Devi Temple religious area.
Best wishes for your journey to Pathibhara Dham. Thank you very much for reading this.

Jay Pathibhara Mata. Have a joyful journey.

Thank you for visiting the site.

Please read the Next part of the details about the Pathibhara Visit > Mystery of the Pathibhara Dham and Its Ever-growing Popularity.