Chandragiri Hills | One of the Attractions in Kathmandu

Chandragiri Hills is 2551 meters above sea level on the southwest side of Kathmandu valley. When you reach the top of the hill, you will reach Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple. Chandragiri Hill also gives you panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges from Mount Annapurna on the West to Mount Everest on the East from atop. You can also see all the ranges of Langtang Lirung in the central region, and the Jugal Himal Mountain Range as well.

To reach the top of the hill, one can ride a cable car, drive uphills, or hike in the Chandragiri hills. The cable car's base station is about 6 kilometers from the Kalanki Junction on the Tribhuvan Highway. It's about 500 meters uphill from Checkpost, Thankot, from the highway.

Two of the most famous things of the Chandragiri Hills are Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple and Cable Car.

Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple

Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple was designed by an architect named Shankar Nath Rimal who designed many other important monuments like Shahid Gate. There is a historic belief that Lord Shiva carried her wife Sati's dead body  across the world in grief. Sati Devi's forehead, also called 'Bhala' fell from her dead body and Bhaleshwor Mahadev appeared on the spot where it fell. The belief is that this temple came to be at the same place where Bhaleshwor Mahadev appeared.

Cable Car

Chandragiri Hills is the only cable car service on one of the hills that surrounds Kathmandu valley. It started providing services from 2016 which now runs 38 cable cars successfully. From the base station, it takes around 8 minutes to reach the top which is a 2.5 km long ride. The cable car has a capacity of transferring about one thousand persons per hour.

Best Time to Visit Chandragiri Hills 

People visit Chandragiri Hills all year round, but the spring and fall seasons should not be missed at all. So, September-November and March to May are a great time to see the beauty around Chandragiri hills under the clear blue sky. And, December to early February is the best time to witness the snow hugging the mountain scenery around Chandragiri Hills.

History of Nepal that connects with Chandragiri Hills

King Prithvi Narayan Shah caught the first glimpse of Kathmandu valley at its finest view from Chandragiri Hills. On his way back from Makwanpur to Gorkha Palace, he reached the top of the hill. Seeing the view is what struck King Prithvi Narayan Shah with the idea to add Kathmandu Valley into his kingdom.

Myths about Chandragiri Hills

People believed that King Prithvi Narayan Shah meditated and went through extreme ‘sadhana’ and attained spiritual powers. It was Chandragiri Hills where he attained these powers towards the unification process of Nepal. Bhaleshwor Mahadev was impressed by King Prithvi Narayan Shah’s sadhana, so he blessed him for his wishes to be true. 

Things to do in Chandragiri Hills

Being one of the major attractions of Kathmandu valley, the place offers lots of things for visitors. While you are in Chandragiri Hills, don’t forget to do these activities.

• Visit Bhaleshwor Temple
• Take a cable car ride
• Enjoy the Mountains View
• Hike on Chandragiri Hills
• Have a Zipline ride

Visit Bhaleshwor Temple

On top of the hill, you will see Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple. People visit the temple on the belief that their wish comes true. They believe that a visit to Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple means that you will ascend to Shivaloka in your afterlife.

Take a Cable car ride

If you’ve reached Chandragiri Hills, you should take a ride to the top with a cable car. It is not just the shortest distance to the top, but it is also extremely fun to see the land getting smaller by the minute.

Enjoy the Mountain View

Chandragiri Hills being on top of a hill, you are surrounded by the pleasant view of mountains. On a clear day, you should see Mount Everest. From Kathmandu, you get the closest view of Mt. Everest from Chandragiri Hills. You will also be greeted with Mountain ranges of Annapurna, Langtang Lirung, Ganesh, Jugal Himal, and more.

Hike on Chandragiri Hills

There are two routes for hiking to reach Chandragiri Hills. One is the road, and another one is through the jungle. The faster route is through the jungle, from where you could go on a hike. You can walk from Godam hill and climb up to Chandragiri Hills. And if you are interested in a hike on your way down the hill, then you can walk the route of Machhegaun.

Have a Zip line ride

Nepal’s highest altitude of zip-lining is here in Chandragiri Hills. It has quickly become a famous experience for those who visit Chandragiri Hills. It has now extended to a 200-meter long zip-line from the previous 100 meters of length. You will feel as if you are a bird soaring high in the sky and the entire landscape is below you.