Resunga Travel Diary
From Tamghas, a 6 km black-paved road leads to Resunga Mahapokhri. An attractive footpath, made of stones and railings, extends from Mahapokhari to Yagyasala.
Resunga Mahapokhri
According to legend, in 1883, the ascetic Lakshminarayan Swami, while meditating, collected water from various shrines and mixed it in Mahapokhari here.
Currently, there are 27 Gaumukha streams around the Mahapokhari. During the months of Shrawan and Ekadashi, many pilgrims gather to bathe in this holy pond.
Resunga Pashupati Shivalaya Temple
Located near Resunga Mahapokhari, the Resunga Pashupati Shivalaya Temple and its associated Dharamshala are important religious sites in Nepal. Resungadham is a place rich in both religious and natural heritage. The name Resunga was derived from Rishi Sringa, who built an ashram and meditated here during the Treta era. Pilgrims visit Resunga not only for spiritual reasons but also to enjoy the forest feast.
Resunga Pathway
A pathway from Resunga Mahapokhari to Yagyashala consists of 994 steps, and from Yagyashala to the View Tower, there are additional steps, totaling 796 meters. Along this route, you can enjoy various fruits like Laligunras, Aiselu, Chutro, and Kafal, depending on the season. Water sources, toilets, sheds, and protected areas such as Garudasthan and Ramkuwa have been constructed along the way, making the journey comfortable and scenic. The pathway also helps preserve the natural and biological diversity of Resunga.
Ramkuwa
According to religious belief, after King Dasharatha was unable to have children, he brought Sage Sringa, who was meditating in Resunga, and performed the Putreshti Yagna. Legend also states that Lord Ram and Lakshman dug a well with an arrow in Resunga to resolve the water scarcity. The Ramkuwa in Resunga remains at a consistent water level, never drying up or flowing.
Resunga Yagyashala
The Yagyashala, located at the heart of Resunga, is attractively decorated. It features a large pagoda-style temple with a golden gajur and copper roof. Inside the Yagyashala, the havan kunda burns continuously. The Yagyashala is the most important temple in Resunga, and 300 meters of railing stairs have been constructed from the Yagyashala to Bishnupaduka. A trust building that accommodates 100 people has also been constructed for visitors, offering a place for religious activities such as dancing and singing.
At an altitude of about 2347 meters above sea level, Resunga is blessed with a cool climate, diverse flora and fauna, and a spiritual ambiance that elevates its importance. The area has been mentioned in both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, and its rich history includes stories about Sage Rishyashringa and Lord Ram.
Resunga View Tower
The Resunga View Tower, built atop the hill, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and snow-covered peaks. Though the weather wasn't favorable during our visit, the view from the tower is typically breathtaking. The stairs leading up to the View Tower are adorned with photographs of key places in Gulmi district, such as Ridi, Rishikesh Temple, the Kaligandaki River, Shreeshyasringa Tapobhumi, and more.
Visiting Other Sacred Sites
We also visited several other sacred locations, including the Siddhamandir, Resunga View Tower, Vishnupaduka, and the tombs of Swami Shashidhar and Lakshminarayan. The presence of the Nepal Telecom Tower and Radio Nepal’s FM band tower at the site adds to the area’s significance.
General Jagatjung Rana, son of Jung Bahadur Rana, built the Shivalaya Temple about 150 years ago, and Mahaprabhu Lakshminarayan contributed to its construction. The Bishnupaduka temple, dating back to before 1920, remains a central religious attraction.
The Resunga Area: A Rich Heritage
There is also a cowshed in Resunga, and an hour's walk from there leads to Savani Shivalayam, the penance site of Mahaprabhu Lakshminarayan. Inside the ashram compound, you'll find havankunds, wells, and ruins of a former ashram that once housed devotees. The forested area, full of flora and fauna, adds to the serenity of the place.
Ecological and Religious Significance
Resunga and Arjuna Hill are closely connected, with Arjuna Hill being considered a sibling to Resunga. It is believed that the five Pandavas referred to the hill as “Arjuna Danda” after the warrior Arjuna sat there while on his way to Pyuthan following the Mahabharata war.
Resunga is a year-round destination, with heavy snowfall in November and January, while February sees the forest blooming with red flowers.
Conclusion
Resunga, with its combination of religious, historical, and ecological importance, has been further enhanced by infrastructure development. This area, which has long been a pilgrimage site for both Nepalese and Indian visitors, is becoming an important tourist destination.
We returned from Resunga after visiting its sacred sites such as Bishnupaduka, Shivalaya, Swami Shashidhar's tomb, Resunga View Tower, Siddha Mandir, and more.
This content has been prepared to help promote the Resunga religious and tourist area, and we’ve also shared a video for your viewing pleasure.
Date: Friday 11th Jestha 2081