Location
Province: Lumbini Province
Swargadwari is a pleasant vicinity located within the Mahabharat Mountain Range in Pyuthan Municipality in Pyuthan district. The shrine which is popular as a religious, historical and tourism spot is located at an altitude of 2,122 meters from the sea level. The place spread at 26,000 ropanies or 23.8 hectares of land, is enriched with three different climates. The place is covered in snow during winters, while there is a cold wind throughout the year as it is located in the higher belt of this region. In the northern side, there is a spectacular range of mountains like Sisne, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna and Machhapuchhre, while the plain terrain of Dang and Deukhuri can be seen from the southern side.
How to Reach
Those who want to visit Swargwadwari from Kathmandu have to travel through the passenger bus to Liwang of Rolpa. From a stop called Bhibgri, the 13-kilometre graveled stretch has to be travelled either through private or public vehicle to reach this holy shrine. The other route is through Dang, Ghorahi and Holeri. Those who travel through the eastern part of Nepal should pass through Narayangarh-Butwal-Bhaluwang to reach Pyuthan. After Bhibgri, the journey becomes pleasant due to the panoramic view of mountains and hills. One can even reach Swargwadwari through helicopter as there is a helipad in the Ashram vicinity.
Significance of Shrine & Local Beliefs
Nepal is known as a holy land of sages and saints. Sages with different names and forms have landed in this sacred land in different ages. The corners, caves and mountains have become scared due to the meditation and devotion of these sages. In this context, in 1952 B.S. (1895 A.D.), Ananta Shree Swargwadwari Mahaprabhu organized a grand ceremony called Akhanda Mahayagya with a prayer of world peace in this naturally beautiful piece of land. Swargwadwari was a land for Yagya even in the ancient age. Renowned sages like Bed Vyas had also organised similar grand Yagyas in this place.
It is also believed that the five Pandavs from the holy Mahabharata had also meditated in this place before heading towards heaven. To re-establish the endangered Yagya tradition and to maintain the Vedic Sanatan principles, Swargwadwari hosts various structures like Vedic School, Gaushala for the protection of cows, Dharmashala for the visitors, Santa Residence for the sages and saints, Shivalaya for worshipping and Yagyashala to conduct Yagyas. From the ancient time, there is an initiation of Akhanda Mahayagya.
Major Festivals
The special fair is organized in various occasions like Nag Panchami (July), Janai Purnima(August), Fulpati during Dashain (September/October), Laxmipuja in Tihar (October/November) and on birth anniversary of Khaptad Baba. Besides, there are also fairs during the festivals like Shivaratri (February/March), Bala Chaturdashi (November/December), Shrawane Sankranti (any one day of July 14, 15, 16), Makar Sankranti (any one day of January 14, 15, 16) among others. On the regular time as well, there is a huge crowd of devotees and tourists from both within and outside the country.