Kakani Himal in Nuwakot is famous for watching sunrise and sunset. From Kakani (2,173 meters), you can see Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Lamjung, Buddha, Manaslu, Himchuli, Ganesh, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar, Sagarmatha, Lhotse, and other mountains.
Kakani is 27 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu. The Kakani region in the Nuwakot district is considered important from a natural, cultural, historical, religious, archaeological, and touristic point of view. Daman and Simbhanjyang are visible in the south from Kakani, the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding picturesque peaks are visible in the east, and Thansing Phat and Ganesh Himal visible in the north are considered fascinating.
Strawberry, radish, and trout fisheries in Kakani have also increased the potential of agro-tourism. Located on the western edge of the Shivpuri forest, Kakani is also considered important from a historical and archaeological point of view. Basanti Durbar and Rumba Raja’s Court are historical sites in Kakani. Kakani has also gained equal fame for forest feasts and educational tours.
The captivating costumes of the Tamang people and local cultural tableaus are considered the attractions of Kakani. Fairs and festivals held from time to time are also active in the publicity and promotion of the Kakani region. Whether it is a rainy season or a cold winter, the capital’s foodies flock to Kakani as soon as they have a day off. Kakani has captivated them. Not only the trout fish farms that have opened around the Kathmandu-Trishuli road and the delicious fish dishes, but also the local Stewary liquor, local chicken meat, and Phapar’s drum are attracting the residents of the capital.
The residents of the capital queue from Kakani to Betini to enjoy the taste of trout fish. “More fish lovers come here because tourists can kill and enjoy the delicious fish raised in local ponds as they wish,” said Himalayan rainbow trout producer Lal Bahadur Tamang. “Our business is based on customers coming from the capital.”
Currently, more than 50 farmers are farming fish on this route. They also produce the feed required for the fish. The farmers also run their own restaurants. These trout restaurants have become a holiday destination for the capital’s residents. As winters in Kathmandu increase, many groups reach Kakani for picnics to enjoy the warmth of Kakani’s hot sun.
Kakani, which has become a hill station, has also been famous for strawberries and trout in the last few years. Trout fish farms are located on the highway before reaching Kakani. There are comfortable hotels on the hill. Kakani can be reached by turning right three kilometers from Kaule Bazaar on the Pasang Lhamu Highway. The trekking route from Kakani, Chisopani, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Namo Buddha, and Balthali to Panauti has been branded as the ‘Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trail’. There are many places to visit in the Kakani area.
Trout Highway
From Jitpurphedi onwards, there are restaurants selling ‘Japanese Rainbow Trout’ fish along the highway. Nowadays, the Pasang Lhamu Highway is called the ‘Trout Highway’. The fish raised in the water coming from the foot of the mountain are rainbow-colored, hence the name ‘rainbow trout’. However, the fish on the Trout Highway are black. The color of the fish raised in the river water is not like the rainbow. The fish raised in the Fisheries Research Center, Trishuli, are rainbow-colored. The fish are raised there in the water coming from the mountain.
Picnic Spot Kakani
Kakani is also a picnic spot. There is an International Mountaineer Memorial Park on the hill. The garden spread over 42 ropanis is attractive. The Nepal Mountaineering Association has opened a mountain school on the mountain. French citizen Henri Sigare has built a 12-meter-high rock climbing wall. Every Saturday, there is a crowd of people who come for picnics.
Memorial Park
There is a memorial park on the mountain, which was built in memory of the dead in the Thai Air crash in 1992. The place where the accident occurred is visible from there. There are gardens all around the park, and everyone’s names are written on the stones in the middle. You should sit quietly in the park. There are flags with Buddhist mantras written on them, such as Lungdar, Dhajryu, and others. The Kathmandu Valley is visible from there at night.
Basanti Durbar Kakani
The Basanti Durbar holds historical importance. It was built by Kazi Gagan Singh during the Jung Bahadur era for his girlfriend Mithu. The dilapidated palace is being reconstructed. The Department of Archaeology has taken up the work of reconstructing it, informed Shiva Kumar Lama, the chairman of the Kakani Tourism Development Society.
Scout Building kakani
There is a Scout Building on the mountain. The building was built by Nepal Scouts in 2001. There is camping facilities there. Scout training programs are conducted there. There are facilities required to conduct training and seminars. Therefore, if you inform us in advance, food and accommodation facilities are available. Programs can also be conducted there. Apart from the Scout building, there are comfortable hotels and resorts in Kakani.
Tarakeshwor Bharana
After walking from Kakani to Shivpuri National Park, Bharana is about 4 km away. The two waterfalls flowing from a large stone cliff in the middle of the forest are attractive. It is necessary to protect and promote it. Young people going to Tarakeshwor take a bath at the waterfall. It seems that the Tarakeshwor Tourism Committee should pay attention to this. The path in front of the waterfall is a bit difficult. It should be organized soon.
Tarakeshwor Mahadev Kakani
Mahadev resides in a cave in the middle of the forest of the park. You have to climb a steep stone staircase to get there. There is a cold water stream near the temple. According to the Shree Swasthani Vrat Katha, the place where Mahadev’s right thigh fell while carrying the dead Sati Devi is Tarakeshwor (1,720 meters). The Buddha Mahadev of the cave is the oldest deity there.
Mahadev is also on the cliff above the place where Buddha Mahadev resides. You have to climb the stairs to see him. There is another cave near the Mahadev temple, where Ganesh, Mahadev, Trishul, Ghanta etc. are located. When you look from the cave, Kathmandu city is visible in the distance.
Tarakeswar Shakti Peeth. A fair is held there on Shivaratri, Janai Purnima, Swasthani Vrat Katha, Bala Chaturdashi, and Monday. According to legend, when there is a drought, the surrounding villagers go to Tarakeswar with music and ask for water from Mahadev. It is believed that after asking in this way, rain falls.
Panch Mane Kakani
There is a place called Panch Mane under the Tarakeswar temple. There were five manes there earlier, hence the name of the place Panch Mane. Now there are only 4 manes, locals say that one was eaten by a landslide. A large mane has been built around the old mane.
We sat in the scout building and had lunch. Walking immediately after lunch causes digestive problems. Therefore, we have some health-promoting interactions after eating. After the program, we walked through the park and past the waterfall to Panchmane. Due to lack of time, we did not get to visit the Tarakeshwor temple.
We also received suggestions from new hikers during the trip. A proposal was made to plant trees and collect garbage so that it would benefit hikers and the destination. In fact, these are things that everyone can do in hiking. Let’s not pick plants during the trip, collecting garbage and putting it in the relevant place benefits everyone. Let’s clean it if possible, and if not, let’s bring back the garbage we have brought with us.
Finally, when the Kathmandu Valley is sweltering with heat, Kakani is cool. We have reached Sheetal Danda, will you also go there to beat the heat?
How to reach Kakani
Kathmandu-Kakani 23 km. Buses to Kakani and Nuwakot leave from the bypass via Balaju’s Machhapokhari. You can go by motorbike, bicycle or car. Starting hiking from Kakani, we will hike through picnic spots, memorial parks, and scout buildings, and from the park, we will hike through Tarakeshwor Falls to Tarakeshwor Mahadev, and from there we will hike back to Panchmane. Hiking distance is 14 km. Time: 6 hours. From Kakani, we can hike to Gurje Bhanjyang (2,000 meters) in about three hours via Shivpuri National Park. We will have lunch at the Bhanjyang meadow. From Bhanjyang, we will hike down south to Jhor. Bhanjyang-Jhor is 4 km. Hiking distance is 12 km.
