Things you need to know about Chandragiri.

Chandragiri Hill is a highest hill station in Kathmandu District, which is on Bagmati Pradesh, Nepal. Chandragiri has a altitude of 2,551 meters above sea level. It is one of the most famous and visited tourist attractions in the Kathmandu Valley and the beauty of Lord Shiva’s Bhaleshwore Mahadev Templest attractions in the Kathmandu Valley and the beauty of Lord Shiva’s Bhaleshwore Mahadev Temple. Moreover, Chandragiri is a municipality in Nepal's Kathmandu District, Bagmati Province, formed by the merger of the former Village Development Committees Baad Bhanjyang, Balambu, Dahachok, Mahadevsthan, Machhegaun, Matatirtha, Naikap Naya Bhanjyang, Naikap Purano Bhanjyang, Satungal, Thankot, and Tinthana. 

Chandragiri Hill in Nepal has Cable Car which is the primary attractions for travelers. However, there is belief that King Prithvi Narayan Shah prayed here before unifying Nepal and conquering Kathmandu Valley. Chandragiri has historical significance. Moreover, he is also said to have meditated on the peak and received Bhaleshwar Mahadev's blessings for his devotion. When the nation was unified Chandragiri Hill was one of the four trade crossings used by Prithvi Narayan Shah.

The Hill is located seven kilometers from Thankot, on the southwest side of Kathmandu Valley. From the peak, you can see the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan mountains, from Annapurna to Everest which is the main attraction of this locaton. A few temples, gardens, cafés, and towers may be found on the peak. It is believed to be one of the most popular day-trip locations in Nepal. On weekends, the place becomes extremely busy. 

Moreover, Chandragiri is accessible by cable car, driving, or hiking. Chandragiri cable car is Nepal's second cable car, after Manakamana. However, the cable car ride is around 2.5 kilometers long and takes between 9 and 14 minutes, depending on the speed of the wind. Travel to Chandragiri is a simple one-day trip from Kathmandu's central valley. The Chandragiri Cable Car connects Thankot with Chandragiri. The cable car system has 38 gondolas with a capacity of 1000 passengers per hour. This location is also accessible to people with disabilities. The paths and pavements have been made more accessible to the elderly, making it easier for them to stroll around without exerting too much effort. In a short amount of time, this location has garnered popularity among both locals and tourists. 

History of Chandragiri hills

It is believed that Chandragiri Hill is where King Prithivi Narayan Shah decided to unite Nepal. It is a serious movement that has aided Nepal's development over the years. Moreover, chandragiri  was also a commerce hub for Nepal's several regions before the country's unification. People would exchange anything from fabric to spices once they reached the top. Since Nepal is a landlocked country, it was incredibly difficult to find commodities to trade. Finding and selling spices was difficult due to the lack of assistance from other countries.

However, many of the attractions here are relatively new, they nonetheless serve to represent what the land looked like and how it was used decades ago. The presence of the Prithivi Narayan Shah statue close to the temple emphasizes the holiness of the area. The statue is also plainly visible from where you exit the cable car journey, and it is the first stop for visitors as they ascend the hill. The temple's popularity has only grown since they began all this extra building, as well as the hotel. Despite all of this, the main selling feature is the breathtaking view of the Kathmandu valley. On one side, there is a valley, and on the other, there is a lush forest. Nature is around, and the air is clean, which is uncommon in Nepal, especially in Kathmandu. It is an engaging site for those who visit. 

The hill is also the home of Lord Shiva who has been worshipped for a long time now. The temple of lord shiva temple is known as Bhaleshwar Mahadev temple. Lord Shiva is one of the Hindu religion's three major gods. The mandir at the top of the hill is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and history has it that: 

“Sati Devi, first consort of Shiva, sacrificed her own life at Daksha Prajapati’s yagna after Daksha insulted Shiva in front of other deities. Shiva, enraged at Sridevi’s death, carried her dead body on his back and walked across the world in rage. Shiva, blinded by rage, did not realize that Satidevi’s decaying body was falling apart. Sridevi’s body parts fell to different parts of the world. Pilgrimages were later established at these sites. Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple is believed to have been erected at one of these sites, where Satidevi’s forehead (‘Bhala’) had fallen.”