Barahakshetra Temple

Barahakshetra (बराहक्षेत्र) is one of the famous pilgrimage site for Hindus located at Barahachhetra Municipality of Sunsari District in Nepal. According to Hindu mythology there are 4 chhetra among which 2 falls in India (Kurukshetra and Dharmachhetra) and 2 in Nepal (Barahachhetra and Muktinath/Muktichhetra). It is believed that Lord Vishnu, by taking the incarnation of Varaha protected the earth with his long tusk from being submerged into underworld and sat at the bank of Koshi River and the lap of Himalayas and hills with his wife Laxmi. The place is called as Barahachhetra after that event.

There is a beautiful image of the Baraha incarnation of Lord Vishnu in this area. It is also believed that Lord Vishnu also sat on this area as a white boar and killed an evil demon named Hirayankashyap in Satya Yuga and statues of Baraha Chhetra exists from 5th century. There is a stone in front of the temple which will examine you have committed sin or not and is believed that only virtue people can lift the stone. In every 12 year Kumba Mela is being organized in Chataradham since 2058 BS which lasts for a month. The second Kumba Mela was held on 2070 BS and has reported more than 5 lakhs visitors.

Makar Sankranti is a special festival which is celebrated by people in this place and it is said that whoever take bath on the confluence of Sapta Koshi and Koka Khola and worship the god then they are set free from their sins. Talking about the nearby attractions, hilltop of Bhedetar in about 16km from here and is popular for its views of the Himalaya and the Koshi River and the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve which is just a 90-minute drive from Biratnagar and famous as a bird watching spot.