Things to see and do Bandipur

Situated to the north of the bazaar, the Hindu temple of Bindebasini proudly displays its highly charged decoration. Its facades are covered with sculptures and colour is omnipresent. A two-storey building that bears witness to Newar architecture and the skill of its craftsmen, this large temple is dedicated to the goddess Durga, shown here in her destructive form. On New Year's Day, in April, a chariot in her image is pulled through the city.

In this temple, the altar does not contain an idol, but a khadga, a sacred sword, offered to Mukunda Sen, the king of Palpa, by Shiva. This gift was said to have been exchanged by the king for food when he had become an ascetic and had renounced his past life. Wrapped in layers of cloth since that time, the khadga has been revered as a symbol of female power. Legend has it that anyone who looks at the naked sword is condemned to instant death.

At the end of Main Bazaar, the heart of the village, turn left and walk for 10 to 15 minutes to reach this former fairground, dating from the great merchant era. Merchants used to gather there before leaving for India or Tibet. Bordered by five gigantic fig trees serving as perches for children, the field offers an exceptional panorama. Today it is a meeting place, sometimes for picnics. At a time when the sun is waning, when the sky is tinged with pink and mauve, the great Himalayan range offers its most beautiful spectacle.