Khaptad is Nepal's
newest national park, receiving its
designation only in 1985. It
consists of 225 sq. km of forest and
grassland, and lies on a plateau
where the districts of Bhajhang,
Bajura, Doti and Achham meet. The
forest comprise a mixture of tall
fir, yew, rhododendron and oak along
with dense stands of bamboo and
numerous shrubs, and represents one
of the last remaining such areas in
the lower Himalaya. The vegetation
provides a natural habitat for
healthy population of wildlife,
including the musk and barking deer,
bears various birds including the
impedance pleasant. One flower.
Known as Bheeg and resembling a
white rose, grows in several parts
of the park. It is said to be so
poisonous that single sniff from
close up can be lethal!
Khaptad Swami among Nepalis, Khaptad
is best known as a holy site and is
closely associated with a widely
revert ascetic who lived here for
Mandu years and who was known simply
as the 'Khaptad Swami'. The origins
and background of Khaptad Swami, who
died in 1996 at the grand old
reported age of 110, are shrouded in
mystery. Some speculate that he was
a doctor from India who renounced
his worldly life in favor of a
purely spiritual existence in a
remote part if the holy Himalaya. In
any event, he never divulged either
his name or anything of his own life
to anyone-including to King Birendra
who went to consult him several
occasions. He was undoubtedly a
good, learned and widely read man
who also had a good command of
English. He lived in a cave on the
eastern side of the park to where
pilgrims traveled from far and wide
to see him and receive his counsel
and blessings.
It is said that Khaptad Swami was
instrumental in persuading the King
to give National Park status to
Khaptad. About 1 km from the Swami's
cave is the small Bhagawan Shanker
Mandir with a Dharmalala. Nearby is
the small pond, or Pokhari, whose
water is said to be lethally
contaminated by the Bheeg and other
toxic flowers growing around it.
Symptoms of poisoning are believed
to begin with joint pain, lethargy,
nausea and vomiting. Some people
carry lemons and chills with them as
an antidote when walking through the
area, through it is interesting to
remember that strings of lemons and
chills are also widely used
elsewhere to ward off evil sprits.
Fencing now surrounds the pond. The
Khaptad Mela [Festival] takes place
in September / October and attracts
several thousand pilgrims from
throughout Nepal for whom this
pilgrimage is believed to be
especially meritorious. Celebrations
include the pouring of milk over the
Linga of the Bhagawan Shanker Mandir
and, reminiscent of Diwalii, the
lighting of ghee lamps at night.
Visiting Khaptad very few westerners
ever visit Khaptad. The best time to
visit is from April to September.
The monsoon is relatively weak in
West Nepal. At other times, snow
makes travel to and through most
areas impractical. |
