Temple, monastery or heritage site
Maula Kalika Temple
A hilltop Kalika temple above Gaindakot with a long stairway and wide views over the Narayani and Chitwan.
Chitwan & Teraiशाश्वत धाम
Shashwat Dham
A modern temple and spiritual complex beside the East-West Highway in Nawalpur, with gardens, shrines and a museum.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Nawalpur, Gandaki
- Permit
- Entry fee
Why go
Shashwat Dham is a modern religious and cultural complex in Devchuli municipality, Nawalpur, set beside the Mahendra (East-West) Highway a short drive west of Gaindakot. It was developed as a place of worship, meditation and learning, and has become a popular stop for domestic travellers, families and pilgrims moving between Narayangarh and Butwal or Lumbini.
The centrepiece is a large Shiva temple built in a traditional style, surrounded by landscaped gardens, water features, smaller shrines and walkways. The complex also includes a museum with displays on Hindu and Buddhist traditions and on Nepal's cultural heritage, meditation and yoga spaces, and areas for religious ceremonies. It is kept clean and orderly, and a visit of one to two hours suits a break on a long road journey.
Because it sits directly on the highway, Shashwat Dham is easy to reach by any bus running west from Narayangarh. It can be combined on the same day with Maula Kalika temple above Gaindakot and, for those continuing west, with the wetland and village landscapes of western Nawalpur.
History and culture
Unlike most pilgrimage sites in Nepal, Shashwat Dham is a recent creation, opened in the 2010s by a private foundation. Its design draws on Hindu temple architecture and on wider South Asian spiritual themes, and it is intended to present Sanatan Dharma and related traditions to visitors in an accessible way.
The complex hosts celebrations on major Hindu festivals such as Shivaratri, Dashain and Tihar, and its gardens and halls are used for religious gatherings, discourses and family rites. It draws visitors from all over Nepal and from India, especially on holidays and weekends.
Things to do in Shashwat Dham
Temple and gardens
Walk around the main temple, subsidiary shrines and gardens.
Museum
Visit the museum for an overview of Hindu and Buddhist traditions and Nepali heritage.
Highway break
Stop for an hour or two on the drive between Narayangarh and Butwal or Lumbini.
Weather and the best time to visit Shashwat Dham
Weather in Shashwat Dham
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are dry and comfortable, with festival celebrations at Dashain and Tihar.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool, often with dense morning fog on the plains.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is pleasant; April and May are hot by late morning.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is hot, humid and rainy, though the complex remains open.
Where to stay
Hotels
Stay in Narayangarh, Bharatpur or Kawasoti; the complex is usually visited as a day stop.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Shashwat Dham is beside the Mahendra Highway in Devchuli, reached by any bus or car heading west from Narayangarh and Gaindakot.
Nearest hub: Bharatpur
- roadNarayangarh to Shashwat Dham by bus, taxi or car west along the Mahendra Highway via Gaindakot, a short drive.
- roadKathmandu or Pokhara to Narayangarh by bus, then onward along the highway.
- flightKathmandu to Bharatpur by scheduled flight, then by road.
Permits and fees
Entry fee
No permit is needed; the complex charges an entry ticket, with separate charges possible for the museum.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Mahendra Highway, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Shashwat Dham
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
Late spring and early summer bring high temperatures on the plains; visit early or late in the day.
Floodinglow in a typical yearJul-Aug
Monsoon rain can flood low sections of the highway in Nawalpur and slow travel.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Dress modestly and remove shoes where indicated.
- Photography may be restricted in some halls; follow the signs.
- Carry water and a hat in the hotter months; the grounds are open to the sun.
Questions about Shashwat Dham
Where is Shashwat Dham?
In Devchuli municipality, Nawalpur district, beside the Mahendra Highway a short drive west of Gaindakot.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, an entry ticket is charged; check the current rate on arrival.
How long should I allow?
One to two hours is enough to see the temple, gardens and museum.
Nearby
Town or village
Amaltari
A Tharu and Bote village on the western edge of Chitwan National Park, known for its community homestays and riverside wildlife.
National park or conservation area
Chitwan National Park
Nepal's first national park, in the inner Terai lowlands: sal forest, tall grassland and rivers home to one-horned rhinoceros, tigers and gharials.
Temple, monastery or heritage site
Devghat
A sacred confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli near Narayangarh, with ashrams, temples and a great Maghe Sankranti fair.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Mahendra Highway, Wikipedia, Gaindakot, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board