Tansen is a picturesque hill town lying on the lap of the well-known Shrinagar Hills, headquarters of Palpa district. Tansen is also the hub of Midwest culture of Nepal. The charming natural setting combines with its rich cultural heritage to give visitors a wholesome holiday.
Tansen offers enchanting walks leading to interesting sites, whether it is a day of traverse around Shrinagar Hills or few-days backpacking along River Kaligandaki. In addition Tansen qualifies as a pilgrim's choice, given its several Hindu temples.
Palpa was the seat of the Sen Kingdom that ruled over this region from 16th century for almost 300 years, which gives it a historical touch. A specialty of the region is the much popular Palpali Dhaka, weaved here. The district varies from 250 to 2000 meters of elevation, while Tansen is situated at 1372 meters. Palpa is also near Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, and the popular city of Pokhara.
Access
Tansen is in Palpa district, Lumbini zone. Tansen is approximately 296 kilometers and about 10-hour drive from Kathmandu via Butwal. It is approximately 324 kilometers from Kathmandu via Pokhara. Buses to Tansen ply from the Central Bus Station, Gongabu, in Kathmandu. It is also possible to take a flight to either Pokhara or Bhairawa from where Tansen is approximately 3 to 4- hour drive. It can be entered from India via Bhairahawa.
Accommodation
Good to moderate accommodation facilities are available in Tansen. There are also modern restaurants here that serve excellent Nepali and some even continental cuisines. Other tourist facilities are also available in Tansen Bazaar.
When to Visit
Tansen can be visited at any time of the year. While the climate of Palpa varies from tropical to moderate, Tansen is moderate to warm and lies between 28-degree Celsius as the maximum during summer and 8-degree Celsius minimum in the winter. The months of June and July have maximum rain.
Predominant Culture
Palpa has diverse culture and religion. It falls in the twelve Magar regions of West Nepal. Therefore, there are still predominant Magar settlements in some parts of Palpa district. Other inhabitants of Palpa are Brahmin, Chhetri, Newars, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Gurung, Maithili, Tamang, Limbi and Abadhi.
Places to Visit
Shrinagar Hill:
Shrinagar Hill provides excellent views of the Himalayas Annapurna, Dhaulagiri range and the surrounding valley. Tansen Bazaar to the summit of Shrinagar Hill is a short, pleasant hike across forest and passing through several Hindu sites.
Ranighat:
Ranighat is adorned by a marvelous building on the banks of River Kaligandaki, built by the -then Rana governor of Palpa, Khadga Shumsher, in memory of his wife Tej Kumari. The 7-kilometer trail from Tansen to Ranighat is a steady slope passing through a narrow gorge. There are bird-watching and fishing opportunities on the trekking trail from Tansen to Ranighat.
River Kaligandaki:
River Kaligandaki, one of the main tributaries of Gandaki, is regarded sacred by Hindus. The fountainhead of Kaligandaki is at Muktinath in Jomsom. From Muktinath it flows southwards creating the deepest gorge in the world between the famous mountains Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Tourists can boat, raft in the river or trek along the shore enjoying beautiful landscapes.
There are several holy and historical sites on the banks of Kaligandaki, including the well-known Ranighat. Other popular sites to visit are: Ridi where a historical Rishikesh temple built by the first Palpa King Mukund Sen situated; Ramdighat where religious Hindu ceremonies are held by people in the region; and Achammeshor where a deep gorge cut by River Kaligandaki separates Gulmi and Syangja districts.
Madan Pokhara:
Madan Pokhara is a highly prosperous village near Tansen. This beautiful valley is also culturally rich and has many temples that pilgrims can visit. The poplar temples are Kalanki Devi, Devisthan and Mandabya. Madan Pokhara is linked to Siddartha Highway.
Tanhu:
Tanhu is another attractive village with mixed culture and beautiful natural surroundings of mountains, forests and farmlands. One can also see beautiful views of mountains from here. There are also temples of Rambha Devi and Jalpa Devi in Tanhu. It is 32 kilometers from Tansen and can be entered from Siddhartha highway.
Arghali:
Arghali is considered the Banares of Nepal. This is where Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher spent the last days of his life. The remains of the palace can still be seen in Arghali. Other nearby places to visit is Rishikesh, Gayatri and Devisthan, the popular temples of Arghali. A village of mountains, forests and farmlands, Arghali is situated close to the rivers Kaligandaki and Ridi. It is 38 Kilometers from Tansen.
Satyawati Lake:
Satyawati Lake at 1,400 meters takes its name from Goddess Satyawati from the Hindu mythology and is a popular pilgrimage site in the area. It is equally attractive for other tourists considering that the trek is a enjoyable and the destination worth visit. Migratory birds can be seen here sometimes of the year. One can enjoy beautiful views of Himalayas on the way to the lake. The trek starts at Siddhartha Highway, about 19 kilometers from Tansen, from where it takes about 2-hour trek uphill to reach Lake Satyawati.
Deule Archale:
Deule Archale is believed to be a holy pond. Pilgrims come to this place to take a holy dip on festivals.There are several temples here. Siddheshwar Gupha (the cave) is a popular pilgrim spot at Siddeshor VDC on the bank of Ridi Khola. There are also temples of Radha Krishna and Bhagabati. To reach Deule Archale, one can go to Ridi from where it takes 3 hours. However, a trail from Harthok is a more conventional route from Tansen.
Chilangdi:
Chilangdi a typical Magar village offers cultural taste of the area. The people of Chilangdi are simple and have a charming lifestyle. Singing and dancing are the main part their lives. They speak Tibeto-Burman language. Chilangdi is situated at the southern lap of Shrinagar Hills.
Source: Nepal Tourism Board
Tansen offers enchanting walks leading to interesting sites, whether it is a day of traverse around Shrinagar Hills or few-days backpacking along River Kaligandaki. In addition Tansen qualifies as a pilgrim's choice, given its several Hindu temples.
Palpa was the seat of the Sen Kingdom that ruled over this region from 16th century for almost 300 years, which gives it a historical touch. A specialty of the region is the much popular Palpali Dhaka, weaved here. The district varies from 250 to 2000 meters of elevation, while Tansen is situated at 1372 meters. Palpa is also near Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, and the popular city of Pokhara.
Access
Tansen is in Palpa district, Lumbini zone. Tansen is approximately 296 kilometers and about 10-hour drive from Kathmandu via Butwal. It is approximately 324 kilometers from Kathmandu via Pokhara. Buses to Tansen ply from the Central Bus Station, Gongabu, in Kathmandu. It is also possible to take a flight to either Pokhara or Bhairawa from where Tansen is approximately 3 to 4- hour drive. It can be entered from India via Bhairahawa.
Accommodation
Good to moderate accommodation facilities are available in Tansen. There are also modern restaurants here that serve excellent Nepali and some even continental cuisines. Other tourist facilities are also available in Tansen Bazaar.
When to Visit
Tansen can be visited at any time of the year. While the climate of Palpa varies from tropical to moderate, Tansen is moderate to warm and lies between 28-degree Celsius as the maximum during summer and 8-degree Celsius minimum in the winter. The months of June and July have maximum rain.
Predominant Culture
Palpa has diverse culture and religion. It falls in the twelve Magar regions of West Nepal. Therefore, there are still predominant Magar settlements in some parts of Palpa district. Other inhabitants of Palpa are Brahmin, Chhetri, Newars, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Gurung, Maithili, Tamang, Limbi and Abadhi.
Places to Visit
Shrinagar Hill:
Shrinagar Hill provides excellent views of the Himalayas Annapurna, Dhaulagiri range and the surrounding valley. Tansen Bazaar to the summit of Shrinagar Hill is a short, pleasant hike across forest and passing through several Hindu sites.
Ranighat:
Ranighat is adorned by a marvelous building on the banks of River Kaligandaki, built by the -then Rana governor of Palpa, Khadga Shumsher, in memory of his wife Tej Kumari. The 7-kilometer trail from Tansen to Ranighat is a steady slope passing through a narrow gorge. There are bird-watching and fishing opportunities on the trekking trail from Tansen to Ranighat.
River Kaligandaki:
River Kaligandaki, one of the main tributaries of Gandaki, is regarded sacred by Hindus. The fountainhead of Kaligandaki is at Muktinath in Jomsom. From Muktinath it flows southwards creating the deepest gorge in the world between the famous mountains Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Tourists can boat, raft in the river or trek along the shore enjoying beautiful landscapes.
There are several holy and historical sites on the banks of Kaligandaki, including the well-known Ranighat. Other popular sites to visit are: Ridi where a historical Rishikesh temple built by the first Palpa King Mukund Sen situated; Ramdighat where religious Hindu ceremonies are held by people in the region; and Achammeshor where a deep gorge cut by River Kaligandaki separates Gulmi and Syangja districts.
Madan Pokhara:
Madan Pokhara is a highly prosperous village near Tansen. This beautiful valley is also culturally rich and has many temples that pilgrims can visit. The poplar temples are Kalanki Devi, Devisthan and Mandabya. Madan Pokhara is linked to Siddartha Highway.
Tanhu:
Tanhu is another attractive village with mixed culture and beautiful natural surroundings of mountains, forests and farmlands. One can also see beautiful views of mountains from here. There are also temples of Rambha Devi and Jalpa Devi in Tanhu. It is 32 kilometers from Tansen and can be entered from Siddhartha highway.
Arghali:
Arghali is considered the Banares of Nepal. This is where Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher spent the last days of his life. The remains of the palace can still be seen in Arghali. Other nearby places to visit is Rishikesh, Gayatri and Devisthan, the popular temples of Arghali. A village of mountains, forests and farmlands, Arghali is situated close to the rivers Kaligandaki and Ridi. It is 38 Kilometers from Tansen.
Satyawati Lake:
Satyawati Lake at 1,400 meters takes its name from Goddess Satyawati from the Hindu mythology and is a popular pilgrimage site in the area. It is equally attractive for other tourists considering that the trek is a enjoyable and the destination worth visit. Migratory birds can be seen here sometimes of the year. One can enjoy beautiful views of Himalayas on the way to the lake. The trek starts at Siddhartha Highway, about 19 kilometers from Tansen, from where it takes about 2-hour trek uphill to reach Lake Satyawati.
Deule Archale:
Deule Archale is believed to be a holy pond. Pilgrims come to this place to take a holy dip on festivals.There are several temples here. Siddheshwar Gupha (the cave) is a popular pilgrim spot at Siddeshor VDC on the bank of Ridi Khola. There are also temples of Radha Krishna and Bhagabati. To reach Deule Archale, one can go to Ridi from where it takes 3 hours. However, a trail from Harthok is a more conventional route from Tansen.
Chilangdi:
Chilangdi a typical Magar village offers cultural taste of the area. The people of Chilangdi are simple and have a charming lifestyle. Singing and dancing are the main part their lives. They speak Tibeto-Burman language. Chilangdi is situated at the southern lap of Shrinagar Hills.
Source: Nepal Tourism Board
