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| Halesi Mahadev, Khotang |
Halesi Mahadev is a famous Shiva temple located in Khotang district in the eastern hills. Part of the temple is situated underground in a sort of cave and is accessible by a staircase. There is also a Tibetan Buddhist monastery nearby. It is believed that Saint Padmasambhava meditated in the cave known as Maratika near Halesi, which explains the large number of Buddhist pilgrims visiting the site. A large number of pilgrims visit the temple during Shivaratri and Balachaturdashi festivals.
Access: The site is not yet accessible by road from any major town or city. It can only be reached by walking for six hours from a point on the Katari-Ghurmi road. Alternatively, there are jeeps that could be hired from the nearest airfield at Lamidanda (regular flights from Kathmandu) to the temple.
