Religious and Cultural Tourism Promotion of Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Temple Dolpa District, the largest district of Nepal in terms of area, is not only vast in geography but also immensely rich in religious, cultural, historical, and tourism heritage. Nestled in the remote Himalayan region of Karnali Province, Dolpa is a land where pristine nature, ancient civilization, and deep spiritual faith coexist in harmony. Despite its enormous potential, Dolpa remains relatively unexplored and under-promoted in the national and international tourism landscape.

The district is home to numerous religious, cultural, and natural tourist destinations such as Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Temple, Mashta Bhavani Galli, Mashta Bhavani Chhal, Shey–Phoksundo Lake, Suligad Waterfall, ancient monasteries, sacred rivers, and traditional settlements. These destinations have the capacity to become strong pillars of Nepal’s tourism-based economy. However, due to inadequate promotion, infrastructure, and policy-level focus, many of these valuable sites remain in obscurity, resulting in the loss of millions in potential tourism revenue each year.

Globally, countries like Singapore and Thailand have strengthened their economies through tourism development, while neighboring countries such as India and China have made remarkable progress in religious tourism. In contrast, Nepal—despite being a land of gods, temples, and sacred landscapes—has yet to fully recognize and utilize the potential of its religious tourism destinations, particularly in remote districts like Dolpa.
If the numerous religious sites of Dolpa were systematically promoted and developed, the district could attract hundreds of thousands of religious tourists annually. Among these sacred sites, Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Temple stands out as one of the most significant spiritual centers, deeply rooted in the faith of the people of Dolpa and surrounding regions.

Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Temple: A Unique Shakti Peetha
Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Temple, believed to have been established in 1114 AD, holds a distinct and powerful religious significance compared to other temples in Nepal. Despite its immense spiritual value and tourism potential, the temple has long remained underrepresented in mainstream religious tourism.
Geographically, the temple is situated in a highly sacred and unique location. To the east flows the Sundari Ganga, to the west the Tamrabani River, to the north stands the majestic Mukuteshwar Himal, and to the south lies the Bhairabi Ganga. The temple is located on a central hilltop surrounded by these holy natural landmarks, creating an extraordinary blend of spiritual energy and natural beauty.

According to the revered Hindu scripture Shri Swasthani, during the Satya Yuga, Lord Shiva wandered the earth carrying the lifeless body of Goddess Sati. It is believed that Sati’s shoulder (back portion) fell at this sacred site, establishing it as a powerful Shakti Peetha. Devotees believe that merely visiting and offering prayers at this temple leads to liberation and spiritual fulfillment.
Priest Devikrishna Upadhyay states that various Hindu scriptures mention the importance of this temple, and that among the many temples he has visited in Nepal and India, the geographical setting and spiritual power of Bala Tripura Sundari Temple are truly unique
.
Divine Connections and Living Faith
It is widely believed that the famous goddesses Bageshwari of Banke, Kanika Sundari of Jumla, Khairabang of Salyan, Tripureshwari of Baitadi, and Malika of Bajura are spiritually connected to Bala Tripura Sundari. Among the nine forms of Goddess Durga, it is believed that Bala, Tripura, Sundari, and Devi reside in this temple.
Local belief holds that when Goddess Sati’s body part fell here, the sky thundered and rain poured down. Since then, the temple has been associated with control over rainfall. During severe droughts, the people of Dolpa gather to perform rituals, after which rainfall is believed to occur. Likewise, when excessive rain threatens crops during the months of Ashoj and Kartik, collective worship is believed to bring balance to nature. A temple of Bhairaveshwor Mahadev is also believed to have originated in this sacred area.

The Mysterious Rice Mortar: A Legendary History
One of the most fascinating legends associated with the temple is the story of the mysterious rice-pounding mortar (Okhal). During the era of the Baise–Chaubise kingdoms, King Bikram Shahi ruled from Tripurakot Fort. Near the royal palace stood a mortar where villagers used to pound rice.
Strange events began occurring—sometimes pounding four pathi of rice yielded eight pathi of rice, while at other times, two pathi produced only two mana. When the king ordered excavation, villagers found sacred objects beneath the mortar: a copper stove, a ghee pan, a copper plate, a hexagonal yantra, sacred soil, and symbolic figures of the Nine Durgas. Ancient scriptures mention that these divine manifestations later appeared as Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati.
Rituals, Management, and Cultural Continuity
Daily worship is performed in the temple during morning and evening. The temple is traditionally managed by nine priestly households, taking turns annually. Specific roles are assigned to different communities, including priests, Nishani, Chhadidar, Phulara, Damai, Kulala, and Sarki, reflecting an inclusive and traditional management system that has survived for centuries.

Major festivals such as Ram Navami (Chaitra) and Dashain (Vijaya Dashami) attract thousands of devotees. On Phulpati day, sacred offerings are brought in procession from various parts of Dolpa. Animal sacrifices are performed according to strict traditional rules, carried out only by designated Chhadidar families.
Another unique tradition involves large wooden ceremonial poles, which are erected and dismantled twice a year during Vijaya Dashami and Chaitra Dashami. Unlike other parts of Nepal, devotees in Dolpa apply tika only after the goddess herself is offered tika, emphasizing the temple’s supreme spiritual authority.
Tourism Development and Future Potential
The temple has undergone four major renovations. The most recent reconstruction was completed with financial support of approximately NPR 33.3 million from the Indian Embassy, under the leadership of the Temple Construction and Endowment Committee chaired by Laxmikant Upadhyay.

Today, the temple stands as the spiritual heart of Dolpa. High-ranking government officials and pilgrims from across Nepal visit regularly, believing that sincere prayers here fulfill wishes. Facilities for worship, accommodation, and food services have significantly improved, leading to increased pilgrim numbers.
Despite this, locals express concern that national tourism authorities, including the Nepal Tourism Board, have not given sufficient attention to the conservation and promotion of Dolpa’s religious tourism assets. Without timely intervention, such remote yet sacred regions risk being left further behind.

Dolpa is not merely a remote Himalayan district—it is a sacred landscape where faith, history, and nature merge into a powerful spiritual experience. With proper conservation, promotion, and infrastructure development, Shri Bala Tripura Sundari Temple and other sacred sites of Dolpa can emerge as major centers of religious tourism in Nepal. Investing in these spiritual treasures will not only preserve cultural heritage but also create sustainable livelihoods and contribute significantly to national economic growth.