Damauli, Oct 18 : Dhandur Siddhagupha located at Bhimad Municipality-9 of Tanahu district is awaiting visitors.

The government has included this place in the list of 100 tourism destinations.     
Although the Siddhagupha Promotion Committee started publicity works for attracting tourists to this place since last year, the campaign was affected due to COVID-19. Some 200-300 tourists used to visit the place daily before the onset of COVID-19 pandemic.    

Committee president Dadhiraj Subedi said they hope the number of visitors will increase as life gradually starts becoming normal.    
 Only three kilometres west of Bhimad Bazar, Dhandur Siddhagupha is a place of two caves – Chamero Gupha and Siddha Gupha.

Chamero Gupha cave is about 1,500 metres long while Siddha Gupha cave is 300 metres long. The latter has three tiers. 

   
According to a legend, a deer pursued by a hunter entered the Chamero Gupha and came out at Mohoriya. Locals say that rainwater that enters from Mohoriya emerges out from the opening of Chamero Gupha cave during the rainy season.    

The Siddha Gupha which was believed to be seven stories many years back is now only four stories due to the deposition of silt and soil by the runoff water during monsoon.    
Nestled amidst dense forest on the bank of the Jidikhola rivulet, Siddha Gupha has religious and historical importance.

There are naturally formed structures like the traditional grinding stone and 'dhiki', statuettes of the 'shivalinga' and various deities, and shapes as cow's udder and elephant trunk.    

Far from the din and cacophony of the town, many people come to Dhandur Siddhagupha to enjoy the peace and serenity. Since the place is connected by road, travel is easy from Bhimad Bazar.  

  
The Committee plans to develop this area as a picnic spot as well. It has prepared a master plan for the development of this area. Steps with railing leading to the cave, waiting shed, picnic spots and parking lot have been constructed.    

Similarly, the Committee has already constructed steps on one kilometre distance from Jidikhola up to Siddha Gupha and from it to Chamero Gupha, a temple dedicated to Siddhababa, three toilets and a pond before this.   

 
In this connection, the Committee has prioritized the construction of infrastructures in this area for promoting as a major tourist destination in the district.