Maula kalika

Maula kalika temple is a famous Hindu temple of Goddess Kalika in Gaindakot town of Nawalparasi district, near to Naryanghat city.

It is also famous in the name of Dada(hill) Kalika. Furthermore, maula Kalika is a growing tourist destination located in Gaindakot Municipality of Nepal. Located on the top of the Maula hill on the north of Narayani River (also called Gandaki River) in Gaindakot, Maula Kalika temple is situated 561 metres (1,841 ft) above sea level.

Due to its location in the top hill, it is growing as a very good hiking place for the local and foreign tourists. Regular visitors from Gaindakot and nearby towns of Narayangarh, Bharatpur and Chitwan choose this place as a destination to enhance their leisure time with the feel of the cool breeze, observation of wide panoramic views of wilderness, and the exciting adventure of walking through 2000 meters long sloping and curving stairs to attain the height of the final destination. Visitors enjoy panoramic views of Narayani River, Gaindakot town and Chitwan Valley on the south of the hill. Mt. Manaslu can be viewed on the north side. Hikers also prefer to visit the temple for the sunrise view early in the morning.

Tourists now who visit Chitwan National Park and Lumbini often also add Maula Kalika in Gaindakot as an additional most-visited tourist destination in their itinerary. It takes less than a half a day for a round trip hiking from Narayangarh town traveling on foot. From the bottom of the Maula hill it only requires less than 4 hours to go up and down. Mineral water and refreshments are available on the way, near Deurali where there is a helipad too.

Hundreds of thousands of people visit Maula Kalika every year from Nepal and neighboring countries. Dashain or Dussera festival in September–October and in March–April are peak seasons when goddess Kalika or Kali (also called Nav Durga, the 9 different incarnation of Goddess Kalika) is worshiped during these festive season.