Town or village
Kakarbhitta
Nepal's easternmost border town on the Mechi river, the main crossing to Siliguri, Darjeeling and Sikkim.
Chitwan & Teraiअर्जुनधारा धाम
Arjundhara Dham
A Hindu pilgrimage site in Jhapa linked by legend to Arjuna of the Mahabharata, busy on festival days.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Jhapa, Koshi
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Arjundhara Dham is a Hindu temple complex and pilgrimage site in Arjundhara municipality, in the north of Jhapa district near the East-West Highway. It is centred on a sacred spring and a Shiva temple, surrounded by smaller shrines, pools and resting places, and is one of the best-known religious sites in the eastern Terai.
On ordinary days the dham is calm, with devotees making offerings and families visiting the shrines. On major festivals, especially Maha Shivaratri and the Maghe Sankranti period, it fills with pilgrims from across eastern Nepal and neighbouring parts of India, and a fair with stalls and food grows around the temples.
The site is an easy half-day trip from Birtamod, Kakarbhitta or Bhadrapur, and can be combined with tea gardens and other temples in the district.
Visitors who are not Hindu are generally welcome in the outer areas of the complex, but some inner shrines may be reserved for worshippers. Watching the evening rituals, when lamps are lit and bells ring, is a good way to see the site at its most atmospheric without intruding.
History and culture
The site's name comes from a story connected with the Mahabharata: during their exile the Pandava brothers are said to have passed through this area, and Arjuna shot an arrow into the ground to bring forth water, creating the spring, or 'dhara', that pilgrims revere. The legend is told in many versions and is central to the site's identity.
The temple complex has been developed over the years by local committees with donations from devotees, and now includes several temples, bathing places and pilgrim facilities. Arjundhara is also the name of the surrounding municipality, which reflects the importance of the site to the area.
Things to do in Arjundhara Dham
Visit the shrines
Walk around the temple complex, the spring and the bathing places.
Festival day
Visit at Maha Shivaratri or Maghe Sankranti for the full pilgrimage atmosphere, accepting large crowds.
Combine with tea gardens
Pair the visit with a tea estate near Birtamod or Kakarbhitta.
Weather and the best time to visit Arjundhara Dham
Weather in Arjundhara Dham
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are dry and pleasantly warm after the monsoon, and Dashain, Tihar and Chhath bring festival life to the towns.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is mild by day, but dense morning fog is common and nights can feel cold.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is comfortable; by April and May the plains are hot and humid.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is hot, humid and wet, with local flooding in low-lying areas.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Most visitors stay in Birtamod, Kakarbhitta or Bhadrapur; simple pilgrim lodging may be available near the site.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Arjundhara Dham is a short drive from the Mahendra Highway near Birtamod in Jhapa.
Nearest hub: Bhadrapur
- roadFrom Birtamod on the Mahendra Highway, take a local bus, taxi or rickshaw to Arjundhara Dham.
- flightFly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and travel by road via Birtamod.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit or entry fee is generally required; donations are welcome.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Arjundhara Dham
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
Late spring and early summer in the eastern Terai are hot and humid, with midday heat that makes walking and sightseeing tiring.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Heavy monsoon rain can cause local flooding and waterlogging on local roads around the site, and rivers in the eastern Terai rise quickly.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Remove shoes before entering temple areas and dress modestly.
- Leather items may be unwelcome inside some shrines.
- On festival days arrive early and expect heavy traffic and crowds.
- Ask before photographing worshippers.
Questions about Arjundhara Dham
What is Arjundhara Dham?
A Hindu pilgrimage site in Jhapa, centred on a sacred spring and Shiva temple linked to the Mahabharata hero Arjuna.
When is it busiest?
During Maha Shivaratri and around Maghe Sankranti, when large fairs take place.
How do I get there?
By local transport from Birtamod on the Mahendra Highway.
Nearby
Town or village
Bhadrapur
The headquarters town of Jhapa on the Mechi river, with the airport that serves Nepal's far east.
Viewpoint · 2,328 m
Antu Danda
A tea-country ridge near Nepal's eastern border, visited for sunrise over the plains and views of Kanchenjunga.
Town or village · 1,627 m
Ilam
A hill town in Nepal's far east, surrounded by tea gardens, with sunrise viewpoints towards Kanchenjunga and a sacred wetland lake.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Jhapa District, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board