Town or village · 150 m
Nepalgunj
A busy border city on the western Terai and the main air hub for Nepal's far west and Karnali.
Chitwan & Teraiबागेश्वरी मन्दिर
Bageshwari Temple
Nepalgunj's main goddess temple, set beside a large pond in the heart of the city.
The goddess temple in the centre of Nepalgunj, Banke district.
- Altitude
- 150 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Banke, Lumbini
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: heat (Apr-Jun).
Why go
The Bageshwari Temple is the principal Hindu temple of Nepalgunj and one of the best-known shrines of the western Terai. Dedicated to the goddess Bageshwari, a form of Durga, it stands in the old part of the city and draws a steady stream of worshippers from Nepalgunj, the surrounding villages and the neighbouring areas of India.
Next to the temple is a large pond with a statue of Shiva at its centre, and the paths and steps around the water are a gathering place in the evenings. The shrine is busiest on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the days traditionally associated with the goddess, and during the festivals of Dashain and the spring Navaratri, when queues form from early morning.
For travellers passing through Nepalgunj on the way to the mountains or the national parks, a visit to Bageshwari is the easiest way to see the religious life of the city. It fits into a short walk through the old bazaar, and the atmosphere is best in the early morning or at dusk.
History and culture
The temple is widely described as a Shakti Peetha, one of the sites linked with the legend of the goddess Sati, whose body was dismembered and scattered across the subcontinent; devotees in Nepalgunj hold that part of her body fell here. This tradition gives the shrine importance well beyond the city.
The temple reflects the mixed culture of Nepalgunj, where hill and plains traditions meet. Worship includes offerings of flowers, sweets and red powder, and animal sacrifice has traditionally been part of festival worship. The surrounding streets fill with stalls selling offerings, bangles and sweets.
Things to do in Bageshwari Temple
Attend evening worship
Visit around dusk, when lamps are lit and the pond surroundings fill with families.
Walk around the pond
Circle the water to see the Shiva statue and the smaller shrines around the complex.
Combine with the bazaar
Continue into the old market streets of Nepalgunj for food and shopping.
Weather and the best time to visit Bageshwari Temple
Weather in Bageshwari Temple
Forecast for 150 m. 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 settled, with warm days, cooler evenings and clear skies after the rains.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is dry and mild by day, but fog often hangs over the plains in the mornings and nights are chilly.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is pleasant; by April and May the plains become very hot and dusty.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September brings heavy rain, high humidity, swollen rivers and occasional flooding of low ground and roads.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Stay in Nepalgunj, which has many hotels and guesthouses near the centre.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
The temple is in central Nepalgunj, reached on foot or by rickshaw from anywhere in the city.
Nearest hub: Nepalgunj
- roadTake a rickshaw or taxi from the airport or bus park to the temple in the old town.
- walkFrom hotels in the city centre, the temple is within walking distance.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit or ticket is required. Offerings are voluntary.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepalgunj, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Bageshwari Temple
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Heathigh in a typical yearApr-Jun
Temple courtyards and streets are very hot from April to June; visit early in the morning or after sunset.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJul-Aug
Heavy monsoon rain can waterlog streets in central Nepalgunj.
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 the inner temple and avoid leather items.
- Some inner areas may be restricted to Hindus; follow local guidance.
- Ask before photographing worshippers or rituals.
Questions about Bageshwari Temple
Who is worshipped at Bageshwari Temple?
The goddess Bageshwari, a form of Durga. A Shiva statue stands in the pond beside the temple.
When is the temple busiest?
On Tuesdays and Saturdays, and during Dashain and the spring Navaratri.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Entry is free and offerings are voluntary.
Nearby
National park or conservation area
Banke National Park
A young national park of sal forest and Churia hills, linking Bardiya with protected forest across the border.
National park or conservation area
Bardiya National Park
Nepal's largest lowland national park, a quieter alternative to Chitwan with tigers, rhinos, wild elephants and the Karnali river.
Town or village
Thakurdwara
The quiet Tharu village at the gate of Bardiya National Park, base for jungle walks and river trips.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Nepalgunj, Wikipedia, Banke District, Wikipedia