Town or village · 2,514 m
Jumla
A highland bazaar town in the Tila valley of Karnali, known for red rice and apples and used as the starting point for the trek to Rara Lake.
Far Westचन्दननाथ मन्दिर
Chandannath Temple
The principal temple of Jumla bazaar, home of the town's patron deity Chandannath.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Apr-May, Sep-Nov
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Jumla, Karnali
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Chandannath Temple stands in the heart of Jumla bazaar, also called Khalanga, the headquarters of Jumla district in Karnali Province. It is the most important temple in the town and houses Chandannath, the patron deity of Jumla, with a temple to Bhairav close by. The temple's pagoda-style roof and courtyard are the focus of the old part of the bazaar, and it is one of the first places that visitors to Jumla see.
The temple is an active place of worship, with daily rituals, bells and offerings, and it becomes crowded during the main festivals. Around it are the lanes of the bazaar, with shops selling local products such as apples, walnuts and Jumli red rice. Visiting the temple takes only a short time, but it gives a sense of the religious and social centre of the town.
For trekkers bound for Rara or Dolpo, a visit to Chandannath is a natural way to spend an afternoon in Jumla before setting off, and many local travellers stop to pray here before a long journey.
History and culture
Local tradition holds that Chandannath was brought to Jumla from the west by a holy man in the medieval period, and that the deity became the protector of the town and of the kings who ruled the Jumla kingdom after the decline of the Khas Malla state. The temple has been rebuilt and repaired over time, and its present structure is not the original.
Jumla was the seat of one of the most powerful of the western hill kingdoms until it was conquered by the Gorkhali state in the late eighteenth century. Chandannath's festivals, especially during Dashain, remain major events in the town's calendar, with processions and music drawing people from surrounding villages.
Things to do in Chandannath Temple
Temple visit
Visit the temple courtyard and observe the daily rituals; ask before taking photographs.
Bazaar walk
Explore Jumla's market lanes around the temple for apples, walnuts and red rice.
Festival time
If you are in Jumla during Dashain, watch the processions and celebrations around the temple.
Weather and the best time to visit Chandannath Temple
Weather in Chandannath Temple
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Apr-May, Sep-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Good month: Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September to November is dry and clear, with harvest colours in the fields and the best trekking weather.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cold, with frost and snow; flights continue but some trails and roads are affected.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is mild, with apple blossom and spring flowers; April and May are pleasant for walking.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is wet, flights are often cancelled and the Karnali Highway suffers landslides.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthousesLodges
Simple hotels and lodges in Jumla bazaar and near the airport.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
The temple is in central Jumla bazaar, a short walk from the airport and the bus park.
Nearest hub: Jumla
- flightFly from Nepalgunj to Jumla airport, then walk into the bazaar.
- roadBus or jeep from Birendranagar up the Karnali Highway to Jumla, a long journey usually broken overnight.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit the temple or Jumla bazaar.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Chandannath Temple
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Karnali Highway to Jumla is affected by monsoon landslides and long delays.
Coldmoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
Jumla is cold in winter, with frost and occasional snow in the bazaar.
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 and leather items where asked, and be discreet during rituals.
- Some parts of the temple may be closed to non-Hindus; follow local guidance.
Questions about Chandannath Temple
Where is Chandannath Temple?
In the centre of Jumla bazaar (Khalanga), headquarters of Jumla district.
Who is Chandannath?
The patron deity of Jumla, worshipped at the town's main temple alongside Bhairav.
Can foreigners enter the temple?
Visitors are generally welcome in the courtyard; follow local guidance about inner areas.
Nearby
Valley or region
Sinja Valley
The highland valley north-west of Jumla that was the seat of the medieval Khas Malla kings.
Valley or region
Gothichaur
Open high meadows and pine forest in Jumla district, a quiet pastoral excursion from Jumla bazaar.
Lake · 2,990 m
Rara Lake
Nepal's largest lake, a deep blue sheet of water ringed by pine forest in the remote Karnali hills.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Jumla District, Wikipedia, Karnali Highway, Wikipedia