Town or village
Gaighat
The headquarters of Udayapur district, a growing bazaar in the inner Terai valley of the Triyuga river.
चौदण्डीगढी
Chaudandigadhi
The hill seat of the old Chaudandi kingdom in Udayapur, remembered for the Sen rulers of eastern Nepal and the Gorkha conquest.
This record covers the historic Chaudandi fort area in Chaudandigadhi Municipality, Udayapur, rather than the municipality as an administrative unit.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Udayapur, Koshi
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Chaudandigadhi, in Udayapur district of Koshi Province, takes its name from the old fort of Chaudandi, once the seat of a small kingdom in the eastern hills. Today the name is used by a municipality covering the hills and valleys in the east of the district, and the historic site survives mainly as remains of fortifications, old foundations and shrines on the high ground, together with stories that local people tell about the kings who ruled from here.
For visitors, Chaudandigadhi offers a combination of history and quiet hill landscape. Walking up to the old fort area gives views over forested ridges and the Triyuga valley, and the countryside around is one of farming villages, terraces and forest. The site is not developed for tourism, so a local guide or companion who knows the history and the paths is invaluable.
It is best visited as a day trip from Gaighat, the district headquarters, or as a stop for travellers exploring Udayapur's lesser-known hills.
History and culture
Before the unification of Nepal, the eastern hills and Terai were divided among several kingdoms, among them those ruled by branches of the Sen dynasty, which also held Makwanpur and Vijayapur. Chaudandi was one of these eastern Sen states, with its centre at the hill fort here, and its rulers controlled land between the Koshi and the hills to the west. In the 1770s the forces of the Gorkha kingdom, expanding east after the conquest of the Kathmandu Valley, took Chaudandi and the neighbouring Vijayapur, bringing the area into the new state of Nepal.
The memory of this period survives in place names across Udayapur, including Udayapurgadhi and Chaudandigadhi, both of which refer to hill forts, or gadhi. Local communities, including Magar, Rai, Tamang, Chhetri, Brahmin and others, keep shrines associated with the old fort, and some festivals in the area recall its rulers. Interest in protecting and studying the site has grown, but much of its story remains known mainly through local tradition.
Things to do in Chaudandigadhi
Fort walk
Walk up to the old fort area with a local guide to see remaining walls and shrines.
Local history
Ask local elders or guides about the Sen rulers and the stories attached to the site.
Hill walks
Combine the visit with walks through surrounding villages and forest.
Weather and the best time to visit Chaudandigadhi
Weather in Chaudandigadhi
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 clear, the best time for walking.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and dry, with foggy mornings in the valleys.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is pleasant; April and May grow hot at lower levels.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, with slippery paths and landslide risk on roads.
Where to stay
GuesthousesHomestays
Most visitors stay in Gaighat; simple local lodging may be available in nearby bazaars.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Reach Gaighat by road, then continue by local transport into Chaudandigadhi Municipality and walk up to the fort area.
Nearest hub: Gaighat
- roadBuses run to Gaighat from Kathmandu and the eastern Terai.
- jeepLocal jeeps and buses run from Gaighat into the Chaudandigadhi area; ask locally for the nearest point to the fort.
- walkA footpath leads up to the old fort area; ask locally for the route and time.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Chaudandigadhi.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Udayapur District, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Chaudandigadhi
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain causes landslides on hill roads in eastern Udayapur and makes footpaths slippery.
Heatlow in a typical yearApr-Jun
Lower roads and valleys are hot before the monsoon; walk early in the day.
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
- Go with a local guide; the site is not signposted and trails are unmarked.
- Carry water and snacks, as facilities at the site are minimal.
- Treat shrines with respect and ask before photographing.
Questions about Chaudandigadhi
What is Chaudandigadhi?
The site of the old hill fort of Chaudandi, seat of one of the eastern Sen kingdoms, in Udayapur district.
When did Chaudandi become part of Nepal?
It was taken by the Gorkha kingdom in the 1770s during its eastward expansion.
How do I visit Chaudandigadhi?
Base yourself in Gaighat and travel into the municipality by local transport, then walk up with a local guide.
Do I need a permit?
No permit is required.
Nearby
Lake
Rauta Pokhari
A small sacred lake and temple in the hills of northern Udayapur, the focus of local pilgrimage and fairs.
National park or conservation area
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
A wetland reserve on the Sapta Koshi floodplain, home to Nepal's last wild water buffalo and known for its birdlife.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 1,346 m
Halesi-Maratika Caves
A limestone cave temple in Khotang held sacred by Hindus as Halesi Mahadev, by Buddhists as Maratika, and by the Kirat Rai as an ancestral place.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Chaudandigadhi, Wikipedia, Udayapur District, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board