Town or village
Ghorahi
The main city of the broad Dang valley, a base for its Tharu villages, temples and the Ratannath shrine.
Chitwan & Teraiचौघेरा रत्ननाथ मन्दिर
Chaughera Ratannath Temple
An old Nath yogi shrine near Ghorahi, linked by tradition with the sage Ratannath and a cross-border pilgrimage.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Oct-Apr
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Dang, Lumbini
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Chaughera, near Ghorahi in the Dang valley, is the site of the Ratannath shrine, a monastery and temple of the Nath yogi tradition and the most important religious site in Dang district. It is dedicated to Ratannath, a yogi remembered as a disciple in the lineage of Gorakhnath, and to the deities he is said to have worshipped.
The complex is a working religious centre rather than a museum. Pilgrims come to make offerings, the resident yogis maintain daily worship, and the grounds are busiest during the main festivals. The architecture is modest, but the shrine's long history and its ties with temples across the border in India give it wide significance.
A visit fits easily into a day in Ghorahi. Go in the morning, when worship is under way and the light over the valley is clear, and allow time to walk around the grounds and talk with local devotees if language allows.
History and culture
According to tradition, Ratannath was a yogi of the Nath order who lived and practised at Chaughera and who was closely connected with the Devi Patan temple at Tulsipur in present-day Uttar Pradesh. A yearly ritual procession links the two shrines, carrying sacred objects from Chaughera across the border during the spring Navaratri, a custom that shows how religious life on the Terai has long ignored the modern border.
The Nath yogis, followers of Gorakhnath, were influential in western Nepal and northern India for centuries, and several hill and Terai shrines trace their origin to them. At Chaughera the yogi lineage has been maintained over many generations, and the shrine has received patronage from rulers of the region in the past.
Things to do in Chaughera Ratannath Temple
Visit the shrine
See the temple and monastery grounds, ideally during morning worship.
Learn about the Nath tradition
Ask resident priests or local guides about Ratannath and the yogi lineage.
Festival visit
Time your trip for the spring Navaratri to see the shrine at its busiest; confirm dates locally.
Weather and the best time to visit Chaughera Ratannath Temple
Weather in Chaughera Ratannath 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
Oct-Apr
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: 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 Ghorahi, which has hotels and guesthouses.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Chaughera is a short trip from central Ghorahi by local transport or taxi.
Nearest hub: Ghorahi
- roadTake a local bus, taxi or rickshaw from Ghorahi to Chaughera.
- roadReach Ghorahi itself by bus via Lamahi on the Mahendra Highway, or by flight to the Dang airport.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed. Offerings are voluntary.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Dang District, Nepal, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Chaughera Ratannath Temple
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
April to June is hot in the Dang valley; visit early or late in the day.
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Heavy monsoon rain can disrupt the hill road from Lamahi into the Dang valley.
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 shrines and dress modestly.
- Some inner shrines may be closed to visitors; follow the guidance of the resident yogis.
- Ask before photographing priests or rituals.
Questions about Chaughera Ratannath Temple
Who was Ratannath?
A yogi of the Nath tradition, remembered as being in the lineage of Gorakhnath, who is said to have practised at Chaughera.
Where is the Ratannath shrine?
At Chaughera, near Ghorahi in Dang district, Lumbini Province.
What is the link with Devi Patan?
Tradition links Chaughera with the Devi Patan temple at Tulsipur in India, and a yearly ritual procession connects the two during the spring Navaratri.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Ghorahi, Wikipedia, Dang District, Nepal, Wikipedia, Nath, Wikipedia