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Religion is firmly embedded in the lives of human being and has remained as the driving force of many of the human activities and at the same time as the central topic of philosophical speculations throughout the ages. Further, religion is responsible for the emergence of value system in human binges. This is more so with Nepal as she is the most important place of Hindu religion in the world and at the same time as the birth place of Lord Buddha. These two religions Hinduism and Buddhism, along with many other religious sects, have played greater role in building the social structure; cultural etiquettes and systems, codes of conduct and the way of life as a whole, in this tiny kingdom.

Religion is an integral part of Nepalese life and it is perhaps because of this reason that the ancient kings and anonymous artists concentrated their activity to build so many fabulous temples, shrines, stupas, chaityas, Masgids, Churches. In Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism are mingled into a complex blend which is often impossible to separate. this may be amazing to the rest of the world, all the deities be it from Hindu or Buddhist clan are worshipped by both the communities with equal reverence and feasts and festivals are shared with equal pomp and pageantry. Through these examples of tolerance and understanding, Nepal teaches a valuable lesson of universal brotherhood and peaceful co-existence to the world bathed in blood due to communal and other type of conflicts. This could be of great importance to this age.
Many visitors to Nepal had called it, the 'Land of Temple ' and 'Home of Gods' and the same applies to Dharan, and in fact it is not misnomer. At every nook and corner on his track; one comes across many temples and gods. The aim of this article is, therefore, to make you acquainted with the various religious and holy places in the Eastern Region of Nepal so as to help your trip to the region rewarding and delightful.

VARAHAKSHETRA

Varahakshetra, is located at the confluence of Sapta Koshi and Koka r ivers of sunsari District ,west of Dharan. Though in solitude and shadowed, it is one of the most famous pilgrimage site of the Hindus from the time immemorial. It is one among the four holy Chhetras of Hindu poilgrims two of which Varahakshetra and Muktinath, are in Nepal and the rest lie in India.
Varaha or the boar is the third of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that it was the Varaha from of Lord Vishnu that saved the earth from a deluge. Almost all the Puranas state that Varahakshetra of Nepal is the main site where the Varaha form of Load Vishnu originated. Vedas also indicate this story.Just little below where are two temples of Guru Vageshwor with the row of Surya Varaha, Koka Varaha and Indra Varaha tample to the east. A Dharmasala (guest hous) is also located there.

The main temple of Varaha stands on the left side of the main entrance, while the right side is occupied by an old Dharmasala. The inscriptions in the temple precinct state that this temple was restored in 1783 A.D. by a priest of Chatara Matha (Monastery) named Shiva Bharati. One of the inscription installed there also states that it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1934 A.D. and could be renovated only after a year.

A huge number of devotes from Nepal and India come here to perform obsequial rite and burry the ash into the river Koka after burning the deceased, for they belived it to be holy and virtuous deed.

Haribodhani Ekadasi (October-November) and Maghe Sankranti (midjan.) are some mentionable occasions when pilgrims from very far come here to pay homage to Lord Vishnu.

Situated at the naturally beautiful premises on the foot hill of Churiya Mahabharat Parbat and by the bank of the great Sapta Koshi river, varahakshetra is not merely a pilgrimage but one of the best sight-seeing places in the region. It is well connected by roads. To reach there, one can find bus from anywhere in the country to Dharan Biratnagar. From Dharan vehicles on sharing basis or in hire are readily available. Similarly. rafting from Dolalghat in the Sunkoshi river can be done out at Chatara, from where Varahakshetra is only a hour's walk.

BUDHA SUBBA

Situated amidst the tall trees and banboo groves, the temple of Budha Subba is one of the four major temples at Dharan.Unlike many other Hindu temples with the images of gods and goddesses, that temple enshrines three tomblike mounds believe to be the tombs of king Buddhikarna, the last king of then state of Vijaypur and his family killed by the rulers of Shaha dynasty of Gorkha in 1832 B.S.(now running 2062). There is still another legend about the temple that an enlightened old Mongolian (Limbu) Tantric came here and wandering from chulachuli; and discarded his body in ancient time in the place where the temple stands now. Very old earthen ball found here are taken as a proof of the legend; therefore, facts and legends are the subjects of historical studies.

The place offers an unique example of religious harmony as the Mongolian deity especially of Kirantis is worshipped with equal religious fervor by both the Indo-Aryans and the Kiantis. In addition, many miracles can be witnessed there: bamboos there do not have pointed top and gnat and crows are never seen in the territory and dew drops never fall here.

People in large number from far and near always congregate here to pay homage and offer sacrifice of goats, hens, buffaloes, pigs, ducks etc. It is said that the devotees come here to worship and offer the sacrifice after their wishes are granted.

DANTAKALI TEMPLE

Situated in the middle of the beautiful hillock in Dharan, the holy temple of Dantakali is famous among the Hindus as the place where lie the sacred teeth of the goddess Satidevi, the consort of the great god Mahadev. There is the popular belief that the temple still enshrines the sacred teeth.
The Hindu myths and the legends say that after the death of Satidevi, bereaved Mahadev carried the dead body upon his solder and walked incessantly in utteragony. Different parts of the body fell in different places as he walked on and the teeth fell in the places where the temple stands at present. The holy book of 'Swasthani Brata Katha' asserts this and gives the name Dantakali literally Danta meaning teeth and 'Kali' one of the various forms of goddess Durga.

Thousands of devotees from far and near congregate here with great religious fervor; mainly the first nine days of Dashain see great crowds offering worship and sacrifice of goats, and other animals and birds.
The place is very good for sight seeing too; it is ideal place to have the bewitching view of the Terai and Dharan bazaar.

PINDESHWOR TEMPLE

The temple of Pindeshwor situated at Dharan is famous pilgrimage site of the eastern Nepal. It is located a little below Dantakali temple of Dharan. This temple contained a Shiva Linga called Pindeshwor.

Pindeshwor temple, popularly known as Pindeshwor Babadham, is further clustered with other ancient and artistic temples and shrines in its vicinity. The important among these is a temple of eight handed Mahisasurmardini Devi. There is located a holy pond called ‘Saraswoti Sarowar’ and by the side of which is a well. Even when the pond gets dried, the well all above the pond’s surface is always full of water. This has remained mysterious from ancient time to this age to the religious people. Another mentionable antiquity is the ‘non-ceasable light’ inside the light if ceases, has to be lit up again with the fire from Ramdhuni, a far away place.

As for the date of its establishment, there is no authentic evidence. However, the copper plate inscription of 1811 A.D. set up at the site of the temple determines that this temple wad built the sometimes before the beginning of Shah era.

The number of devotees this temples has attracted shows that it is getting popular day by day. On every Mondays in the month of Shrawan (Jul-Aug.) latge number of devotees from far and near come here on foot to pay homage to Pindeshwor Baba with water from Saptakoshi, Chatara pronouncing ‘Bol Bam’ all the way loudly.
Another occasion, Bala Chaturdasi (Nov-Dec) is mentionable as the large number of devotees gathers here to observe the festival and perform obsequites rite.

PANCHKANYA TEMPLE

Pancha meaning five and Kanya meaning women (virgin), it is the temple of five goddesses Draupadi, Tara, Manju, Kunti and Parvati, Situated 1km. North of Dharan, it is a historical temple supposed to have built by a king of Sen dynasty, Narendra Sen in the 16th century. Dilapidated by the earthquake in 1988, the temple was renovated later.

A beautiful evergreen forest surrounds the temple where peace, tranquility and the beauty of nature regimes. Devotees flock there in thousands with the staunch belief that the deities there bless the deaf, dumb and blind children with speech, hearing and eyesight. Besides, large number of nature lovers and picnic groups come here to enjoy the beauty of nature.

SHIVA JATA

Situated 8km. North-east of Dharan at the river head of Seutikhola, Siva Jata attracts thousands of Hindu pilgrims as well as sightseers from the different parts of the world. The place is also called Shivaganga and the river head is regarded as holy as the origin place of the holy river Ganga.

The name of the place is associated with Hindu myths, the very name 'Shiva Jata' implies that the river Seuti emerged from 'Jata' (hair-locks) of great god Shiva. The water-fall here-the Hindu myths say that-once fell from the hair-locks of Shiva.

VISHNU PADUKA

Vishnu Paduka, situated 8km. North west of Dharan, is one of the most ancient places of Hindu Pilgrimage. On the foot of the Mahabharat hill, near the head of the Koka river, stands the small temple of Vishnu Paduka, which enshrines a stone with a foot print on it, belived to be that of Lord Vishnu.

Hindu pilgrims congregate here in thousand to pay homage to the souls of their ancestors. The significance of the place is not less than that of Gaya in India in this regard. The Hindu scriptures have it that Lord Vishnu himself along with his consort Laxmi offered worships to the omnipresent ancestors.

The river Koka and the forest nearby add beauty to the place and it is growing popular among the sightseers as well. Its historical significance is also not less because many remnants of the 'Kirant Age' are found here.

RAMDHUNI TEMPLE

Situated in mid-west of Sunsari district, close to Koshi Tappu Widlife Reserve, Ramdhuni temple enshrines the sacred bone fire believed to have been kindled by Lord Rama, the epic hero of Ramayan and incarnation of Lord Vishnu, where he was in exile in forest (Vana Vasa). The temple also enshrines black stone image of the great god Shiva.

The temple premises enshroud the beauty of nature as it lies amidst a horticultural garden and natural forest. The melody of chirruping birds, deer’s galloping around the unique blend of the bliss of the nature and peace of religion.

The place is frequented by thousands of devotees in great number loves all around the devotees in great number during the festive occasions like Vivaha Panchami, Balachaturdasi and Ramnavami (ninth day of the Dashain festival and also).