The historic and archaeologically significant Patalganga Ghailadubba Shiva and Devi Temple, located in wards 5 and 8 of Mechinagar Municipality, has recently begun gaining recognition as a prominent religious tourism destination.
Linked to the mythology of the Mahabharata era and the history of the Rana regime, the temple is regarded as one of the oldest religious sites in eastern Nepal. A copper inscription discovered at the site states that local residents Kumar Singh Chaudhary and Paneshwori Chaudhary constructed the temple in 1958 BS (1901 AD), although its history is believed to date back several decades earlier.
According to Ganesh Kumar Kharel, Chairman of the Surendranagar Ghailadubba Shiva and Devi Temple Conservation Committee, Rana Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana first established the temple after witnessing saints and sages performing meditation and spiritual rituals in the dense forest during one of his hunting expeditions.
Kharel stated that the Department of Archaeology listed the temple as a protected heritage site in 2077 BS (2020 AD), recognizing it as one of Jhapa’s important religious landmarks.
One of the temple’s most remarkable features is its unique architectural style. Religious scholar and committee member Pandit Ramchandra Adhikari said the temple’s original structure was built entirely from mud, without the use of iron nails, cement, or stone.
The religious area consists of two distinct sacred sites — Ghailadubba and Patalganga. The Ghailadubba temple area lies in Ward No. 5 of Mechinagar, while the Patalganga site is located in Ward No. 8.
Local legend associated with the Mahabharata recounts that Kichak surrendered at Patalganga after being chased by Bhimsen, and that the Pandavas created a natural water source there. It is believed that Kichak was given water from this site before being taken to Kichakbadh in Prithvinagar.
Around 200 meters south of the temple, amid tea gardens, lies the origin site of “Patalganga Bhagwati,” near the north-flowing river. The spring is considered mystical, as water continuously emerges from the earth in equal volume throughout the year, regardless of drought or monsoon rains.
The temple complex houses shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Hanuman, Radha Sarveshwar, Bhagwati Chhinnamasta, Durga, and the serpent deity Nag Devta. Every year, a grand fair is held during Maha Shivaratri, attracting large numbers of devotees, including indigenous communities from the surrounding region.
According to local folklore, the name “Ghailadubba” originated from an ancient pond in the dense forest where clay pitchers, locally called “ghaila,” would sink. In earlier times, Naga Babas are said to have meditated here by lighting sacred fires. Currently, 100-year-old priest Maniram Das continues to perform daily worship at the historic temple.
In recent years, local communities and municipal authorities have intensified conservation and beautification efforts. A total of 108 Shiva Lingas and a sacred fire altar (Homkunda) have been constructed within the temple premises, with consecration ceremonies scheduled for the upcoming month of Asar.
Donations and contributions from various supporters have helped fund the Shiva Linga construction project.
For infrastructure development, Mechinagar Municipality allocated NPR 500,000 in the current fiscal year for block paving around the temple premises, while Ward Office support has enabled the construction of modern sanitation facilities.
The committee stated that ongoing cleaning and beautification efforts at the Patalganga temple area in Ward No. 8 are transforming the site into an attractive religious tourism destination.
