Must-Visit Temple in Dolpa

A Sacred Stop Before Phoksundo Lake

On your way to Phoksundo Lake, nestled quietly above Juphal Airport in Dolpa, lies a spiritual and cultural gem: Tripura Sundari Temple. This sacred site isn’t just a temple — it’s an energy checkpoint, a place where locals believe your journey is spiritually approved or denied.

Whether you’re a trekker seeking adventure or a traveler seeking stories, Tripura Sundari Temple deserves a stop on your map.

Why You Should Visit Tripura Sundari Temple, Dolpa

Just a 1–2 hour hike from Juphal Airport, this temple offers panoramic views, powerful myths, and a tranquil space to ground yourself before the rugged trails begin.

Here’s why it’s a must-visit place in Dolpa:

🧭 Perfect Acclimatization Point: It’s the ideal warm-up hike before your legs carry you toward Shey Phoksundo Lake.
🧘 Spiritually Charged: Pilgrims and locals believe the goddess Tripura Sundari protects travelers — especially those heading into the highlands.
📸 Photographic Beauty: The fluttering prayer flags, peaceful mountain dog, and terracotta hills paint a perfect postcard scene.
🌸 Cultural Immersion: This is where Buddhism and Bon traditions quietly coexist.

The Mythical Story of Tripura Sundari Temple

The temple is said to be over 800 years old, making it one of the most sacred sites in Dolpa. According to local legends:

The goddess Tripura Sundari, a powerful manifestation of Shakti, appeared in a dream to a wandering Bonpo monk. She asked for a shrine to be built at a place where the winds howled, the dog slept undisturbed, and the sky was closest to the soul.

Soon after, the monk found this very spot near present-day Juphal. He meditated here, planted the first prayer flag, and constructed the original Tripura Sundari shrine using stone, mud, and ritual objects from the upper Himalayas.

Locals believe:

If a dog sleeps peacefully near the temple during your visit, your journey will be safe.
The wind that passes through the flags carries your intentions all the way to Phoksundo.
You must circumambulate the temple clockwise to be blessed by the goddess.

📍 Location: How to Reach the Temple

Starting Point: Juphal Airport, Dolpa
Hiking Time: Around 1 to 2 hours uphill
Altitude: Approx. 2,500–2,800m
Direction: Take the stone trail east of the airstrip, and follow the fluttering flags and local herders.

🕰️ Best time to visit: Early morning or golden hour before sunset
⚠️ Reminder: Please do not disturb the flags or ring the bell without local guidance — it’s a sacred practice.

My Experience Visiting the Temple

a traveler on the way to tripura sundari

As I climbed the gentle slope after landing in Juphal, the crisp air carried the scent of incense and dry pine. I reached the temple to find a sleeping dog, red-yellow prayer flags dancing in the wind, and the faint hum of bells.

It wasn’t just a photo stop — it felt like a moment of spiritual alignment. I paused, offered a quiet prayer, and began my Phoksundo journey with a sense of peace I hadn’t expected.

Begin Your Journey with a Blessing

Before you take on one of Nepal’s most beautiful treks, give yourself the blessing of silence, culture, and spiritual grounding. The Tripura Sundari Temple in Dolpa may not appear in popular travel brochures — but it should.

This temple is more than a stop — it’s the beginning of your inner journey.