The Major Attractions of Halesi Mahadev Temple
The Halesi Mahadev temple and Halesi-Maratika Cave lies in the Khotang District of eastern Nepal. The cave and temple are just around 185 km southwest of Mount Everest, with an altitude of 4,734 ft. The pilgrimage site is widely revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. The Kirats also worship Halesi Mahadev Temple.
Hindus worship this temple as a form of Lord Shiva, while Buddhists consider this temple the Padmasambhava. The temple is also known as Pashupatinath of East. Melas and celebrations are quite common in Mahashivaratri, Chaturthi, Rama Navami, Ganesh Chaturthi, and other festivals. Hindus flock to the temple in the Shrawan month as there are many festivals in the region. According to mythologies, Lord Shiva stayed in a cave to hide from Bhasmasur for 6,000 years.
The Buddhist followers believe that Padmasambhava and Mandarava attained the Vidyadhara of longevity in this cave. The Halesi-Maratika caves are also mentioned in literature around the 12th century. A biography of Padmasambhava, Kathang Zanglingma, also says the Maratika is a holy pilgrimage site for Vajrayana Buddhism.
This Halesi Mahadev cave is 67 feet below the surface. It has an entrance facing east and has a half-moon shape. A diameter of 193 feet and a circumference of 223 feet are dimensions of this cave. There is another cave beneath and lies between Dudh Koshi and Sun Kosi.
Safety Tips for the Helicopter Tour
A helicopter tour is a beautiful aerial trip in the country. There are these factors to consider before taking this helicopter flight. One of the primary rules is that you should not throw anything from your helicopter during the flight. Smoking is generally prohibited on this flight, so you should always ask for permission from the flight captain.
Besides that, you should always wait for your turn while taking off or riding this helicopter. The rotor fan at the back of this helicopter is quite dangerous as it keeps moving after some time after landing. Therefore, you should stay away from them during your helicopter tour.
Safety Protocols COVID-19
There are various COVID-19 safety protocols that you must follow during this helicopter tour. Some of the rules and regulations are as follows.
- You should also go through thermal screenings before this helicopter tour.
- You should wear masks at all times during this helicopter tour
- Social distancing is a must among passengers and crew members.
- Team members perform safety protocols as well.
Some Essential Aspects of Helicopter Tour
- The weather around the region needs to be clear and stable, with no overcast conditions for helicopters to fly.
- Flight to Halesi Mahadev temple depends on weather conditions.
- If we cannot land in the desired location, we will land at the next best place.
- This helicopter tour is flexible so that you can customize your trip according to your schedule.
- We can also reschedule the flight if there are not suitable weather conditions.
- You can also view beautiful snow-capped mountains vista.
Halesi Helicopter Tour – Packing List
The Halesi helicopter tour is a short-duration trip, but you should wear proper clothes and pack essential items for this high altitude travel. Some of the things necessary for this helicopter tour are as follows:
- Thermals
- Gloves
- Socks
- Camera
- Wind/waterproof trousers
- Down jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Light snacks
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreens
Some Difficulties of the Halesi Helicopter Tour
This helicopter tour to Halesi Mahadev has some challenges, and some of them are listed as follows:
Unpredictable weather
There are various weather-related challenges during this helicopter tour. The unpredictable weather is a common factor in this high elevation. Therefore, foggy and overcast conditions can cause flight delays and cancellations.
Besides that, there are harsh winds, heavy snowfalls, unexpected storms, and freezing conditions in these high altitude conditions. Low visibility is another challenging factor that you should consider as it can lead to delays and cancellations. Helicopter flights can get quite tricky due to these conditions.
Altitude sickness
Halesi Mahadev remains located at a significant altitude from Kathmandu. Travelers will gain around 2000m which makes acute mountain sickness quite common in the region. Since this is a short-duration trip, acclimatization is not possible. Therefore, you can rest well with a proper diet to tackle this altitude sickness.
Moreover, altitude sickness can lead to various symptoms, including nausea, difficulty in breathing, headaches, insomnia, and tiredness. High altitude conditions have lesser amounts of oxygen and air pressure, which is quite challenging. Diamox tablets are anti-nausea tablets that help you to tackle high altitude conditions.
Other challenges
The other challenges include backpack weight, and therefore you should only carry necessary items. The total weight that you can take on this helicopter tour is around 10-15 kgs. Hence, these are various difficulty factors of this helicopter tour.
When is the Best Time for Halesi Helicopter Tour?
The helicopter tour is ideal in clear weather with stable conditions. Hence, you should choose the best time for this tour as there are fewer delays and challenges. Autumn and spring are ideal for helicopter travel in Nepal as there is beautiful soothing weather all around.
Spring (March-May)
The Spring season from March to May will provide you with a tranquil atmosphere to travel. Wildflowers are blooming all over the region, making a colorful scenario in the hills. The temperatures remain moderate at around 20-25 degrees celsius, making it perfect for traveling in a helicopter.
Moreover, there are clear skies that provide you with unobstructed snow-capped mountains. Weather is generally clear with almost no precipitation, which means fewer amounts of delays and cancellations. Hence, travelers can enjoy safe and comfortable travel during this helicopter tour.
Autumn (September-November)
Autumn is a peak season for all kinds of travel in Nepal. With temperatures around 20 to 30 Degree Celsius, travelers will find a suitable environment all around. Moreover, there is generally stable weather with minimal precipitations in the afternoon. The weather can turn cold pretty quickly, especially in the evenings and early mornings.
Hence, you should carry warm clothes during this tower. Moreover, Autumn is the time for many religious festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Chaath, and others. Many pilgrims visit religious landmarks in Autumn.
There are extreme cold conditions and foggy weather in winters, making it quite a challenge to travel. Helicopter flights have a high chance of getting delayed or canceled in these conditions. Similarly, there are overcast skies with heavy precipitation in the summer monsoon season. Hence, for a comfortable travel experience, Autumn and Spring are perfect.
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