“Panchakanya Devi Mandir: Nestled between Trishuli and Seti rivers, this sacred temple blesses devotees with children and offers a perfect family picnic spot with facilities.”
Since I was a kid, While traveling on Mugling-Narayanghat highway I’ve always wondered how one can visit the temple located between the two giant rivers, Trishuli and Seti.
Because there is no suspension bridge connection from the highway to the temple, nor a visible trail (walkable). I thought the temple was only for the people living on the other side of the river.
And it’s been only a couple of years that I discovered that one can visit that temple from the trail on the banks of Seti River. And recently found out that first one has to reach Ghumaune, then cross the Trishuli river over a suspension bridge, then walk on the banks of Seti river for half an hour to reach the Panchakanya Devi Mandir.
Yet I hadn’t got a chance to visit the temple even though my village, Khasrang is nearby and I visit during the festivals.
Luckily during this year’s Maghey Sakranti festival, I went to my village, Khasrang, and all the kids were at home for the celebrations as well (Most kids have to go to cities for higher studies).
So I decided to take the kids on a short outdoor excursion to Panchakanya Devi Temple.
Everyone was excited to go there and were counting days to go on a hike to the temple.
How to go to Panchakanya Devi Mandir, Ghumaune?
To reach Panchcakanya Devi Mandir which is located between Trishuli and Seti river in Tanahun district, first one should reach Ghumaune (Mugling-Narayanghat highway).
You can either take a public bus or a private vehicle.
From Ghumaune, you have to cross the suspension bridge (bike and scooter can also cross) then walk ahead till you reach Ghumaune village town, from there take a left trail following Seti river.
Then in around 30 mins, you can reach the Panchakanya Devi Mandir.
Panchakanya Devi Mandir is around 9 KM from Khasrang Village and 23 KM from Chitwan (Narayanghat).
Hiking Experience to Panchakanya Devi Mandir, Ghumaune
On the day of the hike, everyone woke up early with excitement, then they went to bring one of their friends, Sandesh, who lives a little bit away from our home.
When they came back, they said Sandesh’s younger cousin also wanted to join, and cried telling mom to let him go. The kids didn’t like the idea at first but they let him join anyway.
Then everyone got ready and gathered at our home, and we left for Ghumaune at around 8:45 A.M. without having any food as we were visiting the temple.
We decided to worship first and eat food later.
From home, it takes around 15 mins to reach the road (Mugling-Narayanghat Highway).
After waiting for some time at the roadside, we stopped one public bus and moved to Ghumaune.
Ghumaune to Panchakanya Devi Temple
In another 15 minutes, we reached Ghumaune where we got off from the bus, crossed the road carefully and walked towards the suspension bridge.
There we met an elderly lady whom one of the kids asked for directions to the temple. And she gave us directions and told us to take the key from the priest’s home as the priest had gone to some other place that day.
We followed the direction and went to the suspension bridge, where a couple were crossing on the scooter, so we waited for them to cross.
Then we crossed the river, the kids were mesmerized by the huge mass of water below them. The river was broad with turquoise color and looked like a lake.
We crossed the river and on the other side we bought some snacks to eat after the puja (worship). Then continued the walk.
On the bank of the river the kids also saw a wooden canoe which is on the verge of extinction these days. Such canoes were used to cross the river or for fishing in the past, but with suspension bridges and roads, these are rarely used these days.
Finding Temple Keys
As we continued walking, we saw a bigger village town with more shops (grocery shops, meat shops, restaurants, etc.). It was bigger and livelier than the shops on the highway.
There we asked for directions to the temple with the locals and as the kids moved in that direction, I went to take the keys of the temple.
The elderly lady whom we met earlier helped me to get the keys and I moved towards the temple with the kids.
While walking on the trails and seeing the things like rivers nearby, farms and villages across the seti river, the kids had tons of ideas and were also curious to know the lifestyle of the people living.
But unfortunately we couldn’t meet any locals nearby, nor did we have any friends in that area.
Anyway, with a curious mind and admiring the beauty of White Seti river, nature and forest, we continued our hike.
And in just 25 mins of walking from Ghumaune, we entered the temple premises.
Start of Hike to Panchakanya Temple from Ghumaune
Trail to Panchakanya Temple, Ghumaune
Walking The Trails To Panchakanya Temple
Kids Hiking to Panchakanya Temple, Ghumaune
Stairs to Panchakanya Temple, Ghumaune
We Didn’t Expect This
By seeing the temple and the surroundings we’re surprised.
It’s so clean and well organized, clean drinking water taps, place to rest and have lunch, dustbins, solar lights and greenery everywhere.
First we took off our shoes and went to the temple, opened the gate and everyone worshiped. Then we took pictures for some time, then came back to the resting place and had our snacks that we bought earlier. It’s like a dry picnic for us.
We enjoyed the food, roamed around for a while, took more pictures and decided to come home.
Kids Posing With Seti River on Back
Kids Having Snacks at Panchakanya Temple Premises
Taking Rest at Panchakanya Temple Premise
Kids Having Fun at Panchakanya Temple Premise
Kids Posing For Photo In Front Of Panchakanya Devi Mandir, Ghumaune
We took the same trail and returned the temple keys.
And on the way to suspension kids saw a giant vulture for the first time which was sitting on the banks of the Trishuli river. We watched it fly across the river and to the other side, and then also crossed the river, caught the bus and came home for lunch.
Why Kids Need To Travel?
Kids need to travel because it helps them grow smarter, kinder, more adaptable, and confident through new experiences that home life can’t fully offer.
Some of thee major benefits of kids traveling are as follows
- Builds empathy: Meeting different people and cultures reduces stereotypes and teaches kindness and understanding.
- Boosts learning: New places spark curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and even better grades and brain development.
- Teaches life skills: Handling changes like new foods or delays builds patience, flexibility, and responsibility.
- Strengthens bonds: Family trips create happy memories and closer relationships while reducing stress.
- Encourages curiosity: Exploring the world makes kids more open-minded and resilient adults.
“Even short, simple trips (like to a nearby city or park) provide these big benefits—no fancy vacations required!”
Panchakanya Devi Mandir, Ghumane FAQs
The name of the temple between Trishuli and Seti river is “Panchakanya Devi Mandir”.
Panchakanya Devi Mandir is located at Ghumaune, and lies in Tanahun District of Gandaki Province in Nepal.
To go to Panchakanya Devi Mandir, first you need to reach a place called Ghumaune on Mugling-Narayanghat highway.
Then cross the Trishuli river on a suspension bridge, then take a left trail on the banks of Seti river. It’ll take half an hour (30 mins) on foot to reach the temple.
It is believed that by worshipping at the Panchakany Devi Temple at Ghumaune, one will be blessed with the children. So, many people who have difficulty in having children (by birth), come and worship here.
The temple is well organized. It has a proper drinking water pipeline that flows continuously, a resting place built of wood and tin roof, fireplace to cook, and enough space to roam.
So, yes it’s a good place for a picnic. But don’t litter, take your rubbish with yourself or throw it in the dustbin.
The trail is narrow but well managed with the construction of concrete steps on difficult sections, and is not steep as well. So kids and elderly people can walk slowly to the temple.
The trail is well managed and clean, but during monsoon (rainy season) the water level on the Seti river can go high. So it can get dangerous during that time.
Vehicles can only reach Ghumaune (Mugling-Narayanghat highway), bikes can cross the suspension bridge, but can’t reach the temple. You need to walk to the temple from Ghumaune to Panchakanya temple.
Touristic Destinations Near Panchakanya Devi Mandir, Ghumaune
Some of the major touristic destinations near Panchakanya Devi Mandir, Ghumaune are as follows
- Devghat Dham
- Lamo Jharana, Jalbire
- Chhimkheshwori Adventure Camp
- Khasrang Village – Immersive Village Life Experience
- Chhimkeshwori Temple
- Hilekharka Village
