Syangja, Oct. 29:‘Nuwakot’ located on the border of Putalibazar Municipality-5 and Phedikhola Rural Municipality-1 is an important tourist destination of Syangja.

Nuwakot, which was the district headquarters until the year 1963, is in the forefront in terms of historical importance as well as religious and cultural reasons.

Nuwakot, which is 15 km north of the district headquarters Putlibazar, was called “Pallo Nuwakot” in West No. 4 of the then Chaubise states. Pallo Nuwakot was an important and established state of Chaubise (24) states, which lies at an altitude of 1,900 metres above sea level.

Cultural expert Prof. Dr. Dil Bahadur Kshatri has mentioned in the book entitled ‘Math Mandir and Guthi System: A Brief Study’ that Mincha Khan (Khand), the younger of the two sons of Bhupal, the patriarch of the Shah dynasty, established a new kingdom in Pallo Nuwakot.

Nayakot, brought into existence by Mincha Khan, was later called Nuwakot.

The state of Nuwakot, which came into existence in 1453, was an independent and important state until it was merged with greater Nepal in 1785.

Prof. Dr. Kshatri has written in the book that Nuwakot was also considered as the main residence of the Shah Dynasty kings of Nepal.

The cultural, religious and archaeological images of ancient times can still be seen here. Similarly, Tudikhel, Raniko Chautari, Rani Pokhari and natural hot air caves are located in the place where the old palace of Nuwakote King was located.

From here, one can see half of the district and most parts of Pokhara, including Phewa Lake, Rupa Lake in the neighbouring district of Kaski, and with the help of binoculars, one can see the hilly parts of 23 districts including Syangja.

The clean, neat and picturesque scenery and the historical background of the district are the main features of Nuwakot, while the beautiful snow scene and the ability to observe from afar are the attractive aspects of this place.

There is also a legend that the temple of Kalikamai, located within the palace complex of Nuwakot, the capital of the “Pallo Nuwakot” state, was the shrine of the royal family.

Narkaji Gurung of 75, who is chairman of the temple management committee, said that there is a belief that if people make vows at Kalikamai and Chandithan here, their wishes will be fulfilled.

Gurung has been continuously serving Nuwakot since 2009.

He said that the idol that was fashioned during the time of King Mincha Khan is still safe.