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Viewpoint/Hill Station
Chhilikot Hill & Kalika Malika Fort
Chhilikot Hill and Kalika Malika Fort (छिलिकोट डाँडा तथा कालिका मालिका गढी), crowning the northern Mahabharat mountain ridge of Dang at an elevation of 1,239 meters in Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-19, is the premier historic hill citadel, viewpoint, and botanical sanctuary of the district. Perched strategically above the northern rim of Dang Valley, Chhilikot served in medieval times as the royal fortified capital (*Kot*) of the historic Thaku kings of Dang. The hilltop preserves ancient stone fortress battlements, defensive trenches, antique armory remnants, and twin sacred mountain shrines dedicated to the protector goddesses Kalika Devi and Malika Devi. The surrounding mountain forests are world-renowned for their unique natural abundance of *Sugandhakokila* (*Cinnamomum glaucescens*, locally known as Malagiri), an indigenous aromatic medicinal tree whose fragrant leaves and berries scent the entire ridge breeze. From the summit vantage points, trekkers and visitors enjoy staggering 360-degree panoramas—gazing south over the vast, shimmering expanse of the Dang and Deukhuri valleys, and north toward the snow-crowned Himalayan summits of Sisne Himal and the Dhaulagiri range. Popular for day hiking, cultural exploration, and birdwatching, Chhilikot is the crowning jewel of northern Dang's mountain heritage.
Overview
Chhilikot Hill and Kalika Malika Fort (छिलिकोट डाँडा तथा कालिका मालिका गढी), crowning the northern Mahabharat mountain ridge of Dang at an elevation of 1,239 meters in Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-19, is the premier historic hill citadel, viewpoint, and botanical sanctuary of the district. Perched strategically above the northern rim of Dang Valley, Chhilikot served in medieval times as the royal fortified capital (*Kot*) of the historic Thaku kings of Dang. The hilltop preserves ancient stone fortress battlements, defensive trenches, antique armory remnants, and twin sacred mountain shrines dedicated to the protector goddesses Kalika Devi and Malika Devi. The surrounding mountain forests are world-renowned for their unique natural abundance of *Sugandhakokila* (*Cinnamomum glaucescens*, locally known as Malagiri), an indigenous aromatic medicinal tree whose fragrant leaves and berries scent the entire ridge breeze. From the summit vantage points, trekkers and visitors enjoy staggering 360-degree panoramas—gazing south over the vast, shimmering expanse of the Dang and Deukhuri valleys, and north toward the snow-crowned Himalayan summits of Sisne Himal and the Dhaulagiri range. Popular for day hiking, cultural exploration, and birdwatching, Chhilikot is the crowning jewel of northern Dang's mountain heritage.
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