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Heritage Site
Krishna Dham Sunwal
Krishna Dham (कृष्णधाम, सुनवल), situated in Ramwapur of Sunwal Municipality Ward 4 in Nawalparasi West District, is an expansive spiritual sanctuary and modern cultural landmark situated just off the East-West Highway. Developed across two bighas of landscaped grounds by the Sunwal community and local municipality, the dham is celebrated across Nepal for housing a monumental 71-foot-tall standing statue of Lord Krishna—revered as the tallest statue of Lord Krishna in his childhood Damodar form in the world. Unlike conventional depictions of Krishna holding a flute, the monumental Damodar statue masterfully portrays child Krishna at two and a half years old, lovingly tied with a rope (Damodara) by Mother Yashoda around his waist, with open toddler hands outstretched in playful benevolence. The artistic icon stands as a powerful symbol of divine innocence, maternal love, and Vedic devotion. Surrounding the towering centerpiece, the complex integrates landscaped gardens, paved circumambulation avenues, a dedicated Shiva shrine, and the sacred Damodar Kund water pool. Easily accessible to travelers traversing the East-West Highway between Butwal and Narayangarh, Krishna Dham functions as a major spiritual and recreational stopover. It hosts grand celebrations during Krishna Janmashtami, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists who come to marvel at the towering icon, participate in devotional bhajans, and enjoy the tranquil park atmosphere.
Overview
Krishna Dham (कृष्णधाम, सुनवल), situated in Ramwapur of Sunwal Municipality Ward 4 in Nawalparasi West District, is an expansive spiritual sanctuary and modern cultural landmark situated just off the East-West Highway. Developed across two bighas of landscaped grounds by the Sunwal community and local municipality, the dham is celebrated across Nepal for housing a monumental 71-foot-tall standing statue of Lord Krishna—revered as the tallest statue of Lord Krishna in his childhood Damodar form in the world. Unlike conventional depictions of Krishna holding a flute, the monumental Damodar statue masterfully portrays child Krishna at two and a half years old, lovingly tied with a rope (Damodara) by Mother Yashoda around his waist, with open toddler hands outstretched in playful benevolence. The artistic icon stands as a powerful symbol of divine innocence, maternal love, and Vedic devotion. Surrounding the towering centerpiece, the complex integrates landscaped gardens, paved circumambulation avenues, a dedicated Shiva shrine, and the sacred Damodar Kund water pool. Easily accessible to travelers traversing the East-West Highway between Butwal and Narayangarh, Krishna Dham functions as a major spiritual and recreational stopover. It hosts grand celebrations during Krishna Janmashtami, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists who come to marvel at the towering icon, participate in devotional bhajans, and enjoy the tranquil park atmosphere.
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Temple
Palhi Bhagwati Temple
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Heritage Site
Ramgram Stupa
Ramgram Stupa (रामग्राम स्तूप / Ramagrama Relic Stupa), situated in Ujaini village of Ramgram Municipality Ward 7 approximately four kilometers south of Parasi in Nawalparasi West District, is one of the supreme archaeological treasures of global Buddhism. Inscribed on Nepal's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List (Ref: 847), Ramgram Stupa is universally celebrated as the ONLY unexcavated, undisturbed, and intact original relic stupa containing the bodily relics (sarira) of Gautama Buddha in the entire world. According to the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, following the Buddha's passing and cremation at Kushinagar in 483 BCE, his physical relics were divided into eight equal portions among eight ancient kingdoms. One portion was awarded to the noble Koliya royal dynasty of Ramagrama, who enshrined the relics beneath a monumental burnt-brick and earthen stupa situated on the banks of the Jharahi River. In the 3rd century BCE, Emperor Ashoka opened seven of the eight original stupas across northern India to redistribute the holy relics into 84,000 commemorative shrines. However, when Ashoka journeyed to Ramagrama, the local serpent king (Nagaraja) and wild forest elephants worshipping the mound pleaded with him not to disturb the sacred site. Deeply humbled by their spiritual devotion, the Mauryan Emperor withdrew without unsealing the mound, leaving its ancient sanctity intact. Today, Ramgram Stupa presents an extraordinarily tranquil sight: a majestic 7-meter-high, 23.5-meter-diameter green earthen mound peacefully embraced by the intertwined roots of an ancient banyan and pipal tree. Geophysical surveys conducted by UNESCO and the Department of Archaeology confirmed an undisturbed multi-tiered brick structure and monastic complex lying quietly beneath the soil. Surrounded by quiet farmland and watercourses, Ramgram offers pilgrims a singularly profound and authentic spiritual connection to the historical Buddha.
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Heritage Site
Ajayamerukot Palace Complex
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Heritage Site
Alapeshwar Cave (Alpeswor Gupha)
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Heritage Site
Amargadhi Fort
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Heritage Site
Argha Bhagwati Temple & Durbar
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