Dhoka Pine Starting point (parking area)
This is the main entrance of the Khokana village. There are two big ponds on each side of the road and traditional community based oil mills in this area. From here we are leading you to the most awaited and rare village tour of Khokana.
Inside the settlement, the building facades, row houses, exhibits the tradition of the newar settlement with their own traditional life style of living. Along the secret many women weaving woollen thread, weaving of straw mats, drying of seasonal cereals is found as daily activities of the village.
Thalachhi
Thalachhi is the upper part of the village. In Newari language 'tha' mean 'upper' and 'lachhi' mean square or open space. With traditional newari houses on either side of the road and Ganesh temple enshrined in a public rest house is one of the main community deities. This is one of the five main Ganesh shrines of the Khokana village. The two storeys Pati (public rest house) was destroyed during the earthquake of 1990 B.S. When it was renovated, it was built of one storey. Ganesh is the God of wisdom and knowledge and he is worshiped at first in all small or big occasion, which brings success in ones deeds.
Jhyakuchi Lachhi
This courtyard is en route to gaharenani. This palce is famous for its unique row houses with similar type of main entrance. It is said that people get confused of their house entrance. Straying ducks, goats on the stone paved road and household chores being performed outside their houses are a common scene. This court is used twice a year to perform Kha Pyakha dance in Mha puja and Shree Panchami in November and March.
Gaharenani
This place is also known as Nayala Twa. This place shows cluster type of house pattern.Front rows of houses with dried vegetables, hanging by the windows are the typical way of strong vegetable and potato seeds for future use. There are some weaving materials stored and roof supporting by the struts is traditional way of strong goods. People are accustomed to weave their cotton and woollen cloths all by themselves.
Kutu Pukhu
Kutu pukhu is a pond to wash cloths of the goddess Rudrayanee, the main diety of Khona after the Shikali Jatra (festival) and also in this pond purifying rites are performed after death of a relative. There is a custom that after a relative is dead the clan members are polluted and on the tenth day of the death all the male family members go to river purify their body by taking a dip in the river. The female members wash and take a bath all together in this pukhu or the pond. The place is known as the first settlement area of the inhabitants of Khokana who moved from Kudesh, and started to settle in this place.
Dhokasi
On the way to Dhokasi on the right is an old oil mill little further from the mill there is a stone slab of a so called gate, is laid on the middle of the stone paved road. This place is known as 'Dhokasi' meaning the 'gate' stone. There might be an old gate on that place during ancient time. The door does not exist now but the place is still known as 'Dhokasi'. Once, the villagers tried to gravel the road. The workers cannot move the gate stone fro its place. The contract officer dreamt goddess Rudrayanee the night and he was frightened to move that marker stone from that place. During shikali Jatra the chariot of the deity is rested on this place, which signifies the entrance to the village as well. A little further from this place scenic view of Chandragiri or champadevi, chobher hill and road leading to the famous Hindu temple of Dakshinkali Goddess can be seen across the lush green farmland and Bagmati river to the west south of Khokana village. Likewise Kirtipur hill and Ganesh and Langtang mountain range behind is worth seeing view from Khokana. In front of school on the wayside, three main guthi of Kwelacchi, Khokana, gives animal sacrifices in different respective spots during Shikali jatra.
Chokho Falcha (sacred platform) or Cho Flacha (upper platform)
On the way to Shikali Khyo to the left side of the school, there is a platform called Cho Falcha or Chokho Falcha, which mean sacred platform. During Shikali Jatra the chariot of the goddess is rested on this platform before it is taken to Shikali Khyo and coming back from a while and performed some worship.
A walk from down any small lanes brings you out of the open fields. The sight of lush green terraced field in itself is soothing both to the eyes and mind. In the north is a sweeping view of the Himalaya fronted by fields. Flock of sheep can be seen being led towards the village after their grazing. Ducks can be seen wandering freely along the streets.
Kudesh
According to the legend, the Kudesh is the oldest settlement also known as 'old Khokana' area of Khokana, currently, there are no houses here and only traces of old settlement remain. There we can find traces of major settlement amenities like walls, well, pond, etc. This place is an archaeologically important place. Archaeological exploration can shed light on the history of Khokona. A little further there is a historically important ancient Buddhist Chaitya. From Kudesh one can reach Shikali Khyo in fifteen or twenty minutes walk, which is one of the important religious places of Khokana.
According to the legend, the Kudesh is the oldest settlement also known as 'old Khokana' area of Khokana, currently, there are no houses here and only traces of old settlement remain. There we can find traces of major settlement amenities like walls, well, pond, etc. This place is an archaeologically important place. Archaeological exploration can shed light on the history of Khokona. A little further there is a historically important ancient Buddhist Chaitya. From Kudesh one can reach Shikali Khyo in fifteen or twenty minutes walk, which is one of the important religious places of Khokana.
Shikali Khyo
The Shikali temple is dedicated to the famous Hindu goddess Ajima. It is situated on the outskirts on a small hill to the west of Khokana village near Kudesh. Shikali Khyo is the best place to observe scenic view of surrounding Khokana village. During the festival of Shikali, colourful dances of Shikali are pefored in this place. Like wise the chariot of Rudrayani, the main deity of Khokana is brought here to perform various worships during the month of October.
Kwelachhi
Kwelachhi situated 150 m down to the west of main Lachi, is the second most important courtyard of the village. It is surrounded with three large Guthi buildings of different Guthis - Tah Guthi, Sana Guthi and Janbhu Guthi. Likewise, Hindu gods and goddesses including Ganesh, Saraswati, Natyeshwar Mahadeve on the surrounding area and a platform called Jitapur Mandap is located in the centre of this courtyard. Three Guthis or trusts conduct different jatras or festive performances in a systematic way in October. The Shikali Pyakhan (dance) of living deities based on tantrism, is presented on the Jitapur Mandapa during the month of October. The Mandapa is used as the second temple of the Rudrayaneee. Ganesh shrine is the main among the five other Ganesh shrines in Khokana. Nasa Dya or Nateshwar is worshiped before dances and musical festivals. The Narayan god is worshipped in a belief that when labour pain gets hardened during delivery, oil and a pot full of rice, coin and supari is offered which eases the delivery of the child.
Kwelachhi
Kwelachhi situated 150 m down to the west of main Lachi, is the second most important courtyard of the village. It is surrounded with three large Guthi buildings of different Guthis - Tah Guthi, Sana Guthi and Janbhu Guthi. Likewise, Hindu gods and goddesses including Ganesh, Saraswati, Natyeshwar Mahadeve on the surrounding area and a platform called Jitapur Mandap is located in the centre of this courtyard. Three Guthis or trusts conduct different jatras or festive performances in a systematic way in October. The Shikali Pyakhan (dance) of living deities based on tantrism, is presented on the Jitapur Mandapa during the month of October. The Mandapa is used as the second temple of the Rudrayaneee. Ganesh shrine is the main among the five other Ganesh shrines in Khokana. Nasa Dya or Nateshwar is worshiped before dances and musical festivals. The Narayan god is worshipped in a belief that when labour pain gets hardened during delivery, oil and a pot full of rice, coin and supari is offered which eases the delivery of the child.
Hyabu Lachi (Takhache Square)
Hyabulachhi is situtated in the north west of core area of Khokana settlement. There are two public rest houses (patis) and two Buddhist Chaityas in the centre of this square. This Lacchi is surrounded by traditional buildings, exhibiting the typical newari settlement. On the centre of the Lacchi is a Buddhist Chaitya built in N.S. 1077 Magh Shukla Dweteya in commemoration of his return from his pilgrimage from India.
De Phukhu
Culturally De Phukhu is the most important pond in Khokana. The famous goat festival is performed in Gaijatra in this pond. The festival is held with a swimming competition amongst the youths. Simiarly, different Dafas (the newari orchestra bands) chants the hymns in their respective rest houses or patis.
Gaabu LachhiGaabu Lachhi is situated at the northeast from main Lachhi with wide open areas and ancient traditional houses en route to this Lachhi is worth seeing. The special type of god Ganesh, with ox vahan (vehicle) in front of the temple is the main attration of this square. Near this Lachhi there is a pond named as Gaa pond.
Gabunanicha (Lukma Dya)This is a small courtyard and main importance of this courtyard is the small shrine under the garbage, called Lukama Dya, which mean 'heading god'. From here a narrow winding alley leads you to the main courtyard.
Khwe Lachi (main Courtyard)
The main courtyard or Khwe Lacchi is the centre of Khokana village, the main attractions of this place is the famous Rudryanee temple, the Buddhist chaitya , the De-Phkhu (the main religious pond), couple of public rest houses and a stone water spout (Dhungedhara). The multi roofed Rudrayanee temple is dedicated to Goddess Rudrayanee, the female counterpart of lord Shiva (Rudra). The temple is the best example of medieval temple architecture and intricate workmanship. During festivals different worships, musical concerts, feasts etc. are conducted in this temple.
Mustard oil Pressing mills
The famous mustard oil of Khokana is still made in the traditional oil pressing way. The traditional oil mills operating at present include the restored two oil mills. There are four traditional cooperative mustard oil mills at present.
