Dharan’s ‘Osho Park’: Destination for tourists (photos inside)
Located approximately 8 kilometres from Dharan, Bhanu Chowk, the park has been developed to attract internal and external tourists.
KATHMANDU: Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Ward No. 13 has been expanding its main attraction, ‘Osho Park,’ both internally and externally, to attract domestic and international tourists.
Located approximately 8 kilometres from Dharan, Bhanu Chowk, the park has been developed to attract internal and external tourists.
Santosh Kharel, who visited Osho Park with friends from Butwal, expressed great delight upon seeing the beautifully blossomed flowers and panoramic views. He reminisced, ‘Four to five years ago, this place was just jungle, shrubs, and open space. Now, it has transformed into such a beautiful park. I will come again.’
Pravin Rai from Udayapur Gaighat visited Osho Park early morning for sightseeing. He remarked, ‘This is my first visit here, and I am amazed by the beauty. It sets an example that with dedication and hard work, even a barren land can turn into a charming place.’
Previously, tourists had to travel up to Bhedetar, Dhankuta for recreational activities, but now, the park has become the preferred destination, as per Rai. He stated, ‘Having such a beautiful recreational spot locally saves time and effort in travelling.’
Spread across about 6 kilometres from Bhanu Chowk, the park features several attractions like the SDB, rock garden, and BP Park, among others. The lush greenery and colourful flowers make it an attractive destination for both internal and external tourists.
Once perceived as deserted and desolate, this area is now bustling with tourists, and numerous hotels have sprung up around the park.
Suraj Gurung, a local hotel entrepreneur, stated that his hotel receives around 400 to 500 internal and external tourists daily. Having spent nine years abroad, Gurung has been involved in business here for a decade. According to him, tourists can enjoy organic local cuisine here, especially delicacies like tongba and sukuti.
Tek Bahadur Rai and Savita Rai, long-time business owners in the area, noted significant transformations. With tourists now visiting from abroad as well as neighboring districts like Itahari, Morang, and Jhapa, they see a promising future for tourism in Dharan.
The Vice-Chairperson of Dharan Ward No. 13, Netra Kafle, highlighted the increasing number of domestic and international tourists visiting Osho Park for its mesmerizing scenery. He stated, ‘More tourists visit here on public holidays and Saturdays compared to other days. We believe that the number of tourists visiting this park will continue to increase, as efforts have been made to make the park attractive and appealing.’
According to Kafle, many tourists prefer visiting during the warmer months rather than in winter. He mentioned that Ward No. 13 Office has contributed seven lakhs towards the beautification and enhancement of Osho Park.
The park now boasts a variety of attractions such as flower gardens, playgrounds for children, and artistic sculptures made from various materials.
Funded with 20 lakhs from the Constituency Development Fund of Federal Parliament member Jay Kumar Rai and 10 lakhs from former MP Krishna Kumar Rai, the construction of the park was completed. Jay Kumar Rai emphasized the plan to develop the park as the main center for internal tourism, along with other attractions in the area like Budasubba Temple, Dantakali, and Bijaypur.
Vijay Kumar Rai, a member of the Provincial Assembly, stressed the need to further organize and develop the park for tourism promotion. He stated, ‘Efforts are being made to enhance and promote tourism in this area by coordinating with governmental and local bodies.’
He also emphasized the role of national and international publicity in making Osho Park a center of attraction through coordinated efforts and cooperation from all stakeholders.
