Kathmandu is a city of temples. Wherever you go, you will find temples after passing few steps. Every temple has its own story of origin and religious importance. Most of these temples are existing in its place from hundreds of years. If you want to have complete informational temple tour, it takes more than a month. and a good guide with enough religious knowledge. Some of the temples are loosing its importane and being destroyed because of enlargement of city area, commercialization, lack of preservation etc. Tokha has several temples with its historic and cultural importance but shadowed since long.
Around 8 km away from center of Kathmandu city, Tokha is an old town dominated by Newar inhabitant. It is located at the bottom of Shivapuri Hill. Along with historic and legendry importance, Tokha has been mentioned in some of the Hindu holy books with its religious importance as well. Existance of several temples and annual religious congregation also witness its cultural and religious importance.
Though, Tokha is a potential area for the the tourism development with its ordinary historical and cultural presentation, this place is neither promoted by the government nor by locals. Rapid urbanization of the Kathmandu valley has also afftected Tokha with physical growth. New buildings, houses, apartments are rapidly increasing and shadowing the original Tokha. There is no evidence of any attempt to preserve this place.
Travelers visiting Kathmandu simply like to visit the places most tourist goes. Thamel and some heritage sites - you finish your trip to Kathmandu - you are missing the jewel. Tokha is one of them! Even rarely visited by travelers, forgotten by the government and out of interest for tourism enterpreneurs, I am seeing a lot of potentiality in Tokha. This place is not in a list of "Things to Do in Kathmandu" but it has many things to offer.
Things to do in Tokha:
Old Tokha Bazar - Though some of the old buildings are replaced by new, disorganized traffic, broken temples and dried pond, you can still see the old habitant. The presence of Local's livelihood is still there after the big affect of urbanization also. Small shops, old houses, temples, public stone water tap, etc are still there to observe.
Stay with Locals - Accommodating with local in this town will be a great way to understand this place and the people. The exchange between the surfer and host help both to understand eachother. You can easily find locals by using Couchsurfing or other similar sites. Travel agents also offer local stay arrangement.
Temples - There are several hindu temples in this area. Chandeshwori, Gokarneshwor, Dharmeshwor, Sapan Vinayak, Bajrayogini, etc. are also mentioned in the Hindu holy books. There is a pond named Siddh Pokhari near to the entrance gate at Tokha. Bisket Jatra and Sapan Tirtha Mela are major religious congregation in this place which held in mid of April every year.
Shivapuri National Park & Shivapuri Village - You can day-hike to Shivapuri hill (2750 m) or visit a small village which is in another side of the hill. This national park is most famous hill for a day hike and preservation area for Red Panda. You can follow Tokha road till Gurje Bhanjyang following Jhor.
Boundeshwor Waterfall - A Boudeshwor cave and waterfall is one of the famous place here where many locals visit. The water level in fall depends upon season.
Cycling around rice paddy - Cycling is one of the best activity in this reason. You can rent a bicycle and go to TOkha to ride. There are rice paddys and enough open area to enjoy. The air here is fresher than in the town. No route is required, you can ride randomly here and there. Chandeshwory temple and way till Budhanilkantha might be interesting. Cycling upto Shivapuri hill is another option where you can have a perfect panoramic mountain views of Langtang range.
Cooking Classes - Find a local to host you and teach you local cuisine. Learning local food is great way to explore people and their lifestyle. Simple ask the people if they can provide you cooking classes. You can buy your ingredients and/or pay some amount as well.
Volunteering at Tokha - There are number of organization available for volunteering. Some organic farm are also there who can offer you farm-stay and work in farming. Dont expect to get paid but you must ask for free accommodation and food if they can offer you for your volunteering job.
There are no tourist hotels or other hospitality recently at the area. There are some local hotels in front of Grande International Hospital. You can rent Grande Apartment or may some Veena Housingm Shubha Homes, Harmony Housing offer a rental house for longer stay. Homestay or Paying Guest Accommmodation can be one option for the accommodation in Tokha.
