Spiritual · Khaptad National Park
A quiet hour at Khaptad Baba's hermitage
Visit the hermitage where Khaptad Baba, a Kashmiri doctor turned ascetic, lived for about fifty years and from where he urged the creation of the park. A place of silence and reflection.
Khaptad Baba's ashram is a simple cluster of buildings in the forest and meadows of the plateau, kept by the park and devotees as a memorial. You will see where he lived and meditated, statues and images of him, and quotations from his teachings in Nepali.
For many Nepali visitors this is the main reason to come to Khaptad. Khaptad Baba taught plain living, self-discipline and respect for nature, and his long presence turned these meadows into a place of pilgrimage. People sit quietly, read, or meditate for a while before walking on.
There is no fee and no formal ritual. Remove your shoes where asked, keep your voice low and do not smoke or drink nearby. Combine the visit with a walk across the patans to the Triveni shrines and Sahasralinga.
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Questions
Who was Khaptad Baba?
Khaptad Baba, also known as Swami Sachchidananda, was a Hindu ascetic born Shivanath Dogra in Kashmir in 1880. A trained doctor, he renounced medicine, wandered the Himalaya and settled at Khaptad in the 1940s, living there for over fifty years. He advised the creation of the national park.
Can I meditate at Khaptad Baba's ashram?
Yes, quiet meditation or reflection is welcome, and many visitors sit for a while. There is no formal retreat programme. Respect the space by keeping silent, removing shoes where indicated and not smoking or drinking alcohol near the hermitage.
Are Khaptad Baba's teachings available in English?
His talks and writings were published mainly in Nepali, and some translations and summaries exist. Ask at bookshops in Kathmandu or search for publications about Khaptad Baba before your trip. Your guide can also translate the quotations displayed at the ashram.
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