Chakrashila (Saligram) in Madi, Chitwan: Boosting Religious Tourism

A chakrasila (saligram) has been established in Madi, Chitwan. The chakrashila was brought from Kushma in Parbat and placed at Chakratirtha Dham in Khairhani of Madi. Chitwan is already a major tourist destination in Nepal with Chitwan National Park, Sauraha, Devghat, and one-horned Rhino. It is also a haven for bird watching in Nepal and in the world too

Weighing nearly 15 tons and measuring 12 feet high, 10 feet wide, and 2.5 feet thick, the chakrashila was extracted from the Kali Gandaki riverbank at Sahashradhara in Kushma Municipality-1. Dineshwar Mahato, head of the Sculpture Department at Nepal Lalitakala Academy and a local sculptor of Madi, shared this information.

On November 7, 2022, during the Haribodhini Ekadashi festival, the chakrashila was unveiled amid religious rituals at Vishnuharihar Temple's courtyard. Bhagirath Basyal, President of Chakratirtha Dham Development Committee, confirmed that the stone slab was transported to Madi on a chariot from Parbat.

Madi is one of only two places in Nepal where Saligram stones are found. According to local priest Kedarnath Sapkota, the installation of the chakrashila will further enhance religious tourism in the area. Saligram stones have been discovered along the Kali Gandaki River and Magui Khola in Madi. He also noted that since the stone slab's installation took place, there has been an increase in religious visitors.

The establishment of the chakrashila received support from the local community in Madi, both residents and those living abroad. Further development plans include transforming the area into Chakratirtha Dham and constructing additional structures subsequently.

Madi's residents emphasized integrated development which includes all religious sites within the region—home to over a dozen such locations. Madi has experienced a recent increase in religious tourists due to the addition of a Ram Temple.

About Madi

Established in 2014 AD (2071 Manshir, 16), Madi Municipality in Chitwan serves as a local-level government in Nepal. This municipality's headquarters can be found in Basantapur, Chitwan, Nepal. Madi Municipality was formed by merging four Village Development Committees (VDCs), including Gardi, Baghauda, Kalyanpur, and Ayodhyapuri. With a total area of 84.2 square kilometers, it is home to a population of 37,683 individuals.

Located approximately 38 km from Bharatpur on the southern border of the Chitwan district lies the Madi region. To reach Madi, one must take a road within Chitwan National Park; this route is gravel-only due to blacktopping restrictions as it crosses through the UN heritage site. Encircled by the Chure Hills and a national park to its east, west, and north directions, Madi is also bordered by the Someshwar Range towards the south. Numerous legends surround the naming of this region.