Badimalika

Badimalika stands at about 4,200 metres on an open meadow in Bajura, one of the principal shakti shrines of far western Nepal, and it is a seasonal place: snow covers it for much of the year and the temple is effectively reachable only from late spring to autumn. The great gathering is at Janai Purnima in the monsoon month of Shrawan, when tens of thousands of pilgrims walk up from Bajura, Achham, Kalikot and beyond, camping on the meadows, and the bare hillside fills with people for a few days before emptying again. The shrine itself is small and open to the sky. The surrounding pasture, called Malika Chaur, is wide alpine grassland with views toward Saipal and the Api Nampa peaks.

What you actually see

• The open shrine - the small goddess temple on the bare meadow.
• Malika Chaur - the wide alpine pasture around the site.
• Janai Purnima - the monsoon pilgrimage that fills the hillside.
• Far-western peaks - Saipal and the Api Nampa range on clear days.

When to go

May to October is the accessible window; the rest of the year is under snow. Janai Purnima in July or August is the main pilgrimage and by far the busiest, which is also the wettest time to walk up.

Honest expectations

The climb is one to two days on foot at altitude with no vehicle access to the shrine. There is no accommodation on the meadow; pilgrims camp. Animal sacrifice takes place at the festival. Bajura is among the least developed districts and getting there takes a long journey.

Nearby

Martadi lies below; Khaptad is west.