Road Upgrade Connecting Todke Ensures Easier Travel for Tourists
May 31, Myagdi. The road connecting Beni Municipality–10 Wakhet to Todke, a major tourist destination in Myagdi, has been upgraded. Situated at an altitude of 2,430 meters above sea level on the boundary of Raghuganga, Mangala Rural Municipality, and Beni Municipality, Todke is developed as a tourist spot for observing sunrises, mountain ranges, Gurans forests, and hilly landscapes. Masveer Roka, ward chairperson of Beni Municipality–10, informed that the local infrastructure project Pokharamar has concreted the section of the Patlekhet–Wakhet–Todke road from Gahete Chowk through Wakhet to the Ramjali Temple segment.
“By concreting and paving the road, the journey which earlier took 20 minutes between Gahete Chowk and Ramjali Temple has now been reduced to just 5 minutes, making travel more convenient for local residents and tourists heading to Todke,” he said. “We are continuing efforts with the municipality, provincial, and federal governments to further improve the road from Ramjali Temple to Barahthan and up to Todke.” On January 24, the construction contract worth NPR 23,623,152 was awarded to Dupcheshwar Shubham Builders for the Wakhet–Todke road upgrade project.
The plan to upgrade 1.7 kilometers of road has been completed ahead of schedule, two months prior to the deadline on July 15. Subas Chandra Karki, director of the construction company, stated that necessary equipment and labor were deployed immediately after the contract was signed, managing construction materials efficiently. Despite hikes in fuel and material costs, they completed the work before the targeted deadline. Although construction is complete, technical inspection and payment processes remain outstanding.
The road has been paved and concreted to a width ranging from 3.5 to 4 meters. Ward member Begum Paija from Beni Municipality–10 noted that the route, opened in 2009 BS (1952-53 AD), has been concreted after 16 years. Local residents are enthusiastic about the new paved road. Arjun Pun, a resident of Wakhet, shared that the previously narrow and unpaved road made travel difficult, but concreting has shortened travel time and improved convenience. Roads connecting Wakhet in Beni Municipality to Jhhi in Raghuganga Rural Municipality–5, Daduwa in Beni Municipality–5, Poornagaun in Mangala Rural Municipality–1, and Kuhun-Bhirketera lead to Todke.
Todke offers a unique vantage point to view long mountain ranges including Gurja, Churen, Manapathi, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Lamjung. Visitors can enjoy yoga and meditation amid the mountain scenery. Local agricultural products like radish, potatoes, and beans can be savored here. Additionally, Todke holds religious significance due to the penances performed by many saints, including Swargadwari Mahaprabhu. The hilltop contains a branch of the Swargadwari Ashram called “Tapovan Shivalay” and other sacred sites. Shivalay is an affiliate of the Swargadwari Ashram in Pyuthan. The temple houses statues of saints such as Pujari Maharaj and Rakhal Maharaj, as well as historical relics like Shiva lingams and ritual materials used by Mahaprabhu. The ashram complex also includes a cowshed.