Swargadwari
The 'gate of heaven': a hilltop ashram where an eternal sacred fire has burned since the time of its founding saint.
Swargadwari sits at about 2,100 m on a forested ridge in Pyuthan. It was established in the early 20th century by the ascetic Swargadwari Mahaprabhu, and its sacred fire (dhuni) and daily yajna are said to have burned without interruption ever since. Pilgrims believe a visit opens the way to heaven.
The ashram keeps a large herd of cows, and caves around the hilltop are linked with the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. The big fairs are at Baisakh and Kartik Purnima. The views stretch to the Dhaulagiri range.