Devghat

Devghat (often written Devghat Dham) is where the Kali Gandaki and the Trishuli come together to become the Narayani. On a clear winter's day, you can actually see the two currents flowing side by side: the Kali Gandaki a little greyer with glacial silt, the Trishuli a little greener. They run together like this for a few hundred metres before the line between them quietly disappears.

In Hindu tradition, the meeting of two rivers is especially sacred, and Devghat is one of the most important confluences in central Nepal. Its banks are lined with small temples, shrines and ashrams. Many older people move here to live out their lives beside the river, and some of the ashrams are their homes.

What you'll see

• The confluence from the long pedestrian suspension bridge linking the Chitwan and Tanahun banks.
• Temples and shrines on both sides of the river, many of them small and looked after by local families.
• The bathing ghats, which are at their busiest at sunrise.
• Ashrams where elderly devotees live.

Makar Sankranti

On the first day of the Nepali month of Magh, in mid-January, tens of thousands of pilgrims come to bathe at the confluence, and a huge fair spreads along the banks. It's a remarkable day to be here, but do expect crowds and slow roads.

Visiting respectfully

• Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
• Take your shoes off wherever you see others doing the same.
• Cremations take place on the ghats. Please don't photograph them, or people bathing, without permission.
• Some temples are open to Hindus only. Your guide will let you know which ones.

Getting there

Devghat is a short drive north-west of Narayangadh, though how short depends on the traffic in Bharatpur. There's no entry fee. Both our Devghat sunrise trip and our Narayani River Day Tour include a visit.