{"id":14841,"date":"2025-05-25T12:58:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T07:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saarang.com.np\/?post_type=stories&p=14841"},"modified":"2025-06-11T07:25:07","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T01:40:07","slug":"domukha","status":"publish","type":"stories","link":"https:\/\/saarang.com.np\/story\/domukha\/","title":{"rendered":"Domukha"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“Namaste! Welcome to the tourist area of Domukha!”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background of Domukha<\/strong>
<\/strong>Located in Jhapa district in eastern Nepal, Domukha offers complete relief from the hustle and bustle of city life and provides a peaceful environment for visitors. Surrounded by lush green hills, the Kanakai River, and other scenic spots, this area is a serene retreat. Domukha is a beautiful religious and tourist destination situated on the banks of the Kanakai River in Ward No. 10 of Shivasatakshi Municipality, Jhapa district of Mechi Zone, bordering Ward No. 8 of Mai Municipality of Ilam district to the north.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This place is known as Domukha because the Korean Development Corporation (KDC), with Japanese financial and technical support, constructed a canal diverting the Kanakai River southward from its eastern front, splitting it into two outlets. The natural beauty and environmental richness of this area make it ideal for tourism development. Due to the religious significance and the influx of devotees, as well as the large number of people visiting annually for picnics, film\/documentary shootings, and leisure from both within Nepal and abroad, the Domukha Religious and Tourism Development Management Committee was established in 2062 B.S. (2005 A.D.) to promote tourism, develop religious sites, and provide better facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The popular Nepali film Saathi<\/em>, starring megastar Rajesh Hamal along with Karishma Manandhar, Gauri Malla, Nir Shah, Basundhara Bhusal, and Mithila Sharma, was also filmed here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origin of Domukha and the Kanakai Irrigation System<\/strong>
<\/strong>The Kanakai River originates from the Mahabharat mountain range, cutting through the Chure hills and emerging on the eastern slope. With Japanese financial and technical support, KDC built a canal diverting the river southward, resulting in two outlets, hence the name “Domukha” (meaning “two mouths”).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The office of the Kanakai Irrigation System (KIS) is located in Gainde, Jhapa, Province No. 1 of Nepal. The intake structure of KIS, a weir-type headworks, is situated in Domukha, about 3 kilometers north of the Kanakai bridge along the East-West Highway. A weir is a barrier across a river that changes the flow characteristics and typically raises the water level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The diversion site was selected on the Terai plain where the Kanakai River descends from the hills. Kanakai, a tributary of the Ganges River, is classified as a second-tier river in Nepal. It flows into Bihar, India, becoming the Mahananda River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kanakai Irrigation Project (KIP) was originally developed to promote agriculture in the Kanakai river basin. Currently, it provides irrigation to approximately 5,000 hectares of farmland, with the potential to expand to 10,000 hectares of paddy land year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KIS operates in Reach-I with an intake capacity of 10.15 cumecs. The main canal extends 36 kilometers from Reach-I to Reach-V, with 22 secondary canals named S-0 to S-22 covering 74 kilometers, and 315 tertiary and direct tertiary canals spanning 130 kilometers. This system provides consistent irrigation to around 8,000 hectares of land across four municipalities: Shivasatakshi, Kamal, Gauradaha, and Gaurigunj in Jhapa district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The area includes several tourist attractions like Domukha, Dhanuskoti, Chuli, Chepti, and Maipokhari along the Mai or Kanakai River. The irrigation system is now managed under the Kanakai Irrigation Management Office of Province 1\u2019s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development (MOPID), in cooperation with the Kanakai Canal Water Users\u2019 Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Significance of the Area:<\/strong>
<\/strong>The area is gaining popularity as a destination for picnics, film shootings, photography, zoo visits, and refreshing swims in the cold waters of Kanakai Mai during summer. The Kanakai Mai River is believed to fulfill wishes when worshipped, adding spiritual significance. Visitors can also experience Kirati culture, including its unique cuisine, dance, and music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Attractions:<\/strong>
<\/strong>Due to its location in the Chure hills, Domukha offers opportunities to explore various natural resources like greenery, herbs, wildlife, the river\u2019s flow, and panoramic views of Ilam\u2019s hills and Jhapa\u2019s plains from Chuli. The origin of the Kanakai canal can also be observed. The region is inhabited by diverse ethnic groups who preserve their languages, religions, traditions, customs, attire, and rituals, fostering strong social harmony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the monsoon, hundreds of hectares of fertile land in Jhapa are at risk of flooding from the Mai or Kanakai River. It\u2019s a delight to see local Majhis (fishermen) diving into the river and children cooling off in the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every year on Magh 1st, Kotihom of Surunga Municipality organizes the Mai Mela, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from Jhapa, Morang, Ilam, and even parts of India. Local people use the Kanakai Aryaghat near Kotihom for funeral rites, newly built through public investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domukha offers a window into the lifestyle of eastern Nepal and is an excellent destination for tourists seeking an immersive cultural experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transportation:<\/strong>
<\/strong>Domukha is about 3 km north of the East-West Mahendra Highway, accessible by blacktopped road via Maidhar. Rental vehicles are readily available. Visitors can also reach Domukha from Bhadrapur Airport via Birtamode, Surunga, and Maidhar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Hours:<\/strong>
<\/strong>Visitors typically come between 6 AM and 5 PM for picnics, filming, worship, and sightseeing. The peak tourist season is from Kartik (October-November) to Baisakh (April-May). During the month of Shrawan, Bolbam devotees visit to offer water to Lord Shiva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important Guidelines:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n