Taplejung

Taplejung 
Phungling is the district headquarters of Taplejung district at a distance of 830 kilometers from Kathmandu. The Tamor River flows through the district and the area is famous for its proximity to Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. Taplejung has an airstrip with commercial flights to Biratnagar and Kathmandu. A road has connected the district headquarters with the Tarai plains. The name Taplejung is derived from the words “Taple” and “Jung”, Taple was the medieval
Limbu King who used to rule the area and “Jung” in Limbu language meaning Fort. Literally, Taplejung means Fort of the King Taple. Most of the populations are involved in agriculture, and the vegetation zones range from sub-tropical, to temperate forests, alpine meadows and snow and ice.

Pathibhara 
Pathibhara Devi shrine (3,794 m) is a popular pilgrimage destination. The animist deity at Pathibhara is worshipped with equal reverence by both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus throng the temple during special celebrations, while Buddhists living in the vicinity light lamps at the temple on full moon
nights.The Goddess at Pathibhara is believed to fulfill the longcherished dreams of her devotees, like sons for those without sons, and wealth for the poor. The story of the temple goes back to the time when hundreds of sheep were said to have disappeared from the place where the temple stands today.
Legend has it that when the shepherds prayed to get their sheep back, they had a vision of the Devi herself who asked them to sacrifice a few of the sheep to get back their lost ones. It is said that when they did as they were asked by the Devi, the lost sheep were found, and from thence started the worship of Pathibhara Devi.