Perched above the terrifying Chiuri cliff, even a single glance downward is enough to send a chill through the heart. For generations, the locals here braved this fear and endured countless hardships just to cross the roaring Andhikhola below. What was once a dangerous, exhausting journey has now transformed into a source of pride and wonder.
A plan was made to build a suspension bridge here for an easy life. The construction work was also completed. Now the same bridge has succeeded in staying in everyone’s hearts and minds. The Chiuri suspension bridge, built over the Andhikhola to connect Galyang Municipality-7 and 8, i.e. Chiuri Bhir and Pelakot, has now become a tourist destination. The highest and longest suspension bridge in the district is visited by a crowd of domestic and foreign tourists every day. The suspension bridge, which is located at a height of 190 meters, is 368 meters long.
Families, friends, groups and couples alike flock to observe and enjoy the view of the bridge. There is also a crowd to cross the bridge, take photos, videos and make TikToks on the bridge. People from children, youth to the elderly enjoy themselves happily. What was once a place for swimming has now become a place of enjoyment.
The green nature surrounding the bridge, located next to the Siddhartha Highway, attracts anyone. The nearby settlements, agricultural land, the serpentine-shaped Andhikhola, and the Kedarnath temple in Pelakot have won everyone’s hearts. “The discussion of Chiuri Bridge has been seen a lot on social media, and it has been seen. This route has been traveled many times. However, until now, it has not been convenient to come here. Rather than seeing and hearing, there is a different joy in coming here and crossing the bridge and observing it,” says folk singer and creator Purushottam Neupane, who has been crossing the bridge.
Before the bridge was built, it was very difficult to cross. There was an obligation to go around. With the construction of the bridge, the livelihood of the local residents has also become easier. On the other hand, it is becoming known as a tourist destination. The number of domestic and Indian tourists is also increasing here. It is located 40 kilometers from the Syangja district headquarters. According to local Geeta Pathak, about 2-300 tourists visit the bridge daily.
It is also easy to come here because it is located next to the highway. Pathak said that the number of people visiting this place has increased since there are hotels and restaurants for lunch under the bridge. The crowd of people does not have to be exhausted on Fridays and Saturdays. Working fathers and mothers come with their children to enjoy and enjoy the natural beauty. A significant number of Indian citizens have also started coming.
Indian citizens who come from India to visit Pokhara and Muktinath after seeing the bridge, stop their vehicles and go to the bridge for entertainment and go to their destination. In this way, the number of visitors has also increased dramatically. As the number of tourists visiting the suspension bridge has increased, a parking lot has been built next to the highway and a footpath with railings has been constructed to reach the bridge, said Galyang Nagar Guruprasad Bhattarai.
The bridge has also made it much easier to reach the Kedarnath Temple in Pelakot, Galyang-7. Earlier, it used to take two hours to reach the temple, but now it can be reached in half an hour, said Tikaram Pathak, Secretary of the Kedarnath Temple Religious and Tourism Development Committee. The bridge, which was completed about 4 years ago in July 2021, was built at a cost of Rs 18.3m.
