A day at Bhrikuti Mandap Fun Park

Fun park located at Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu is a land mark in itself. I guess the place famous as “Dragon Word” during the time we were kids has been visited by most kids of the valley and outside the valley alike. Personally speaking every holiday I got from school would end up with me dragging my mother and siblings to the dragon world. It seemed all so gigantic then, the ferry wheel felt like the tallest thing on earth, the stalls with crash the can games were so exciting and the Columbus was the most dreaded ride.
So when my friend suggested going there, the naïve me said “Who even goes there anymore?” I felt I was too cool to go there at this age. Somehow with growing up, I had forgotten the place which was an essential part of my childhood memories. Eventually I did agree. The day was hot, place crowded, the ferry wheel didn’t seem that tall anymore and I hardly paid attention to the crash can stalls. Yet the sheer excitement of the kids, the screams of people from the rides, the pond with the paddle duck boats and the joy that filled that place made me smile.
The first ride we took was the Columbus. Sure enough when you’ve grown up you would think you are brave enough now and wouldn’t scream or close your eyes shut. I was quiet mistaken about that. The scream came out louder than ever and that funny feeling in the gut was undeniable. The ferry wheel may not seem that intimidating now nevertheless at times it got petrifying. Even if the dragon ride it is just an excuse of a roller coaster at the fun park, the brief three rounds will leave you wanting more. I think the hit one with the teenagers is the electric car thing. I never got the hang of it but a lot of people seem to love it. Every other ride we took gave us the adrenaline rush no matter how tame the ride looked. There is so much more it offers, the horse ride, the haunted house, the boat ride at the little pond, the train ride. All of this might sound kiddish but believe me it is fun in its own way.
Regardless of how much you’ve matured there is no good denying the kid in you at times like these. Rather it is so much better to let go, laugh as much and get thrilled. True enough our fun park may not be any Essel World however it is all we got and we have to cherish it. I would definitely recommend going to our own fun park on a not so hot day with a lot of water and snacks. Pretty sure it will help you relive those treasured childhood days.

Words: Apurwa J Rae
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