KATHMANDU, APRIL 1

In a discovery that officials are calling "both spiritually intuitive and scientifically inevitable," a consortium of Nepali and international researchers has identified Swargadwari-literally, the "Gateway to Heaven"-as the closest point on Earth to outer space.

On the strength of this finding, the Government of Nepal on Monday announced plans to develop a huge tract of land near the hilltop shrine in Pyuthan into the world's newest satellite launch site, promising to cut costs, reduce launch times and "align cosmology with cosmology."

"This is a rare convergence of faith and physics," said Anusandhan Adhikary, a senior official involved in the project. "For centuries, people believed Swargadwari was the path to heaven. Science has now confirmed that belief-at least in orbital terms."

A Shorter Way Up

According to a technical paper circulated among ministries, Swargadwari's elevation, geomagnetic positioning and "upward atmospheric gradient" combine to make it uniquely suited for space launches.

While the site stands at just over 2,100 metres, researchers argue that its "vertical efficiency index" is significantly higher than sea-level launch pads.

"In simple terms, rockets starting from Swargadwari have less 'spiritual resistance' and marginally reduced atmospheric drag," said Bhautik Ratna Shastri, a consultant physicist attached to the study. "You could say they begin closer to their final destination."

The report estimates that launches from the site could reduce fuel requirements by up to 11 percent, translating into substantial savings for satellite operators.

From Pilgrimage to Payload

The proposed Swargadwari Spaceport will be developed in phases, with an initial focus on small satellite launches. Existing trekking trails will be upgraded into "logistics corridors," while a site near the ashram complex will be expanded to include mission control facilities.

Officials from the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, which has been tasked with overseeing the scientific component, said the project would integrate traditional practices with modern engineering.

"Launch windows will be coordinated with auspicious timings," an academy representative said. "We are exploring the role of ritual fire as a symbolic pre-ignition protocol."

The Nepal Tourism Board has also expressed interest in branding the site as a dual-purpose destination-where visitors can witness both spiritual rituals and rocket launches.

A New Economy Takes Off

Government projections suggest the spaceport could transform Nepal into a competitive player in the global satellite launch market, attracting international clients seeking lower costs and faster turnaround.

"Why queue at congested launch facilities when you can go straight to the gateway?" said an official at the Ministry of Finance. "This is about creating a new revenue stream-high value, low gravity."

Preliminary estimates indicate that even a modest launch schedule could generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually through service fees, logistics and associated tourism.

Several foreign companies are said to have expressed early interest, particularly in the small-satellite and cube-sat segments, where rapid deployment is critical.

Local Reactions

In Pyuthan, news of the development has been met with cautious optimism.

"If people can reach heaven faster, and we can get better roads, why not?" said Antarikshya Awale, a local shopkeeper along the trekking route.

Pilgrims, too, appear open to the idea. "If rockets go from here, it only proves what our elders said," remarked one devotee. "This place connects worlds."

However, some spiritual leaders have urged a balance between development and sanctity. "Swargadwari is not just a location; it is a श्रद्धा (faith)," said a resident priest. "Any project must respect that."

The Final Countdown

Officials say feasibility studies are in advanced stages, with trial launches of "sub-orbital offerings" expected within the year. A full-scale commercial launch is tentatively scheduled for early next decade, "subject to alignment of technical and celestial factors."

Back in Kathmandu, policymakers are already framing the project as a symbol of national ambition.

"For too long, Nepal has been described as landlocked," said the finance official. "We are now proving that we are, in fact, sky-connected."

If the plan succeeds, Swargadwari may soon live up to its name in a way no one quite expected-not just as a gateway for souls, but as a launchpad for satellites, carrying Nepal's aspirations beyond the horizon.

Disclaimer:

Dear Readers

Like always we had you there! We wish and pray that our annual April Fool joke comes true for Nepal's sake and our country becomes a centre for the launch of commercial satellites soon.

Happy April Fool's day

-Editor