West of Kathmandu and east of Tanse (Palpa)

 MANAKAMANA: Manakamana temple is located a day walk from Majuwa Khairani on the Prithivi High Way (Kathmandu-Pokhara) and it is said that those who come to worship there are blessed for their wishes.

GORKHA: The History of Nepal starts from Gorkha district from where late King Prithivi Narayan Shah started to expand to unite tiny states of Nepal. In earlier times the trail from kathmandu, to Pokhara passed via Gorkha.

Pokharithok, Barpak, Arughat bazaar, Kanchok, Khoplang bazaar, Thanti Pokhari, Amp-pipal are important place as market and also for historical reason. Pokharithok at 1315 m. is beautiful place and is the now headquarter of Gorkha where old palace, Kalika and Gorkhnath temples are located. Old market of Patechaur, Chiptols and Darapani are also fascinating.

Barpak is house of Gurung and is situated in the east of Darondi river. First Victoria cross winner Nepali Mr. Gaje Ghale was born in this place, and lot of yount pople go to military service from this area. This village has typical Gurung culture and is neat and clean. These people tamp sheep for wool. Arughat bazaar is situated on the bank of Burigandaki River. Through this also passed the old trail of kathmandu to Pokhara. One can go Larkey Bhot by following Burigandaki River. By following Modikhola course, one can reach Khanchok and this place has small bazaar.

Thantikhari is now developing and people started shifting from Khoplang which is the east of it and Palugtar airport lies south of it.

TANAHU: Damauli, Bandipur, Khairenitar, Chhapdi Baraha Dhorbarahi, Jyamruk, Bayapani bhanjyang, Rising Tanahu, Bhimad are important places of this area. In Rising, Magar community is found and Magars were rulers in earlier times. Rani Pokhari the pond which is said to be the bathing place of the Queen. At Chhapdi barahi a temple widely worshipped by Magar and has a Magar priest.

At the Dhorbarahi it is puzzling to the local inhabitant that in a hole in the temple after 3 minutes of interval water comes up to the top with gushing sound and vanishes immediately. Tanhusur preserves the ruins of Sen King palaces and there is old house in which one room remains mysterious, since its construction it was never opened. At Damauli the confluence of Seti and Madi River attracts many people.

SYANGJA: Center of Magar and was Magar Kingdom.

PRABAT:  Ghandruk, Sikha-Dhar, Birethanti, Modibeni, Beni and Kusma bazaar are important settlement.

Ghandruk is famous Gurung village and provides typical Gurung culture. Gurung do sheep and agriculture farming. Sikha-Dhar is Magar village. At Setibeni a huge boulder of cherty limestone is found which is rounded and is worshipped by local people.

Pokhara Valley: Pokhara valley is a basin of several lakes located in the western Nepal. It is approachable by air as well as by road (153 KMs) from kathmandu.

Located at a comfortable elevation for seeing the gigantic snow peaks of famous fish tail of Pokhara. There are seven lakes, gorges, underground rivers, unimaginable large boulder.

To enjoy the scenic beauty of the western Nepal, one can drive in six hours from Kathmandu-to tourist resort of Pokhara valley. Drive is good and road practically follows the southern bank of the Trisuli Valley in the 1^st leg for two hours till the bridge (suspension type) at Mugling and then follows the partially Marsyandi and other valleys and enters the Pokhara valley after the Khairenitar.

Different standards of Hotels are found in Pokhara and one can enjoy Tibetan settlement, natural tunnel, David Fall, Mahendra Pool, K.I. Singh pool (bridge), Ratna Mandir, Phewa lake, Roopa and Begnas lakes and Mahendra cave and Batulechaur school.

From Pokhara one can climb the hill of Sarangkot and follow the ridge and come down the other side of Phewa and back to Pokhara. One can camp near the top. If one wants to see some things he should visit Hyngja Ghandruk and Lumle of the Gurung Village. One can enjoy the first and last touching memories with the famous fish tail peak standing like a wall in front, with all hues of colors from the morning to evening and finally catching place of Nepal Airlines and flying back from unmetalled airport of Pokhara to Kathmandu within ½ hour.

NORTH OF POKHARA: If one wants to go towards the trans-himalayas either one can start from the Syangja or from the Pokhara bazaar and cross many rivers to touch Kali Gandaki at Dana and follow to Tukuche and then mountain desert and fascinating terrain of Mustang (Lomantang) fly back from Jomsom which is south of Muktinath and north of Tukuche.

If some one wants to go Manangbhot the other side of Annapurna range for that one can start from Damauli to Kuncha, Tarkughat and follow the bank of Marsyangdi River for 90 kms. i.e. 12 days return trip pasing Tara Mapara, Jagat (where terrain is very steep and dangerous). Thorje and then westerly to Chame and Brage and finally managbhot. This route is tortuous but enjoyable.

SOUTHWEST OF POKHARA: From Pokhara one can drive to Butwal and then Bhairawa. In this road from Syangja the road follows practically the southern bank of Andhi Khola river and reaches to Kali Gandaki bridge where one can stop for while in winter (whereas in summer it is not worth) and then climb towards Arebhanjyang and follow the ridge upto Tansen. Tansen town is located 5 to 6 km. north of junction and here one can enjoy the western hill culture and can climb to Srinagar and come back to the junction.

From Tansen road decends and takes 1 to 2  hours to reach Butwal which is in the foot hill and from there to Bhairahwa and fly back to Kathmandu.

Those who wants to visit Lumbini the birth place of Lord Buddha by driving 20 kms. West from Bhairahwa bazaar and see the birth place of lord Buddha, Ashoka Pillar and the Buddhist temple. There one can stay overnight in the guest house.

LUMBINI ( THE BIRTH PLACE OF LORD BUDDHA): Lumbini where lord Buddha the apostle of peace was born nearly 2608 years back. It is located in the Lumbini Zone i.e. western terai of Nepal. Emperor  Ashoka came over there in old time and erected a stone pillar as the mark of respect. This is single piece of stone and which is fractured in the middle. It is amusing that how a single piece of stone weighing several tons could be brought there from a place of 150 kms. South when there was no modern means. Near it lies the birth place of lord Buddha where there is a temple and ancient art figure in stone of Maya Devi and the child (the lord Buddha). Local people also worship this temple as Goddess. This place is now being decorated and a plan is being drawn up. There are guest houses and now monasteries.  This area is being developed in the concept of famous Japanese architect Mr. Tange. Now a motor able metalled road is built between Bhairahwa and Lumbini. Historical dada indicate that in ancient time Chinese pilgrims Fahein (5 A.D) and Hiuen Tsaing had visited this area and it is said upto 12 or 13^th century A.D. many Kings and devotees came over there as visitor. The place was lost for several hundred years till it was rediscovered by General Khadga Samsher and R.A. further in 1895 A.D. Now many points have been cleared about the validity of the place and also Kapilvastu and Tilaurakot.

Sagarahwa, Niglihawa, Gotihawa, Kudan, Shivgarhi are important archeological centers. Sagarhwa is located 3 km. north of Tilaurakot on the bank of Banganga river where 17 Stupas are found. Ashok pillars are found a Niglihawa (3 km. east of Sagarahwa and Gotihawa 5 km. south west of Taulihawa bazaar).

MUSTANG: Lhomanthang, Tenkar, Jomsom, Muktinath, Tukuche, Dhani, Dana, Tatopani and Charang are important typical settlement of Trans-Himalayas. This area have Lowa community in the northern part. Thakali in the middle and Panchgaonle and Barahgaonle in other parts. Drinking water in these villages are difficult due to rise of terraces, or depression of river channel by erosion. Old caves found, north of Tukucha, which people think, are made by ancient men. Fort and Gumba are studded all over these villages. The important are, Namgyal gumba, Fort of Kecharjang, Somduling gumba, Nimphugumba, Gorphu gumba and Locekhar gumba. Majority of the people are dominant in this area, however Tamang and Gurung are also found.

DOLPA: The area falls in Trans-Himalayas and midland zones. At an elevation of 10998 feet (3353 m) is situated a famous water fall, generated by the out going water of Phuksundo or Rigmo lake. Besides this Jagdula lake, Sundah and Charmakunidah are important sightseeing places of Dolpa region.

Dune (Headquarter), Kotegaon (Tibrikot), Tarakot, Tarap, Rigmo, Charkabhot, Bijer, Saldang are important settlements of this area and Shey and Yangjer gumbas are religious sites.

In the Trans-Himalayan part are found Bhote and Tarali Magars in Tarakot, Dolpa Bhote live between 3658 to 3684 m. elevation. Rimi, Bijner, Saldang Tinje, Charakabhot and Dhu are their important settlements. Bhote are of Tibetan clan and have similar dialect. They celebrate Loshar festival.

MYANGDI: Beni (headquarter), Galeshwar, Dholthan, Takam Darbang, Pula, Kuine, Gurja and Rum are important villages. Old ruins of palaces are found in Dolthan village. Beni was effected by landslides which occurred at HIstanin 1961 A.D. and in 1933 A.D. at Darbang. Takam also preserves the ruins and caves in nearby mountain. Chantel is Gujakhani located in mining area.

BAGLUNG: Baglung bazaar, Galkot, Ghumte, Burtibang, Hatiabazar, Rajkut, Bobang, Dhorpatan, Pujaarkha, Hukum-Maikot, Taman, Thanthap and Balewa are important. Hukam Maikot is a typical magar village, located on steep cliff showing the master piece work in rock cutting. Bobang is the Kami (Black Smith) village.

GULMI: Tamangs, Resunga Thorga-Ridi, Wami-Taksar, Darbar, Devisthan Ismakot, Arkulkot, Bharse, Rundrabeni, Kharjyang bazaar, Shantipur, Choyeghatkot and Musikot Dhurkot and Purkot are important places and ancient forts.

PALPA: Tansen, Ramdighat, Rammpani, Bhairavsthan, Madiphant, Develchuli and Srinagars are important sites for market, bridge, fort or temple.

ARGAKHANCHI: Narpani, Argakot, Khanchikot, Thada, Patharkot, Chutrabesi, (Sandikharka) Balkot, Wangla, Argatosh bazaars are important centers of this area.

Gaine of Kaski-Pokhara or Pokhara Valley:

Gaine are a community of singers and are quick and smart in making songs and they earn their living by singing and are untouchable cast of Hindu-community. They are scattered in all the villages however the Batulechaur of Pokhara is famous where majority are Gaine.

Magars of Palpa:

Magars are the aborigines of this region. They build houses from clay and stone and plaster nicely with clay and cowdung indise as well outside. They have double storeys. As base they have fireplace and keep the food grains on the top. They make Verandah in the upper storey. They usually sleep around the fire place. They have the culture of child marriage. Baje-Bahye and Hadale they worship and tame pig. Particularly Magar villages are often dirty. They marry maternal uncles daughter. They burn the dead body and follow many items of the Hindu religion.

Thakalis of Thakkhola:

Thakalis are Mongolian clan and their dialect falls in Tibetan Burman family and have four casts i.e. Tulachan, Sherchan, Gauchan, and Bhattachan. They have co-operatives called DIngur, through which they lend money for business purpose. They follow now Hindu religion whereas in earlier times they were bent upon Lamaism. Their main festival is Lhafewa and this comes once in 12 years.

Punel (Panch gaonle):

They are similar to Thakalis and believes in Lamaism and have Harichan (diamond), Jwarchan (precious stone), Pannachan (emerald), Lalchan (ruby) titles and live between Tukucha and Kagboni.

Barah Gaonle:

Between the area of Lomanthan and Panchagaon they are settled. They look like Lowa in dress, culture etc. they have polyandry and celebrate Yartung festival Huyakopsi festival of girls and boys are important which is similar to Mani Rimdu of Sherpas of Everest region.

Lowas of Mustang:

Lowas are Tibetan origin and are divided into Kudak, Selva and Righin. Kudaks are the ruler community of Mustang and marry in their own cast. Lowa have a common wife among the brothers and those who do not want to share go to another village for settlement. Their houses are coated with white clay Kaolin and are stone flat roofed. White flags printed holy verses are found fluttering in all the houses. And houses are connected built side by side being this area windy the houses do not have window except tingy holes for ventilation and have houses facing in all direction but the south.

Lowas have standard rules to build the houses in their fort city. For rich and  respectable family 3 storey, medium 2 storey and lower cast no house. Drinking water is always a problem. Lowas have rules of inheritance. The eldest son will be owner of paternal property, whereas second son will be Lama (Monk) and rest of the sons can share either one. After the marriage of eldest son the father virtually retires from the family life.

Male and female both keep long haris, wear coat and woolen long boot. For outsider it is difficult to distinguish. They wear necklace of the large beads of Hainam (China) Torquise and wear Torquise studded belt. They celebrate four main festvals I,e. Gine, Niune, Gainsu, and Gelung.

Gurungs of Lamjung:

Gurungs are agriculturist and being high lander they rear the sheep. Now they go also in army jobs. They are Mongolian in face and they have their own dialect. Gururng wear Bhoto (shirt) and Kachad (a type of Dhoti) and coat or waist buttons. They wear Nepalese cap in style and cloth belt. Gurungs have woolen coat which is called Bakhu.

Ladies wear red beads (big and small) on the neck and sharp edged bangles, in the nose ring and different type of ear rings.

They marry cross maternal uncles or paternal aunts offspring. They have a main house for religious ceremony which they called Chiba.

Adult boys and girls mix together and dance in a house called Rodighar (Gurung Club). Their typical dances are Setig ghatu Barah mase ghatu. They live in congested village.Gurungs are divided in four and sixteen groups. Four casts are Ghale, Ghotane, Lama, and Lamichane.

Gurung are found west of Kaligandaki, east of Ankhu river between midland and higher hills. Gurungs believe in Lamaism of Tibet. Rumjatar of east Nepal provide typical Gurung village. Gurungs have a separate hill to burry the dead called Chihan danda.

Comments (1)

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