Religious tourists throng Muktinath Temple

Religious tourists throng Muktinath Temple
Muktinath Temple

Muktinath Temple

The famous holy shrine in Mustang district, Muktinath Temple, has been seeing an overwhelming number of tourists in the recent days. According to Krishna Prasad Subedi, the Chief Priest of the Temple, religious tourists have been thronging the Muktinath Temple in some 100 number in a day after, Chaite Dashain and Ram Nawami.

Muktinath Darshan

The 108 waterspouts at Muktinath Temple

With the influx of tourists, the hoteliers in Kagbeni, Jomsom, and Marpha among others are also elated for getting good business.The onset of tourist season has also added to the increment in the number of tourists here, shared Subedi, adding that the place is believed to attract more tourists in coming months.

It is believed that one who makes offerings at Kagbeni in memory of the deceased ones and visits Muktinath Temple will get his/her wishes fulfilled.Since the temple hold religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists, the place also receives
as many as religious tourists from India and China. It takes an hour of drive from Kagbeni to reach Muktinath Temple.

Source: RSS

Nepal prays for return of tourists after earthquakes

Nepal prays for return of tourists after earthquakes

Nepal is hoping to welcome tourists back to the country in time for the next trekking season in the autumn

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Nepal earthquake: What does the future hold for tourism? Photo: ALAMY

 Nepal is hoping to welcome tourists back to the country in time for the next trekking season in the autumn, with attractions being rebuilt and trekking routes in the foothills of Mount Everest reopening.

Following the recent devastating earthquakes that killed more than 9,000 people, most hotels and restaurants in Nepal shut down, tourism numbers fell significantly and thousands of porters were left out of work.

“It has been hard,” said Sujan Sijapati, operations manager for Intrepid Travel in Nepal. “The earthquake meant that the season finished early and we’ve already written off the coming month to focus on rebuilding for the coming season.”

Two trekking routes, including the popular Langtang trekking route, were closed and hotels damaged in the quakes on April 25, the worst natural disaster in the country since 1934, and its aftershock on May 12, which destroyed nearly half a million houses and left thousands without food or water.

nepal2_3289752a

Earthquakes killed more than 9,000 people this year

The aftermath saw holidays cancelled for May, before spreading to the rest of the year. Relief and aid workers were soon filling the hotels left empty by tourists.

Kathmandu landmarks before and after quake, in pictures

There is hope for the next season however, with tourism experts and officials suggesting that the effect of the Gorkha quake will not be long term. Most trekking routes are still intact and could all be reopened by the autumn.

Several of the heritage sites damaged in the Kathmandu Valley are reopening this month, the Nepali Times reports, with Boudhanath stupa, Budanilkantha and Pashupatinath temples, among those that have been declared safe.

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Boudhanath stupa (Photo: Alamy)

 Meanwhile, the vast majority of hotels are apparently being restored as they did not suffer structural damage.

“People are keen for tourists to return – not just hotels and tour operators, but restaurants, gear companies, even those in remote areas rely on tourism. Now there is no work at all,” said Mr Sijapati.

What does the future hold for tourism in Nepal?

He explained that most tourism companies are privately owned by Nepalese people on a local scale, and so he expects they will have a tough time.

“People have been traumatised, but you can’t cry all the time. People are united to work together to overcome the national crisis. There is a strong sense of patriotism. Things are getting better and becoming more normal. Schools have opened. People are quite positive, they have started laughing and partying and voluntarily clearing debris. There is a strong sense of unity to rebuild Nepal.”

Monkeys outside of Pashupatinath temple (Photo: Alamy)

Monkeys outside of Pashupatinath temple (Photo: Alamy)

The UN’s World Food Programme revealed last week that thousands of out-of-work porters are being hired to deliver aid to the most remote parts of the quake.

Ang Tsering Sherpa, president of Nepal’s mountaineering association, said the scheme would “support the livelihoods of mountain communities who are facing great problems because of the quake”.

He said: “This is the time to help the Nepalese people. If you are serious about helping Nepal, don’t just give money, come to Nepal as a tourist.”

The Himalayas: Trip of a Lifetime

Independent assessments are being carried out to determine which trekking routes should reopen. Intrepid said it is working with independent safety experts and other government and industry organization to start an infrastructure assessment on areas like Annapurna.

Mr Sijapati said that travellers he meets on the ground in Nepal seem eager to help a country focused on rebuilding itself.

Intrepid has launched a million pound fundraising campaign that will see all profits from the company’s next season of Nepal trips donated to local and international charities working to rebuild it. The adventure travel specialist is also running three charity treks in the autumn, including one to Everest Base Camp.

Mt. Everest

Mt. Everest

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Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Specific Plan for Developing Tourism In Five Most Earthquake Affected Districts In Nepal

  • ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    This trek is the one of best views of annapurna range, nilgiri , Dhaulagiri , Tukuche peak , Dhampus peak , Hiunchuli ,Machhapuchhre , Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal other many more greatest views of mountains you never seen before.
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    Mt. Kailash, the sacred mountain and the abode of the Hindu god Shiva is one of the world's greatest pilgrimage destinations especially for Hindus, Buddhist, Jains and others.
  • MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu.

In course of re-establishment of tourism industry in Nepal, a concept of tourism village is developed. This plan has a goal of making one village an example to tourism industry among five affected districts. Tourism ministry has planned in making five tourism villages.
Tourism Council will working in hand to hand with Urban Development ministry in this process. Said director in chief of Tourism council Mr. Tulashi Prasad Gautam. These type of villages will be made on most affected areas like Gorkha, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha.
Least affected villages from these regions will be selected and made Tourism Village. Gautam said, “For the development of villages, private organizations in those areas will be given some help in and other services will be made available to them.”
These districts are most visited tourist destinations. Langtang which lies in between Gorkha and Rasuwa district, Manasalu of gorkha and many regions of Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha are hugely affected by the quake. In place of the regions which has been completely destroyed by the earthquake new destinations are being planned for making.
According to tourism council, Langtang of Rasuwa, Manaslu of Gorkha, Helambu of Sindhupalchowk, and Gaurisankhar of Dolakha are being planned to be made as tourism villages.
More tourism villages will be made in other affected regions too, Gautam said. We need some home stays too as many of hotels in these regions are affected.

TOURISM RE-ESTABLISHMENT FUND:-
For the recovery of tourism a fund will be made in which first of all Nepal Tourism Board will help 10 crores. Said the Co- director in chief of council Ramesh Kumar Adhikari. A bank account will be opened as soon as possible and an appeal for help will be made to different organizations, international agencies etc. Tourism Recovery Committee (TRC) will make efforts on collection of details on affected areas and they will propose an agenda of developing those areas in right way.

FIRST PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO TREKKING:-
Many trekking routes are affected due to the earthquake. These routes will be made as soon as possible and government will give its full force for fast re-development of this trails, said co-director Adhikari. Adhikari also said, “Main Trekking are affected in many places, in some places it is fully destroyed and in some it is partially affected. Partially affected routes can be re-constructed and a new route will be developed in places which can’t be re-build.
About 350 KM of trekking route is affected by the earthquake in total. Three crores is needed to open these routes, said Director in Chief Gautam.

A GUIDE MUST BE NEEDED FOR TREKKING:-
The affected regions of the earthquake are really dangerous so no trekkers will be permitted to trek alone without a guide. Gutam said, “Alone trekkers will not be permitted there must be group of two or more than two trekkers. One trained trekking guide is compulsory in those group.”

WE CANT MISS NEXT SEASON:-
This September was a complete loss in tourism industry. Up to nest September we must build a safe environment for tourists, said member of TRC Pandey. Pandey also said, “These kind of natural disaster does not take place in Nepal only, it too happens in other countries. What we should learn from them is fast recovery.” He added, “We should learn from them and make our efforts effective.”
After the earthquake number of tourist coming to Nepal is decreased but number of volunteers from different countries is certainly increased. Up to next season, tourist who used to come visit Nepal for fun should be increased. For this governmental and private organization should work joining hands.
Pandey said that PATA is the organization which has helped many countries for the recovery of tourism and PATA has promised to help Nepal to get through difficult condition. A team of expertise will soon arrive in Nepal. He said, “PATA will play effective role in re-development of tourism in Nepal.”

NUMBER OF TOURISTS WILL BE INCREASED:-
When these aftershocks will be over, it is believed that number of tourists visiting Nepal will also increase. Gautam said that, “International airlines had stopped providing its service as there were no more than 30 tourists. This number was increasing up to 70 but the strong aftershock on Tuesday decreased the number again.”
According to data of Airlines if aftershocks will decrease than number of tourists will increase, said Gautam. We should make sure and advertise Nepal does not still mean danger it’s safe and peaceful now for visiting.

EFFORTS BEING MADE TO OPEN HERITAGES:-
Many historical heritages, cultural spots, Durbar squares are affected by earthquake. Some of them are crushed to rubble. Now this places should be reconstructed and should be made safe to visit. Council is trying its best and making every efforts they can for this purpose, said Adhikari. There was meeting held between DOA and related agencies on this topic,
Due to the quake five hundred and twenty one heritages are destroyed. If another strong aftershock comes then many of them will be destroyed completely. For proper re- construction of these heritages and to make sure it’s safe for visiting many works are yet to be done, said Adhikari.

FIVE CRORES FOR VICTIMS:-
Tourism board will help five crores to earthquake victims. This decision was made by the meeting held on Baishak 31st. this amount will be deposited in Prime Minister Relief fund.
Private sectors should also help in this recovering process as much as possible and there is regular discussion going on in this matter from time to time in meeting held by Tourism Board.
In this difficult time of country each and every hands and heads are required for fast recovering of the country and tourism industry. As tourism is one of the main economical source for Nepal it must be recovered as fast as possible.

 Source: http://tourismheadline.com/

Lo-Manthang witnesses more tourists

Lo-Manthang witnesses more tourists

Lo-Manthang, a tourist spot in Mustang district, has witnessed an increase of 24 per cent in the influx of tourists this year.

Some 4,147 tourists have visited this place compared to 3,151 last year, according to Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Mustang.

Mustang

Once believed to be the capital city of the forbidden kingdom, Mustang, Lo-Manthang is notable for its enchanting desert-like landscapes, remains of ancient caves, ancient monasteries and the Annapurna Trekking Route among others.

Bidur Kuikel, the Chief at ACAP, Mustang shared that the number of tourist wills likely surge in coming years since the tourists are found to return to the spot again.

The increment in the number of tourists to Lo Mangthan, situated at the altitude of 3,800 metres above sea level, could also be attributed to the recent construction of roads to the place, Kuikel opined.

Source: RSS

Maghe Sankranti Festival in Nepal

Maghe Sankranti Festival in Nepal

Maghe Sankranti is the beginning of the holy month of Magh, usually the mid of January. It brings an end to the ill-omened month of Poush (mid-december) when all religious ceremonies are forbidden. Even if it is considered the coldest day of the year, it marks the coming of warmer weather and better days of health and fortune. Maghe Sankranti is the beginning of the holy month of Magh, usually the mid of January.

devghat

It brings an end to the ill-omened month of Poush (mid-december) when all religious ceremonies are forbidden. Even if it is considered the coldest day of the year, it marks the coming of warmer weather and better days of health and fortune. This day is said to be the most significant day for holy bathing despite the weather. This ritual usually takes place at the union of sacred rivers and streams. Sankhamole, on the banks of the holy Bagmati river, below Patan, is thought to be amongst the most sacred sites for this purpose, though there has been a decline in the fulfillment of this ritual in the recent years due to water pollution in the river. But people still go in the wee hours of dawn just to sprinkle themselves with the water. They pay homage to various deities specially the temple of Red Machindranath and Agima Ta.

NATTA and sajha yatayat sign MOU for NEPAL INDIA bus service

  • ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK - 15 DAYS
    This trek is the one of best views of annapurna range, nilgiri , Dhaulagiri , Tukuche peak , Dhampus peak , Hiunchuli ,Machhapuchhre , Gangapurna, Lamjung Himal other many more greatest views of mountains you never seen before.
  • KATHMANDU-POKHARA-CHITWAN TOUR (BY FLY/LAND)- 07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS
    KATHMANDU-POKHARA-CHITWAN TOUR (BY FLY/LAND)- 07 NIGHTS 08 DAYS
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
  • DAMODAR KUND TOUR BY HELICOPTER - 05 NIGHTS 06 DAYS
    DAMODAR KUND TOUR BY HELICOPTER - 05 NIGHTS 06 DAYS
    Many Hindus from round the globe are dreaming to take a holy bath at least once in their life time in the sacred Damodar-Kund
  • 08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP:  KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS NEPAL TRIP: KATHMANDU 3N, CHITWAN 2N, POKHARA 2N
    Nepal, the land of splendid nature and rich culture is waiting for you exploration through its different facets.
  • EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK - 17 DAYS
    EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK - 17 DAYS
    Sagamartha (Everest) Base Camp trek takes us into one of the most spectacular regions of Nepal where the Sherpa culture thrives amongst the highest peaks in the world.
  • KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA BY OVERLAND - 14 DAYS
    KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA BY OVERLAND - 14 DAYS
    Mt. Kailash (6714m) is the most sacred mountain in Asia.
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    KAILASH YATRA BY HELICOPTER VIA NEPALGUNJ/SIMIKOT/HILSA/TAKLAKOT - 11 DAYS
    Mt. Kailash, the sacred mountain and the abode of the Hindu god Shiva is one of the world's greatest pilgrimage destinations especially for Hindus, Buddhist, Jains and others.
  • MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    MUKTINATH TOUR BY LAND/FLIGHT
    Muktinath is one of the most ancient Hindu temples of God Vishnu.
The MOU was made and entered between NATTA and Sajha Yatayat, a public Transport Cooperative for outsourcing buses for SajhaYatayat’s Nepal India Bus Service. Both the parties have mutual concord to start Nepal-India bus service in the banner of Sajha Yatayat using the quality buses of tour and travel companies who are the members of NATTA.

Mr. Sher Bahadur Budha, CEO of Sajha Yatayat and NATTA Acting President / 2nd Vice President Mr. C.N Pandey signed the agreement.

NATTA Executive Member, Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay has been appointed the Coordinator for this project.