BY LB Thapa
Most of the tourists say if one has not been to Ghandruk, their visit to Nepal is incomplete. It is not only a popular saying, but a complete truth. In fact, there are numerous beautiful places scattered all over Nepal, but Ghandruk has different place to put. Perched on the peak of majestic mountains, Ghandruk has lured many tourists both domestic and foreigners.
Predominantly Ghandruk is a beautiful village where Gurung people live in majority. Despite the encroachment of modernity, the people of Ghandruk have maintained age-old cultural tradition. Among others, traditional houses of Ghandruk attract visitors' admiration.
Most of the houses of Ghandruk use flat pieces of stone for roof making. Unlike the people of other villages, people of Ghandruk are very active and aware. The entire village is kept thoroughly clean. Hotels and restaurants are well managed where guests can enjoy life to the fullest.
Tourists don't only enjoy idyllic beauty of Ghandruk, but they can also enjoy modern facilities available in the hotels those of Kathmandu and Pokhara. "We have pertinently maintained tradition and modernity go side by side. We are careful that rapid pace of modernization should not spoil age-old tradition of Tamu Community.
Nowadays, local people of Ghandruk can watch cable T.V with 10 popular channels. Some high standard hotels are also in Ghandruk which provide much comfort to tourists", said the manager of Sakura Guest House.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is very popular in Ghandruk. This project is regarded as a guardian of this village.ACAP charges Rs.200 to the visitors of the SAARC countries whereas visitors from other countries have to pay Rs. 2000 only.
"It is ACAP that has completely transformed the face of Ghandruk. Had ACAP not taken interest in Ghandruk, today this beautiful village must have been left in the state of oblivion. ACAP introduced the concept of tourism in the region", said Toran Bahadur Gurung, retired headmaster of a public school. He now lives at Chhomrung.
Over the past few years, under the initiation of ACAP, Ghandruk has taken galloping strides. Several small and big projects were begun, and the pace of development was quite satisfactory. It was the result of ACAP's long term planning and hard work that Ghandruk became successful in leaving an indelible mark among the visitors.However, things began to deteriorate as soon as Maoist insurgents began to pour into the village.
The presence of gun totting Maoists in the past instilled the sense of fear and insecurity among the people and tourists. "Maoist activists hurled bombs and set the whole building on fire. Ever since Maoists armed operation the building has been left unused", said a local resident of Ghandruk village. The Maoists, during the insurgency, wrecked havoc. They destroyed much of infrastructures of this village. Local people here have strong dislike against Maoists, but due to fear of possible retribution, they keep quiet.
"The Maoists compelled many hotels and restaurants owners including individuals for donation. They did also ask money as an entry fee from the foreigners. And they are still doing this. They should have not damaged ACAP building as it brought development in Ghandruk. The destruction that the Maoists did in Ghandruk must be compensated. For this, Maoists themselves must come forward for the reconstruction of Ghandruk", said Jugdip Gurung, president of Munal Youth Club, with the tinge of anger and frustration. Old Gurung Museum (OGM) is the main attraction of Ghandruk.
All visitors to Ghandruk never miss to visit this museum. The museum has unique collection of various things, which were used in early times by the ancestors of Gurung people. "I had intense desire to present Gurung art, culture and tradition to people who visit Ghandruk. But I didn't know how to do that. Then one day I came up with an idea of opening a museum. With the help of ACAP, I managed to open this museum in 1998. However, I haven't received an iota of assistance from the government or the Tourism board. I have invested all my money to collect each and every item from various sources in my museum", said disgruntled curator Yuktaman Gurung. Besides museums there is one more thing in Ghandruk that draws tourists' interest.
And it is Traditional Gurung Costumes and Jewelry Centre, being runned by Harimaya Gurung. "Tourists of all ages show great interest in hiring jewellery and costumes. Clad in Gurung costumes with beautiful jewellery, everyone likes to get photographed" added Hari Maya. Harimaya Gurung came up with this novel idea only after her visit to Saura in Chitwan and Darjeeling, India. "I saw people dressed in Tharu costume and posing for photograph in Saura impressed me a lot. This inspired me to run a similar business here in Ghandruk," revealed Harimaya .
Due to this facility, tourists can take their memories of Ghandruk back to their homes. At the same time, Harimaya's effort is to preserve Gurung art, culture and costumes for the posterity. "Tourists show their photos to their friends and urge them to visit Ghandruk. Though this is a cheap mode of advertisement, yet much more effective way of advertising than spending a large sum of money", vouched Harimaya Gurung by displaying her proud collection of jewellery and costume at her shop. On the matter of climbing over Mt. Fishtail, Gurung community of Ghandruk is always divided.
A large section of Gurung people doesn't welcome the idea of climbing the Mt. Fishtail. "It is definitely going to hamper our business. The business we are getting now will sure to divert to other side of Mt. Fishtail. So, the majority of tourism entrepreneurs of Ghandruk don't like the idea of Mt. Fishtail opening for the climbing. Secondly, Mt. Fishtail is also regarded as a virgin mountain among Gurung community", said Dhruba Gurung, manger of Shangrila Gurest House.
Chhomrung is yet another beautiful hamlet in Ghandruk. It lies at the distance of a day's journey from Ghandruk. Chhomrung is relatively a small village, but it is very beautiful and well organized. Most of the tourists who visit Ghandruk never miss an opportunity to visit Chhomrung. Looking at Chhomrung from a distance, it seems that the mighty mountain is cradling the tiny village in its arms. Though this tiny village has many things to offer, Jhinu Hot Spring is the main attraction of this village.
The lukewarm water of this spring attracts all people to take a shower. Some people even don't hesitate to take a plunge into the pond. Some people in Ghandruk do think that still a lot has to be done to promote Ghandruk as a more popular tourist's destination in the region. "Bandipur has expensed more money on publicity. The working committee of Bandipur is more active than ours. They never fail to grab any available opportunity come by, but we don't. Bandipur and several other places of the region have already organized Fair and Mahotsav, but Ghandruk has not done anything like that yet.
I think the working committee of Ghandruk must be more active before it is too late", said Ashish Gurung, a local resident of Ghandruk village. Road construction has already begun. But the very task could not gather much pace due to constant disagreement and arguments among the people.
One group of people strongly opposes the idea of constructing a road to Ghandruk. They claim if a road from Pokhara to Ghandruk is built, most visitors won't stay tonight there. This way they will lose a big part of business. Meanwhile, some other groups of people don't agree with this idea. They say if road construction is done, Ghandruk will receive even more visitors than before. "This is wrong to think that most of the visitors won't stay tonight in Ghandruk only if a road is constructed. Antithesis to this, I think, more visitors will stay back in Ghandruk and enjoy sight-seeing. A construction of road will not only attract more number of foreigners but also domestic visitors", said Dhan Bahadur Gurung, a civil engineer who hailed from Chhomrung.
Many people in Ghandruk don't like to see a mad rush of concrete blocks. They think modern construction of houses have distorted the traditional outlook of the village. "If the pace of rapid construction of concrete houses are not stopped now then very soon Ghandruk might turn into a concrete slum. We must not forget one thing that all visitors whether domestic or foreigners they don't come to see multi-storey building in Ghandruk. They come to see a traditional Ghandruk. So, we must work collectively to preserve Tamu art, culture and tradition with all sincerity and commitment", said Kisam Gurung, president of Lodge Management Committee (LMC).
Local people and Maoists must work hand in hand in building Ghandruk once again. Maoists must try to win people's support by doing reconstruction activities. In the past few years, the Maoists destroyed several important infrastructures of Ghandruk. The whole ACAP building is one of them. Without Maoists cooperation no development task can be initiated in the region. This is also a very good opportunity for the Maoists to improve their image in the eyes of people as a whole.
Most of the tourists say if one has not been to Ghandruk, their visit to Nepal is incomplete. It is not only a popular saying, but a complete truth. In fact, there are numerous beautiful places scattered all over Nepal, but Ghandruk has different place to put. Perched on the peak of majestic mountains, Ghandruk has lured many tourists both domestic and foreigners.
Predominantly Ghandruk is a beautiful village where Gurung people live in majority. Despite the encroachment of modernity, the people of Ghandruk have maintained age-old cultural tradition. Among others, traditional houses of Ghandruk attract visitors' admiration.
Most of the houses of Ghandruk use flat pieces of stone for roof making. Unlike the people of other villages, people of Ghandruk are very active and aware. The entire village is kept thoroughly clean. Hotels and restaurants are well managed where guests can enjoy life to the fullest.
Tourists don't only enjoy idyllic beauty of Ghandruk, but they can also enjoy modern facilities available in the hotels those of Kathmandu and Pokhara. "We have pertinently maintained tradition and modernity go side by side. We are careful that rapid pace of modernization should not spoil age-old tradition of Tamu Community.
Nowadays, local people of Ghandruk can watch cable T.V with 10 popular channels. Some high standard hotels are also in Ghandruk which provide much comfort to tourists", said the manager of Sakura Guest House.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is very popular in Ghandruk. This project is regarded as a guardian of this village.ACAP charges Rs.200 to the visitors of the SAARC countries whereas visitors from other countries have to pay Rs. 2000 only.
"It is ACAP that has completely transformed the face of Ghandruk. Had ACAP not taken interest in Ghandruk, today this beautiful village must have been left in the state of oblivion. ACAP introduced the concept of tourism in the region", said Toran Bahadur Gurung, retired headmaster of a public school. He now lives at Chhomrung.
Over the past few years, under the initiation of ACAP, Ghandruk has taken galloping strides. Several small and big projects were begun, and the pace of development was quite satisfactory. It was the result of ACAP's long term planning and hard work that Ghandruk became successful in leaving an indelible mark among the visitors.However, things began to deteriorate as soon as Maoist insurgents began to pour into the village.
The presence of gun totting Maoists in the past instilled the sense of fear and insecurity among the people and tourists. "Maoist activists hurled bombs and set the whole building on fire. Ever since Maoists armed operation the building has been left unused", said a local resident of Ghandruk village. The Maoists, during the insurgency, wrecked havoc. They destroyed much of infrastructures of this village. Local people here have strong dislike against Maoists, but due to fear of possible retribution, they keep quiet.
"The Maoists compelled many hotels and restaurants owners including individuals for donation. They did also ask money as an entry fee from the foreigners. And they are still doing this. They should have not damaged ACAP building as it brought development in Ghandruk. The destruction that the Maoists did in Ghandruk must be compensated. For this, Maoists themselves must come forward for the reconstruction of Ghandruk", said Jugdip Gurung, president of Munal Youth Club, with the tinge of anger and frustration. Old Gurung Museum (OGM) is the main attraction of Ghandruk.
All visitors to Ghandruk never miss to visit this museum. The museum has unique collection of various things, which were used in early times by the ancestors of Gurung people. "I had intense desire to present Gurung art, culture and tradition to people who visit Ghandruk. But I didn't know how to do that. Then one day I came up with an idea of opening a museum. With the help of ACAP, I managed to open this museum in 1998. However, I haven't received an iota of assistance from the government or the Tourism board. I have invested all my money to collect each and every item from various sources in my museum", said disgruntled curator Yuktaman Gurung. Besides museums there is one more thing in Ghandruk that draws tourists' interest.
And it is Traditional Gurung Costumes and Jewelry Centre, being runned by Harimaya Gurung. "Tourists of all ages show great interest in hiring jewellery and costumes. Clad in Gurung costumes with beautiful jewellery, everyone likes to get photographed" added Hari Maya. Harimaya Gurung came up with this novel idea only after her visit to Saura in Chitwan and Darjeeling, India. "I saw people dressed in Tharu costume and posing for photograph in Saura impressed me a lot. This inspired me to run a similar business here in Ghandruk," revealed Harimaya .
Due to this facility, tourists can take their memories of Ghandruk back to their homes. At the same time, Harimaya's effort is to preserve Gurung art, culture and costumes for the posterity. "Tourists show their photos to their friends and urge them to visit Ghandruk. Though this is a cheap mode of advertisement, yet much more effective way of advertising than spending a large sum of money", vouched Harimaya Gurung by displaying her proud collection of jewellery and costume at her shop. On the matter of climbing over Mt. Fishtail, Gurung community of Ghandruk is always divided.
A large section of Gurung people doesn't welcome the idea of climbing the Mt. Fishtail. "It is definitely going to hamper our business. The business we are getting now will sure to divert to other side of Mt. Fishtail. So, the majority of tourism entrepreneurs of Ghandruk don't like the idea of Mt. Fishtail opening for the climbing. Secondly, Mt. Fishtail is also regarded as a virgin mountain among Gurung community", said Dhruba Gurung, manger of Shangrila Gurest House.
Chhomrung is yet another beautiful hamlet in Ghandruk. It lies at the distance of a day's journey from Ghandruk. Chhomrung is relatively a small village, but it is very beautiful and well organized. Most of the tourists who visit Ghandruk never miss an opportunity to visit Chhomrung. Looking at Chhomrung from a distance, it seems that the mighty mountain is cradling the tiny village in its arms. Though this tiny village has many things to offer, Jhinu Hot Spring is the main attraction of this village.
The lukewarm water of this spring attracts all people to take a shower. Some people even don't hesitate to take a plunge into the pond. Some people in Ghandruk do think that still a lot has to be done to promote Ghandruk as a more popular tourist's destination in the region. "Bandipur has expensed more money on publicity. The working committee of Bandipur is more active than ours. They never fail to grab any available opportunity come by, but we don't. Bandipur and several other places of the region have already organized Fair and Mahotsav, but Ghandruk has not done anything like that yet.
I think the working committee of Ghandruk must be more active before it is too late", said Ashish Gurung, a local resident of Ghandruk village. Road construction has already begun. But the very task could not gather much pace due to constant disagreement and arguments among the people.
One group of people strongly opposes the idea of constructing a road to Ghandruk. They claim if a road from Pokhara to Ghandruk is built, most visitors won't stay tonight there. This way they will lose a big part of business. Meanwhile, some other groups of people don't agree with this idea. They say if road construction is done, Ghandruk will receive even more visitors than before. "This is wrong to think that most of the visitors won't stay tonight in Ghandruk only if a road is constructed. Antithesis to this, I think, more visitors will stay back in Ghandruk and enjoy sight-seeing. A construction of road will not only attract more number of foreigners but also domestic visitors", said Dhan Bahadur Gurung, a civil engineer who hailed from Chhomrung.
Many people in Ghandruk don't like to see a mad rush of concrete blocks. They think modern construction of houses have distorted the traditional outlook of the village. "If the pace of rapid construction of concrete houses are not stopped now then very soon Ghandruk might turn into a concrete slum. We must not forget one thing that all visitors whether domestic or foreigners they don't come to see multi-storey building in Ghandruk. They come to see a traditional Ghandruk. So, we must work collectively to preserve Tamu art, culture and tradition with all sincerity and commitment", said Kisam Gurung, president of Lodge Management Committee (LMC).
Local people and Maoists must work hand in hand in building Ghandruk once again. Maoists must try to win people's support by doing reconstruction activities. In the past few years, the Maoists destroyed several important infrastructures of Ghandruk. The whole ACAP building is one of them. Without Maoists cooperation no development task can be initiated in the region. This is also a very good opportunity for the Maoists to improve their image in the eyes of people as a whole.
(This article was published in The Rising Nepal)
2 comments:
Nice work! I would love to buy your books. Keep it up with such an inspiring work.
Thanks, Jaswantji.
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