[Valley of Mustang! A gift to the world]
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Rabindra Dhungel, 2 september 2020. The Government of Nepal is celebrating Tourism Year 2020. At this time, every Nepali has to do something to make the people of the world come to visit Nepal. In this context, today we are presenting about the Mustang region of Nepal that has succeeded in captivating the minds of people all over the world. Please share this with everyone. Mustang is the northernmost district of the Dhaulagiri Zone of the former Western Development Region of Nepal. Currently falls in Gandaki province.
Known as the Trans-Himalayan District, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri are situated between two high peaks. Archaeological excavations dating back more than 3,000 years have shown that the region has been a major trade gateway between Nepal and Tibet since ancient times. Its headquarters is in Jomsom. The district is bounded on the east by Manang, on the west by Dolpa, on the south by Myagdi and on the north by Tibet. Its north-south length is about 80 kilometers and its width is at most 45 kilometers. As this district is located in the north of Annapurna snow range, it receives very little rainfall.
The river Kali Gandaki flows through the middle part of it. This river is also called Thak Khola in the local language. Most of the settlements in this district are located on the banks of this river. The area in the northern part of this district is called Lomanthang which is a special area of Nepal. Latitude 28.20 “North to 29.05 ‘, Longitude: 83.30” East to 84.15 “.
The district is spread over 3573 square kilometers. The district includes Lete Khola, Sete Khola, Ghatte Khola, Langkyu Khola, Tukuche Nimung Nimung Kyu Khola, Tukuche Mhangchin Khola, Tukuche Mhar’s Kyu Khola (Chokhopani), Chimang Khola, Tukuche Taksang Khola, Marfa Khola, Thini Khola, Syang Khola, Boksi. Panda Khola, Lupra Khola, Sangta Khola, Zhong Khola, Narsing Khola, Samar Khola, Taganya Khola, Ghami Khola, Damodar Kund Khola, Charang Khola, Yara Khola, Samrang Khola, Namgyal Khola, Kimling Khola, Nyamdo Khola, Nhechung Beautiful added.
Muktinath Temple, Damodar Kund, Kagbeni, Shivalaya Temple (Puthang), Ganesh Temple (Jomsom), Tukuche Gompa Kobang, Tukuche Cuper Gompa, Tukuche Gompasamp, Tukuche Makal Gompa, Tukuche Rani Gompa, Marfa Gompa etc. have attracted the attention of everyone in this district. Lomanthang Historical Palace, Lomanthang’s City Wala, Muktinathukshetra, Tukuche Nilgiri Himal, Dhaulagiri Himal, Tilicho Peak, Yakkawa Peak, Tukuche Dhampus Peak, Tukuche Peak Himal Tukuche March Lekh, Tukuche Batase Lekh, Tukuche Nathang Kharka are some of the major tourist attractions.
Damodar Lake, Dhumba Lake, Titi Lake and Sekong Lake are no less enchanting. The red apples of this district, the salt mines of Tetang Narasimha river (Chhusang), golden apples, Shaligram (banks of Kaligand and Damodar Kunda rivers), Phapar, Aaru, Cheri Aaru have attracted the hearts of all. After reaching this district, no one wants to return without reaching Jomsom Bazaar, Muktinath, Lomanthang, Tukuche, the old main trading center of Nepal and Tibet. As it is a remote hilly district, the people’s life here is different. To the north of the district headquarters are the Bhote Gurung, Bista and Thakuri castes, while to the south are the Thakali community, in addition to the Dalits and other castes. The Gurung and Thakali castes believe in Buddhism, while the Dalits and other castes seem to believe in Hinduism.
The costumes and attire used by the locals are in line with the tradition, weather and climate. Khamse, Samser, Dhocha are the main hats worn by men in the northern region, while Bakkhu, Hongju, Pangden and Kitty are worn by women. In the lower part of the Thakalis, men wear daura, suruwal, coat, while women wear gunyu, nhokan, teki, fiki, patuka and cholo. Traditional jewelry includes a muga garland and various gold ornaments. Gurung language is spoken in the northern border area similar to Tibetan language and Thakali language is spoken in the southern part. 10 g in the lower Mustang area. Vs. C. The use of Nepali language tends to increase.
Due to the ethnic diversity of the district, the social customs and practices are different. The northern region is influenced by Tibetan culture, while the southern region is influenced by neighboring districts. Due to the prevalence of Buddhism, Lama and Jhuma have a tradition of worshiping in Ghyang and Gumba. It is customary to build chhorten, mahane. It is customary to hang a yak, a sheep’s head on the main door to protect the house and the village, to write mantras of religious texts around the village, to build a traditional mahane and to walk to the right of the hidadakheri mahane. According to Buddhism, every Buddhist is required to offer the eldest son of his family as Lama and the eldest daughter as Jhuma in the Gumba. One of the features of this district’s ritual is the practice of unmarried women living in monasteries for the rest of their lives. The practice of endangered polygamy is also seen here and there. From the VDCs in the upper part of the district, it is a common practice to earn some economic income by trading with the lower part of the country and India in winter.