Fact History of baglung

Recorded history of Nepal begins with the Lichhavi who came to power in 400 AD. With them the nation began to prosper in art, culture, painting, architecture and sculptures. The Malls who succeeded them gave a new turn to this prosperity by transforming the small Kingdoms of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur into “open air museum of Art and Architecture”.

Centuries later the Democratic Revolution of 1951 AD, marked a new era in Nepalese Tourism. The gates of Nepal were opened wider for all foreign visitors. The most exhilarating titles with which Nepal has been admired and praised by various renowned travel authors in recognition of her cultural richness, viz., Living cultural Museum, Shangri-la, Roof of the World, Birth place of the Apostle of Peace, Country of Living Goddess, City of Golden Pagodas & Parasols, Himalayan Pilgrimage, Wildest Dream of Kew, Nature amphitheater, melting pot of Hinduism & Buddhism, A tiny Kingdom of thirty-six ethnic groups & seventy-five spoken languages, Birth place of Sita, Abode of Shiva, Land of Mysticism & Exoticism, Land of non-stop festivals etc. are explicit and self explanatory. They tell the world about our incomparable & prosperous cultural heritage. Thousands of visitors from abroad come to Nepal to quench their visual thirst and their thirst to know “Nepal” and its myriad exotic natural cultural and spiritual features, Tourism is now insuperable part of Nepalese way of life and HMG is committed for its best development sharing hands with Private Sector. The designation of 1998 as Visit Nepal 1998 is a determined step taken by the Nepalese people towards making Nepal a known destination for the visitors.

This brochure is an attempt to bring our visitors some information about newly explored, identified, endemic products apart from the conventional mountaineering, trekking, rafting activities. The interesting anthropological, natural, cultural and endemic tours included in this booklet might require the visitors to hire some resource personnel to learn more about the cultural & anthropological products which can be arranged through travel agents.

In 14 century King of Jumla had extended his state in 1429 B.S. During that time Magar community were in all over the Baglung of Nishal bhujal of 4000 Mountain. At the same time in Rukum son of Malbam – “Pitamber” and Grandchild “Juitubam” used to rule the kingdom.

To run the Magar state of Baglung properly, they had asked 8th brother of Rukum kingdom for ruling out. The king of Rukum said to Magar of Balgung,”You can’t take my elder son instead you can take any of my son.” Then Magar of Balgung took “Ananda Bam”.On history said that,along with Ananda Bam other also like mudula karki,rucheal and poudel had came.in 1510 B.S, AnadanBam became the King of Sholaypar mountain. On the same time Galkot, Bhuekot and chandrakot were ruled by Bhure King and among that Balewa and Baglung were under Majkhot state where as Thainthap were under Chandrakot state.

After Ananda bam and Chandra bam, the name Dimba called Delip extended his state from 4000 mountain to 14000 mountain state including Bihukot,Galkot andTakam.to their state in a proper way Delip bam separated different state to give responsibility to his brother like Middle brother as the head of Dandakot, another brother as the head of Behukot and younger brother as the head of Galkot.On the rainy season King Dimbo used be in Dhure and in winter he used to in Takam to run his state.

According to Hamilton, “Galkot is a small state where 3000 houses and place of king was in hillside. Around the palace there were 500 cottages. There were 3 copper and 1 steel mills and king yearly income was Rupees 3500.the king handed over his state without fighting with Gorkhali Army”.

According to Corck Patrick, Galkot was known to be big state.there was huge rock.Galkot was one of the twenty-four houndred states. During the time of Dimba, King of Gandaki and Karnali in every five years they used to give like Kasturi’s bina, eagle, lophoferos ,peacock ,skin of leopard and shawl of pasmina as a gift to King’s of Delhi. King Dimba send his son prince Nagbam to Delhi in 1530 B.S and “Malla” was granted to him and after that his surname began like Nagbam Malla. On his time he had won several area till east of Madi khola, for his respect local people began to start calling Malla state till now we called Mallaj. King Dimba was alive upto 120 year age.By the time he was 85 year old, his elder son Nagbam was not well so he gave away his state to his grand child Pratapi Narayan in 1590 B.S. During his period there were a lot of jungle where different activites like cattle farming and many importance work were done there.the gold and salt were imported from Bhoth (now it’s Tibet).

As soon as Partavi Narayan Malla became the king he married to the daughter of King Mukunda Sen from Palpa King. While departing from Palpa King Mukunda Sen gave the statue of Kalika Devi as a gift. Now days the same statue of Kalika is situated almost 3 km away from town in between Krishna Gandaki (kaligandaki) and Katekhola. Nobody was able to carry the sword of Kali initially. One of Kunwar chhetri finally was able to carry the sword and hence was given the title of Khadka (‘khadga’ meaning the sword).

After 30 years of his Kingdom, he gave different responsibilities for his son like: elders son Kiranti Bam Malla got Galkot state, Rajbam got Parbat and Kalian Bam Malla got Kaski . Then the King Pratapi Narayan Malla goes to stay in Kasi.

It was annexed to Greater Nepal under unification war led by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Under unified Nepal, several government Offices were established and the town was proclaimed as administrative Headquarter of the region. Since then it has remained the most important Political and economical town in the Dhaulagiri Zone. It is the headquarters of Dhaulagiri Zone and Baglung district.

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Climate Change and it's affact

Communities affected
More than 1.9 million people in Nepal are at high risk due to climate change. The landlocked country is home to the largest concentration of glaciers after the polar region. With the glaciers melting because of global warming, the region has become highly vulnerable to flash floods as well as soil erosion and landslides in the mountainous region.

“There are many challenges that the communities are facing – from frequent and uncertain flash floods to destruction of natural and manmade dykes," says Stuti Basnyet, spokesperson for USAID. “In addition there have been incidences of heavy rainfall in rain shadow areas like Upper Mustang, leading to destruction of homes and property of local communities.”

Threat to wildlife
Apart from the human population, Nepal’s diverse wildlife faces imminent threats from global warming. “There have been increasing incidences of abnormal migration of species due to climate change. Increasing temperatures have forced species to migrate to higher altitudes for survival,” Basnyet says. At the heart of this problem is the water scarcity faced by animals in the months leading up to the monsoon – a recent phenomenon attributed to climate change.

Expectedly, these effects are also harming Nepal’s valuable tourism industry. Unpredictable weather patterns are affecting the country’s famed Himalayan trekking and hiking tours. “Foggy, unpredictable weather is affecting international and domestic flights making tourists’ arrival and departure uncertain. Recently, a group of tourists was stranded at Lukla airport (eastern Nepal) for seven days due to unexpected bad weather,” says Basnyet.

Poor governance
Apart from the natural disasters facing Nepal, its inherent man-made problems make matters worse. “These threats are compounded by poor governance, political instability, social inequalities, extreme poverty, illiteracy, and population pressures,” says Basnyet.

The government has often been accused of failing to respond adequately to infrastructure and development issues. What's more, Nepal’s long running civil war between the government and the Maoist rebels is responsible for obstructing development in many parts of the country.

A new initiative
Hariyo Ban, which means green forests in Nepali, is an approach that hopes to assist those at the bottom of the pyramid. “The most vulnerable to climate change risks are the very poor people who have no access to land and resources. The programme will provide livelihood opportunities to these people. A couple of examples of this are sustainable harvesting of non-timber products and providing home stay for tourists,” Basnyet says.

Apart from creating sustainable means of livelihood for communities, Hariyo Ban also takes measures to conserve wildlife by halting illegal hunting. Also, local community groups will be involved in leadership roles across disadvantaged populations to form strong grassroots organisations.

Nepal produces 0.025 per cent of world green house gas emissions – negligible compared to large neighbouring countries like India and China. Sadly though, the tiny mountainous country is bearing the brunt of the ill-effects of the global phenomenon.

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Mount Everest Facts

Age of Everest: Everest was formed about 60 million years ago
Elevation: 29,035 (8850m)-found to be 6' higher in 1999
Name in Nepal: Sagarmatha (means: goddess of the sky)
In Tibet: Chomolungma: (means: mother goddess of the universe)
Named after: Sir George Everest in 1865 ,the British surveyor-general of India. Once known as Peak 15
Location: Latitude 27° 59' N.....Longitude 86° 56' E It's summit ridge seperates Nepal and Tibet
First Ascent: May 29,1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary, NZ and Tenzing Norgay, NP, via the South Col Route
First Solo Ascent: Aug. 20,1980, Reinhold Messner, IT, via the NE Ridge to North Face
First winter Ascent: Feb. 17,1980 -L.Cichy and K. Wielicki, POL
First Ascent by an American: May 1,1963, James Whittaker, via the South-Col
Mt. Everest rises a few milimeters each year due to geological forces
Everest Name: Sir George Everest was the first person to record the height and location of Mt. Everest, this is where Mt."Everest" got its name from(In american language)
First Ascent by a Woman: May 16,1975, Junko Tabei, JAP, via the South-Col
First Ascent by an American Woman: Sep.29,1988, Stacey Allison, Portland, OR via the South-East Ridge
First Oxygenless Ascent:
May 8, 1978- Reinhold Messner, IT, and Peter Habeler, AUT, via the South-East Ridge
First woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest from both north & south sides:
Cathy O'Dowd (S.A.) South May 25,1996/North '99
Fastest Ascent from South: Babu Chhiri Sherpa 34, NP-16 hours and 56 minutes (5-21-2000)
Fastest Ascent (north side): Hans Kammerlander (IT) May,24,1996, via the standard North Col Ridge Route, 16 hours 45 minutes from base camp
Youngest person: Temba Tsheri (NP) 15 on May,22,2001
Oldest Person: Sherman Bull May,25,2001 -64 yrs
First Legally Blind Person: Erik Weihenmeyer May,25,2001
Most Ascents: Eleven, 24th May 2000 Appa Sherpa became the first person to climb Everest 11 times-Ten, Ang Rita Sherpa, Babu Chiri Sherpa all ascents were oxygen-less.
Best and Worst Years on Everest: 1993, 129 summitted and eight died (a ratio of 16:1); in 1996, 98 summitted and 15 died (a ratio of 6½:1)
Highest cause cause of death: Avalanches-about a (2:1) ratio over falls
Country with most deaths on mountain: Nepal-46
Most dangerous area on mountain: Khumbu Ice Fall-19 deaths
First ski descent: Davo Karnicar (Slovenia) 10-7-2000
Last year without ascent: 1974
Last year without ascent: 1977
Corpses remaining on Everest: about 120
Longest stay on top: Babu Chiri Sherpa stayed at the summit full 21 hours and a half
Largest team: In 1975, China tackled Everest with a 410-member team.
Fastest descent: In 1988, Jean-Marc Boivin of France descended from the top in just 11 minutes, paragliding.
Only climber to climb all 4 sides of Everest: Kushang Sherpa, now an instructor with Himlayan Mountaineering Institute
First person to hike from sea level to summit, no oxygen.: 11th May 1990,Tim Macartney-Snape, Australian
Largest number to reach the top in one day: 40, on May 10, 1993
First person to summit Everest twice: Nawang Gombu-Nepal(once with Whitaker in '63,and again two years later in '65)Gombu now works for the Himalayan mountaineering institute
The oldest woman to summit "Anna Czerwinska May 22, 2000.

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International Embassies In Nepal

Country	Address	Telephone
Australia	Bansbari, Kathmandu	4371678, 4371279
Bangladesh	Naxal, Kathmandu	4414943
British	Lainchaur, Kathmandu	4411590, 4414588
China	Balawater, Kathmandu	4411740, 4411958
Denmark	Balawater, Kathmandu	4413010, 4413020
Egypt	Pulchowk, Lalitpur	5524812, 5524844
Finland	Lazimpat, Kathmandu	4416636, 4417221
France	Lazimpat, Kathmandu	4412332, 4414734
Germany	Gyaneshwar, Kathmandu	4412786, 4416527
India	Lainchaur, Kathmandu	410900, 411699
Israel	Lazimpat, Kathmandu	411811, 413419
Japan	Panipokhari, Kathmandu	410397, 414083
Korea, North	Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur	535871, 521084
Korea, South	Tahachal, Kathmandu	270172, 270417
Myanmar	Chakupat, Lalitpur	521788, 521634
Pakistan	Panipokhari, Kathmandu	4410565, 4411421
Russia	Baluwater, Kathmandu	4411063, 4412155
Sri Lanka	Baluwater, Kathmandu	4417406, 4413623
Thailand	Bansbari, Kathmandu	4371410, 4371411
USA	Panipokhari, Kathmandu	4412718

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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO NEPAL?

Climate factors are very important in deciding on a visit to Nepal. October-November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of the year in Nepal. With the monsoon only recently finished the country-side is green and lush and Nepal is at its most beautiful. Rice is harvested and there are some more important and colorful festivals to enjoy. At this time of the year the air is sparkling clean, visibility is unexcelled and the Himalayan views are as near perfect as you can ask. Further more the weather is still balmy, neither too hot nor too cold. For obvious reasons, this is also the peak tourist season.

In December-January the temperatrues and visibility are still good, though it can get very cold. Trekkers need to be well prepared, as snow can be encountered on high-altitude treks. Heading for the Everest Base Camp at this time of the year can be a real feat of endurance and the Annapurna Circuit trek is often closed by snow on the Thorang La pass. Down in Kathmandu the cheaper hotels, where heating is non-existent, are often chilly and gloomy in the evenings. There's sometimes a brief winter monsoon, lasting just a day or two in January.

February-March-April, the tail end of the dry season, is good second-best time. The weather gets warmer so high-altitude treks are no longer as arduous, although by the end of the dry season, before the monsoon breaks, it starts to get too hot for comfort. Visibility is not good as earlier in the dry season since the country is now very dry, and dust in the air reduces that crystal Himalayan clarity. In compensation, Nepal's wonderful rhododendrons and many other flowers are in bloom so there's plenty of color to be seen along the trekking trails.

May and the early part of June are not the best months as it is extremely hot and dusty and the coming monsoon hangs over you like a threat. Mid-June to September, when the monsoon finally arrives, is the least popular time to visit Nepal. The rains wash the dust out the air, but the clouds obscure the mountains so you're unlikely to enjoy more than a rare glimpse of Himalaya. Although it doesn't rain all day it usually does rain everyday and the trails will be muddy and plagued by leeches. Despite this, it is possible to trek during the monsoon, although high rivers may further complicate matters and it's certainly not as pleasant as other times of the year. Landslides sometimes block roads during the monsoon but many visitors still come to Nepal form India as the weather is even less pleasant down on the plains. The latter part of the monsoon, the months of August-September, are a time of festivals which will certainly enliven a visit to Kathmandu.

Location: Nepal borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's of China in the North and India in the East, South and West respectively.

Area: 147,181 sq. Kilometers

Altitude: Varies from 70 meters to 8848 meters

Capital: Kathmandu

Population: approx. 22 million

Language: Nepali is the national language of Nepal.  Educated people understand and speak English as well.

Time: Nepali is the national language of Nepal.  Educated people understand and speak English as well.

Climate:
Nepal has four major seasons.
(1) Winter: December-February,
(2) Spring:  March-May,
(3) Summer: June-August,
(4) Autumn: September-November.
Nepal can be visited all year round

People and Religion: Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups, the Indo-Aryans and the Mongolians.  Kathmandu Valley is the spiritual and cultural meeting point of all these groups.  Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom in the World.  Hindu Temples and Buddhist shrines are scattered all over the kingdom.  Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia.  Hindus and Buddhists live together harmoniously in Nepal.

Currency and Foreign Exchange: Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 denominations.  Coins come 5p, 10p, 25p, Rs. 1, 2, 5 denominations. Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers.  The receipts from such transaction are to be obtained and retained.  Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival.  Visitors other than the Indian national have to make the payment in foreign currency in hotel, travel agencies or trekking agencies and air tickets.  Non-Indian visitors are not allowed to import or export Indian currency.  The approximate value of one USA dollar is equivalent to Rs. 73.65 as of January 30, 2001.

Entry Procedure: All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold a passport and a valid visa.  The visas can be obtained at the Nepalese Diplomatic Missions and Consulates abroad and entry points issue visa for visitors.  The visa will be extended at the Department of Immigration.

Entry: A visa is necessary to enter Nepal and can be obtained for the following duration from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the entry points in Nepal.

1. The single entry tourist visa can be obtained from the entry points of Nepal or from the Royal Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad by paying US$30 for 60 days.

2. If the visitors, who has already visited Nepal under tourist visa, intends to come again within 15 days of the same visa year he/she can obtain entry visa by paying US$50 for 30 days at the entry points or at the Royal Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad.

3. The visitors who wish to stay for more that 60 days in Nepal can extend their tourist visa by paying the equivalent of US$50 in the Nepalese currency for 30 days from the Department of Immigration.

4. Business visa with multiple entry facility for the period of one year and five years can be obtained from the Department of Immigration on the recommendation of Ministry of Industry by paying the equivalent of US$250 and US$100 respectively in the Nepalese currency for the foreign investors.

ENTRY POINTS: By Air: Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
By Land: (1) Kakarbhitta (2) Birgung (3) Belhiya (Bhairahawa) (4) Nepalgung (5) Dhangadi (6) Jogbani (Biratnagar) and (7) Mahendra Nagar in Nepal-India border and (8) Kodari in Nepal-China border.
The overland tourists entering the kingdom with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.

Customs formalities: All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on the part of entry.  Personal effects are permitted free entry.  The duty on articles brought by the visitor varies according to the volume and value of the goods.  A tourist may bring in dutiable goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within the prescribed quantity free of duty.  Carrying narcotics, arms and ammunition are strictly prohibited.  Visitors can export souvenirs to their respective countries.  The export of antiques requires special certificate from the Department of Archaeology, National Archive Building, Ram Shah path, Kathmandu (Tel: 215358).  Gold, silver, precious stones, wild animals and their skins, horns, wild flora and fauna etc. and all drugs whether processed or in their natural state are prohibited to export.

Travel route: Royal Nepal Airlines the national flag carrier of Nepal and other International airlines operate scheduled flights to Kathmandu from Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Bombay, Calcutta, Doha, Delhi, Dubai, Dhaka, Paro (Bhutan),
Varanasi, Frankfurt, Paris, Hong Kong, Karachi, London, Moscow, Singapore, Osaka, Lhasa and Vienna.  The International Airlines operating their flights to Kathmandu include Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South West Airlines, Druk Air, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Thai International.

Airport tax: Rs. 1100 for departure to other international destinations. 

Airport transportation: In addition to metered taxis, limousine service is also available at the airport for transport to major hotels in the city. Cost to Kathmandu is approximately Rs. 200.

Other transport services: Metered taxis having black plates with white figures are available in Kathmandu.  Metered tempo (three wheeler scooters) is also available and is slightly cheaper than taxis.  Bicycle, motorcycles and rickshaws are also available on hire.  The fare for the bicycles or motorcycles is fixed where as the fare of rickshaws is to be negotiated.  There are regular bus services between the main town and interiors of the Kathmandu valley.  The Bus Terminal is located at Gongabu (new bus terminal) and Bagbazar (old but terminal).  Similarly, scheduled bus services for outside the valley operate from the Gongabu Bus Terminal which is located near Balaju, Kathmandu


Facilities:
Nepal has every type of accommodation facilities that a tourist might ask for.  This ranges from the international standard star hotels to budget hotels and lodges.  Similarly one can also have a choice of sightseeing from a range of different tour packages.  In order to have an assured quality service it is advisable to use the facilities and services of government-registered hotels, lodges, travel agencies the licensed tour guides only and engage an authorized travel/trekking agency.

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Great Himalaya Trail

Exploration and discovery are the essential ingredients in adventure travel. Unfamiliar territory, new faces and exciting exploits are lures that draw us toward our destination. To have all this, set amongst staggering beauty, jaw dropping scenery and rich, thriving local cultures, is to journey by foot along…

 Great Himalaya Trail

There is no single Great Himalaya Trail. Rather, there is a network of intertwining trails that stretch from one end of Nepal to the other. The passage through any one particular section of trail is dependent on the season. In the depths of winter, some higher altitude sections are blocked because of high snowfall. During the months of the summer monsoon rains, passage along some sections is a daunting prospect due to high water levels, mud, washouts of trails and bridges, and leeches.
Trails once only used for migration, trade and nomadic wanderings are now also used by trekkers. Numerous expeditions have crossed Nepal from east to west, but due to restricted areas, most had to divert south away from the Nepal/Tibet border. The last restricted sections are now open. The entire traverse of the Great Himalaya Trail takes about 160 days but Back Track has broken it down to shorter sections to enable it to be more accessible.

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The Festival of colors of Love : HOLI

Rituals
The earliest textual reference to the celebration of Holi is found in the 7th century Sanskrit drama, Ratnavali. Certainly there are perennial rituals attached to Holi: the first is smearing of coloured powder on each other, and throwing coloured and scented water at each time.
About Holi Festival
The ancient Hindu festival of Holi falls on 8th  March. Allegedly named after the mythical demoness Holika, it is a day when the feast of colours is celebrated. The festival is of a week. However it's only the last day that is observed by all with colours. Phagu is another name for Holi where Phagu means the sacred red powder and Pune is the full moon day, on which the festival ends. People can be seen wandering through the streets either on foot or on some vehicle, with a variety of colours smeared over them.

Families and friends get together and celebrate the occasion with a lot of merry making. This spring time celebration is also an outburst of youthful exuberance in which throwing colours and water bolloons (lolas) on passer- by is acceptable. But, the Indian community, that is, the Marwari class who have settled down in Nepal for centuries and the people of Terai celebrate it a day later with more pomp and ceremony.

The days prior to the last don't have a lot happening except, the installation of the ceremonial pole called "chir', on the first day. It's a bamboo pole, fringed with strips of cloth representing good luck charms. It is said to symbolize the tree on which lord Krishna hung the milkmaids' garments while they were bathing, unseen as they thought, in the Jamuna river of northern India. As the pole is put up in the street at Basantapur, the festivities and worship commences for the week. At the end of which its taken to a bonfire.

The myth following Holi, reveals that a fiend named Holika together with her brother, an atheist king by the name of Hiranyakasyapu conspired ways to kill his son Pralhad because Pralhad was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. But their attempts always failed for Lord Vishnu protects those who love him. Finally, Holika who having received a blessing from Lord Bramha to be immune to fire, jumped in with Pralhad. But Brahma's blessing could only be used for good purposes and so Holika was consumed by the fire where as Pralhad was saved by the grace of the Gods. Thus, Holi is said to be celebrated to rejoice Holika's extermination and the traditional bonfires are believed to commemorate her death.

According to another story, from the Puranas and the Bhagvat, Kansa sent a female demon named Putna to kill his nephew Lord Krishna. Taking the form of a nurse Putna went to Brindaban where the child Lord Krishna was growing up and tried to feed Him her poisonous milk but the attempt backfired and she was killed. Her body was burnt on the night of Holi. So some consider Holi, the festival of fire also.

Holi for everyone is a time for fun and frolic. A day when one forgets the worldly anxieties and just enjoys the finer things in life.
Traditional Holi:
The spring season, during which the weather changes, is believed to cause viral fever and cold. The playful throwing of natural coloured powders has a medicinal significance: the colours are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by ?yurvedic doctors.

A special drink called thandai is prepared (commonly made of almonds, pistachios, rose petals, etc.), sometimes containing bhang (Cannabis indica). For wet colours, traditional flowers of Palash are boiled and soaked in water over night to produced yellow coloured water, which also had medicinal properties. Unfortunately the commercial aspect of celebration has led to an increase in the use of synthetic colours which, in some cases, may be toxic.
HAPPY HOLI 2012!!!!!

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Tourism History in Nepal

Nepal is tourist's heaven for adventure, cultural and environmental enrichment. Variation in natural landscape of Nepal consists of valleys and plains known as Terai in the south, and the breathtaking Himalayan peaks in the north add great flavor for tourist.

Though exact date and history of tourist incoming to Nepal is still unknown, it can be assumed that first tourist started coming to Nepal only after first road system was built in 1950 that connect some of the Nepal's cities with Indian boarder in the south. Since then international tourists flow to explore Nepal’s rich cultures, picturesque Himalayan landscape.

George Mallory and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine who had disappeared in 1924 in an attempt to conquer Everest. However it was on In 1953 Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first conquered Mt. Everest (8848 m).Till now several people has attempted and successfully conquered the world's highest mountain.

Annapurna I was the first 8,000-metre (26,200 ft) peak to be climbed. Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, of a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog (including Lionel Terray, Gaston Rébuffat, Marcel Ichac, Jean Couzy, Marcel Schatz, Jacques Oudot, Francis de Noyelle), reached the summit on 3 June 1950. Its summit was the highest summit attained on Earth for three years, until the first successful ascent of Mount Everest. (However, higher non-summit points at least 8,500 meters (27,900 ft)-had already been attained on Everest in the 1920s.)

In the mid 1950 small groups of wealthy individuals, sponsored students travel east from England by Land Rover or Bedford Dormobile to climb mountains or carry out scientific studies and surveys, often publishing accounts of their travels afterwards. They travel overland and their trails follow Western Europe crossing Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Kasmir, Manali and Kathmandu till Goa, India. They travel through buses and stay in cheap hotels along their trails and love to socialize with local people and food. They passes journey of over 6,000 miles in each direction, and it took in high mountain passes, scorching deserts, and some very rough roads.

During 70's Nepal became safe tourism destination for those groups due to its perfect climate, peaceful place and unique cultures. Many reasons had attracted these groups for traveling like spiritual enlightenment escape from wars in the west and rigid lifestyles, some for business or still some just wanted to explore and see the world. They were simply great adventure lovers and were known as Hippies of 70's.These group of people were known as Hippies or freak. In some way or the other they have great contribution of introducing Nepal as one of the best travel destination.

Eventually, people in Nepal started opening hotels, resort, western restaurants with modern facilities to attract the tourist. Modern tourist activities in Nepal included Trekking, Rafting, Peak climbing, Wildlife safari and many more adventure sports like Bungy jumping, paragliding ,mountain climbing, mountain flight etc.

Nepal has always attracted and become best tourist destination in the world mainly due to their excellent hospitality, friendly people, unique cultures and awe-inspiring Himalayas and mountains.

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Geography, Climate, Transportation, Economy of Baglung

Baglung, is a town in western Nepal , 275 km west of Kathmandu. It is the administrative headquarters of Baglung District and Dhawalagiri Zone. Baglung is a major business, financial, educational and healthcare center for the people of Kali Gandaki valley.
Geography and climate
Baglung Bazar is situated on a plateau overlooking the Kali Gandaki gorge directly south of the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range. Steep cliffs rising from the valley flank the platue on three sides. City limits are roughly determined by the Kathe Khola to the south, Kali Gandaki river to the east and Dhodeni Khola to the north. Baglung enjoys warm summers and mild winters. Annual average temperatures range from a maximum of 26.6°C and a minimum of 19.1°C. Highs above 35C (95 F) and lows below 0C (32F) are rare. The average annual rainfall recorded is 1060.9 ml (1982)[1]. Rainfall is heavily affected by the Monsoon and most of it occurs during the months of Jun-Sept. Rest of the year is mostly dry and sunny. Snowfall is extremely rare though surrounding mountains see occasional snow during the winter months.
Transportation
Baglung is connected to Beni Bazar of Myagdi to the north and Kusma Bazar of Parbatwhich are located 13 km to the north and 12 km to the south, respectively. A paved highwayconnects the town with Pokhara, 72 km to the east. Tracks for the highways to connectTibet to the north via Mustang, Rukum to the west via Burtibang and Sera Bazar to the south via Balewa airport have been completed recently. There is ongoing work to open track along the Kali Gandaki valley to connect Baglung directly with the southern border towns. Upon completion of these road projects Baglung will be at the crossroads of the north-south highway linking India with Mustang and the ‘middle hill’ east-west highway linking eastern and western halves of the country. In addition to major highways, narrow seasonal dirt roads connect the town with adjoining rural areas. Baglung airport (code: BGL), in Balewa, is located 12 km to the south of the town across the valley from Kusma. With the completion of the Pokhara-Baglung highway this airport has fallen into disuse. Water transportation is virtually absent. However, the adjoining Kali Gandaki river offers some of the best white-water rafting in Nepal and attracts a decent number of thrill seekers every year.

Demographics
There are around 27,289 inhabitants (estimate for 2010) in Baglung. Annual population growth rate is 3.03%. It is the 42nd largest municipality in Nepal, up from 47th in 2001 [2]. Baglung district has a population of 268,937 (as per statistics of Nepal Government, 2001).Nepali (with accent unique to the region) is the most widely spoken language of the region. Other languages spoken include Newari, Gurung, Thakali, Tibetan and Magar.
Baglung is a multicultural and multiracial community. Majority of the population belongs to ethnic communities of Brahmin, Magar, Chhettri, Chhantyal,and Dalits. Smaller groups ofNewar, Gurung and Thakali also live in the area. Majority of people from Baglung practiceHinduism. Other religions practiced in the area include Buddhism and Islam. There is also a small Tibetan refugee camp located at Dhorpatan.
Economy
Baglung, being the zonal and district headquarters, has a large presence of government and non-governmental institutions. Administrative as well as service centers are located within the city limits. A number of governmental, non-governmental as well as political conferences and rallies are held throughout the year. There is a significant presence of Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force of Nepal in the area. Baglung is also a Banking and financial hub of the region. In the recent years many national banks have opened branches and regional offices. A large number of people are employed overseas and in neighboring India. People from Baglung and nearby have a tradition of enlisting in the British and the Indian Army. Baglung and the region receive one of the highest amounts of remittance earned from foreign employment in Nepal. As of 2010, pension fund alone distributed to ex-servicemen of the Indian Army by the Pension Paying Office at Baglung stands at around USD 20 million [3]. There are many shops and restaurants catering to the locals and occasional visitors. The town is bustling with many grocery stores, newsstands, repair shops, tailors, beauty parlors, clothing and electronics outlets. There are few small scale industries. Most of the manufacturing work is revolved around production of construction materials and home furnishings. Schools and institutions of higher education also employ a significant number of people.
Places of interest
Very good views of Himalayas can be had from Baglung. Bhakunde a place near Baglung city is a good to place to see the panaroma of the various range of Himalayas. Terraced fields, waterfalls, forests, deep gorges and caves are abundant throughout the area. The temples in and around Kalika make an excellent pilgrimage. The Kalika temple (built by King Pratapi Narayan, and renovated in late 90s) is visited by thousands of pilgrims each year especially during the festivals of Dashain and Chaitre Dashain. Trekking, biking, and rafting make it an ideal location for thrill seekers. Kalika is also the vantage point for trekkers to Mustang,Dolpa and Mt. Dhaulagiri. Kalika has the only hunting reserve in Nepal. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is a prime habitat for blue sheep and snow leopard.
Culture
Baglung and adjacent areas are well known for the folk Nepali music. The area has given rise to some of the more prominent names in folk music. Annual folk song competition held during the Chaitre Dashain festival attracts artists from all over the nation. In recent years music by artists such as The Sky Band, S K Shrestha and Godhuli Band have gained main stream success.

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Major Tourist Attractions of Nepal

Very few countries in the World can offer as many varieties of adventure tourism packages as Nepal. Of the 14 peaks above 8000 meters in the World, eight are located in Nepal. It is the land of Sagarmatha (Mount. Everest 8848 meters), the highest peak in the World and other 1310 mountain peaks which are opened for expeditions. Nepal has thousands of such peaks, which are yet to be conquered by the expeditions. For those who cannot withstand the rigorousness mountain climbing there are mountain flights, which fly around the Mt. Everest and provide a close look of the top of the World. From Nagarkot (32 kilometers East of Kathmandu) and Daman (80 Kilometer southwest of Kathmandu) one can have a distant view of Mt. Everest and beautiful Himalayan range. Trekking is the best way to get to interesting and remote mountain villages of Nepal and to enjoy views of the focused peaks together with their lifestyle untouched by modern civilization.
The river rafting which is known as White Water Adventure represents another major attractions. With distance of 100 miles, one can see the topographical variations with the river rising from the higher points near Nepal - Tibetan border and then dropping dramatically to lower levels the plains bordering India. For those who wish to view wildlife, Nepal offers plenty of scope. There are eight National Parks and four Wildlife Reserves and two Conservation Area in Nepal.
For the less adventure, Pokhara the lake-city of Nepal has no equal as it provides ample opportunities for fishing, swimming, canoeing and boating along with the sightseeing of majestic panoramic views in its background. It is only Pokhara, a tropical spotty with an altitude of about 900 meter from where one can see the mountain crossing over 8000 meters from such a short distance of about 40 kilometers. For the nature lovers Nepal is such a land of natural beauty that metaphors cannot delineate its real picture.

At the same time, Nepal proffers an incomparable scope to the scholars and connoisseurs of art and culture to see and study the different aspects of fine arts be it painting, sculpture, woodcarving or architecture.Kathmandu valley possesses several historical monuments, old place and palace squares, shrines and temples. Ageless tradition and legends all make it a living museum that any visitor would cherish its vivid memory in his/her heart forever.

Nepal is the land of Lord Pashupatinath, which is the holiest Hindu temple in the World. Besides, two out of the four main holy places (Chhetras) of Hindu pilgrimages namely Muktichhetra and Varahachhetra, are located in Nepal. Not only for the Hindus but also for the Buddhists, Nepal offers a unique place of pilgrimage as it happens to be the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the apostle of peace and compassion. Nepal is the Land of festivals with some part of the Kingdom or the other celebrating festival everyday of the year. Festivals may be linked with the remembrance of the departed soul, to herald the different seasons, to mark the beginning or end of the agricultural cycle, to mark the national events, or just family celebrations. On a festive day the Nepalese take their ritual bath, worship different gods and goddesses, visit temple, observe fasting and undertake feasting. The most important aspect of Nepalese culture is the religious harmony and understanding prevailing among the Hindus and Buddhist.

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Tourist Place of Galkot “Ghumte Hill”

Ghumte hill is the highest hill in the Baglung district. It’s also taken as honor of Galkot. From of the top of it we can see many place of the Nepal. It is a beautiful hill full of Nepalese National flower Rhododendron during the spring season. Every person who visits the Galkot they want to climb up the Ghumte and see the romantic sense. Every year on Baishak purnima as a festival of Buddha Purnima most people go there. On Ghumte lakh we can find many historical and religious instruments. On top of the Ghumte lakh,there is a famous temple named Siddha Baba. Near it there is famous cave name Bhairav cave. Every year people go inside this cave and try to search about the cave.  

In matter of Bharav Darbar or Bharav palace 24th state kings name also attached. In 1665 to 1670 Gorkha's king Ram shah also come Galkot. When he lived Galkot he was gone top of Ghumte. After worshiping the siddha Baba and Bharav he seeks and observes the beauty and romantic sense of Ghumte. At that time he found extraordinary cave. He like it much and wanted to live there. Than people called it palace because king Ram shah live there. It is also Called Ramcha Cave.

 Here another important and historical thing is that there is an extraordinary stick. In local language is called Bhimsen stick. It is remaining now as a statue. It carries a long history. Lack of reliable proof we are unable to explain about it. It is believed that Ghumte hill has traces of gold mine. Most part of the Ghumte is covered with forest. Inside the forest we can find different kinds of wild animals such as tiger, dear fox, and so on as well as we can find diffetent kinds of beautiful birds. Ghumte is very much for herbal medicine such as satuwa, panchoula, silagit etc.

Really Ghumte is a beautiful and romantic hill. The people who lives in Galkot and even who go away from the Galkot love the Ghumte very much.So people write the song include the Ghume and people who write poem they also put the Ghumte in their poem, One year ago Ghumte festival is orginazed by the Galkot inhabitants’ to share the news about the Galkot which help us to attracts the tourist. In future people made a plane that in Ghumte a cabul ropeway is going to build. After it will be very easy to go peck of the Ghumte and also it become a main tourist sector in this area.

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History of Nepal

The recorded history of Nepal is centered on the Kathmandu valley and begins with the Kirantis who are said to have ruled for many centuries beginning from the 7th or 8th Century B.C. with their famous King Yalumber who is even mentioned in the epic, ‘Mahabharata’. The Gopalas who were herdsmen are believed to have ruled before the Kirantis but little is known about them. Their descendants are said to still live at the edge of the valley. Around 300 A.D. the Lichavis arrived from northern India and overthrew the Kirantis. The descendants of the Kirantis are the Rais and Limbus who predominate in eastern Nepal. One of the legacies of the Lichavis is the fabulous Changu Narayan Temple near Bhaktapur which dates back to the 5th Century. In early 7th Century, Amshuvarman, the first Thakuri king took over the throne from his father-in-law who was a Lichavi. He married off his daughter Bhrikuti to the famous Tibetan King Tsong Tsen Gampo thus establishing good relations with Tibet. Bhrikuti went on to convert the king to Buddhism. The Lichavis brought art and architecture to the valley but the golden age of creativity arrived with the Mallas who came to power around 1200 A.D.

During their 550 year rule, the Mallas built an amazing number of temples and splendid palaces with picturesque squares that are lined with architecturally beautiful temples. It was also during their rule that society and the cities became well organized, religious festivals were introduced and literature, music and art were encouraged. Sadly after the death of Yaksha Malla, the valley was divided into three kingdoms: Kathmandu (Kantipur), Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon) and Patan (Lalitpur). The rivalry among these kingdoms led to the building of grand palaces and the uplifting of the arts and culture. Around this time, the Nepal as we know it today was divided into about 46 independent principalities. One among these was the kingdom of Gorkha with a Shah king in power. Much of Kathmandu valley’s history around this time was recorded by Capuchin friars who lived here on their way in and out of Tibet.

Nepal, as a state, was established when an ambitious Gorkha king named Prithvi Narayan Shah embarked on a conquering mission that led to the defeat of all the kingdoms in the valley (including Kirtipur which was an independent state) by 1769. Instead of annexing the newly acquired states to his kingdom of Gorkha, Prithvi Narayan decided to move his capital to Kathmandu establishing the Shah dynasty which ruled unified Nepal from 1769 to 2008 when the last Shah ruler, Gyanendra relinquished his power to make way for total democracy under the rule of a Prime Minister.

The history of the Gorkha state goes back to 1559 when Dravya Shah established a kingdom in an area chiefly inhabited by Magars. At this time the Kathmandu valley was ruled by the Malla kings. During the 17th and early 18th centuries, Gorkha continued a slow expansion, conquering various states while forging alliances with others. Prithvi Narayan dedicated himself at an early age to the conquest of the Kathmandu valley. Recognizing the threat of the British Raj in India, he dismissed European missionaries from the country and for more than a century, Nepal remained in isolation.

During the mid-19th century Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal's first prime minister to wield absolute power relegating the Shah king to a mere figurehead. He started a hereditary reign of the Ranas that lasted for 104 years during which time the Shah kings had no real power. The Ranas were overthrown in a democracy movement of the early 1950s with support from an unlikely person, the monarch of Nepal, King Tribhuvan. Soon after the overthrow of the Ranas, King Tribhuvan was reinstated as the head of the state. In early 1959, Tribhuvan's son King Mahendra issued a new constitution, and the first democratic elections for a national assembly were held. The Nepali Congress Party was victorious and their leader, Bisheshwar Prasad Koirala formed a government and served as prime minister. But by 1960, King Mahendra had changed his mind and dissolved Parliament, dismissing the first democratic government.

After many years of struggle when the political parties were banned, they finally mustered enough courage to start a people's movement in 1990. With the public rising up against absolute monarchy and demanding democracy, the then ruler King Birendra accepted constitutional reforms and established a multiparty parliament with himself as head of state and the prime minister heading the government. In May 1991, Nepal held its first parliamentary elections. In February 1996, one of the Communist parties (Maoist wing) went underground to wage a people's war against monarchy and the elected government.

Then on June 1, 2001, a horrific tragedy wiped out the entire royal family along with many of their close relatives. With only King Birendra’s brother, Gyanendra and his family surviving, he was crowned the king. King Gyanendra tolerated the elected government for only a short while and then dismissed Parliament to grab absolute power. In April 2006, strikes and street protests in Kathmandu led to a 19-day curfew and the political parties joined forces with the Maoist rebels to bring pressure on the monarch. Eventually, King Gyanendra realized it was futile holding on to power and relented. He agreed to reinstate parliament. But the political parties and a majority of the general public had had enough of dynastic rule and their abuse of power. On May 28, 2008, a newly elected Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic, abolishing the 240 year-old monarchy. Nepal today has a President as Head of State and a Prime Minister heading the Nepal Government.

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Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve lies in Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung Districts in the Dhaulagiri Himal range in West Nepal. Putha, Churen and Gurja Himal extend over the northern boundary of the reserve. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve was established in 1983 and was gazetted in 1987. Management objectives of the reserve allow sports hunting and preserve a representative high altitude ecosystem in West Nepal
Details About the Reserve:

• The reserve extends over an area of 1325 sq. km and is the only hunting reserve in the country to meet the sports hunting needs of Nepalese and foreign hunters of blue sheep and other game animals. The higher elevations remain snow-capped throughout the year. Altitudes vary from 3000 m. to more than 7000 m. The flat meadows above tree line (4000 m), locally known as Patan, is divided into six blocks for hunting management purposes.

• The reserve is surrounded by villages on all sides except the north. Local people depend on the reserve to meet their requirements for wood, fuelwood, fodder, and pasture. The refugee camp near the reserve headquarters has put more human pressure in the forest. Every year livestock grazing activities begin from February and last until October. More than 80,000 livestock enter the reserve.

• The majority of people belong to the Mongoloid race, including Magar. Thakali, and Gurung, Amalgamation of different ethnic groups has resulted in a mixed pattern of cultures.

• Dhorbaraha, a Hindu religious place on the banks or Uttarganga River near Dhorpatan, is in Fagune bloc. Every year on the day of "Janai Purnima" in August, a religious fair is held here which is attended by many local devotees. The magnificent view of Dhaulagiri Himal from Barse. Dogari and Gustung blocs are exceptional. Snag and Sundaha bloc are rich in wild animals.
Vegetation and Wildlife:

• The reserve is characterized by alpine, sub-alpine and high temperate vegetation. Common plant species include fir, pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper and spruce. Pasturelands occupy more than 50% of the total area of the reserve at higher elevations.

• The reserve is one of the prime habitats for blue sheep, a highly coveted trophy. Other animals found are : leopard, goral, serow, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bears, barking deer, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur and mouse hare.

• Pheasants and partridge are common and their viable population in the reserve permits controlled hunting.

• Endangered Animals in the reserve include Musk deer, Wolf, Red panda, Cheer pheasant and Danphe.

• A hunting license is issued by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife conservation.
Seasons:
• The monsoon lasts until the beginning of October. Day time temperatures are very low during winter due to strong winds. Higher elevations remain covered by cloud in the morning, later cleared by the wind. Snow may occur even at low elevation until early April, however, it soon melts. The best time to visit the reserve is March-April.
How to Get There:

• Public bus service is available from Kathmandu to Tansen and Tamgash Gulmi from where the reserve HQ. is a three day walk via Burtibang.
• Flight service reaches Baglung from Kathmandu and Pokhara. The reserve HQ. can be reached in 4 days walk from Balewa, Baglung.
• A public bus can be taken to Baglung from Pokhara followed by a 4 day walk via Baglung Beni-Darbang-Lumsum and Jaljala to reach Dhorpatan.
• A helicopter charter may be available on request from Kathmandu.
Some Important Points:
• Local people are allowed to collect limited quantities of fuelwood for their use. Visitors are requested to be self-sufficient with fuel before entering the reserve. Since no medical facilities are available in the reserves, it is suggested that visitors carry a comprehensive first-aid kit including medicines for intestinal disorders. Two hotels/lodges catering simple Nepali foods are located at Chhyantung near Dhorpatan.

Entry Fees into Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve:
• Reserve fee per person per entry:
• For Nepali Nationals Rs 20
• For SAARC Nationals Rs 200
• For Foreign Nationals Rs 500
• Children under 10 years free

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Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park

Sagarmatha National Park covers an area of 1148 square kilometers in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The Park includes the highest peak in the world. Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest 8848 m.) and several other well known peaks such as Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Thamerku, Kwangde, Kangtaiga and Gyachyung Kang.
As Mt. Sagarmatha and the surrounding area is of major significance not only to Nepal but to the rest of the world, its status as a national park since 1976 is intended to safeguard its unique cultural, physical and scientific values through positive management based on sound conservation principles.
Geology:
• According to the continental-drift theory, the Himalaya were uplifted at the end of the Mesozoic Era, some 60 millions years ago. The resulting young mountains of this region are still rising and the net growth is a few centimeters per century.
Vegetation, Wild Animals and Birds:
• Vegetation in the park varies from pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes, fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron woods at mid-elevations, scrub and alpine plant communities higher up and bare rock and snow above tree line. The famed bloom of rhododendrons occurs during the spring (April and May) although much of the. flora is most colorful during the monsoon season (June to August). .
• The wild animals most likely to be seen in the park are the Himalayan tahr, goral, serow, musk deer and Himalayan black bear. Other mammals are weasels, martens. Himalayan mouse hare (Pika), jackals and langur.
• The park provides a habit for at least 118 species of birds. The most common birds to be seen are the Impeyen pheasant (the national bird of Nepal), blood pheasant, cheer pheasant, jungle crow, red billed and yellow billed coughs and snow pigeon. Fairly common birds are the Himalayan griffon, lammergier, snow partridge, skylark and many others.
Seasons:
• The summer climate is cool and wet and winter is cold and dry. Almost all of the annual precipitation, averaging less than 1000 mm, falls during the summer monsoon, from end of May to September. Climatically, the best time to visit the park is between October and May, except for December to February when, daytime temperatures often drop below 0 C and there is heavy snowfall.
Local Inhabitants:
• The park is populated by approximately 3000 of the famed Sherpa people, originating from Tibet in the late 15th or early 16th century A.D. Their lives are interwoven with the teaching of Buddhism. The main settlements are Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Khunde, Thame, Thyangboche, Pangboche and Phortse. There are also temporary settlements in the upper valleys where the Sherpas graze their livestock during the summer season.
• The economy of the Khumbu Sherpa community has traditionally been agriculture, livestock herding and trade with Tibet. With the coming of international mountaineering expeditions in the 1950s, the region also attracted larger numbers of foreign trekkers. Today the Sherpa economy is becoming increasingly dependent on tourism.
How to Get There:
• Fly in and out of Lukla, followed by 15 days walk.
• Bus to Jiri and trek for 21 days, flying back to Kathmandu from Lukla.
• Fly in and out of Phaplu and trek for 16 days.
• Fly in to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu and a 10 day walk to the park.
Important Points:
• There are trekker lodges with food available in places like Namche Bazaar, Thyangboche, Pheriche and Lobuche and along most of the main trekking routes the small villages have basic accomodation.
• There is the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) at Pheriche which has medical facilities and also accepts credit card as payment.
• The National Park ranges from 3000 m to 8000 m and above in altitude. Visitors need to be careful and aware of High Altitude sickness (HAS). Do not climb to fast or too high in one day, no more than 400 m in a day. Signs of HAS include: headache, difficulty in sleeping, breathlessness, loss of appetite, nauseousness and general tiredness.
Entry Fees into Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park:
At Monjo there is the Sagarmatha National Park enterance station where you will have to show your passport and pay a National Park fee.
• National Park fee per person per entry:
• For Nepali Nationals Free
• For SAARC Nationals Rs 100
• For Foreign Nationals Rs1000
• Children under 10 years Free

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Some Fact About Baglung

Baglung district, a part of Dhawalagiri zone, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of Asia. It lies on midhills of Nepal, 275 km west of Katmandu. The districts with baglung as its districts headquaters.covers an area of 1,784 km² and has a population of 268,938.



Baglung is the headquarter of Dhawalagiri zone. It is surrounded by parvat, myagdi, rukum, rolpa, pyuthan, gulmi districts. It looks like Nepal in shape. It had 59 village development committees and one municipality. it has many rivers and streams and so many bridges. It is a hilly district, most of the population settled in the sides of the rivers. Headquarter of Baglung (Baglung Bazaar) is also situated in the bank of the holy river- Kaligandaki. Like Nepal, Baglung is also diverse in religion, culture; temperature etc.Hinduism and Buddhism are the major religion. Magar, Chhetri, Brahmin, Newar, Gurung, and Thakali are the main ethnic groups residing in Baglung.




Baglung is rich in herbal medicine plants, Rice, corn, maize and potato are the major crops of baglung there are many mines in use in baglung in the past, iron and copper mines being the most prewalent..But they are not use for longtime because of the heedlessness of the government. There are numerous slate mines in use in Baglung. These slates are excellent for roofing. Baglung Bazaar, Hatiya- Galkot, Kushmi Sera and Burtibang are the main trading centers of Baglung. Galkot, Kushmi Sera and Burtibang are connected with the district headquarter Baglung Bazaar by raw roads. Small part of Baglung is electrified by Nepal Electricity Authority and some other parts are electrified by small local hydro plants. Recently, telephone has been accessible in almost all villages of Baglung.



Baglung is considered to be one of the politically most conscious districts and it plays a significant role in the Nepali politics.
Baglung bazar has been a trading town since ancient times frequented by traders from north and south. More recently, it is visited by tourists seeking to trek to Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, dhorpatan and dolpo. A well-paved but winding highway connects the town with Pokhara 72 km to the east. Highways to connect Jomsom, Mustang, Tibet to the north, Rukum via Burtibang and Dhorpatan to the west and Sera Bazar via airport (probably will see an extension to Palpa) to the south are under construction.

Baglung airport, now defunct, is located 12 km to the south of the town. This was the only connection to the outside world before completion of the highway. Above the airport is the famous shrine of Lord Bhairav. The latter is a long walk up the mountain through Paiyunpata (where the High school is located) taking 4–5 hours. Once at the top one has a breathtaking view of the surrounding Himalayas and Kusma Bazaar. Baglung has experienced a rapid expansion after the completion of Pokhara-Baglung Highway in the mid-90s. There is now a summer road that connects Baglung to Balewa—where the airport is located.

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