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TOURISM |
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TOURISM |
Feasting In Mustang A long secluded region of
the kingdom hopes to draw tourists through a three-day festival By AKSHAY SHARMA Known until a decade ago as "The Lost
and Forbidden Kingdom", north-western district of Mustang is organizing a festival
that coincides with the annual pilgrimage to Muktinath. The shrine, revered by Hindus and
Buddhists alike, is located where, according to legend, Lord Shiva sought solace after the
loss of his first wife. The road to Mustang, which is one of
Nepalís trans-Himalayan districts, goes through Pokhara. It is a three-day pleasant walk
from Beni to Jomsom. Airlines offer direct flights to Jomsom and tickets can be bought
through travel agencies.
The Nepal Tourism Board and Muktinath
village development are organizing three days of activities called the "Mustang
Festival" from October 1 to 3 to draw domestic and international tourists. There are 23 hotels in Jomsom, with 660
beds and 185 attached bathrooms. There are also 103 rooms available without these
facilities. Operators of these accommodations are providing a 25- percent discount during
the festival. Horses can be hired to see such local sites
as Marpha, Tukche, Kowang Lete, Kagbeni and Muktinath. The organizers will give a prize of
one kilogram of apples for every tourist visiting the festival. They will also offer one
free meal and free accommodation to people from the Tourist Guide Association and invited
guests. Also known as the Muktinath Festival, the
event has a plethora of activities that are to be held in Jomsom, the district
headquarters. Having captured the imagination of people around the world as a quaint and
out-of-this-world locale, Mustang was opened to foreign tourists in 1991. The organizers have planned food and
agriculture festivals highlighting the regionís traditions. Handicraft and cottage
industries in and around in Mustang will hold an exhibition where items will be on sale. A fashion show will carry a first prize of
Rs 3,000, while the first and second runners-up will take Rs 2,500 and Rs 2,000
respectively. A cultural show will be held as part of the festival. Cash prizes of Rs
10,000, Rs 7,500 and Rs 5,000 will be awarded to the top three participants. A consolation
prize of Rs 2,500 has also been set. A football match will be held in which the
winner will take away Rs 5,000. Those in second and third places will get Rs 2,500 and Rs
2,000. A bow-and-arrow shooting competition carries prizes of Rs 3, 000, Rs 2,500
and Rs 2,000 for the top three contestants. Shooting with bow and arrow is an old
"Thakali" custom. A horse-riding contest carrying cash prizes
of Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,000 each for the top two winners will be part of the festivities. The
"Dumla Tal" marathon race will carry Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,500 in first and second
prizes. The organizers pledge to give health and education special priority during the
events. A special tree-plantation program for
tourists and photography and art competitions are also to be organized. The top three
winners in the photo contest will receive Rs 2,000, Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,000 in prizes. The
painting competition carries the same amount in prizes. A long secluded region of Nepal is opening
its arms to visitors from Nepal and abroad, showcasing another facet of the rich heritage
of the kingdom |
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editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
