Rani Mahal Palpa

The symbol of love:Rani Mahal (Queen's Palace) alongside the Kali Gandaki river is a very beautiful and peaceful place in Palpa District,Lumbini Zone in western Nepal.

Dubbed as the Taj Mahal of Nepal, it was built by Cdg. Gen Kadga  Shamser  Rana, then Governor of Palpa in 1983 B.S.  in the loving memory of his departed wife, Tej Kumari.
In 1887 General Khadga Samsher Rana was forced to drop his royal titles and was sent to Palpa-Gauda as the Western Commander in Chief of Nepal. At Palpa-Gauda in 1892 Khadga Shumsher's beloved youngest wife Tej Kumari Devi died and within a year Khadga built a palace and named after his wife as Rani Mahal (Literary translates as Queens Palace). He also named the nearby forest as Rani Ban (Rani forest) along with naming the Ghats as Rani Ghat.  In 1902, Khadga Samsher Rana along with his family fled from Nepal to India abandoning Rani Mahal which resulted in negligence of Rani mahal and eventually this palace structure started crumbling.


As the Khadga Shumsher abandon the palace and fled to India, Rani Mahal was left behind without any proper owner or caretaker. The palace got out of concerned by both the government of Nepal as well as locals. Rani Mahal was largely turned into rubbles but by the end of 20th century. Very less visitors used to visit the palace those who have some peak concerns or interest on history of Nepal.

In present, Government of Nepal has started the reconstructions and restoration program to repaired and rebuild the palace into its original state. This will not only preserves the national historical properties, but also increases the possibilities of tourism in the area that results in various developments.

The Department of Archeology took it over and gave a facelift in 1998, however, since then, the Tej Mahal has neither been restored completely to its former beauty nor widely promoted. This Taj Mahal of Nepal is unheard of many people outside as well as inside the country and the beautiful and majestic tribute of love has suffered the negligence of the ever-changing ‘in conflict’ government.

Rara Lake Tour Info

A journey to Rara lake is one of the most incredible and fascinating treks in all the Himalayan range lie northwest of Kathmandu in the remote area of Karnali. If you are looking of wilderness and solitude travel, this trek is an ideal choice. The route is very much 'off the beaten track' and affords glimpses of cultures and scenery very different from the rest of Nepal.

Rara Lake Tour Guide

1)First You have to reach Surkhet.

2)Day 1: 7 hours drive to Kalikot.Stay in kalikot.

Veg Food:120 per person

Additional Meat(120 per plate 'goat')

Room Charges :Free if you eat and stay in same hotel

3)Day 2: Leave kalikot as early as poosible,Break fast at Nagma (45 kms from kalilot)

Then off road starts from Nagma

Leave for Mugu (100kms of off road which are not that bad) Accomandation in Mugu.

Veg :120 ,Local hen provided at (1600_2000)(making cost included) Room charges 300 per room (4 beds in each room)

If u want to stay in Danfe Hotel ,it will cost you more as room charges as high as 2000 per 2 people,opt for home stay.

Day 3: Sightseeing at Rara.Stay or leave Rara at 4 PM .Then 2 hrs drive to bulbule .Stay there.Food :120 ,Hen 1600/per hen,Room 100 per bed.

Day 4 :leave from bulbule.You will reach Kalikot by 3 PM.Stay at kalikot or find a hotel near to surkhet drive 3 hrs more.

Day 5 :Reach surkhet at 1 PM.Sightseeing at Surkhet

Day 6: Leave from surkhet.

Rara lake (Trek to Rara)

Rara lake is the biggest and deepest fresh water lake in Nepal which lies in mugu district. It is the main feature of the Rara National park. Rara Lake lies at an altitude of 2,990 m (9,810 ft) above sea level, has a water surface of 10.8 sq km (4.2 sq mi), a maximum depth of 167 m (548 ft), is 5.1 km (3.2 mi) long and 2.7 km (1.7 mi) wide. It drains into the Mugu Karnali River via the Nijar River. Its water quality is characterized by high pH, conductivity and total hardness. It was reported to be very slightly polluted and was classified as oligotrophic in limnological terms. It is polluted due to wastes produced during festivals by visiting locals and tourists.

The best visiting time to the lake is September/October and April to May. From December to March, the temperatures go low below the freezing point, and heavy snowfall  occur up to one meter, blocking the way to the lake. April to June is warm in this region.

Monsoon season, which in this region occurs between the months of July to October, is short. The average rainfall during the ten-year period 1994–2003 was 800 mm. The surface temperature of the lake was found to be 7.5 °C to 7.6 °C and was visible below 14 m to 15 m.

Rara lake has been a popular destination with a very rough route in Western Nepal for trekkers. The glimpses of culture and scenery on the way is quite different from the rest of Nepal. Situated in high altitude, you can find the lake surrounded by Rara National Park with pine, spruce and juniper forest. The view of snow-capped Himalayan peaks enhance the attraction of trekkers. The trek begins with flight to Jumla (over an hour flight from Kathmandu) or from nearer Nepalgunj. Going along the mountain path and some villages one can reach the bank of Rara lake.

A journey to Rara lake is one of the most incredible and fascinating treks. If you are looking of wilderness and solitude travel, this trek is an ideal choice. The route is very much 'off the beaten track' and affords glimpses of cultures and scenery very different from the rest of Nepal. Trekkers are recommended to bring their own first aid kit due to the lack of health services around the area. Since there are no accommodation facilities they may need help from a travel agency. Trekkers need to be self-sufficient as the facilities are not adequate.

Legend and History of Upper Mustang Nepal

The caves all over Mustang bear testimony of prehistoric settlers. However, little is known about their origin and life.Tibetan and Ladakhi chronicles have mentioned lo since the seventh century AD. Its history as an independent kingdom began after 1380, when Ame Pal, a warrior and devout Buddhist from Western Tibet, built the fortress of Ketcher Dzong. With his sons, he defeated the local warlords and constructed a walled capital Lo-Manthang. The present king Jigmi Plbar Bista is believed to be his twenty-first descendant in the direct line.

Ame Pal’s son Angun Sangpo provided funding and leadership, while his minister Kalun Sangpo organized and oversaw the building of the walled city and the first monasteries. Ngorchen Kunga Sangpo a renowned teachers of the Sakya sect was invited from Tibet to bring religious life to the new kingdom. Angun, Kalten chhewang and Ngorchen Kunga are therefore known as the Three Holies.

Because the passes on its northern border are relatively easy to cross the small kingdom occupied a strategic position on the trade route between Tibet and India. The lamas of Lo went to Tibet to study, and religious teacher from all direction crossed the land. Economy and culture thrived. Off course, the kingdom’s wealth attracted frequent attacks from Tibetan bandits. The resulting custom of closing the gate of Lo-Manthang every night was observed until a few years ago.

At the end of the sixteenth century, Lo-Tsho Dyun came under the power of Ladakh, and around 1760,the kingdom of Jumla in western Nepal finally succeed in making Lo its vassal, At the end of the 1700s Prithivi Narayan shaha, the Gorkha king who founded Nepal, annexed Jumla’s vassal states in the course of his conquests. Under the new powerful rulers in Kathmandu, Lo largely retained autonomy in its internal affairs, but the central government regulated the revenue of the area. The economy of Lo, Bahragaon and Panchgaon suffered since the Thakalis gained control over the salt trade along the Kali Gandaki in 1862.

The introduction of a constitutional monarchy in Nepal in 1951 resulted in Mustang becoming a district, and took away much of the King’s power. Following the Chinese exaction of full control over Tibet in 1959, the Khampa guerillas based their resistance movement in Lo. The Nepal government declared the Mustang District a restricted area. After the Khampa movement started its customary development activities. Lower Mustang opened for tourism, but Upper Mustang was left in economic isolation.

When there was parliamentary democracy in Nepal after 1990 revolution, the new government decided to reopen Upper Mustang partially for foreigners. The first trekking groups entered Upper Mustang in 1992. In the same year, the Annapurna conservation area was extended to include Upper Mustang.

Source: National Trust for Nature Conservation

Annapurna conservation Area Project.

Trek to Mustang

Mustang District a part of province No. 4 is one of the Seventy Five districts of Nepal. Jomsom is the headquarter of Mustang. It covers an area of 3,573 sq km and has population of 13,452 (2011). Mustang straddles the Himalayas and extends northward onto the Tibetan plateau. Upper Mustang formerlt Lo Kingdom comprises the northern two-thirds of the district. This kingdom was dependency of the Kingdom of Nepal but was abolished by the republican Government of Nepal on OCtober 7, 2008.
Mustang is famous for the springs and villa ge of Muktinath, apples and natural scenic beauty. Mustang was the lost kingdom of Tibet where traditions remain more Tibetan than in Tibet proper following its annexation by China.

The main hydrographic feature of Mustang is the Kali Gandaki River. The river runs southward towards Nepal Terai, bisecting Mustang. Routes paralleling the river once served as a major trade route between Tibet and India, especially for salt. Part of the river valley in the south of Mustang, forms by some measures the deepest gorge in the world. Traditional Mustang (the Lo Kingdom) is 53 km north - south at its longest and 60 km east - west at its widest, and ranges from a low point of 2750 m above sea level to 6700 meters at its highest. Mustang was once an independent kingdom, although closely tied by language and culture to Tibet. From the 15th century to the 17th century, its strategic location granted Mustang control over the trade between the Himalayas and India. At the end of the 18th century the kingdom was annexed by Nepal.
Jomsom has had an airport since 1962 and has become the main tourist entry point since Mustang was opened to western tourism in 1992. Tourism to Upper Mustang is still regulated and foreigners need to obtain a special permit to enter. Most tourists travel by foot over largely the same trade route used in the 15th century. Over a thousand western trekkers now visit each year, with October being the peak month.



A trek to the remote semi-independent Kingdom of Upper Mustang located north of Annpurna on the Tibet border. The Adventure Connexion Company’s group in 2009 were granted an audience with the King of Mustang at his palace in Lo Manthang.

Dharan

Dharan is one of the major city, one of three Sub Metropolitan cities in eastern Nepal, in the Sunsari District, and is situated on the foothills of the Mahabharat Range in the north with its southern tip touching the edge of the Terairegion at an altitude of 1148 ft (349m). It serves as a trading post between the hilly region and the plains of Terai region. It was once the location of a recruitment center for the Brigade of Gurkhas, opened in 1953. The recruitment center is closed and the campus is now the home of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences since 1993. Dharan Sub-metropolitan city organised a Golden Jubilee celebration of Dharan from January 28 to January 31, 2011 marking the 50th year of establishment of the municipality . It is the second largest city of Eastern Nepal. Also called footballer producing factory of Nepal.

The name Dharan is Nepali, which literally means a place where you saw timber. A typical Dharan is constructed by digging a rectangular plot about 5 to 6 feet deep. This hole is large and deep enough for an adult to comfortably move about. A platform is constructed to cover half the hole. A timber is placed on this platform and two man team, one standing on the platform and the other in the dug out proceed to saw timber with a huge saw blade. This is very labor-intensive and dangerous process.

Dharan is a melting pot of many cultures, representing a mix of diverse cultures of Nepal. There are many people from the surrounding district, Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Taplegung Khotang etc., who live in Dharan.

Different ethnic groups host their traditional cultural festivities all year around. The Dhan naach (Dance) and Chyabrung naach (Dance) of Limbus, Lakhe naach (Dance) and Gai Jatra of Newars, Sakela of Rai, Selo of Tamangs, Rodighar of Gurungs, Baalan and Sangini of Brahmin and Chhetris, all add to the cultural tradition of Dharan. Dharan also hosts a Sakela competition in Dharan every year. It starts from the Baisakh Sukla Purnima (Full moon of day of the month of Baisakh) and lasts for 15 days.

Dharan is a tourist destination in its own right. Communication is mainly in Nepali and English. People who are English speakers should have no problem comprehending many signs and road maps in Nepal.

Beyond Bhedetar lies the eastern hilly district such as Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Phidim, Terathum. Dharan serves as a gateway to some of the remote tourist attractions like Kumbhakarna Himal, Kanchenjunga, Makalu Barun National Park, Arun Valley, Tinjure-Milke (Rhododendron Protection Area), Gupha Lake, Hyatrung Fall, and Sabha Pokhari. They are quite further and therefore require extended day trips.

To the south of Dharan is the city of Biratnagar and connecting towns, all within an hour's drive. Bhanuchowk is also known as the heart of Dharan. The towns of Tararah andItahari are popular with the local population of Dharan.

Dharan, with its diverse population has numerous centers of worship i.e. temples, churches and a mosque. Bijaypur hill is of a particular significance, as it has several temples of importance, such as Dantakali temple, Pindeshwar temple, Budha Subba Temple and Panch Kanya. These temples are of historical and archaeological importance in as much as religious. These temples are centers for rituals, fairs and events.

In recent years the close proximity of the Tamur River has made Dharan a destination for the white water rafting enthusiasts, Which is start from Mulghat of Dhankuta district and finish in Chatara Ghat.

Illam

Illam is a municipality of Ilam District, which is in the hilly region of Mechi zone, in the Eastern Development Region of Nepal. Ilam also acts as the headquarters of Ilam District and Mechi zone. Geographically it lies in the hill region which is mostly known as Mahabharata range. It is also one of the important town in Mechi zone and one of the major place in Nepal for tea-production. It is famous for natural scenery and landscapes, tea production, and diverse agricultural economy.

According to 2011 Nepal census, the total population in Ilam was 19,427 and the main inhabitants of Ilam were Limbu, Rai,Yakkha, Lepcha, Newar, Magar, Tamang, Chettri, Brahmin, Sunuwar and Gurung.

Ilam municipality is sub-divided in 9 different wards, the major governmental and district office lies in ward number 1 and ward number 2. Ilam also is a major hub for transportation and communication for VDC that lies in the upper part of the discrict.

Ilam view tower located in Panitanki, Gadi is a good place for the majestic views of hills, tea gardens, and some part of Ilam bazar,you can also see some parts of Jhapa on a clear day. The clock tower of Ilam also known as P.P. Tower is located in Ilam chowk bazar.

Tea production in Ilam (as Nepal tea) started as early as 1863, when the Chinese government offered then Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana tea saplings that were then planted in Ilam. In 1868, the Ilam tea factory was established, and tea plantations covered over 135 acres of land. In 2010, the tea factory was privatized, and is currently not under operation. However, tea production continues in Ilam in other forms.

In 2010, the total tea production of Nepal is 16.23 million kilograms per annum; a majority of this amount is produced in Ilam itself As well as the organic tea transport the foreign country

It is cold and freezing in the winter,mild warm in summer and fogg in the monsoon season. Many tourists come to Ilam for sight seeing of the natural beauty.