Nepal Tourism situation and Ilam
Marvellous, magnificent Nepal!” This is the accolade and honour given to Nepal by travelers and nature lovers worldwide. The country is home to some of the world’s most majestic peaks including Mt.Everest, the highest mountain in the world at 8,848m and known locally as Sagarmatha. Nepal has an area of only 147,181 sq.km yet the diverse topography, including the Himalayas, the lush foothills and the plains of the Terai, can be considered to be a natural museum as it is home to a rich variety of rare animal and plant habitats. This diversity is also reflected in the religion and culture of Nepal. As the spiritual home of the Lord Buddha and the location of many significant Hindu sites, it is a country of tolerance and co-operation. A visit to Nepal is undoubtedly a unique and exciting experience however; perhaps the most important aspect of the country is the hospitality and friendliness of the Nepalese people. Only in Nepal do the locals say "Pahuna dyeuta ho," or "A guest is God."
Our mission is to reduce the negative impact caused by the concentration of tourists in locations such as the Everest area, the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara by introducing visitors to the less frequented areas of Nepal.
Our aim is to promote the sustainable development of the tourist industry in areas of Nepal where the income generated would facilitate the provision of the schools, medical facilities and other basic needs that are desperately needed in these areas.
The Pristine Tourism Destination of Ilam
ILAM
The town of Ilam is located in the east of Nepal in the Mahabharata Range and is close to the border of the Darjeeling area of India. The Ilam Region is home to a richly diverse ethnic and religious community including Brahmins, Chhetries, Rai, Limbu, Magar, Tamang and Lepchha. Within Nepal it has been known as a tea producing area for over 140 years however, the six main varieties of tea grown here are usually exported internationally under Indian brand names. Aside from tea, there are also the local brews of Raksi – not unlike tequila – and tongba, a fermented millet beer drunk through a straw, to sample. The Ilam Region is known as the “Hill Queen” area of Nepal and the countryside is a verdant mixture of tea plantations and beautiful deciduous forests. It is also a centre for hill walking and bird watching. The higher hills around the town are covered in exuberant jungle where two important cash crops, cardamom and broom grass which is used to make traditional Nepali brooms, can be found.
Nearby Ilam is Shree Antu, a 2.300m hilltop where spectacular sunrise and sunset views reflect from the towering peak of Mt.Kanchenjunga to the north. There are also similarly wonderful panoramas of the surrounding tea plantations and hilltop villages.
Mai Pokhari, is a sacred lake atop a wooded ridge north of Ilam. It can be reached by jeep or more rewardingly on foot after a 2-3 hour walk through rhododendron and magnolia forests. The walk crosses the Mai Khola where every year the Beni Mela attracts thousands of Hindi pilgrims on the first day of Magh (mid-January). The lake itself has nine corners which are impossible to see at the same time even from the centre of the lake. Surrounding the lake, the thick forest is home to many rare animals including must deer, porcupine, leopards and jackal as well as abundant bird life. Tibetan duck and khalij are amongst the more unusual bird species found here, as well as a number of rare insects.
At a height of 3,636m Santakpur is another hilltop famous for stunning sunrise and sunset views - on a clear day - of the eastern Himalayas from Kanchenjunga to Everest and over the plains as far as Darjeeling. It is also home to a number of endangered species such as the red panda and the snow leopard.
Other places of interest to explore in the Ilam area include the Kanyam tea estates. Pashupatinagar on the Indian border, the Hindu temple in Gajurmukhi, the 280’ Todke Waterfall, Siddhithumka with superb sunrise and sunset views and the temple at Pathivara.
Sandakpur
Sandakpur elevated to 3636 meter from the sea level is highest point located in the Ilam, the fast eastern Nepal. Positioned between Darjeeling, India and Ilam of Nepal, Sandakpur has become renowned as the centre point of viewing over a dozen of snowy peaks and magnificent Himalayan ranges, the sunrise, pristine nature, the habitat of rare species plants life and wild animals. In the former days to reach the place was by overland only through Darjeeling, India. The road has been built through Mabu village development to Kalapokhari Bikhe pass till Sandakpur. Starting from Budhabare of Maimajhuwa crossing Goruwale pass to Sandakpur is near completion. Targeting internal, Indian and overseas tourists and to provide basic amenities hotels have been built to cater their needs, lodging and food.. Ahaldanda two kilometers far away towards the west from Sandakpur is place to enjoy the wild and calm nature.
Chintapu (Maimjhuwa)
Chintapu elevated to about 3200 meter from the sea located between Panchthar and Maimjhuwa is a perfect place to enjoy nature and the habitats. Spring season welcomes the varieties of rhododendrons with eye capturing colors of various shades on the Chintapu hill and brighten the entire hill. Unexpected and sudden change of weather being unaware of space time and cool wind flowing from the Bay of Bengal enchants the visitors as if playing hide seek with the guests. Chintapu unfolds immemorial gift of sights and sound to the visitors. Magnificient view of Himalayan range is the gift of Chintapu. Mt. Kanchunjunga, Mt. Kumbhakarna, Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), and including other Himalayan ranges from Bhutan, India and Nepal are sights of delight and enchantment and feels as if to embrace and cuddle them instantly for a moment. The travelers can get the clear view of Sikkim, Darjeeling, areas of Ilam, flat land of Terai, Ilam bazzar, Panchthar , the hills spreading towards Taplejung and parched villages on the far away hills. The deep forest filled with rhododendron, red panda, thar, species of birds, herbs, and natural sights are rarely found in other parts of the world. Two Lakes are found in Chintapu hill itself which has added to the beauty of Chintapu. Just below Lakes Talpokhari, Dadeli, Hans and more than half a dozen the little ponds and Chhange and Dappad waterfalls are the perfect places to go around and spend time with the scenic beauty. Phusre Pokhari of Maimajhuwa village is yet another delightful place to visit. Gurung and Rai culture also can be observed and felt here. Home stay and lodges in weekly bazaar Budhabare with minimum basic facilities are available for the visitors to take time and enjoy the nature in different space and time.
You can take overland drive through Maipokhari till Budhabare Goruwale and take about two hours of walk and arrive at Chintapu. Alternatively you can walk from Maipokhari or Sherpa village of Majhuwa and by 5 hours you can reach Chintapu. There is a rough road linking Biblate of Ilam district headquarter to Maimajhuwa through Mai Pokhari.
Todke water Fall
This 85 meter fall elevated to 1600 meter from the sea level approximately forty Kilometer to west of Maikhola river lies in Mai Majhuwa. This is the second highest fall of Nepal. Multitude of tourists from Nepal and overseas visit here to marvel at the ceaseless fall of weter gushing through the dense forest roaring downwards towards the earth reminding man of ceaseless time. It’s an owe inspiring mystery for the visitors and attracts the mind towards the fall.
Maipokhari
Maiphokhari renowned for spiritual pilgrimage since time immemorial, rich habitat of wild life, amphibians, birds and plant life is found about 18 kilometer away from Ilam in the north. Maipokkhari has been enlisted as the 9th Ramsar site
Maipokhari is regarded as goddess mother from the spiritual point of view by the seekers and devotees seeking to their wish to fulfilled by the goddess mother. Unlike other power points of Nepal the animal sacrifice is prohibited here. Pigeons are set free and flown after the wish is granted to the devotees. It is a sacred site for the pilgrims and the nature lovers as well.
The little patched tea bushes on the back drop of terraced hills in Panitar about one kilometer away from Nepaltar-Mangal Bare road enthralls the visitors and renowned for the day packers and tranquil picnic spot.
Mangmalung
Mangmalung located toward northern end of Ilam district is another tourist and religious site worth visiting where inhabitants in the area are mostly Kiratis and Raisthe indigenous people of Nepal. The dense forest, tea garden and cone shaped pine seeds and needle shaped pine leaves have made this site a speciality. The devotiees from Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Terathum, Panchthan, Taplejung and tourists every year make their pilgrimage. Due to the overland road facility to this place the pilgrims are growing in large numbers every year. One finger can shake the boulder but can’t flip it by many hands. There is such a mysterious boulder, including natural caves, various shapes and sizes of builders and shrines abiding gods. E very year worshippers with incense, rice grain and fruits in their hands, throng to invoke gods offering prayers seeking for secured life ahead. Mangmalun lake is spread in the center of this prilgrimage site. Scattered boulders can be seen near the lake. In the bygone days while trudging through a builders female cobra used to sting the passers by and death struck them instantly. An adept lady visited the place after repeated stung by the female cobra with the intention to kill her, she struck the boulder with her brass plate, it got ripped apart into seven pieces. Thus the seven pieces of builders got into present form from just one builder. After the death of the cobra the blood gushed out from her body, spilled out into the lake, turned the lake into red colour and could not any longer hold the water in it and from other corner of the lake Raktuwa Khola burst out
Miklachong (Sakphara)
Miklachong lies among the boarderlines of Ilam, Panchthar , Dhankuta and Morang district. The local inhabitants call it Miklacjung. Distortion of the name is due to sounds of the language (dialect) of Rais and Limbus. Mikta means bamboo and Chom means the pointed tips in Rai language. In the Limbus language Mik means eyes and jung means head. Limbu people started calling Mikjung. The gradual expansion of Rai villages in the region and Rai dialect added La in Mik la jung. In due of time other languages influenced it to use it as Miklachong . The entire forest is filled with the bamboos. From the top the hill breath taking panoramas of entire eastern part of Nepal and Indian parts hills and flat land can be seen.
Since the top of hill is rich in flora and fauna, it can be transformed into an ideal place for the tourists and nature lovers. The place has a religious significance too. The believers thrust tridents on the ground, place pebbles on the sacred sanctuary on the top and perform rituals and prayer flages are tied and fluttered, butter lamps are lighted and coins are offered to the sacred sanctuaries for their well being and their families in the years to come.
Not in the distant past some visitors from abroad arrived here for a short stay. They might have come with some kind research or survey work. A small concrete pillar is erected and still can be seen on the hill top. The visitors chopped off some of the branches of the trees and cleaned the ground areas for the better view of the surrounding areas from their standing point. The local inhabitants say that all of the visitors fell sick immediately and within a few days all died! After this incidence up to these days no one cuts plants in these areas or pluck flowers on the top of hill and it is still intact with lush green forests even today. A small concrete pillar erected by the visitors can be seen on the hill to even up to these days.
The eastern part of Nepal can be developed by making Mikhlachong as the starting of travel linking Dhankuta, Morang, Pachthar and Ilam co-ordinates for mutual benefit of the entire areas. The road is built just below the hill via Panchthar linking Buddhabare of Dhankuta. Finally this road links Ilam Panchthar and Dhanduta in the mid-hill region and extends towards Morang.
Hangetham
Hangetham with the height of 2170 meters, lies towards the north-east of Ilam, renowned destination for naturalists, environmentalists and tourists as well. The spot is rich in flora and fauna, scenic beauty is unparalleled.
Lush green forest, Fresh and cool weather, unexpected change of climate, the fogs in white smoke , and the chirping of birds enchants any visitors. Rare species Red Panda, Thar, snow leopard black bear, serow, migrating birds, Tibetan ducks.
Hangetham one of the religious and cultural site for the pilgrims and the tourists and gaining momentum as a memorable destination for the visitors. Hindus, Buddhists, and Kirat spiritual seekers and lay devotees revere the place as sacred sanctuary. The local inhabitants here worship, serpent god, celebrate Lhosar (Tibetan New Year) animals is sacrificed periodically on special occasions throughout the year.
Sherpa, Rai and Tamang community in the villages
The travelers within and from abroad visit here to observe nature, study and do research on flora and fauna, customs and culture, tradition of the inhabitants. Village way of living is amazingly enjoyed by the visitors.
3 hours of slow and easy walk from Bidande and 2 hours of walk from Ilam the travel can reach Hangetham. Travelers can take short and leisurely trip to Kaiykatta, Jairebas, Jairebare across the board line India from Hangetham on foot.
Choyatar
Choyatar is chosen as a site to preserve the rare endangered species Red Panda. The inhabitants are engaged in preserving the Red Panda and they guide the visitors to get the glimpse of the Red Panda in their vicinity.
Home stay lodges are built to meet the demand of visitors with minimum local amenities and food.
The village is being prepared for promoting village tourism project in near future.
Get a bus ride from Biblate Bazaar located near Ilam via Buddha Bare Bazaar and arrive Choyatar.
Siddhithumka
Siddhthumka above 1693 meter from the sea level, 15 kilometer to the west from Ilam Bazaar, is famed for gazing sunrise and sunset throughout the year. Other sites such as Ajambare Danda (the boarder between Jeetpur and Siddhithumka), Khandrung cave (Devi dhanda ), Namthala, Phulbari, Pokhari gaon, Pankhelung falls, Ratopani, Falgunada Manghim temple), Singa Devisthan, Jalgunada Devi(Soyak) are sites worth taking side trips. Sayak to the East-West of Siddhithumka, its fertile land is filled with orchards of oranges and terraced fields. Lepcha culture and costumes are worth observing in the villages.
Blooming floriculture is sights to see while walking along the trails.
Village home stay lodge has sprung from Antudanda onwards
Autumn is the best time of the year for the Sun rise trip. The travelers get a glimpse of Kanchunjunga, Indian Shivalik hills, landscape of the Ilam and flat land of Jhapa from Antudanda.
Gufatal extended towards Indian territory from Antudanda is a site to take a short trip. It’s worth observing and experiencing the native culture and tradition in the surrounding villages
Antudanda is the source of Mechi River flowing through the end part of eastern Nepal.
Home stay tourism is coming up from Antudanda. Multitude of travelers flock in to gaze at the rising sun and panorama at dawn.
Kanyam
Kanyam, 44 kilometers from Ilam linking Mechi Highway of Nepal is becoming popular tea plantation area for the native and overseas tea planters. Every day in hundreds visitors arrive here to view the tea gardens, have picnic and stroll around the gardens for refreshing cool pure air of the garden. Visitor can savour the snacks and tea and leave the place. For the night halt stay in the lodge in Fikkal and Harkate Bazaar.
Pathibhara Temple 49 kilometers from Ilam in the East-West is sanctuary of the spiritual seekers and believers from Nepal and India.
Folklore narrates that the temple is the younger sister of Pathibhara temple of Taplejung. The pilgrims from almost eastern part of Nepal and India regularly travel to pay their homage and worship the deity.
There is a road linking to other parts of Nepal. Just below the temple lies a silent and calm lake Hanspokhari adjacent to Mechi Highway linking the east and west of Nepal. The travelers can satisfy themselves from local market place concerning their food and buy goods they need from the local market nearby.
Guffathumka
Guffathumka height 1900 meter lies between Mangal Bare and Shantidanda to the east of Ilam.
Sunrise view and scenic beauty of the nature is unparalleled. It is a picnic spot for the low land people living in scorching heat and dry terrai. The language customs, and social norms of village folks are the sound and tone to observe, feel and enjoy. Much remains to be done for the tourist. Yet its gaining popular feedbacks from the travelers and the tourists are growing every year.
Mangsebung
Kirat Language denotes Mang, god; Se, holy; Bung, place. It is the center of Kirat spirituality and practice. It is also the focal point of Kirat religion and cult and to study and research their culture and tradition. Maha Guru Phalgunanda lingdel, a social reformer belonged to this place and he is the founder of Kirat religion and a national figure as a social reformer. At present his great great grand son Atmananda continues the way shown by his guru and help practice the religion and culture adapting to space and time of the day. Guru had founded Shivalaya Temple on the top of the hill (Kirat Hangsam Mujilung. The place has become a seat of Kirat spiritualityand learning Kirati language, scripture, custom and tradition.
On every 4th December followers of phalgunanda cult from Nepal and other parts of the world congregate here to celebrate the birth day of Guru Atmananda and on 16th February to celebrate the birth day of Guruma.
In the midhill along the ring road the sheds are built for the shelter for night halt.
During the decade long unrest in Nepal Kirati inhabitant from various part of Nepal came and settled here and thus the area is densely populated and villages have rapidly sprang up. The end result is a new emerging of diverse culture and custom.
Gajurmukhi
Gajurmukhi height 480 m. lies on the bank of Deumai Khola and it is holy place for the Hindus. Every year pilgrims arrive here in multitudes. Gajurmukhi Devi is the goddess of sound and bestows child bearing blessing to the petitioners.
Lodges are available to the pilgrims in nearby bazaar.
Thumkedanda and Naya Bazaar
Thumke Danada lies to the north-east of Ilam among the boarderline Pyang, Nayabazar and Jongmai, this is point of sunrise view and feel the sights and sound of nature.
The deep dense forest is the home rare red panda and rich flora and fauna. Bal Guru Temple is built in honour of the social reformer and activist………. , Monastery, and Uttare are the place worth visiting
Overland drive from Naya Bazaar of eastern shopping center of Ilam via Jaubari till Thumki Danda.
During the autumn season overland drive can be taken via Maikhola, Soyang till Naya Bazaar. Malu Pokhari is situated further north of Naya Bazaar where the travelers can avail themselves the minimum lodging and fooding during a brief holiday.
Travelers can observe and experience Sherpa and Thami culture while walking around and mingling with the people in the villages.
Jaubari, Tumling and Megma.
Jaubari lies in the far eastern region of Nepal possessing lush green forests and a habitat of rare wild animals. Towering Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), Mt. Kanchanjunga and other Himalayan ranges are the sights of delight. Sherpa’s and Bhutia’s way of living and culture can be observed and experience for a momentary delights of human sound and tone. Further east beyond Indian boarder two small villages Tumling Megma four kilometer away from Jaubari and further sound of Tumling six kilometer from Jaubari respectively lie in Indian territory.
Boarder line trekking route is open to enjoy Singalila National Park of India and wild nature of Nepal .
Mostly the Indian travelers use this trail for getting into Nepal from the India. Fooding and lodging for tourist are available.
There is a road linking Ilam., Jamuna, Naya Bazaar, Thumke or Pashupati Nagar, Gorkhe, Lamidhura till Tumling and Megma for over land drive or take a walk through the walking trail.
Ilam
Ilam in the east end is the last district of Nepal and Ilam Bazaar, the administration hub of the district.
The oldest tea garden and tea processing factories of the Nepal is found here and protruding terraced home, Naryan than, Seti Devi, Snakharidevi, Maisthan, Bhimsenthan Hindu temples, Buddhist Monasteries are the spiritual places worth visiting.
Tourist information center providing information on Ilam district and a few Travel Agencies are available to provide services to travelers.
Lodges and hotels are there for the tourist for night halt
Patenagi(Puwamajuwa)
Patenagi lies to the Mechi High way. A Rare species of toad is found. There are two beautiful water falls. Flora and fauna The inhabitants have started herbs farming for the sustainable growth of the natural resourses and reap a long term benefit from the nature adding already rich and abundance flora and founa.
Shiva’s statue about 15 feet height made by late Lal Prasad Rai is worth mentioning and it’s a statue of appreciating the artistic mind of the past.
Jeetpur (Jhyau Pokhari)
Jeetpur is situated to the west of Ilam at the height of 1418 meter from the sea level, The humming sound of dragon fly around Jhyaupokhari in the dusk around the lake vibrates places around. Thus the name urinated, Jhyapokhari (dragon fly) and the inhabitants believe it .
There was large lake in the former days but it dries up in the winter. These days the lake is filled with rain water during the summer season. The origin of the lake is buried in the hazy past. But the folks here believe that lakes started getting polluted and dirty as time passed by. The gods and goddess left the lake amidst playing musical instruments. Another belief is quite popular here too. While the lake was big there were plenty of wild ducks and the people used to hunting them and that was the cause of the lake drying up.
In the remote past when the lake was large the devotees of the surrounding area sacrificed goat, cocks and celebrated dele ceremony amidst gusto and spirit.
The lake is spread in five little reservoirs and in between pops up the small patches of earth circled by the lush green forest and tea garden which enliven the surrounding.
Dattatraya temple is situated nearby silently welcoming the pilgrims and the travelers. Krishna Temple is under construction on the turf in the middle of the five lakes.
From Jeetpur towards the east lies a dense forest; in the north-east lies a thick and ever growing village, in the south lies green tea gardens.
Youths of the area have joined for a cause to protect the lake and they are active in keeping the lake clean and free from any further destruction of the lake.
Starting from here travelers can easily reach Siddhithumka, Jeetpur,Ajambari Danda, Gajurmukhi Dham.
Starting from here travelers can easily reach Siddhithumka, Jeetpur,Ajambari Danda, Gajurmukhi Dham.
Lodges are available in Jeetpur. In 3 hrs from Ilam via Nepaltar Jeetpur can be reached.
Teenkune Pokhari and Kerung Pokhari, (Chulachuli) :
Chulachuli Lake and surrounding forest land is ramsar declared area. The inhabitants of the land is deeply involved in preserving it. A village community has been formed to manage the natural resources for the sustainable development of the land and sharing of the resources with the inhabitants and the travelers together with the International Agency IUCN, Geographical office of Nepal Government.
Kerung Pokhari is the next Lake where Kiratis practise their religion. Both the Lakes are a natural choice for the internal tourist for taking a short break and celebrate a day lunch with the nature.
Mabutham:
Travelers can take side trips starting from Ilam to Mamuthan to the east, Dukyang the centrer of Buddhist Monastery, Ramite stone, Balaguru cave,
Dobate, Lalbas simsar area, Baluban where rare species of fauna inhabit, Kalpokhari of Indian territory.
Dobate, Lalbas simsar area, Baluban where rare species of fauna inhabit, Kalpokhari of Indian territory.
Pashupathinagar
Pashupati Nagar is the gate way to Darjeeling. The objective of tourists visiting this gate way lying in the mid hill are spiritual, short travel and shopping foreign goods. Every day large numbers of tourists from India via Darjeeling travel to Pashupati Nagar. Someswornada, the social reformer built an Ashram to spread education and had contributed greatly to people of Pashupathi Nagar. The well he used and his possessions and belongings are preserved even today.
Mangaldham temple in Mehelbote is famous for Krishnaparanami sect of Hindus. There are old Buddhist Monasteries too for the visitors to enjoy the bygone days space and time
Tintale Jharna is another natural water fall worth enriching the sight and feel the marvel at the mystery of the nature.
Police station, Boarder management, custom office are posted here to provide their services to the inhabitants and common people from both sides of the boarder. Indian tourists visiting Darjeeling in the summer take a short trip to Pashupati nagar for shopping foreign goods.
I would be more glad if these details contained pictures too.
ReplyDeleteRavi