Source::Rss
In the east, there is the selfie hill, where people like to take a photo with the decorated wall on top of the hill as the backdrop. In the west, the dense forest and the beautiful mountain scenery soothes the mind and always make you want to look at it. There is Sindhuligarhi, a historic place in the north, and Bhadrakali temple with religious significance in the south. Dhungrebhjang is fascinating with the attractive Nagbeli Ghumti for travel and the picturesque VP highway and the settlements on the left and right.
There are 30 families living in Sindhuli's Kamalamai Municipality-2. 12 families have collectively operated a homestay in this settlement, which has a majority of Magar castes. In 'Bhadrakali Community Homestay', which was established as the first homestay in the district, the natural beauty, clean climate, local organic dishes, simplicity, calmness, helpfulness, speech, and behavior of the locals please everyone.
The homestay, which started on Chaitra 29, 2076, was closed for two years due to the threat of Covid-19. Now it is returning to the old rhythm. According to Chet Bahadur Thapamagar, the chairman of the homestay, two hundred tourists, both internal and external, have accepted their hospitality. He said that once tourists, who came to spend an evening, stayed for four days.
A team of 22 people led by Navraj Guragai from Janmaitri Capus Bhaktapur wanted to spend an evening at the homestay. But he stayed for four days and returned after being charmed by the hospitality, environment, and natural beauty here. "Tourists who come to the homestay prefer to eat local, organic dishes, local chicken, dhido, millet roti, phapar fulaura, corn and soybeans, gundruk pickle, curd, and milk among other choices”, said President Thapamgar, “guests who come once keep returning.”
The Selfie Hill above the homestay has been made into a business center. According to the homestay program, 17 families sell local agricultural products found in the district. Juices of seasonal fruits including oranges, vegetables, tea, coffee, and snacks are available here. If the travellers are tired from a long journey and want some rest, stop at this place and drink orange juice, eat lunch, get rid of the tiredness of the journey for a while and take pictures with various poses and plan their journey again.
Tourists come and stay in homestays. It has the capacity to accommodate up to 50 people at a time. According to the wishes of the tourists, after dinner, you can watch the original dance of the Magar community here. Homestays not only add convenience to the tourists with a cheap, accessible, and family atmosphere, but it has also given locals jobs. Local Uttam Kumari Alemgar sees advantages in homestay over other businesses. She is confident that the homestay business will improve the future of Dhungrebhjang residents. She has conducted homestay operation and management training and visited homestays in other districts.
VP Highway has proved to be a blessing in the development of Dhungrevjang. Until thirty years ago, there was no alternative to go to the Sindhulimarhi market to buy everything from salt to gold. “After the highway construction progressed, people from other places ran grocery stores here. Some men, who did not have the ability to do business by investing, were sent to foreign jobs, and some were engaged in subsistence farming. Housewives stayed at home," Alemgar said.
As the number of vehicles on the highway started to increase, water and electricity facilities were added to the houses. With the development of the place, the level of awareness among the locals increased. They have started selling the local agricultural products left over by the highway. Only three years ago, a collective homestay was started in this settlement, which has the potential for tourism. He said that there is support and cooperation from Kamalamai Municipality, Kandamul Development Center, Agricultural Knowledge Center, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Seeds Nepal, Sri Sindhuli, and other organizations for this.
"All the families have brought together the collective homestay", said Alemgar, "No need to invest, in vegetables, fruits, folk chicken, and other dishes produced in their village, which are prepared daily for the family. The guests, who come to the homestay, enjoy this. We are excited because we don't have to wander around looking for work. It's easier than other businesses, and it’s beneficial and safe from every point of view."
He has taken training in homestay operation and management and has visited homestays in different districts. He is happy to see homestays in his own place, which will help in economic, social, and cultural transformation, raise the standard of living of the locals and change daily life. Vimala Thapa Magar said that she earned 33 thousand seven hundred rupees by serving 27 guests. After being confined to domestic life, he became active in the homestay and has been able to cover the expenses of his family with his own earnings.
Chandrakumari Zargamgar was shocked when the guest came for the first time. But now he has changed a lot. Training and practice have made him brave. From home to village, from cleanliness to hospitality and teaching to make traditional dishes, he has mastered it all. Zargamgar himself is farming millet, wheat, pulses, goats, chickens and vegetables in the fields of 6 kattha and 5 fields. "There is no need to wait anywhere to sell the products here. Locals are able to get income easily", he said.
Suvekchya Bhattarai of Bhaktapur, who has returned from staying at the homestay for four days, says that the environment, the behaviour of the villagers and the natural beauty of the place will continue to entice her. The homestay business that started in 2054 from Sirubari in Syangja has now spread all over the country. According to Govinda Prasad Humagai, President of the Homestay Association of Bagmati Province, homestays are operating in 68 districts including Sindhuli. One thousand five hundred homestays are institutionally registered. He says that homestays are operating in 22,000 homes across the country. 125 homestays are institutionally registered in Bagmati province alone. Out of this, 75 homestays are run by the community and others privately._Rss
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