Mustang
Mustang (formerly
Kingdom of Lo)
is one of the tourism areas of Nepal
which has much great potential to attract the tourists all around the globe. Mustang
was a lost kingdom of Tibet and although it is now part of Nepal,
traditions and cultures remain purely Tibetan. It lies at an altitude of 3,835
meter on the northern-west part of Nepal
about 400km roadway from the capital city i.e. Kathmandu.
Mustang is also called as ‘the country behind the Himalayas’.
Mainly, Mustang is differentiated
into two regions i.e. upper mustang and lower mustang. The Upper Mustang was a
restricted demilitarized area until 1992 which makes it one of the most
preserved regions in the world. Tibetan culture has been preserved by the
relative isolation of the region from the outside world with a majority of the
population still speaking traditional Tibetan languages. The region has a
trans-Himalayan climate which is cool and semi-arid. It is in the rain shadow
of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The
upper mustang is mostly popular for adventurous trekking and lower mustang is
famous for natural scenery.
Route
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| Route to Mustang from Kathmandu |
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The most convenient approach to
get to Upper Mustang is to fly from Pokhara to Jomsom and begin the trek from
that point. The flight is attractive in itself, flying through the deepest
gorge in the world, between the Dhaulagiri and
the Nilgiri. Firstly, you need to reach Pokhara by flight from Kathmandu or by bus in a long way through the Prithvi Highway
(from 6 to 8 hours, it costs no more than 12$). Then you can go to Jomsom by
jeep or by flight (20 minutes) or walking for 3 days. Jomsom is the starting
point to explore Lo’s Kingdom. The trail follows the famous Kali Gandaki river
upstream to Kagbeni. F
rom Kagbeni the restricted area of Upper Mustang starts.
10 awesome facts that attracts tourists all around the globe
1. Jomsom
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| Jomsom Bazar |
The origin of Kaligandaki River
is in the Mustang district. Kaligandaki
River makes the second
deepest gorge of the country. The Jomsom valley lies in the shade of these
mountains which is drained by the Kaligandaki
River.
This gorge is another attraction of Mustang. The
authoritative focus of Mustang is at Jomsom which has had an airplane terminal
since 1962 and has turned into the fundamental vacationer passage point since
Mustang was opened to western sightseers in 1992.
2. Natural Diversity
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Vegetation of Mustang
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Since Mustang is situated at the
northernmost part of the country, the area is rich in natural biodiversity. Apple
fields and rhododendron timberlands enhances the beauty of Mustang. The
tropical snow capped and coniferous timberland occupies a little portion of Mustang.
The biodiversity of the area swiped whole slopes with pink and red rhododendron
backwoods bursting with birdsongs.
Residing
in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri, life in
Mustang revolves around tourism, animal husbandry and trade.
3. Awesome Adventures
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| Cyclists on the adventure of highlands |
Mustang is well known for awesome
adventures, for example, cycling, rock climbing, trekking, horse hustling and
riding. The geological structure of Mustang is involved good highlands and lowlands
with plain, which makes it appropriate for mountain cycling, trekking. The trek
to Upper Mustang passes through an almost tree-less barren landscape, a steep
rocky trail up and down hill and panoramic views of Niligiri, Annapurna,
Dhaulagiri and several other peaks. Upper Mustang trek also offers an
opportunity to explore the thousand years of old monasteries, caves, local
tribes and grand delights of the diverse scenes. Mustang is stride with the
mountain ranges such as Annapurna and Niligiri
range. Being absence of enough transportation facilities, local people raises horses
in their home for transportation reason.
4. Muktinath temple
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Piligrims taking bath on the holy water taps of Muktinath
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Muktinath temple is the sacred
spot for Hindus and Buddhists. Muktinath is one of the most important holy places
among “Four Dhams” of Hindu heavenly places being situated in the mountain region.
In Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa all the elements are represented, not only earth,
air and holy water, but also fire. Beside trees are growing at an unusual
altitude. For this and reasons unseen yogis from both religions do their
meditation at Muktinath. It is a great example to our world of a sacred place
shared in harmony by devotees of two world religions. The most suitable time to
visit Muktinath is from March to June, as the climate conditions would not be
sufficiently sheltered to go in different months. The voyage goes through
numerous archaeological destinations and sanctuaries. The 108 water taps and
relentless gleaming flame is another fascination of this sanctuary.
5. Valleys
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Kaagbeni on the bank of Kaligandaki river
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Jomsom, Kagbeni, lomangthang are
sure lovely valleys that lie in Mustang region. Jomsom is fundamentally an administrative
and commercial center with government authorities and traders rubbing shoulders
with the nearby occupants of the locale, known as Thakalis. Kagbeni which lies
close to the intersection with the trail to Muktinath, is a town in Upper
Mustang, situated in the valley of the Kaligandaki River.
Lomangthang which lies in Upper Mustang is well known for trekking adventures.
6. Cultures and Traditions
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Buddhist monks on Tiji Festival
|
The magical 'Kingdom of Lo' or
Upper Mustang, the last example of living Tibetan culture in Nepal, used to be
a piece of the Tibetan realm, and is along these lines firmly identified with
Tibet. Tibetan Buddhism is as yet being polished in an exceptionally immaculate
structure and towns are inherent Tibetan style even today. Cultural trails in
the region take into the homes of Gurungs in the lowlands, the hospitality of
Thakalis around Jomsom, Manangis in the east and Tibetans in the arid north.
The typical culture of people living in mountainous region can be observed and
enjoyed clearly in Mustang. Another fascination of Mustang district is the Tiji
Festival affected by Tibetan Buddhism. The Mustangi individuals have their own
specific manner of family life, which is entirely shocking for some pariahs.
Every one of the siblings in the family is hitched to a solitary young lady,
what you may call a practice of polyandry.
7. Thakali Food
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Traditional Thakali Food
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Thakali food is another attraction of this culture
and Mustang itself. The food is the renowned
all through the nation which can be delighted in at its starting point place Mustang.
Distinctive local products of apples, for example, wine, brew, dried items and
so on can likewise be delighted in.
Thakali cuisine uses
locally grown buckwheat, barley, millet and dal, as well as rice, maize and dal imported from
lower regions to the south. Grain may be ground and boiled into a thick
porridge that is eaten in place of rice
with dal. A kind of dal is even made from dried, ground buckwheat leaves.
8. Snowfall
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Naurikot Village of Mustanf covered by snow
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Being encompassed
by the snow topped mountains Mustang gets the snow falls much of the time and
for the most part in the winter season. Guests can appreciate the snowfall and snow
games in mustang during this time. A visit to the snowy spots should be
possible with the horse ride during this period.
9. Himalayan range
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Annapurna and Nilgiri panorama, Nepal
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Mustang being in the northern
part of the nation is gifted with the mountain ranges, for example, Annapurna and Niligiri range. The Jomsom valley lies in
the shade of these mountains which is drained by the Kaligandaki River.
Mountains include the magnificence of Mustang.
10. Houses of Mustang
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The Royal Palace in Lo Manthang (Mustang)
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Mustang is a medieval town,
encompassed by a colossal town walls. Entering Mustang leads into an alternate
world. In Mustang, voyagers can discover the royal residence of the king, a
tremendous 4 story high building. In addition, there are a couple of lovely
huge religious communities, for instance the Thugchen Gompa, constructed in the
fifteenth century. The indigenous populace stem to a great extent from the
Thakali ethnic gathering, a famed trading people who now make a living as
inn-keepers for the countless tourists and pilgrims passing through.
To put it plainly, Mustang keeps on being a
position of profound deep sense of spirituality and fascination. East of Lo Monthang; Mustang - A Lost Tibetan
Kingdom and Himalayan Pilgrimage, each of them praising the ethics of the zone.
On the off chance that you are occupied with Buddhist craftsmanship and culture
and need to stroll through Himalayan history, Mustang remains the ideal
destination. With the Tibetan plateau in your sights and the wind in you hair,
it is the trek of a lifetime. Explore Mustang and find out how the thousands
years of isolation has kept the culture, lifestyle and heritage intact for
centuries.
