By Belina Thapa
Lamjung, Mar. 21: Domestic tourists have started flocking to northern Lamjung to bathe in the hot waters of Jagat Tatopani Kunda.
With the number of COVID-19 cases decreasing, visitors have begun coming in droves to soak in the two warm ponds of Jagat Tatopani in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality – 4, after a gap of almost one year, said Khusi Ram Gurung, secretary of the Jagat Tatopani Kunda Management Committee (JTKMC).
According to Gurung, many people visit the Kunda in the months of March and October. “These months are the peak seasons,” he said. “Tuesdays are considered good days to bathe in the ponds and Saturdays are when people are the most free. That is why these days are especially busy.”
Gurung informed that, on average, 20 people visit the pond every day.
This is still less than the 60 to 67 people Jagat Tatopani used to attract before the pandemic. Devi Jung Gurung, chairman of JTKMC, told The Rising Nepal that the place was packed with foreigners this time last year. “This year though, no foreigner came,” he said.
The two ponds of the Kunda – Seto Tatopani Kunda and Rato Tatopani Kunda – are just 10 minutes away from the main Jagat market. People can drive to Seto Kunda by car.
The water in Rato Kunda is salty which is why many people go there. Salty water is believed to be more effective in curing diseases than fresh water.
“We are currently engaged in managing the ponds because we believe it will help attract more tourists,” Secretary Gurung shared. “For this, we are working with Marsyangdi Rural Municipality.”
Bathing in Jagat Tatopani Kunda is believed to cure uric acid, arthritis, gastric, skin conditions and diseases of the nervous system.