By Our Correspondent
Humla, Mar. 14: On the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, a team of Indian pilgrims visited Nepal’s Lapcha in Humla district to explore the alternate route to Mansarovar – known in Hindu mythology as the home of Lord Shiva.
According to tourism entrepreneur, Bijay Lama, the seven-member team of Indian pilgrims came to Lapcha by helicopter en-route to Mansarovar. However, the stipulated first flight to the mountainous region Lapcha located at an elevation of 5000m from the sea level was cancelled due to hailstorm and snowfall. The crew had to return to Simkot before making second attempt.
“The tourists are ecstatic over landing at Lapcha. The views it lends of the holy Mt. Kailash has mesmerised the Indian pilgrims,” stated Lama. Previously, only domestic tourist used Lapcha as an alternate route to Mansarovar. But recently, it has seen an upsurge in the number of foreign tourists, especially pilgrims from India. Although, the helicopter ride to Lapcha is expensive, local authorities and tourism entrepreneurs have been trying to encourage pilgrims to visit Lapcha as the new gateway to the holy site.
Over 30,000 Indian tourists have been visiting Kailash Mansarovar by way of Hilsa through Chinese territory for three years in a row. In the meanwhile, the local tourism entrepreneurs and trek and tour operators have been trying to promote Lapcha as a more scenic and promising alternate trail. Just last October, a three-member Indian team had also visited Kailash Mansarovar from Lapcha.
Another tourism entrepreneur, Bishnu Rawat said that the Namkha and Simkot Rural Municipality needs to upgrade the Limi-Lapcha route so that prospective tourists no longer have to book premium helicopter services. “This would greatly reduce travel expenses and increase the likelihood of Lapcha establishing itself as the next best route. This will also promote Humla’s hotels, increase commercial trade and drive the all-round economic success,” he added.