Tourists to Muktinath increases

By Thakur Acharya,Mustang, Oct. 24: The number of religious tourists has surged in Muktinath Temple after the end of Dashain festival. Muktinath Temple is currently crowded with domestic and foreign tourists. 

With clear weather, hundreds of local and foreign tourists are thronging the famous shrine these days. According to the Muktinath Area Development Committee, around 4,000 to 5,000 religious tourists visit Muktinath every day. 

Mostly school and campus students and teachers are visiting the temple utilising the holidays of Dashain and Tihar. 

Devotees from all the districts of the country have come to Muktinath to worship and visit, said Rabin Subedi, an employee of the Muktinath Area Development Committee. He said that devotees gather from 7 am to evening every day.  

The number of devotees has increased after the weather became clear. The devotees take baths in 108 streams and the two ponds located on the Muktinath Temple premises.

Chiran Khadka, who came to visit Muktinath Temple from Tulsipur of Dang for the first time, said that he was happy to visit Muktinath. "Muktinath is a sacred religious pilgrimage site as well as a mine of natural beauty, ’’ he said. There are about 40 luxury hotels in Ranipauwa below the temple. 

Dhruba Subedi, Director of Hotel Annapurna Inn, said that most of the hotels are packed with increasing religious tourists. He said that the hotels there would be fully occupied till mid-December.

Muktinath is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. It is located at an altitude of 3,700 metres above sea level. 

Muktinath lies along the Annapurna Circuit, one of the world's most famous trekking routes. Therefore Muktinath is considered to be the best for trekking.

Jomsom, Thini, Kagbeni of Mustang and Lomanthang, the historic settlement of Upper Mustang, have also witnessed an increase in the number of tourists this season.