Langtang in North to Lumbini in South
Langtang North Lumbini South
The April 2015 Nepal earthquake killed 8,000 people and injured more than 20,000, which occurred at 11:56 AM with 7.8. The main epicentre was Gorkha, Barpak, and it hits approximately 8.2km depth which is considered the worst natural disaster since 1934. The earthquake activated the massive avalanche, killing 21, and another avalanche in the Langtang valley reported 250 people missing. Langtang North Lumbini South is the blog for those deep interest in natural beauty in Nepal.
My Experience
I thought of travelling and experiencing the lifestyle of the Mountain, Hilly and Terai region after one year of the earthquake. Many countries and international communities are still reporting Nepal are not safe for travelling.
All the tourist and trekking infrastructure is open. The hotels and restaurants in the tourist district of Kathmandu are available, similarly in Patan and Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Lumbini and Chitwan. The major trekking routes such as Langtang and Manaslu circuit are popular, and the local restaurant and guest house in these areas.
I was in the Langtang Valley at the beginning of this month. The old path along the Langtang Lirung riverside from the Syaprubesi has many landslides. The hotels and café are still closed, but the mesmerizing view of the forest, wild bees and frequently spotted wild animals such as the monkey, snow leopard, dear makes the first day of trekking very interesting. The Langtang Valley Trek is open for the trekkers.
Further Information
After the Lantang Valley Trek, I went to the Pokhara. The city is the main gateway for the trekkers into the Annapurna region. The place is also the headquarters for rafters, kayakers, paragliders, and mountain bikers. Much lower than the capital, at 800m above sea level, the climate is pleasant but occasionally humid. The place is more relaxed than the plains in summer and warmer than Kathmandu in winter. The Phewa Tal (Lake), known among locals as the Pokhara shining lake, is the main attraction for those visiting. The hotels, guest houses, restaurants, bars, shops and the entire tourist place are open.
The three days at Pokhara encouraged me to feel that I live in one lovely country. I leave Pokhara in the afternoon of the third day for Palpa.
Palpa's high hills command an impressive view of Nepal in all directions, with the great Madi valley in the west and the Kali Gandaki River along its northern border. Talking about people here, most follow Hinduism followed by Buddhism, and a few Muslims and Christians also reside here.
Similarly, the district's main attractions are Ranimahal (Ranighat), Srinagar Danda, Vairabsthan temple, Palpa Durbar, Ridi. Srinagar Danda is a 1600m (Tansen) high hill just north of Tansen, the headquarter of this district. A magnificent view is seen from the tower over the Kali Gandaki River of the Himalayas. The dense pine forest is the southern slope, and natural vegetation with the national flower 'Rohodendron' in the northern slope is famous for the naturalist.
More About Nepal
The other architecturally significant place not to be missed is Ranimahal, known as the Taj Mahal of Nepal, built by Khadga Shamser JBR in 1894 AD, on the monument of the deep love of his queen Tej Kumari. It is a lovely palace built above a single colossal stone nearby the Kali Gandaki River.
Bhairavthan, the largest 'Trishul' – a symbol of Lord Shiva is also the next attraction mainly for the Hindus.
Ridi River lies about 20 km northwest of Tansen is also a pilgrimage site. Rishikesh Mandir, a famous pagoda-style Mandir and Ridi River, has considered a pilgrimage site. Main in 1st Magh pilgrims all over the country visit here to take the sacred bath in the river and pay homage to the temple.
Furthermore, Palpa is famous for various kinds of handicrafts and cottage industries. People visiting Palpa are always eager to buy it as a souvenir, and Dhaka is renowned as one of the main items, and other Dhaka products are shawls, purses, etc.
Conclusion
One can quickly get here as there is a direct bus service between Kathmandu and Tansen, Pokhara and Tansen, between Bhairahawa and Tansen, and other places.
After the Palpa, Tansen, I went down to the Lumbini, an approximately 4-hour drive from Tansen. Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, which is in the Terai region of Nepal. It is the pilgrimage site for the Buddhists, which is in the centre of the Rupendhei District. The adventures ten hours of drive from Kathmandu will take you to the home of several international monasteries. According to the Buddhist tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to the Siddartha Gautam, who achieved enlightenment around 500BCE. Lumbini has many temples which including the Mayadevi Temple. Similarly, Holy Pond is also lying here; the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip before birth.
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