Nepal

A 725-metre walking trail leading to a tourist site, Ramkotdham, has been built in Kothekhola Rural Municipality-5 of Baglung district.

The trekking path connects Shantichowk in Kothekhola Rural Municipality to Tripureshwor Mahadev Mandir and was developed with financial aid from residents from Bihukot in the district who are now living overseas.

Financial aid was offered by Bihukot people in Japan, the United States, and Europe, according to Trail Construction Consumer Committee Chairperson Khagaraj Kandel. "Over Rs6 million has been collected thus far, and more help is on its way," Kandel said.

Prem Kandel planned a fundraising event in Japan to help fund the development of a hiking route that would benefit both visitors and locals.

Following the route, he added, an entry gate, fencing, and resting areas will be created, with a budget of Rs2.5 million set up for the development of the remaining infrastructure.

The local government paid Rs300,000 to the trail's development. It was revealed that an additional Rs600,000 was spent on the trail's development under the Prime Minister Self-Employment Scheme.

Traditional techniques and local resources, such as slate stones from nearby streams, were used to construct the route, which former Ward 5 chairperson Shiva Prasad Kandel claims is tourist-friendly.

On Shivarattri, Akshya Tritiya, and Jestha 11 of the Nepali month, special worship and fairs are organised at Tripureshwor Mahadev Mandir. The Lord Shiva Temple is adorned with historical relics.

Ramkotdham has a hermitage and a Sanskrit pathshala (study centre) for Sanskrit teaching and learning activities. The Pathshala was later relocated to Devghat owing to security concerns during the insurgency, but people are working to return it to its original location.

- RSS