Lekhnath, 4 Feb: Naturally scenic and distinctive villages have recently become increasingly active in organizing a variety of activities to promote tourism. Ghandruk, a popular tourist village in Kaski district that lies along the world-famous Annapurna Circuit trekking route, is preparing to host a tourism festival as part of its efforts to attract national and international visitors and strengthen promotional activities.
Located about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Pokhara, Ghandruk serves as an important gateway for several trekking routes in the Annapurna region. From Ghandruk, trekkers can travel via Bhaisekharka, Tadapani, Banthanti, and Deurali to reach Ghodepani in Myagdi district. There is also an alternative trekking route from Ghandruk through Tadapani, Isru, Dobato, and Muldai leading to Khorpa Lake and the Hidden Lake in Myagdi. In addition, many trekkers begin their journey to Annapurna Base Camp by passing through Chhomrong from Ghandruk.
Ghandruk falls under wards 10 and 11 of Annapurna Rural Municipality in Kaski district. The Ghandruk Tourism Festival is scheduled to take place from Falgun 6 to 9 (mid-February). The festival is being jointly organized by the Ghandruk Tourism Management Committee and Rodhi Club Kond (Ghandruk).
Speaking at a press conference held in Pokhara on Tuesday, Lama Amrit Gurung, Senior Vice-President of Rodhi Club Kond (Ghandruk), said that the festival has been continued with the slogan of “Tourism for All Seasons,” emphasizing year-round tourism promotion in Ghandruk. Meanwhile, Bikram Gurung, Chairperson of the Ghandruk Tourism Management Committee, informed that tourists will receive a 15 percent discount on accommodation and food throughout the festival period.
“Ghandruk has hotels and homestays capable of accommodating up to 2,500 tourists in a single day,” he said. Laxin Gurung, Chairperson of Rodhi Club Kond (Ghandruk), expressed confidence that the festival would significantly contribute to the promotion of tourism in Ghandruk. According to the organizers, the festival will feature various competitions, including an open ward-level men’s volleyball tournament.
Other major events include a nationwide basketball tournament, a horse-racing competition, a ram-butting competition, tug-of-war, and a traditional stone-throwing (Chelo) competition. Winners of the open ward-level men’s volleyball tournament and the nationwide inter-municipal open men’s basketball tournament will each receive NPR 166,666 as first prize, NPR 111,111 as second prize, and NPR 55,555 as third prize, along with trophies, medals, and certificates.
In the horse-racing competition, the first prize winner will receive NPR 101,111, the second NPR 40,444, the third NPR 20,222, the fourth NPR 11,000, the fifth NPR 9,000, the sixth NPR 7,000, and the seventh NPR 5,000, along with certificates.
Winners of the Ghandruk Circular Trail Race will receive NPR 16,666 for first place, NPR 7,444 for second place, and NPR 3,444 for third place, along with medals and certificates. In the Chelo competition, the winner will receive NPR 16,666 and the runner-up NPR 6,666.
Similarly, winners of both the women’s and men’s tug-of-war competitions will receive NPR 11,111 each, while runners-up will receive NPR 5,555, along with medals and certificates. In the ram-butting competition, first place will be awarded NPR 11,000, second NPR 9,000, third NPR 7,000, fourth NPR 5,000, and fifth NPR 3,000 as prize money.
