A festival aimed at promoting the Mundum Trail has officially begun, with the objective of enhancing this popular route, which is included in the government’s list of 100 must-visit destinations. The event, targeting the Mundum Visit Year 2025, will run until the 5th of Magh and is focused on culture, tourism, and agriculture.
Cultural, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister Bandri Prasad Pandey inaugurated the festival on Tuesday, emphasizing that developing the country’s languages, traditions, and culture could transform Nepal into an open cultural museum.
He noted that tourism could provide self-employment opportunities for thousands of citizens in the coming years. The government aims to encourage both domestic and international visitors to explore the nation’s various trekking routes, with the potential to boost the country’s GDP through tourism.
The festival is being held in the picturesque area of Chakhewa Bhyang in Temkemaiyung Municipality-4. The event includes a display of local dishes and exhibitions, including items such as Radipakhi, specifically designed to attract tourists. Organizers, the Chakhewa Market and Urban Management Committee, also showcase the cultural diversity of local ethnic communities through vibrant processions.
The festival promotes organic food options, featuring local delicacies such as millet, buckwheat, roasted corn, and Gundruk. Village Deputy Chairperson Ramadevi Rai stated that the event is focused on the development of agriculture, tourism, and local traditions, contributing to the promotion and growth of these sectors. “We hope the festival will help market local agricultural products while enhancing the overall development of the region,” she said.
Municipality President Saroj Basnet highlighted that the municipality has been working systematically on the development of agriculture, tourism, and cultural infrastructure. With the slogan “Agriculture, Tourism, and Cultural Infrastructure as the Foundation of Temkemaiyung Development,” the municipality is advancing its development initiatives. “Through this festival, we aim to further promote and expand the Mundum Trail. Our target is to attract 100,000 tourists during the Visit Year,” President Basnet said. The festival serves as an important milestone in the efforts to enhance the Mundum Trail, aiming to draw attention to its cultural, agricultural, and tourism potential.
