In Lamjung’s Besisahar Municipality-2, Naruwal Magar Homestay offers guests an authentic cultural experience with traditional meals served on fresh Sal leaf plates, featuring steaming hot Sel Roti, pickles, potatoes, and lentils.
Sabitri Ale Magar, the homestay’s host, believes in serving guests with warmth and respect, ensuring that every visitor enjoys not just the food but also the rich traditions of the Magar community.
Established during the tenure of Nepal’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, Naruwal Magar Homestay is the first Magar-run homestay in Lamjung. The district, known for its diverse cultures, has embraced homestays as a means of economic and cultural sustainability, with 12 homestays operating within Lamjung and 310 across Gandaki Province.
According to Hem Bahadur Ale, president of Naruwal Magar Homestay, the initiative has improved the economic conditions of locals, creating employment opportunities while allowing families to sustain themselves through traditional farming. However, climate change poses a growing concern, with receding snow cover on the Annapurna, Lamjung Himal, Manaslu, and Ganesh Himal ranges affecting the region’s tourism.
Despite this, the homestay, primarily run by local women, continues to preserve Magar traditions through organic farming, folk dances like Jhame and Kauta, and traditional attire. Ward Chairman Madan Bahadur Rana highlights the area’s additional attractions, including Pathibhara Temple, stone-paved hills, and ancient stone spouts, making Naruwal Magar Homestay a perfect blend of cultural preservation and sustainable rural tourism.
