Preparations are nearly complete for the “Red Panda and Thar Festival 2082” starting this Monday in Khotang, organized under the theme of “Mundum Trail Visit Year 2025.” According to Mayor Tirtha Raj Bhattarai of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, the festival aims to promote and conserve the endangered Red Panda and Thar species. The event will take place in Hurlung, along the Mid-Hill Highway (Diktel-Halesi section), and will showcase various ethnic foods, attire, lifestyles, and local products.
The festival will also include exhibitions of Red Panda and Thar-related photos and videos, along with items made from local raw materials. Actor Dayahang Rai, the goodwill ambassador of Mundum Trail Visit Year 2025, will officially inaugurate the “Mundum Trail Red Panda-Thar Route” at Hurlung. Launched last December, the Mundum Trail Visit Year aims to attract around 100,000 domestic and international tourists. The trail, which is deeply connected to Kirati myths and cultural traditions, has been included in the government’s list of 100 tourist destinations.
Several local governments and organizations in Khotang and Bhojpur are also planning different festivals in celebration of this campaign. These include the Honey Hunting and Gothste Festival in Kepilasgadhi, the Udhauli-Ubhauli Sakela Festival in Sakela Rural Municipality, an Ultramarathon and Mountain Cycling event in Bhojpur Municipality, the Nachong Dhami Literary Festival in Salpa Silichho, the Rudraksha Festival in Shadananda, and the Chakchakur Festival in Mahakulung.
The Mundum Trail spans the border of Khotang and Bhojpur and reaches up to 4,165 meters at Silichung, passing through Temke Danda (3,165m), Maiyung, and Salpa Pokhari (3,750m). Known as a pristine or “virgin” destination, it takes around 13 days for foreign tourists and 10 days for Nepali visitors to complete, according to Ramesh Rai, chair of the Maiyung-Temke-Salpa-Silichung Tourism Promotion Center.
