Rinje NASA Village in Pokhara Metropolitan City-16 is gaining recognition as a key destination for homestay tourism, adorned with ancient architecture and scenic surroundings. The village has become a focal point for travelers, offering breathtaking views of the neighboring landscapes that captivate every visitor.
On the occasion of the 45th World Tourism Day, celebrated globally, the Village Tourism Promotion Forum (VITOFF) of Gandaki Province held a homestay promotion program in Rinje NASA. The event, supported by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism of Gandaki Province and Pokhara Metropolitan City, was coordinated by the Pokhara Tourism Council, with promotion from the Nepal Tourism Board.
Shobha Sapkota, the president of VITOFF Gandaki Province, shared that the forum aims to promote tourism in the region under the slogan “Every Village is a Tourist Destination.” The selection of Rinje NASA for this initiative highlights its potential as a tourist spot.
The village has faced a decline in population, with only nine to ten households remaining from the 26-27 homes that once thrived. Shamsher Gurung, the chairperson of the Rinje NASA Community Homestay, explained that the community started the homestay program to address the challenges posed by increasing migration and to preserve the village’s charm for tourism.
Gurung noted, “The homestay initiative began in 2076 B.S. (2019 A.D.) to utilize the village’s beauty and authenticity for tourism while combating the trend of depopulation.” He emphasized the village’s significant tourism potential, aiming to increase local income through the program.
Located approximately 12 kilometers from Pokhara’s Prithvi Chowk, Rinje NASA is nestled in a scenic area. Tourists are drawn to the picturesque views of the eastern and western landscapes, as well as the stunning vistas of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machapuchre mountains visible from the north.
Traveling from the village to Mulkot takes about one and a half hours, while reaching Nagi Danda takes around three hours. Once there, visitors are often refreshed by the spectacular scenery. The village is also home to the historic Naudharo Siddha Barah Temple, which attracts religious tourists. Locals have worshiped at this sacred site since ancient times, and a festival is held every Maghe Sankranti.
The temple, located near a beautiful waterfall and flowing streams, along with the melodic chirping of birds, enhances the village’s tourist appeal. Visitors can reach Rinje NASA by following the route from Pokhara through Mahendra Bridge, Bagar, and Kaisa Singh Bridge, approximately two kilometers from the village.
Taranath Pahari, president of the Pokhara Tourism Council and founding president of VITOFF Gandaki, emphasized the need for collective efforts to transform the vision of “Every Village is a Tourist Destination” into reality, reinforcing the notion that Nepal is a country filled with villages ripe for tourism.
The program featured notable attendees, including Rabindra Raj Poudel, vice-chair of the Pokhara Metropolitan City Tourism Development Committee; Bimal Ranjan Karki, head of the Urban Development, Tourism, and Environment Division; Ganesh Raj Pahari, vice-president of the Western Region Hotel Association; and other local tourism stakeholders, who echoed the sentiment that linking beautiful villages with tourism could lead to development and economic prosperity for the region.
