Tourists are increasing visiting Singa Tatopani Kunda in Beni Municipality 4, Myagdi during the main hot spring season. With cooler temperatures and the Dashain Tihar period encouraging more domestic travel, it has become a popular spot for tourists looking to relax. This natural hot spring is attracting visitors from throughout the country and is helping to promote the tourism industry in Myagdi.
“There are usually between 600 to 700 people visiting the hot spring to bathe after Dashain. We’ve had up to 1,500 people visiting daily during September and October in previous years,” says Krishna Khadka, Chairperson of Singa Tatopani Kunda Management Committee. The hot springs, located along the Myagdi River, collect naturally occurring water that people can use to bathe in. The hot spring is popular between October to April.
Tourists Are Visiting For Natural Hot Spring Experience
Tourists come from throughout the country to relax and hopefully get relief from ailments. “I came to visit because I was suffering from back pain. My wife was suffering from health issues but got better after 15 days of bathing here,” says Pradeep Subedi from Gaindakot, Nawalpur. This is just one of many stories that have made the hot spring popular for natural therapies.
Many come regularly to visit and have their own personal reasons. Keshav Bahadur KC from Baglung has been visiting every year for 7 days during the Dashain Tihar period for the last ten years. He suffered a broken leg in an accident in 2001. Radha Devi Sharma from Kathmandu has also been coming since 2006 due to nerve issues and lower back pain. Their personal beliefs are why they come and there is no evidence to show that they have improved their health.
Revenue Is Being Generated From The Hot Spring
The hot spring attracts tourists from all 77 districts in Nepal and internationally. More than 21,000 people visited last year, says Resham Karki, member of the management committee. People can bathe between 5.30am and 5.30pm. Women and men each have their own bathing times. There can be up to 250 people in the pools at any one time.
The management committee charge tourists Rs. 350 for a 7 day stay and Rs. 500 for 9 days. 13% of the revenue from entrance fees goes into tax for the government and 25% goes into Beni Municipality. More tourists are visiting which means the local tourism industry is booming. Hotel owners are seeing more guests visiting.
Flooding Causing Issues But Hot Spring Now Operational
Flooding and landslides caused damage to multiple buildings. The hot spring pools were filled with mud. Local community members and others helped to clear the areas and remove the landslide materials. Regular operations began on 13th October 2026. However, the smaller pool, for those staying for shorter amounts of time, is not operational due to flooding.
Initial estimates show that there has been around 30 million damage to the structure. The management committee have done surveys and costings for conservation and rebuilding work and have asked for funding from the government. Due to less space for bathing, managing the increased number of tourists during peak times has been an issue.
Local Hotels And Homestays Benefiting
More tourists are visiting which means more business for hotels and homestays. “We are getting more people coming in for rooms. They come from throughout the country,” says Sita Ghale, Chairperson of Tatopani Hotel Entrepreneurs Committee. There are approximately 20 hotels of different sizes within the area and some people rent rooms and gas stoves to cook their own food. Tourists enjoy the local scenery and hospitality.
They also enjoy the local food. Asala fish from the Myagdi River is one of the special dishes. The natural hot water, plus the accommodation and local food have made it an important tourist spot in Myagdi. As the hot spring continues to recover from the flooding and more tourists are visiting during peak times it will help boost the local businesses. However, there is no evidence to show that they will improve their health.
Source:RSS
