Tharu Homestay in Kanchanpur Transforms Lives of Former Kamaiyas into Rural Tourism Hub

Kanchanpur. The Mukta Kamaiya settlement in Baani, Krishnapur Municipality-2, is now becoming a popular destination for rural tourism. Tharu community families, who were previously forced to sell their labor to landlords for a living, are now moving forward on the path to self-reliance by operating homestays in their own village.

'Vijayasal,' operating in the Tharu settlement, has become a reliable source of income for the local community and a model for the preservation of Tharu culture and the promotion of rural tourism. Bispati Chaudhary, a resident of the settlement, shares that his life has changed significantly within a few years of starting the homestay. Before starting the homestay, he had to work as a daily wage laborer to support his family.

“Previously, we survived by working as daily wage laborers,” he said, “Since starting the homestay, a new source of income has opened up; guests keep arriving, which has made sustaining our livelihood much easier.” The continuous arrival of guests at the homestay has increased the income not only for Chaudhary but also for other families in the settlement. Currently, 6 families here jointly operate the Vijayasal Community Homestay.

All families involved in the homestay have constructed separate houses for guests to stay in. These houses are built to reflect traditional Tharu architecture. Although they look like traditional houses made of mud and wood from the outside, modern facilities are provided inside.

For the comfort of the guests, each room is equipped with an attached bathroom, comfortable beds, and Wi-Fi service. In rooms designed for two people, guests can experience both the village environment and modern amenities.

Four attractive round houses have been built within the homestay premises for guests to stay. Additionally, a separate community hall has been arranged for welcoming guests and holding group events. This has developed the homestay not just as a place to stay but also as a center for cultural activities and community interaction, explains local Durga Chaudhary.

“There is a special reason why the homestay is named 'Vijayasal Community Homestay',” she said. “Vijayasal is a medicinal plant known for its multiple health benefits, considered very important from a health perspective. It is believed that drinking water kept in utensils made from Vijayasal wood helps control diabetes and blood pressure. Recently, this tree has been on the verge of extinction in the forests. Keeping this in mind, we named the homestay 'Vijayasal' with the objective of conserving and promoting Vijayasal.”

Another attraction of the Vijayasal Homestay is the traditional Tharu cuisine available here. Guests visiting the homestay are served various local dishes according to their preferences. According to homestay operator Basanti Rana, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are available here.

“We prepare food according to the guests' choices,” she said. “Guests really enjoy authentic Tharu dishes like Dhikri, Bariya Roti, Antiko Bhat, Misoula, Phuloura, and others.” In addition, fish, crabs, snails, Sutahi, pork, and local chicken meat are also popular dishes here.

Operators mention that sometimes guests also request to taste rat chutney. Similarly, the sour-spicy Bayar chutney is one of the favorite dishes enjoyed by guests, which the homestay operators invariably serve with the meal. The price for the food items available at the homestay ranges from NPR 130 to NPR 300.

Traditional Tharu dances are also presented for the entertainment of guests visiting the homestay. Local women and youth perform dances such as Sakhiya, Chokra, and Maghauta in the community hall. These dances, performed to the rhythm of the Madal (drum) and Manjira (cymbals), give guests a glimpse of Tharu culture.

According to homestay operator Pardeshani Dagaura, cultural programs are organized based on guest demand. “There is a system of charging NPR 3,000 for one hour of dance performance,” he said. “This not only entertains the guests but also helps in preserving our culture.” The money received from cultural programs is deposited into a collective fund for the artists.

“The record shows that about one thousand guests visit the homestay annually,” said homestay operator Lilakumari Chaudhary. “The hustle and bustle of guests significantly increases during the tourist season; about 200 guests stayed here in the month of Falgun this year alone.”

Most of the guests visiting here come from areas including Ilam, Dhading, Morang, Sunsari, Pokhara, and Kathmandu. Operators say that sometimes foreign tourists also visit here, eager to learn about Tharu culture, lifestyle, and cuisine.

Most guests staying at the homestay also visit nearby tourist spots. Shuklaphanta National Park is considered the main attraction here. Many tourists visit there to see the vast grasslands and the rare Swamp Deer (Barasingha). Additionally, tourists visit to witness the view of the multi-span suspension bridge built over the Mahakali River.

The Sisne Wetland area near the homestay is also considered an attractive destination for nature lovers. Various species of birds and aquatic life can be observed here. Participating families earn between NPR 30,000 to NPR 35,000 monthly from operating the homestay. However, operators state that income fluctuates depending on the number of guests. According to local residents, economic activity in the village has increased since the operation of the homestay began.

This has increased the utilization of local products and created employment opportunities. Furthermore, it has had a positive impact on the preservation of the unique culture, cuisine, and lifestyle of the Tharu community, says local leader Shobha Khuna.

“Despite the success of the homestay operation, there are some challenges,” she said. “The fluctuation in the number of guests according to the season, language barriers with foreign tourists, and lack of publicity are the main challenges.” She believes that if support is received from government agencies for infrastructure development, training, and publicity, this area can be developed as an important center for rural tourism.

“The Vijayasal Community Homestay has shown the struggling Mukta Kamaiya community a path to self-reliance; cooperation from all sectors is necessary to sustain this,” she concludes.