Narjang's Lekhgaun: A Confluence of Culture and Nature

Myagdi. Lekhgaun in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 is a confluence of culture and nature.

Lekhgaun, situated on a hilly slope at an altitude of two thousand meters above sea level, has the identity of a 'Magar Museum' with its cluster of traditional stone houses. Approximately one hundred families reside in Lekhgaun, all belonging to the Magar community.

Ward member of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Shyam Purja, stated that Lekhgaun, with its original houses built centuries ago using local skills, is called the 'Magar Museum' because traditional Magar lifestyle and culture are kept alive in the settlement.

"Not only the original stone houses built by ancestors using local skills and materials, but also the old customs of farming through mutual help, herding in mobile pastures, dancing traditional dances, and performing Bhume Puja have continued," he said. "We are trying to develop Lekhgaun as a study center for the customs, culture, art, and skills of the Magar community."

Along with culture, Lekhgaun is naturally beautiful and picturesque. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Nilgiri, Manapathi, and Barah Shikhara mountains are in the background of Lekhgaun. The view of avalanches falling from Annapurna Himal can be observed up close. Near Lekhgaun is the flat Swara Phant. Locals cultivate food crops in Swara Phant. In winter, they keep mobile pastures for cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats.

A team led by botanist Kamal Maden a few years ago published a report stating that Swara Phant is a habitat for many species of birds and that the nearby forest has abundant medicinal herbs. Lekhgaun, located at the foot of Khopra Lake, also provides access to Annapurna Base Camp.

There is a trekking route connecting Ghorepani, Bayali, Khopra, and Narjang. Ward member Purja said that tourists are not visiting due to lack of publicity. For the convenience of tourists, there are restaurants and homestays in Lekhgaun. Tourists can stay in hotels and homestays as per their wish. One can observe the cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats raised in mobile pastures. Homnath Pandey from Gulmi said that one can closely observe the Magar customs and lifestyle in Lekhgaun.

While traveling to Lekhgaun via Bhurung Tatopani on the Beni-Jomsom road, one can observe the Narjang waterfall located in Narjang Besi. Lekhgaun can be reached after a two-hour trek and a one-hour drive from Bhurung Tatopani. From Lekhgaun, one can observe the hydropower projects that have been constructed and are under construction in Narjang.

Ward Chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Lok Bahadur Phagami, said that the route from Lekhgaun to Khopra and Annapurna Base Camp connects Basbot with a trekking route. He said that efforts are being made to attract tourists by promoting the culture and natural beauty of Lekhgaun along with infrastructure development, and to bring back those who have gone abroad or to the cities.