Beyond the Himalayan range and drained by Kaligandaki river lies the unique world of scenic beauty and mixed Tibetan-Nepali cultured Mustang(Originally Monthang), is the eyecatching ,religious and dream destination for the tourists all round the world. Mustang lies beyond the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri extending upto the The Tibetan Plateau in the Gandaki Province of north western Nepal with variety of landscapes,culture ,caves and scenic beauty.
#Some facts of Mustang:
1.Mustang is divided into 2 parts:Lower Mustang amd Upper Mustang.Lower mustang is accessible any time which has Jomsom as its headquarter and Kagbeni a popular place.Whereas Upper Mustang is the isolated ancient Kingdom of Lo Manthang.
2. Mustang was a lost kingdom of Tibet and although it is now part of Nepal now, traditions and cultures remain purely Tibetan. From the 15th century to the 17th century, its strategic location granted Mustang control over the trade between the Himalayas and India. At the end of the 18th century the kingdom was annexed by Nepal. Most tourists travel by foot over largely the same trade route used in the 15th century.
3.Upper Mustang is still a restricted area.However, The Nepalese Department of Immigration requires foreign visitors to obtain a special permit and liaison (guide) to protect local tradition from outside influence as well as to protect their environment.
4. It is estimated that there are nearly 10,000 caves throughout Mustang. These caves have either been dug into the Cliffside, or have been tunneled from above. These thousand years old caves are shrouded in mystery regarding who built them and why were they built. Hidden within the Himalayas 155ft from the ground, these man-made caves are one of the world’s greatest archaeological mysteries. Thousands of these holes are carved into the fragile cliffs in a gorge so large, it dwarfs the Grand Canyon.
5.Here flows the Kaligandaki river which separates the major peaks of Dhalulagiri (8,167 m or 26,795 ft) on the west and Dhaulagiri (8,091 m or 26,545 ft) on the east making the deepest Gorge of the World.
6.Saligrams, fossilized stoneS, are that are believed to be remnants from the Jurassic age of the pre-historic Mesozoic era. They are found only in Kali-Gandaki River in the world and prove to be quite elusive. The local people also tend to sell Saligrams to visitors. Saligrams are considered sacred and are often used in prayer rituals. It is believed to be the symbol for Lord Vishnu as per Hinduism.
7. Another attraction of Mustang region is the 3 days Tiji Festival influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. The Mustagi people have their own way of family life, which is quite surprising for many outsiders. All the brothers in the family are married to a single girl, what you may call a practice of polyandry.
8. Muktinath is a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists located in Muktinath Valley at an altitude of 3,710 meters at the foot of the Thorong La mountain pass (part of the Himalayas) in Mustang, Nepal.It is the temple situated at highest altitude in the world.
9. The shrines, in a grove of trees, include a Buddhist gompa, a Vishnu temple and the Jwalamai (Goddess of Fire) Temple, which shelters a spring and natural gas jets that provide Muktinath's famous eternal flame. It's the combination of earth, water and fire in such proximity that accounts for Muktinath's great religious significance.
9. Mukti Dhara “Wall of Water-Taps” is a wall around the temple of Muktinath that has 108 water-spouts jostling water. The faucets in the wall are styled in the shape of bull’s head and pour sacred water from their orifices. The water from the Gandaki River continuously flows through the mouths of the bulls. Pilgrims who visit the temple take holy baths in each of these spouts. In the occasion of Janai Purnima, the Buddhist festival of Yartang Mela is celebrated here.
10. Another sacred site of Hindu “Damodar kunda” also situated in upper mustang. it is the origins of fossil stone. Many Hindus from round the globe are dreaming to take a holy bath at least once in their life time in the sacred Damodar-Kund, situated at the altitude of 5400 meters lap of high Himalayas in Upper Mustang on the north east of Mustang District , Nepal. Kund is a holy pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists religious groups and it is the most sacred place of festival “Full Moon August”.
11.Mustang is a common place for diverse cultured people. Culture varies as per the trail of Mustang.- Thakali Khana servings in Jomsom, Manangis in the east, Tibetans in the north and Gurungs along the lowlands.
12. Lo Manthang (Capital of ancient tibetan kingdom)is the only walled city of Nepal and it is also known as the cultural capital of this area. The palace and other structures within the wall were built by Ame Pal, the first king of Lo, during the period of 15th century.The people of this area are called Lopa and they have their unique Nepali-Tibbeti culture.
13.Upper Mustang has the reserves of URANIUM as confirmed by research of Ministry of Geology.
Experts researching Uranium mines in upper mustang
1.Entry to headquarter of Mustang,Jomsom and enjoy its windy area,Thakali food
2.Kagbeni village and Marpha village(Marpha apples are recognized all over Nepal)
Apple farm in Marpha
3.Trek over trails along Kaligandaki river and view of Nilgiri
4.Worship in Muktinath temple,bath in Muktidhara
5.Move to Upper mustang (Trekking,Jeep,or Bikeriding)
Coloured charon on entry of Upper mustang
Bikeriding
heliride to view muktinath
6.Explore Buddhist temples,paintings ,caves and lifestyle of only Walled city of Nepal.
Shrine in way of Lomanthang
Night click of Lo Manthang
7.Rafting in Kaligandaki river
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