Myagdi. Myagdi: A trekking route has been constructed to connect Khayarbarahi (Khayarbharani) lake, a religious tourist destination of Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 in Myagdi. The trekking route has been constructed with the help of Rs 17 million.

Under the leadership of Khayerbhani Than and Area Conservation and Management Committee, a trekking route connecting Paudwar village to Laureni-Khopra (Khopara) and Khayerbarahi lake via Khayarkhola has been constructed along with chautari construction and drinking water facilities in 10 years.

Committee’s founder Raju Pun shared that paudwar and neighbouring villagers and devotees have constructed the trekking route and chautari in memory of the departed relatives. The trekking route connecting Paudwar-Khayarbharani lake was started in 2072 BS under the leadership of retired British Gurkha soldier Pun.

“Locals as well as devotees from other places who come to worship at Khayarbarahi have supported our efforts to link the old tradition of constructing chautara and road in the name of deceased relatives with religious tourism,” pun said. ’

According to him, 4.5 km trekking route has been constructed on the Paudwar-Lareni section with the help of 17 donors, 11 km on the Lareni-Khopra section with the help of 23 donors and 12 km on the Khopra-Khayer section with the help of 27 donors.

Hari Prasad Tilija, a resident of Paudwar, said the construction of the trekking route has made it easier for locals, devotees and tourists to move around. Arrangements have been made for shelter and drinking water at various places with the help of donors.

Tourism infrastructure has been constructed targeting the Khayer Lake located in the lap of Annapurna and Barah peak mountains and the famous religious place Khayer Bharani Than located in the lake premises. Donors who are not in the villages have been constructing trekking routes and infrastructures by mobilizing local workers with the facilitation of the committee. Inscriptions have been placed on the trekking route and chautara by revealing the details of the builder.

Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 Ward Chair Rajesh Tilija Pun said that the community has invested more in the development of tourism infrastructure in Khopra and Khair areas as compared to the government agencies. In the last two years, rs 3.2 million has been spent by the Office of Tourism and Industry and rs 2 million by Annapurna Rural Municipality for the infrastructure development of the area.

Locals hold a special fair on the occasion of Janai Purnima festival at Khayerbarahi Lake called ‘Khayerbharani’. It is customary to worship and visit Khayarbharani on the day of Janai Purnima, fulfilling the wishes and offering sacrifices after the fulfillment of the demand. Around 1,200 devotees reach Khayarbarahi on the day of Janai Purnima.

Tourists visit the lake and the area on days other than Janai Purnima. Khopra Lake has been developed as a tourist destination on the way from Paudwar to Khayar. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna Glacier, Mountain Geography, Sunrise and Sunset can be seen from Khopra Lake at an altitude of 3,660 meters above sea level.

This place, known as Khopra in the tourism sector, is called ‘Khopara’ by the locals. Paudwar Co-operative Society has operated a community lodge in Khopra. The cattle shed of chauri and sheep and goat is also the attraction of Khopra and Khair areas. One can reach Khopra in a day and Khayarbarahi Lake on foot for two days.