Kathmandu. Arghakhanchi, June 9: The ‘Rock Garden’ located at Diverna of Sandhikharka municipality-11 has become a major tourist destination of late.

It takes about 20 minutes drive from Sandhikharka to reach this place. The massive rock formations that seem to be carved by nature, the landform spreading like a stone garden, the cool clean air and the changing weather in a moment have fascinated anyone who visits here.

Visitors to the Rock Garden for the first time are amazed by the unique texture of the rocks there. In some places, it looks like an artistically carved garden by human hands, and in others, it looks like a schematic garden, so many people talk about it as a unique creation of nature. Spread over hundreds of ropanis of land, this area looks like a stone forest, which gives the visitor a feeling of mystery, beauty and peace at the same time.

Lately, this garden has become a favorite of domestic tourists. The number of people coming here from different places of the district is increasing every day. According to the locals, the clean environment, cool weather and natural scenery provide an opportunity to get some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get mental freshness.

Sandhikharka municipality-11 chair Chet Narayan Acharya said the number of tourists visiting Sandhikharka has increased with the publicity of late. “The attraction of domestic tourists is increasing in this area, which is a unique gift of nature. We have laid emphasis on infrastructure development to make this sector more systematic,” he said.

The municipality has taken forward various works in a planned manner to develop this area as a well-managed tourist destination. At present, toilets, trusts and temples have been constructed for the convenience of tourists. Saying these structures have made the stay of visitors more comfortable and comfortable, ward chair Acharya said long-term tourism development strategy was being prepared by prioritizing the publicity of the garden.

Narayan Acharya, a local youth, said that the municipality should pay attention to its development and proper publicity as it is an important natural resource. “At present, more tourists are coming from within the district, but its importance will increase if its identity is extended to other districts,” he said. For that, the local levels need to come up with additional plans,” he said.

Another feature of the Rock Garden is the vast landscape that can be seen from here. Not only Sandhikharka Municipality but also Bhumikasthan Municipality, Malarani Rural Municipality, Panini Rural Municipality, Chhatradev Rural Municipality and some parts of Palpa and Pyuthan districts can be seen from this place.

Dilaram Bhusal, a local entrepreneur of Sandhikharka, said that there would be a significant increase in tourism activities in the district if tourists coming to Lumbini and Supa Deurali temple could be brought to Argha Bhagawati Temple and Rock Garden via Sandhikharka bazaar. “This will directly benefit hotels, transportation, businesses and local businesses. ”

Mayor Krishna Prasad Shrestha said the municipality was moving ahead with the goal of developing the Rock Garden as the main tourism destination of the district. “Our goal is to increase income and expand economic activities along with tourism development,” he said.

Mayor Shrestha said that the number of tourists visiting Lumbini and Supa Deurali would increase if a plan could be made to take tourists to this place via Khanchikot Bhagwati Manidar and Rajya, Siddheshwor Temple of Sandhikharka, Argha Bhagwati.

“This marvelous world of Diverna created by nature itself has the possibility of becoming a model tourism heritage of Nepal”, he added. Pramod Khanal, Chief Administrative Officer of the municipality, said that the Rock Garden could be established as a shining destination in the tourism map of Arghakhanchi if all the stakeholders paid attention to its extensive publicity, conservation and infrastructure development.

According to him, the municipality is paying attention to the development of the Rock Garden as it is not only a natural site but also an area with invaluable potential that can be the basis for the prosperous future of Arghakhanchi. Khanal said that the area full of natural beauty, peaceful environment and huge potential has the potential to establish the identity of the district.