Rasuwa. Rasuwa: The number of domestic and foreign tourists has started increasing again in Gosaikunda, a famous pilgrimage site of Rasuwa, which is full of religious faith, natural beauty and biodiversity. The tourism business, which had slowed down after the flood in the Bhotekoshi River on August 23 damaged the roads and footpaths, has gradually started returning to normalcy.

Kaisang Nurpu Tamang, chairperson of Gosainkunda Rural Municipality, said that the tourism sector affected by the floods has started to become active again. According to him, with the increase in the arrival of tourists, hoteliers, guides, transport workers and other small businessmen have started getting relief.

“After the floods, the tourist activities had come to a standstill for some time. Now that the roads have become easier, domestic and foreign tourists have started coming,” said Chairman Tamang. He said that the rural municipality is coordinating with the necessary for the maintenance of the trekking route and for the safety and convenience of tourists.

Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, information officer and conservation officer of Langtang National Park, said that the arrival of tourists in the Gosainkunda area has become regular with the ease of transportation that was disrupted after the floods. He said that the park has been conducting programs for the conservation of natural environment and biodiversity in the area.

Babulal Tamang, president of Civil Society Rasuwa, said that the number of pilgrims and trekkers coming to Gosaikunda has increased after the condition of roads and footpaths improved. He said that the tourism activities have been affected for some time after the floods damaged the roads.

According to Santosh Ghale, a local hotelier, the number of domestic tourists and youths visiting Gosaikunda has increased in recent times. He said that in the past, there used to be more movement of pilgrims only on the occasion of Janai Purnima and Ganga Dashara, but now tourists coming for trekking and sightseeing have started appearing throughout the year.

According to entrepreneur Ghale, if attention was paid to sustainable upgradation of trekking routes, communication facilities and basic infrastructure development, tourism in this area would contribute to the national economy along with the livelihood of the locals.

Located in the Langtang National Park area, Gosaikunda is located at an altitude of 4,380 meters above sea level in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-6. Spread over an area of about 13.80 hectares, the length of this pond is 625.55 meters, the width is 302 meters and the depth is 26 meters. It is said that there is about 14,72,000 cubic meters of water in the pond.

The religious significance of Gosaikunda, the center of common faith of Hindus and Buddhists, has been there since ancient times. According to Hindu scriptures, it is believed that Lord Shiva used a trident to calm the jealousy after consuming the poison of Kalakoot from the churning of the ocean, and to remove the water by digging the guard, a pond was made from that water. On the basis of the belief that water came out of the trident attack, this area is also associated with Trishul Dhara.

Gosaikunda is known by different names in the local community. The Tamang community has called it ‘Gyo’ or ‘Chhokar’, the Sherpa community has called it ‘Gyo’, the Tibetan community has called it ‘Chho’ and the Newar community has called it ‘Shilu’.

There are other ponds in the vicinity of Gosaikunda, Bhairavkunda, Saraswatikunda, Suryakund, Chandrakunda, Dudhkunda and Ganeshkunda. The historical Amarsingh cave of this area and the original culture of the local Tamang community are also a major attraction for tourists.

Considering the ecological importance of the Gosaikunda area, it was included in the Ramsar list on September 23, 2007. Wildlife including snow leopard, red deer, musk deer and Himalayan Thar are found here, as well as rhododendrons, orchards and other mountain plants.

Gosainkunda is known as one of the major religious and tourist destinations of Nepal. This area is also connected to Helambu, Langtang and Tamang Heritage Route. A big fair is held here especially on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra in Jeth-Asar and Janai Purnima in Saun-Bhadau. Tanka Prasad Dhakal, a priest of Rasuwa, said that special religious rituals are also held on Bala Chaturdashi.