Nepal
Nepal is country of the Sagarmatha (Mt Everest 29029 ft), the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini, the third pole. The country with its unique national flag and home is dominated by the world's most imposing mountains. Although the country is relatively small (147,181 square kilometers), 80 percent of its territory is occupied by the dramatic peaks of the Himalayas. Nepal is 885 km long in the east-west direction and approximately 193 km wide in the north-south direction. Geographically, Nepal extends between 26 Degree 22 minutes to 30 Degree 27 Minutes in the northern latitudes and its eastern longitude extends between 80 Degree 4 Minutes and 88 Degree 22 Minutes. Nepal covers 0.03 percent of the world’s total land and 0.3 percent of the Asian continent. Nepal is bounded by the Republic of India in the south, east and west and the People’s Republic of China in the north. Nepal was closed to foreign visitors until 1951, a situation which contributed greatly to its mystique in the west. Nepal is a small hospitable country has since become a very popular destination for travelers and in front of the globe.
Dhading
Dhading District is one of the 77 districts of Nepal, is one of the districts of Province No.3. The district, with Dhading-Besi as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,926 square kilometers. The district lies between 27'40" E to 28'17" E latitude and 80'17"N to 84'35"N longitude and is surrounded by Gorkha district in the west, Kathmandu and Nuwakot the east, Makawanpur and Chitwan in the south and Rasuwa district in the north. The north frontier is also bordered with Tibet Autonomous Region of the Peoples Republic of China and ranges from 500m (subtropical) to 7409m. The highest peak of Ganesh Himal is 7409 meter high located most part of the district at Ruby Valley Rural Municipality, Tipling Village.
Dhading is one of the remote districts in the central region of Nepal. Although the district is located at the border of Kathmandu valley in Bagmati Zone, many parts of it are still inaccessible by road. The topography stretched from the northern border of Chitwan and Makawanpur to join the Plateau of Tibet (China) represents diversified climate, vegetation, flora and fauna. The social fabric of different caste and creed also represent a variety of Indo-Aryan and Mongoloid culture inherited from time immemorial. The mountain Manaslu (8163m) is clearly visible from much of Dhading, although it is located within the bounds of Gorkha. The three main rivers are the Trisuli, Budhi Gandaki and Aankhu Khola. The southern part of Dhading is served by a very important all-weather road that connects Kathmandu and Pokhara cities as passes through the southern portion of the district making for easy access to the Kathmandu valley. The shape of the district is like a military boot and represents different agro-climate zone comprising of the valley, Tars (flat land) to middle hills and high hills. Dhading district consists of 2 municipalities and 11 rural municipalities.
Ganga Jamuna
Ganga Jamuna is a Gaupalika of Dhading District. The Ganga Jamuna Rural Municipality was formed by merging five village development committee (VDC) namely Ri-gaun, Phulkharka, Gumdi, Baseri and Budhathum. Currently, it has a total of 7 wards. The population of the rural municipality is 21,784 according to the data collected on Nepalese local elections, 2017.
This Rural Municipality lies in the northern part of the district. Inhabited by Tamang, Gurung, Ghale, Chhetri, Brahmin, Damai, Kami, Sarki, Newar caste etc. live in this rural municipality. It has famous Ganga Jamuna waterfalls, which lies in its ward no.5 Phulkhark, Dhandakharka. This village is a good source of water which is currently used for drinking, irrigation and hydroelectricity. So far it has only one Practical educational institution higher secondary school named Mandali Higher Secondary School (Practical Intuition). More than 75% of people are literate in Phulkharka village.
Phulkharka Village is located at Ward no. 5, Ganga Jamuna Rural Municipality, Dhading, Province no. 3, and Nepal. The Phulkhraka making the “Phul” and “Khark” two words, meaning Phul as Flower and Khark as barren field kept for grazing cattle on. Nature has given plentiful tourism resources in Phulkharka village. The natural scenery, high hills and viewpoints, cultural, art, varied wildlife, waterfalls are found in this village with a distinct image of its own.
Ganga Jamuna is the famous religious place of Dhading, Gorkha, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Chitwan, Makawanpur, and Kathmandu as well as all over Nepal. It lies at GRM -05, Phulkharka-Dhandkharka, and Dhading. Pilgrims and followers of different branches of Hindu and Buddhist religion come to worship the goddess Ganga and Jamuna as well as Lord Shiva.
It is believed that this is the place where Lord Shiva provided permission to Ganga (Goddess of River) originating from his head to the Indian King Bhagirath for the salvation of his ancestors and provide the place in heaven that was cursed by the Sage Kapil Muni and burnt by the light came from his eyes.
The climate is generally favorable here. This place accompanied by scenic views, landscapes, unpolluted environment with green community forest and forest. The climate conditions are representative for a hill district in the Province no.3 of Nepal. The major climate zones found in Dhading district include the following.
Sub-Tropical Zone in areas below 1000m. Above mean sea level (MSL) with the annual average temperature of above 20º C.
Temperature Zone in altitude between 1000-3000m. MSL with an annual average temperature between 10º - 20ºC.
Alpine Zone is greater than 3000 m above MSL with an average temperature of less than 10º C.
One can view, the Manaslu, Ganeh Himal and Lantang ranges with sunrise, sunset from these places. The area contains Ganga Jamuna temple, Shiv Mandir, Bhagbati Thaan, Kul-devatha Thaan, Mandali Thaan and so on. Junge Dada viewpoint, Bhagbati Thaan viewpoint, Pokhara Dada viewpoint, Ganga Jamuna viewpoint, Mantari viewpoint, Mane Gotha viewpoint and Tinsure Dada or Gumba Dada viewpoint. The local people are highly hospitable. Hostel, lodge, homestay, private houses and local restaurants are available for local foods and beverages and overnight stay. Mainly people in Phulkhark village are engaged on agriculture, tourism business in Kathmandu and foreign employment.
The researchers have set study tour objectives in their mind to study of this place. The study area has full potentialities as a tourism product and tourism destination. The tourism resources have not been utilized to serve the tourism sector. It’s contained full of tourism resources enough to serve the tourism benefits purposes and there is a need of proper tourism development planning so that local people participation on sustainable tourism development and its development.
What travelers can see, feel and enjoy in Phulkharka???
More about the natural resources which can be found Ganga Jamuna and its periphery are,
Waterfalls (Ganga Jamuna)
Rocks
Jungle
Wildlife (Red panda, deer, bear; Kathebhalu, leopard, tiger, and so on)
Flora & Fauna
Birds
Hills, Mountains (Mt. Ganesh Himal, Gumba Dada, various viewpoint, landscape )
Favorable Climate
Caves
Vegetables, small streams, beautiful spots, viewpoints.
Some manmade resources which can be found in Phulkharka, Ganga Jamuna and its periphery are;
Pati, Pauwa
Chautari
Stone paved trial
Archaeological sites
Earthquake Memorial Pillar
Stone Taps etc.
Some major Socio cultural resources of Phulkharka, Ganga Jamuna and its periphery are;
Ganga Jamuna Temple, Bhagwati Thaan, Mandali Thaan, Kul Devata Thaan, Siva Mandir etc.
Celebration of different Fest & festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Holi, Sivaratri, Mage Shakranti, Chaite Dashain, Loshar, Teej, Yekadashi Mela etc.
Marriage ceremony, Barthabanda, Chhewor, Saptaha, Yekaha, Rudri, Koti hom, Putti. Satyanarayan Pooja, Kul Pooja, Dewali etc.
Cultural Dance/Performances like Rodhi, Bhajan Kirtan, Khaidi, Dhohoroi, Rattaulee, Saman Dance etc.
Making of Khukuri, Hasiya (sickle), Kodalo, Kutto, Halo, Juwa, Nara, Doko, Thunche, Namlo, Gundri, Bhakari, Mandro, Kuchho etc
Jatra, Mela, Haat bazaar
Different traditional competition of Bullfighting
Traditional Organic farming
Traditional house, local Cuisine like Dalbhat tarkari, Dhedo, Gundruk, Sel roti, Kodoko roti, Chhakyala etc Drinks like Mohi, Ti:n Paane (local alcohol), Local Cow/buffalo milk etc
Animal husbandry
Traditional Lifestyle of people
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