Unspoiled Cultural Homestay experience
1 Sep 2025 Alpine Asian Treks
I had the opportunity to visit the cultural village of Dharmapani (Tahanun), which operates the Kanyadevi Community Homestay run by the Gurung community, on Jestha 23 and 24 (6-7 June, 2025), an event organized by the Tanahun Tourism Promotion Society (TTPS).
Dharampani is Located about 14 kilometers from Bandipur, the “Queen of the Hills,” one can reach here by a roughly 1 hour 15-minute motorable road from Bandipur Bazaar (via Bandipur – Seratar – Sukhaura Tar – Kalmudanda – Chisapani – Hatiya Bazaar – Dharmapani). Alternatively, one can also travel on foot from Bandipur in about 4 to 5 hours (via Bandipur – Bahundanda – Sallaghari – Kafal Swanra – Dandachhap – Kamalbari – Rani Bazaar – Dharmapani). Dharmapani is situated at an altitude of approximately 1000 meters above sea level.
The Dharmapani Community Homestay is a place with high potential for tourism. To minimize plastic and protect the environment, the homestay uses dokos (woven bamboo baskets), sal and bhorla leaf plates and bowls, and water stored in earthen pots for drinking. Local produce (millet, dried meat, green vegetables, corn, black soybeans) is used to the maximum extent. They also generate income by selling leftover sal and bhorla leaf plates and bowls. For entertainment, one can enjoy local folk dances like the Khaichadi and the Maulik Chudka dance.
To view the Himalayan range from Dharmapani, one can observe the mountain vista (Manaslu, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri) from Hatiya Danda, which is about an hour’s walk away.
Food and accommodation for tourists are arranged in local homes. Meals are prepared collectively, with a practice of prioritizing local produce as much as possible. While there is no provision for hot water for bathing, bathing rooms are available. Guests are accommodated in rooms within houses built in the traditional architecture. Furthermore, one can enjoy fresh milk from cows and buffaloes, homemade honey, and locally brewed alcohol (raksi).
One can visit here year-round, but the best time to come is during the dry season, excluding the rainy season. The period from Ashój (September/October) to Baisakh (April/May) is most suitable. Here, you can not only sightsee but also gain a different experience by participating in agricultural work and other household chores.
It seems that to attract tourists, (Dharmapani) must compete fiercely with nearby places like Ramkot, Korikha, and Hilekharka. For this, an equal level of enthusiasm and excitement is seen among the local tourism entrepreneurs, social workers, politicians, and women here.
However, even this seems insufficient yet. Being a tourism professional myself, I feel that if some man-made creative works are done here, the tourism here will flourish even more.
Some personal ideas based on my experience so far:
- Build an artistic, traditional-style revolving gate at the entrance (as a model for photos and memories).
- Dress guests in traditional Gurung attire upon welcome.
- Build a resting pavilion (chautari) with a large bulders.
- Develop the village to resemble a garden of seasonal flowers.
- Develop seasonal fruit orchards for enjoyment and for food.
- Tourism can also be promoted by painting nice pictures on nearby rocks or cliffs and by shaping large stones into some art or statues.
Experiences to offer at the homestay:
- Churning yogurt
- Teaching how to make wooden and bamboo items (like khurpeto [a small hand-held sickle], doko [basket], chhatri [umbrella using bamboo and sal leaf], siprin [winnowing tray], namlo [headstrap], rope making, weaving gundri [mat], making sel roti [rice donut], experiencing the dhiki jaato [traditional rice pounder] (the old working style)).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where is Kanyadevi Community Homestay located, and how can I get there?
A: It is located in Dharmapani village, Tanahun, about 14 km from Bandipur. You can reach it in two ways:
By Vehicle: A 1-hour and 15-minute drive from Bandipur Bazaar via Seratar, Sukhaura Tar, Kalmudanda, Chisapani, and Hatiya Bazaar.
On Foot: A scenic 4 to 5-hour trek from Bandipur passing through Bahundanda, Sallaghari, Kafal Swanra, Dandachhap, Kamalbari, and Rani Bazaar.
Q: What is the best time of year to visit Dharmapani?
A: You can visit all year round, but the best time is from Ashoj to Baisakh (September/October to April/May) during the dry season.
Q: What kind of food and accommodation can I expect?
A: You will stay in traditional Gurung village homes. Meals are prepared collectively using local, organic produce like millet, fresh vegetables, corn, black soybeans, fresh milk, homemade honey, and local raksi.
Q: Are modern amenities like hot water available?
A: Sharing bathing rooms are available, but there is currently no facility for hot running water.
Q: Can I see mountain views from the village?
A: Yes! A 1-hour walk to Hatiya Danda offers stunning panoramic views of the Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.
Q: What cultural activities and local experiences can guests participate in?
A: Guests can enjoy local folk dances (Khaichadi and Maulik Chudka), participate in farm and household chores, and learn traditional skills like making sel roti, churning yogurt, or weaving mats (gundri) and baskets (doko).
These are my personal thoughts, felt or realized based on my experience to date.
Shekhar Bahadur Thapa
Tanahun (In Kathmandu, Kirtipr)
Operates: Green Eco Resort (Kirtipur) & Alpine Asian Treks and Expedition P Ltd