Graveled track makes Nepal's "tigers’ nest" accessible for motorists

Published On: December 14, 2020 06:47 PM NPT By: RSS


SOLUKHUMBU, Dec 14: Before the construction of the road track, reaching Chiwang Monastery would take around a three-hour-long uphill walk from the Phaplu airport in Solukhumbu. 

Now, with the construction of a 2.5 kilometres long graveled road, the century-old iconic monastery perched on the beautiful hills of Solukhumbu district that gets snow capped in snowing months, is accessible for motorists. 

''The three-hour-long walking time has been reduced to around half-an-hour-ride from Phaplu,'' said the Lama of the monastery Ngawang Shemphen Sherpa, who is associated with the monastery since 2005.  

He added, ''Donations, labor contribution from locals, support from parliamentary development fund of Provincial Assembly member of Province 1, Buddhi Kumar Rajbhandari, helped build this graveled road.''  

The Rs 2.15 million budget of the gravelling works included Rs 1 million from Parliament Development Fund of Buddhi Kumar Rajbhandari, Rs 550,000 from the monastery, Rs 400,000 from the ward office and Rs 200,000 from locals.  

The road track was first opened in 2016 by financial and technical support of PG Sherpa-led Beni Hydropower Project of Solukhumbu. After four years, the graveling was carried out during the lockdown of 2020.

The graveled road has reduced the cost of construction materials also, informed the Lama who is overseeing the ongoing construction of the new hostel building for 20 residential students with the budget of Rs 20 million. He said, ''Previously, a sack of cement would cost Rs 2,200. Now, this has reduced to Rs 1,050.'' 

Located at an altitude of 9,000 feet from sea level, the monastery has 7,000 ropanis of land and currently 36 people, including monastery staff and students are residing at the monastery. 

Sangey Lama officially founded the monastery in 1923 during the premiership of Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumser. Sangey, locals said, had close rapport with the Rana rulers. 

The monastery, which is also referred to as Nepal's equivalent of Bhutan's iconic "Tiger's Nest", is also a famed traveling point in Solukhumbu district. 

''In pre-pandemic time, around two dozen visitors would frequent this monastery every day. However, after the pandemic, it is closed for uninvited visitors,'' said the Lama.


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