Facts about Jomsom and Muktinath | Upper Mustang Trek

  • Hemanta Budhathoki
  • Last Updated on Apr 19, 2024

Table of Contents

6 Facts Everyone Should Know About Jomsom Muktinath; Heaven of Earth

Mustang is a sacred and blessed place is surrounded by the white peaks of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Tilicho Peak, Tukuche Peak, and many others. It is an arid landscape that gives you a feeling of the Tibetan Highlands. Mustang has many old villages and destinations besides Jomsom, Kagbeni, and Muktinath. This article will give you a clear understanding of all the facts about Jomsom and Muktinath.

The holy town of Muktinath is situated at 3800 meters above sea level. As one of the most important Hindu temples in this region, the Muktinath Temple attracts pilgrims from across the globe due to its sanctity. The Muktinath pilgrimage temple is considered to be the place where your sins are washed away if you make the journey once during your lifetime.

Jomsom is located in the Kaligandaki Valley in Mid-Western Nepal at the base of Mount Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri and is popularly known as the Gateway to the Himalayas. With the extension and improvement of the motor road, the Jomsom Muktinath Jeep Tour has become very popular. Jomsom is also the gateway of Upper Mustang, via this route hundreds of travelers make tours to Upper Mustang.

1. Muktinath Temple

The Muktinath temple is a sacred place for Hindus and Buddhism. It is one of the four main Hindu holy places and is situated within the mountains. People can travel throughout the year in this place but between March and June when the weather is most conducive. A further attraction of this temple is the 108 water taps and the nonstop glowing fire that is visible as one travels through many archaeological sites and temples.
Muktinath temple
Muktinath temple 

2. Natural Beauty

The region of Mustang Nepal, located in the northern part of the country, has the richest natural vegetation. Tropical alpine and coniferous forests cover a small area of Mustang Nepal. Rhododendron forests cover entire hillsides in the region.  Upper Mustang trekking opportunity is also there which provides a chance to discover the old monastery, caves, local tribes, and scenic views as small Tibet in Nepal.

The Mustang region of Nepal is famous for its spectacular Himalayan beauty. It has a lot to offer in terms of the settlement, arid beauty, mountain caves, and breathtaking views that will keep you spellbound for sure. Since it has been revered for its incredible natural beauty, in recent years, as more and more people explore it, it has become a top destination. The Mustang region is synonymous with this attraction because of its diverse geography and living conditions.
Kagbeni
Kaligandaki River george and Kagbeni village 

3. Himalayan Desert Vegetation:

As the location is in the shadow of Annapurna and Nilgiri range, the soil of this region is similar to desert vegetation. The wind blows throughout the day due to the altitude. Rock soil and rocky mountains make this location ideal for rock climbing. You can regenerate yourself while exploring the amazing beauty of Jomsom, and Muktinath itself, Mustang. The magnificent beauty of Mustang consists of arid terrain, semi-desert areas, and some downhill lush greenery. There are many miraculous things about this landlocked country, which will undoubtedly provide you with the most amazing views and amazing travel experiences.

4.   Kaligandaki Gorge - Deepest Gorge in the World: 

Kaligandaki River originates in Mustang district, which makes it the second deepest gorge in Nepal. Mustang's rocky soil and highlands are drained by the river which flows south of the country. This gorge is yet another attraction of Mustang Nepal.

The Kaligandaki Gorge is also referred to as Andha Galchi. The Kali Gandaki river is a beautiful, wild creation of Mother Nature in the Mustang region of Nepal. The sheer-sided deep canyon of Kaligandaki is the major attraction of Mustang. There is a lot of religious significance to the Kali Gandaki River. Shaligrams found here are worshipped in Hinduism as signs of Lord Vishnu. This is a very important fact about Mustang.

Kaligandaki Gorge

5.   Cultural Dynamics of Mustang:

There are many cultural attractions in Mustang, primarily the Thakali people. The lifestyle of the people, Buddhist temples, gompas, and lamas offer a unique look at the area's culture. People's living conditions and lifestyle are also fascinating to observe. The food of Mustang and this culture is another attraction. The trail takes you into the homes of Gurungs in the lowlands, the hospitality of Thakalis around Jomsom, Manangs in the east, and Tibetans in the arid north. The culture of people living in the mountains can be observed and appreciated clearly throughout the region.

6.   Food and Festivals of Mustang:

Mustang is the area where the original Thakali food is available. Thakali food is extremely popular throughout the country. You can also enjoy apple products such as wine, beer, dried goods, etc. Mustang is also known for the Tiji Festival, an event influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. Mustang's culture has its own way of family life, which is quite surprising to outsiders. There is a practice of polyandry in the family, where all the brothers marry a single girl.

Local monks are perferming dane during the festival in Mustang 

Conclusion:

In your journey you will experience beautiful views of the mountains with various fauna, flora, landscapes, cultures, and climates. The amazing Jomsom Muktinath trip allows you interact with the Thakali people living on the trail for centuries, which will provide you additional insight into their ancient traditions, interesting stories and impressive faiths.

Hemanta Budhathoki

Hemanta Budhathoki

Hemanta Budhathoki is team leader of Nepal Highland Trekking and travel company. 

Call us on WhatsApp+977 9851040871OrChat with us