Historical Luri Gumba in Mustang’s Yarwa faces neglect amidst lack of promotion

KATHMANDU: The Luri Gumba, a historically significant Buddhist site located in Yarwa, Ward 4 of the Loherkar-Damodarkund Municipality in Mustang, is facing neglect due to a lack of promotion despite its religious and historical importance.

The 800-year-old cave monastery, nestled in the Eastern corner of Yarwa at an altitude of nearly 4,000 meters above sea level, remains in need of preservation efforts.

According to Ani Thakpa Dolkar, the monastery is part of the Nyingma sect of Vajrayana Buddhism, closely linked to Tantric practices.

The Luri Gumba, built in the 12th century, is located within three caves nestled in the mountainside. Visitors can reach the monastery by climbing a steep trail and wooden stairway leading to the central courtyard.

The main part of the monastery, a meditation space for monks, is situated inside a cave carved into the mountain. Ani Dolkar describes the chorten (stupa) surrounding the monastery as naturally formed.

The chorten, adorned with fascinating wall paintings dating back to the 15th century, offers a space for circumambulation. The monastery houses wall paintings, manuscripts, ancient thangkas, and a statue of Padmasambhava.

Legend has it that the monastery was built by the king of Lhokha, who married a Bhutanese princess and constructed the monastery to please his wife.

Locally, the site is known as Luri Kawung. One local legend tells of a flying lama, Kunchang Jhalu, who gained enlightenment after meditating in the area. The peak of the mountain above the monastery is believed to have been the residence of this revered lama.

A secondary monastery has been established near the Payung Khola river, with regular religious rituals taking place at both sites.

The area surrounding Luri Gumba, including the nearby towns of Yara and Gharagau, offers religious guesthouses and hotels for visitors.

To reach Luri Gumba, travelers can take a one-hour vehicle ride from Charang, the municipal center of Loherkar-Damodarkund, passing through Dhyekhola, Dhe, Surkhang, and Yara.

A 20-minute walk from Gharagau will lead to the monastery, or visitors can follow the Luri Circuit from Lo Manthang. Along the way, travelers can enjoy the scenic views of the uniquely shaped mountains in the region.

To improve accessibility, the Loherkar-Damodarkund Municipality and Gandaki Province have allocated a budget of Rs 15 lakh each to build a stone stairway leading to the monastery.

The construction of a 300-meter paved footpath is underway, as confirmed by Ward Chair Pasang Gurung.

Additionally, a public toilet with an Rs 5 lakh budget has been planned for the area this year.