Gurase evolving as religious tourism hub, Manghim nears completion

KATHMANDU: Panchthar district’s Hilihang Rural Municipality–6, Gurase, is witnessing the rapid development of the Aatma Pabitra Gurase Manghim (temple), which is being promoted as a new religious and tourism destination in eastern Nepal.

Located in a scenic area near the Mechi Highway, the Manghim is being constructed using locally available materials across an area of about eight ropani.

Multiple structures within the complex, including a fire altar (Agni Kund), are now in the final stages of construction, making the site increasingly attractive for visitors and pilgrims.

A major highlight of the site is the recently installed statue of National Luminary Mahaguru Falgunand. The seven-and-a-half-foot stone statue was brought from Ilam’s Mangsabung and installed at the Manghim site this week.

According to Hilihang–6 Ward Chair Ganesh Prasad Yongsang, the statue alone cost around Rs 1.5 million, while an additional Rs 300,000 was spent on transportation and installation. The statue was installed under the guidance of current Kirat religious leader Atmananda Lingden.

The Manghim project, which began in 2073 BS with an initial budget of just Rs 25,000 when it was under the former Bharapa VDC, has now become a large-scale community initiative. Construction has continued for nearly nine years.

Local residents have played a key role in the project’s development, including land donations from community members such as Kavindra Yongsang (4 ropani), Rajkumar Yongsang (4 ropani), and Shree Prasad Yongsang (8 aana).

So far, approximately Rs 10 million has already been invested in the project, while the detailed project report (DPR) estimates a total cost of around Rs 15 million for full completion.

Despite significant progress, internal structures, stairways, fencing, and finishing works are still ongoing.

Funding for the project has largely come from donations by local institutions, individual benefactors, and Nepalis working abroad.

The Hilihang Rural Municipality has also contributed financially, although project leaders say support from provincial and federal governments has been insufficient for faster development.

Rural Municipality Chair Samir Bahadur Adhikari stated that the local government is doing its best within available resources but emphasized the need for greater higher-level government investment to accelerate construction.

Nearby the site lies the historic location Puluthumki, where forces of the last Limbuwan King Hilihang are believed to have been stationed, further enhancing the area’s cultural and historical significance.

The project committee aims to develop the entire region into a unified tourism hub.

Preparations are underway for the formal inauguration and statue unveiling by Kirat religious leader Atmananda Lingden and Guruama Pabitrahangma Lingden, marking a major milestone in the site’s transformation into a religious and cultural landmark.