Lo Manthang

Lo Manthang is a walled village in Nepal, located in the Mustang District of the Dhawalagiri Zone and surrounded by the Himalayas. It served as the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Mustang, which now survives as the Kingdom of Lo in Upper (northern) Mustang, with its capital at Lo Manthang. The current king (raja or "gyelpo") is Jigme Palbar Bista (b. 1930), a part of the historic monarchy. The population includes ethnic Lhobas.Gopal Sharma, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/oukoe_uk_nepal Explorers find ancient caves and paintings in Nepal] , Reuters, May 3, 2007.]

Recently a series of at least 12 caves were discovered north of Annapurna and near the village, decorated with ancient Buddhist paintings and set in sheer cliffs at 14,000 feet (4,300 metres).Gopal Sharma, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/oukoe_uk_nepal Explorers find ancient caves and paintings in Nepal] , Reuters, May 3, 2007.] The paintings show Newari influence, dating to approximately the 13th century, and also contain Tibetan scripts executed in ink, silver and gold and pre-Christian era pottery shards.Gopal Sharma, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/oukoe_uk_nepal Explorers find ancient caves and paintings in Nepal] , Reuters, May 3, 2007.] Explorers found stupas, decorative art and paintings depicting various forms of the Buddha, often with disciples, supplicants and attendants, with some mural paintings showing sub-tropical themes containing palm trees, billowing Indian textiles and birds.Gopal Sharma, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/oukoe_uk_nepal Explorers find ancient caves and paintings in Nepal] , Reuters, May 3, 2007.]

Tourism and access

The village is noted for its tall white washed mud brick walls, gompas and Raja's Palace. [ [http://www.royal-mt-trek.com/fixed_departure/mustang.php Mustang: The Forbidden Kingdom] , Royal Mountain Travel, 2004, "Accessed May 3, 2007".] There are four major temples: Jampa Lhakhang, the oldest and also known as the "God house", Thubchen Gompa, a huge, red assembly hall near the center of the city, Chodey Gompa, founded by the Mustang King in 1710 as well as the main temple of the city, and the Choprang Gompa, which is popularly known as the "New Gompa". [http://www.asianholidaytours.com/trekking/lo-manthang_trek.php Lo Manthang Trek] , Country Holiday Pvt. Ltd., "Accessed May 3, 2007".]

Even though foreign visitors have been allowed to the kingdom since October 1991, tourism to Upper Mustang is very restricted and few foreigners are allowed to visit.Gopal Sharma, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/oukoe_uk_nepal Explorers find ancient caves and paintings in Nepal] , Reuters, May 3, 2007.]

The Nepalese Department of Immigration requires foreign visitors to obtain a special permit, which costs $700 per 10 days per person, and liaison to protect local tradition from outside influence as well as to protect their environment. [http://www.asianholidaytours.com/trekking/lo-manthang_trek.php Lo Manthang Trek] , Country Holiday Pvt. Ltd., "Accessed May 3, 2007".] [ [http://www.trektibet.com/mustang_trek.htm Mustang Trek] , Earthbound Expeditions, "Accessed May 3, 2007".]

References

External links

* [http://hicapnepal.org The Himalayan Cultural Conservation Campaign Nepal]