One of the best places in Bhojpur district is Salpa Pokhari. It is situated in Dovane VDC (currently Salpa Silicho rural municipality). This place is very famous for religious as well as tourism aspect. Silichung is a big rocky mountain, Its altitude is 4156m from sea level. Salpa Pokhari is in a bowl-shaped area, surrounded by hills, the Kiratis are called “Sali-pa” which means located in the highest place and it is found to be addressed as “Purkhauli Bhagwan” (Ancestral god). Four times a year in Salpa pond, a tradition of celebrating religious and cultural fairs. Baishakh or Chandi Purnima, Bhadau or Rishi Purni, Kartik Purnima and Mansir Purnima, the fair will be held on the full moon.
When on the way to the pond, all the queens, all the kings, all the kings, it is customary to sing and dance religious songs.
Salpa is renowned for religious aspect; there are temple, pond, rocky mountain and dense jungle. Many pilgrimages visit there to mitigate sin and pray or offer something to God for better livelihood. According to the Kirant myth, this place is the origin of the Rai people. If anyone wants to visit Salpa Pokhari at least they have to manage a week time for going and returning from Bhojpur headquarter. Many witch doctors go there from different places to perform magical power and get stronger themselves. Silichung peak is bordered by three districts; Bhojpur, Solukhumbu and Sankhuwasabha.
The routeway from Bhojpur and Temke, continuously, Maiyung dada, Satdobato, Laure, Hadipokhari, and finally Salpa pokhari. Laure has its own different identity, everyone has to offer a stick in this area, that is why its name itself Laure. According to the ancestor, there used to live 5 Devis in Laure, so visitors pray for their safety and better journey till the end. There is another strange pond (Pokhari) Hadi Pokhari, according to old adage Hadi Pokhari is a step (Sauta) of Salpa pokhari, therefore when one crosses the pond shouldn’t look back again.
Salpa Pokhari is situated at an altitude of 4000m, which another amazing peak is the Silichung, which is by the side of Salpa Pokhari. Silichung is an amazing peak, some people might have an altitude problem to reach there. From the top of the Silichung we can view the Himalaya range, mountain, Namche bazaar inside visitor’s eyes. The name Silichung is given by Bantawa ancestor, which means a big rock in Bantawa lingual. Here we can get various types of herbs like Sunapate, Bhairungpate, Pakhanbet, Bikhuma etc.
There are two ways to go water go out in Salpa Pakhari, are some of them dry out at some point another in time. If the water drains in that direction, there will a famine in your village, lack of watering, food crops are not good, animal farming is not good, and there is a belief in the society that one gets sick too. According to the season, fruits and food should be eaten only after feeding our historical Salpa queen king. In the same way, we are coming to ask for a good month for the next year.
In our society, family members who do not have sons and daughters weave cradles. This year we have brought cradle. ‘Sai Rani Sai Sai, Soi Raja Sai Sai.’ Next year we will bring her son. Our ancestral religious tradition of begging for sons and daughters in the Salpa Pond and Silichung by Circling and saying ‘Sai Sai Sai, Soi Rani Sai Sai’ has been with the Salpa Pond. Similarly, there are no children in our village, having many children, the family is running well many of them have children and their families are running smoothly
Deeper to the Sherpa community along the Salpa pond, there seems to be a relationship. Religiously they are Buddhist although, the traditional Dhami / Jhankri practice has existed. The fact that the Sherpa community is one of the Jhankri community. Sherpa, Dhami-Dhamini has beautiful peacock feathers and wearing a hat (feta) is a traditional ritual. When we get the knowledge in the dream that we have to dream and serve, we come to Salpa Pakhari to ask for a gift of strength.
Mundhum trail trek is a newly discovered and freshly proposed trekking path in eastern Nepal. Mundhum Trail is really little mystery of the earth, a visitor will feel when they reach there. Mundhum Trail provides us with an opportunity to see Small lakes, Birds watching, Walk into the Rhododendrons Jungle, Bamboo Jungle, Natural Stream bath, Red-panda area with wild animal like Thar, Musk Deer, Local Culture, Agriculture life, Shepherd life, Yaks with their Hut, Sunrise & sunset can see while walking. Travellers will gain new experience with the Trek and expedition.
An enchanting vista of nature gives visitors euphoric pleasure. They feel as if a piece of heaven is drop-down to earth after viewing this place. This is one of the best travelling destinations for Nature lover. So do not defer, get packed to make your trip haunting and unforgettable.
Itinerary outline
Kathmandu to Bhojpur by Airplane or by Bus (by bus takes two days extra time).
Way to Mundhum Trail:
Kathmandu – (Starting point) [For Regular Trekker]
Day 1: Kathmandu – Diktel Bazar (We can visit Halesi Mahadev, the holy place) Diktel – Chakhewa /Kattike by Bus (Night Stay) Trek starts (on foot)
Day 2: Chakhewa – Maiyung/Dilpa Nagi (Night Stay)
Day 3: Maiyung – Raidhap (Night Stay)
Day 4: Raidhap – Salpa Silichung (Night Stay) Returning back as the same Route & Days
