Jaljala area in Myagdi/RSS

MYAGDI: Jaljala, located at the tri-junction of Myagdi, Parbat, and Kaski districts, holds significant religious and tourism potential but remains largely neglected due to lack of infrastructure and promotion.

The Jaljala area, spanning Modi Rural Municipality in Parbat and Annapurna Rural Municipality in Myagdi, is referred to in Hindu scriptures as Hampal, Kalanjar, and Mrigasthali. Despite its religious importance, the area suffers from underdevelopment and poor accessibility.

According to cultural and heritage expert Prof. Dr. Jagannath Regmi, Hindu scriptures including Agni, Garuda, Kurma, Baraha, Skanda, Shivamaha, Padma, Brihannaradiya, Linga, Matsya Puranas, the Mahabharata, and the Shrimad Bhagavatam mention Hampal and Kalanjar.

“Despite being praised in sacred texts, Kalanjar—highlighted by Muktakantha in mythological literature—remains underdeveloped due to lack of publicity, remoteness, limited road access, and the absence of documented materials beyond oral traditions and natural and cultural sources,” said Regmi.

He noted that some ancient temples, shelters, and caves in the area are now at risk of disappearing due to a lack of protection. Religious texts claim that sages once performed penance in the Jaljala region, using its herbs for medicine, gaining spiritual insights, and offering Pinda (ancestral offerings) to attain salvation.

Tika Pun of Lespar, Modi Rural Municipality-4, who operates a small restaurant in Jaljala, said that due to limited awareness of the site’s religious and scenic value, tourist and pilgrim numbers remain low.

“Visitors mainly arrive during Mahayagyas held in autumn and spring. Otherwise, the place remains deserted,” he added.

Situated at an altitude of 3,300 meters, Jaljala features a gorge surrounded by breathtaking views of the Annapurna range. Just two decades ago, locals from Jaljala and Modi Rural Municipality used to graze cattle here during the monsoon, a practice that has since vanished.

From Jaljala, a 10-minute walk to Wi-Fi Hill offers views of Annapurna, while a 30-minute hike to Mateko Lake reveals panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Machhapuchhre.

According to Govinda Sharma, a visitor from Kushma, the scenic beauty of the region and surrounding settlements makes the challenging journey worthwhile.

Jaljala is also rich in biodiversity. Medicinal herbs such as bojo, satuwa, chiraito, amilo, brahmi (bholatapre), pashanbhed, jethimadhu, padamchalnu, niramasi, jatamasi, timmur, and siltimmur are found here. Wildlife sightings include deer along the banks and birds like vultures, cuckoos, and owls.

The region is accessible by trekking routes from Ghodepani, Pun Hill, Mohare Danda, Nagi (in Myagdi), and Modi Rural Municipality in Parbat. A dirt road connects Jaljala to Lekphant and Shalija in Jaljala Rural Municipality, according to Vice-Chairman Deepak Acharya.

“A grand yagya was organized to highlight Jaljala’s religious significance, and electricity has now been extended to the area,” Acharya said. “The federal government has allocated Rs 30 million for tourism infrastructure development here.” The Beni–Lekphant road has also been blacktopped recently, and further road upgrades have been requested.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, the omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have announced the expansion of their spiritual portfolio across key pilgrimage destinations in India and the subcontinent, catering to both group and customized tours.

Traditionally, Indian spiritual pilgrimages have often been perceived as challenging and uncomfortable —marked by long journeys, limited connectivity and infrastructure. Recognising these challenges, Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel have designed tours by introducing aerial darshans, guided tours, VIP access for darshans and more.

Rooted in the philosophy that ‘India is a Pilgrimage’, the tours have been designed to cater to the spiritual aspirations of a broad spectrum of travellers – from GenS (seniors) who value time-honoured traditions, multi-generational families to millennials and GenZ travellers seeking spirituality as a path to mindfulness, wellness and cultural discovery—seamlessly blending sacred journeys with unique local experiences.

Key highlights:

• A curated portfolio of 11 iconic pilgrimage sites across India’s vast geography, covering temples, shrines and sacred rivers across India and the Indian subcontinent
• Certified local tour experts who offer deep insights into the history and cultural significance of each site, while facilitating seamless access and VIP/escorted darshans at key pilgrimage locations
• Special aartis, pujas and spiritual rituals conducted with accompanying pandits for a personalized spiritual experience
• Pure Vegetarian/Jain meal options to align with travellers’ religious and dietary preferences
• Premium aerial darshans (via helicopters) at select pilgrimage sites for faster, more comfortable access to remote & high-altitude spiritual circuits

Top group tour pilgrimage circuits

• Char Dham Yatra (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath) — The Himalayan spiritual circuit of great reverence via aerial darshans
• Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — A sacred journey to the abode of Lord Shiva via aerial darshans
• Kashi Prayagraj Ayodhya Bodh Gaya Yatra — Sacred sites along the river Ganga, steeped in mythology and history, rites and rituals.
• Dwarka Somnath Yatra — Gujarat’s twin pilgrimages celebrating Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva
• Tirupati to Trivandrum — South India’s iconic temple circuits for spiritual fulfilment
• Haridwar Rishikesh Yatra — Spiritual wellness on the banks of the Ganges
• Ujjain Omkareshwar to Bhimashankar Grishneshwar Yatra — sacred Shiva circuits in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra
• Kashi to Kathmandu To Muktinath To Janakpur – Bharat Nepāl Mahayātrā covering spiritual landmarks across both nations
• Puri Jagannath Yatra – a cornerstone of India’s Char Dham circuit and key spiritual landmark in Odisha
• Ramayan Yatras Covering India, Sri Lanka and Nepal
• Short Getaways to Vaishno Devi, Amritsar, Shirdi, Rishikesh, Mathura, Velankanni, etc.

In addition, we also offer a wide range of customised pilgrimage tours tailored to individual preferences and requirements.

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Spiritual tourism is no longer limited to a season or festival – it has become a year-round experience.

“India’s vast spiritual landscape offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with its deep-rooted spiritual ethos, while also immersing themselves in the country’s rich heritage and culture.

“With an intent is to inspire not just seniors and families but also young India’s millennials, working professionals and groups of friends, we have expanded our spiritual tours at key spiritual sites coupled with unique local experiences like river-rafting and kayaking in Rishikesh, paragliding in Vaishno Devi, cuisine trails in Varanasi and Haridwar.

“This initiative strengthens our domestic and spiritual travel segment, offering travellers a meaningful way to connect with the soul of India,” Kale added.

S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited said, “We are witnessing strong demand for our Darshans portfolio, with destinations like Char Dham and Kailash Mansarovar ranking among the most sought-after pilgrimage sites.

“There is also significant interest in Ayodhya, Dwarka, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Ujjain. This is gaining momentum not just from India’s metro cities, but also from regional mini-metros and tier 2–3 cities.

“To enhance comfort and convenience, we have introduced premium aerial darshans to select sacred locations via helicopters.

“Furthermore, address the challenges of spiritual travel in India, we’ve curated end-to-end tours that offer our customers assurance and ease—covering transport, accommodation, VIP/escorted darshans, guides and more.

“Our meaningful TravSure assurance programme covers select pilgrimage sites ensuring a safe, smooth and hassle-free experience with comprehensive travel insurance and on-ground support,” Nandakumar added.