MUGU: The popular Rara Lake, a tourist destination in Mugu district that was marred for long by COVID-19 pandemic has slowly attracted increasing number of domestic tourists.

The number of tourists coming to the spot has shot up during festivals, Dashain and Tihar, according to Rara National Park Office.

Currently, the lake witnessed around 150 domestic tourists, said the National Park’s officiating conservation officer Padam Buda.

“The lake that wore a deserted look in the past has now seen an increasing number of domestic tourists. At present, hotels and villages in the area have been filled with tourists,” he said.

Approximately 3,000 local tourists visited the Lake in the Nepali month of Asoj and Kartik when Dashain festival fell this year, said the National Park.

Most of the tourists reached the area on motorcycles, vehicles or by air, said Buda. Private airlines like Tara, Sita and Goma operated five to seven flights between Surkhet and Nepalgunj on a daily basis.

The best Nepali month to visit the Lake is Chaitra, Baisakh, Jestha, Bhadra, Asoj and Kartik.

“Generally, tourists visit the area after winter and monsoon. During other period, the area sees a slim number of tourists,” said Ramesh Raut of Jhyari in Mugu district.