MYAGDI: A 27.5-kilometer trekking route leading to the sacred Khayarbarahi (Khayarbharani) Lake in Annapurna Rural Municipality-5, Myagdi, has been completed through community effort and donations totaling Rs. 17 million.
The route connects Paudwar village to Khayarbarahi Lake via Lareni, Khopra (locally called Khopara), and Khayarkhola.
The trail was developed under the leadership of the Khayarbharani Sanctuary and Area Conservation and Management Committee over a span of 10 years. In addition to the main route, a circular path was constructed and drinking water facilities have been installed along the way.
According to committee founder and retired British Gurkha soldier Raju Pun, the trekking route was built in memory of deceased loved ones, with contributions from the residents of Paudwar and neighboring villages, as well as devotees from other areas.
The initiative began in 2072 BS and aimed to integrate the traditional practice of constructing public works in honor of the deceased with the growing appeal of religious tourism.
“Our efforts to connect traditional customs with religious tourism were well supported by locals and visiting devotees alike,” Pun said. “With the help of 67 individuals, we completed the 27.5-kilometer route using donations worth Rs. 17 million.”
Pun detailed the breakdown of contributions: 4.5 kilometers of the Paudwar–Lareni section were constructed with support from 17 donors, 11 kilometers from 23 people, and 12 kilometers of the Khopra–Khayar section with assistance from 27 individuals.
Local resident Hari Prasad Tilija shared that the new trail, built along steep terrain using traditional stone steps, has significantly improved access for locals, pilgrims, and tourists. Shelters and drinking water stations have also been established at various points along the route with donor support.
Tourism infrastructure around the Khayar Lake region—nestled beneath the Annapurna and Baraha Shikhar mountain ranges—has grown, focusing on the religious site Khayar Bharani Than.
Inscriptions have been placed along the route and squares, documenting the names and contributions of the builders. Many donors who no longer reside in the area have continued to support the initiative by hiring local labor under the committee’s coordination.
Ward Chairman Rajesh Tilija Pun of Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 noted that the local community has contributed more to tourism development in the Khopra and Khayar regions than government agencies.
Over the past two years, Rs. 3.2 million has been spent by the Tourism and Industry Office and around Rs. 2 million by the Annapurna Rural Municipality on tourism infrastructure in the area.
A major fair is held at Khayarbarahi Lake during the Janai Purnima festival. On this occasion, devotees perform rituals and offer animal sacrifices at the site. Approximately 1,200 devotees make the pilgrimage to the lake during the festival each year.
Outside of Janai Purnima, tourists visit the area to explore the lake and its scenic surroundings. Khopra Lake, located along the trail between Paudwar and Khayarbarahi, has also been promoted as a tourist destination.
At an altitude of 3,660 meters, Khopra offers breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range, rolling hills, and stunning sunrises and sunsets.
Known in tourism circles as Khopra and locally as “Khopara,” the area is also home to a community lodge operated by the Paudwar Cooperative Society and features a mobile cattle and sheep barn—another unique attraction. From Paudwar, trekkers can reach Khopra in one day and Khayarbarahi Lake in two days on foot.
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