BAGLUNG: Surrounded by dense forests and nestled along the banks of the Uttarganga River lies Dijgaon (Dij village), a hidden gem that remains largely unknown.
With its traditional wooden houses and simple village lifestyle, Dijgaon presents a picturesque scene that quietly captivates the few visitors who make it there.
Located a short distance from the scenic Dhorpatan Valley, this village boasts immense potential for tourism. Its untouched natural beauty, original culture, traditional costumes, and way of life are a rare attraction for those seeking authenticity.
However, due to a lack of infrastructure, development, and publicity, Dijgaon remains in the shadows—beautiful, yet overlooked.
Chairman of Dhorpatan Municipality-9, Khim Bahadur Gharti Magar, acknowledged that the village’s unique charm has yet to be properly promoted.
“This is a virgin village for tourism,” he said. “We are working on developing it as a tourist destination with homestay facilities and programs to boost local income through agriculture and handicrafts.”
He added that although the village was long deprived of basic infrastructure like health care, education, clean water, and electricity, development efforts have gained momentum since the arrival of local government.
Despite these efforts, Dij village still lacks road access. Residents must carry goods on foot from nearby markets. Locals blame the lack of road infrastructure on restrictions from the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.
Every house in Dijgaon is still built entirely of wood, preserving its traditional architecture. Local resident Man Bahadur Gharti shared that while development is slowly progressing, the village has yet to see a steady stream of tourists.
Tourists typically visit during the monsoon, as the region is colder in winter. Recently, travelers headed to Niseldhor have begun detouring through Dij, drawn by its natural allure and a unique wooden bridge over the Uttarganga River.
However, limited accommodation options have forced most tourists to return to Dhorpatan for overnight stays.
Kushalraj Belbase, a visitor from Bhairahawa, said he was struck by the beauty of the village but disappointed by its lack of facilities.
“There are such stunning places in Nepal, but they remain neglected due to poor development. I found Dij even more beautiful than Dhorpatan, but staying here is difficult,” he said.
“If the government develops roads and infrastructure and empowers the local people, Dij has immense tourism potential. Coming here felt like truly experiencing a village.”
Comment