Today’s modern lifestyle is sucking the lifeblood out of us. This is where taking a break and travelling slowly lets you rejuvenate your soul and health. The fresh green countryside of Nepal’s hinterlands is one of the perfect settings to do so. Although many head to Nepal to scour for the tallest peak to climb, I am in search of Nepal’s model for rural tourism, Panauti. Not only is Panauti surpassing records in hospitality in recent times, it is empowering the women of the local community like never before.

Panauti is considered one of the oldest architectural heritages in Nepal. Along with Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, it was one of the strongholds of the Malla kings. The kingdoms of yore are still preserved in the remnants of the pagoda-styled temples. The slow pace of life at Panauti allows you to pause back and reflect. But one thing that did not allow this beautiful village to become a tourism hotspot was the rampant poverty.

Mission

But that all changed at the turn of the millennia. Starting from the year 2002, the quaint village of Panauti has been turned into a series of community home stays which allows you to immerse yourself in the culture of Nepal totally. I meet up with the force behind this project who takes me around a tour of his village. “As everyone from the village was looking for jobs, I started working as a guide for foreign tourists. One day, it struck me that I should come back, educate the women of my village and let them do the talking.”

Panauti, Nepal

Vision

That is where the ladies of Panauti took it upon themselves to a enrich themselves. Not only did they educate themselves to converse in English, they also opened up their homes and converted them into home stays. The Panauti Community homestay is a project run by the housewives and women of the community. What started as a single homestay has now evolved into a complex of fifteen. These small houses are built in a typical Newari style with small doors and beautifully thatched roofs with exquisite wood carvings on the upper walls. There are many essences of Nepali culture within these walls complete from the traditional Thangka art to an authentic Nepali meal.

Homestay

We are welcomed with a traditional Tharo dance which encompasses twirling movements which enthralled us throughout. These homestays have been built by the people from the local community. The rooms are traditionally designed and services are in accordance with the local culture. The best part of these home stays is that guests are living with the villagers as family members, sharing food and other cultural interactions. It is indeed a home away from home. The food is fresh and organic, being sourced from their backyard gardens.

Panauti, Nepal

Festivals At Panauti

Panauti is also known for its festivals which celebrate the Newari culture. The month-long Makar Mela is held once every twelve years at the sacred confluence of three rivers: Rishi, Punyamati and Lilawati. But it’s the next festival that fascinates me the most, Achchya Triyitya. Newari girls aged seven to thirteen are symbolically married off to a Wood Apple(Bel). The Bel Vivah render the women immune to becoming a widow ever as they will always be married to the fruit which is Lord Shiva’s reincarnation. “I was married off to the Bel at the age of eight years” my host Amy tells me as we both sit down for some girl gossip overcooking a delectable chicken curry and some Aloo Paranthas (potato stuffed bread).

Activities in and around the homestay

Mornings are the best time to take a stroll around the village and enjoy the sun rising in the Kathmandu valley while listening to the chirping of endangered birds. Not only that, you can also engage with the locals in daily activities like cow milking, cattle grazing, firewood and grass collection from the woods or learn the traditional farming methods. If you wish to prolong your stay a little longer, you can volunteer to teach in one of the local schools or assist the women with ideas on health and education.

Panauti, Nepal

The economic and the social significance of these homestays goes way beyond just the 20-25 dollars they charge per night. It also allows the females to build up other areas of income for the visiting tourists. One of the primary ways they do that is by becoming a tour guide and taking you around the broken down Terracotta temples which are so characteristic of Nepal. There are also these small bakeries where the ladies of this community churn out some wonderful little doughnuts. I sit down at one of these bakeries and bite into the sweet deep-fried dough as I watch the Sun go down on the horizon.

When you’re visiting Nepal, do plan on visiting Panauti instead of the common hotspots of Kathmandu and Pokhara. I had come here looking for a destination, I am leaving with a lesson in woman empowerment.

How to get here? Panauti is at an hour’s drive away from the nearest International Airport at Kathmandu.

Best time to visit? September to March

We were invited on a press trip by the Nepal Tourism Board.

Pin It on Pinterest

Salt & Sandals
Panauti, Nepal: Trip to the Kingdom of Yore
Panauti, Nepal
Panauti, Nepal
Panauti, Nepal
◦•●◉✿ 🅢🅐🅛🅣 🅐🅝🅓 🅢🅐🅝🅓🅐🅛🅢 ✿◉●•◦
Wishing on a beach vacay. 
.
#saltandsandals #snsxthailand #travelwriter
I am never a fan of getting myself clicked but a tryst with history had a fan girl moment in me.
🏵️
During my graduation in history from Delhi University, I was a big fan of Roman history. So when I was actually in a historical place right out of my books, I couldn't stop myself from getting?
.
.
Are you a big fan of getting yourself clicked? Tell us in the comments below
.
.
#saltandsandals #çeşme
#castles
#SnSXTurkey
#travelblogger
#travelwriter
#travelphotographer
#indiantravelblogger
#wanderout
#travellove 
#travelrock
#wanderlust
#seeforyourself #athomeintheworld #intrepidtravel 
#travelcouples
#globetrotter
Often listed amongst the best beaches in the world, Anse Lazio in Praslin, Seychelles truly open gates to altogether new world. And let me tell you, reaching here was quite a journey. One has to reach the bottom of the hill to Zimbabwe either by car or bus, then one has to trek over a large forested jungle clad hill and along some way before you reach the beach. But the journey is well worth the effort with views that take your breath away perfect with fine white sands and gorgeous turquoise waters that are so clear you can watch the fish swim around you, it's no surprise Anse Lazio is frequently called 'the best beach in the world'.
.
.
#SnSXSeychelles #praslin #seychelles #travelbug #traveladdict #beachlover
#travelblogger
#travelwriter
#travelphotographer
#indiantravelblogger
#wanderout
#travellove 
#travelrock
#wanderlust
#seeforyourself
#travelcouples
#globetrotter
#travelwithme 
#travelawesome 
#travelworld 
#wanderlust108 
#wanderess 
#solotravelgirl 
#travelholic 
#travelstagram
#beaches
Sniffing is one of the essential steps to enjoying the flavour of any new drink. Sniffing opens up a new array of flavours that you can experience on your palate.
.
When traveling, definitely discover a Beverage destination. We headed to the @Takamaka Rum Seychelles distillery with @Creole Travel Services where we fell in love with the slow pace, exquisite beach and two barrel aged rums. The Extra Dark is aged twice, first in French Oak and then in reused Bourbon casks for three years and the St. Andre which has been aged for eight years in American Bourbon casks. Which one should we get back for tasting?
.
.
#SnSXSeychelles
#travelawesome 
#travelworld 
#wanderlust108 
#wanderess 
#solotravelgirl 
#travelholic 
#saltandsandals
#christmas
#rum
#darkrum
#eatingfortheinsta
#foodofinstagram
#nikonphotography
#googlepixel2
#pixeldiaries
#iphonexs
#livetrue
#beerstagram
#traveltales 
#travelig 
#rumrunner
#rumcocktails
#bourbongram
#rumlovers
#rumstagram
#rumporn
#takamaka
The magical golden hour. Grand Anse in Seychelles is the best witnessed at Sundown.
.
.
.
#SnSXSeychelles #beauvallonbeach #praslin #seychelles #travelbug #traveladdict
#travelblogger
#travelwriter
#travelphotographer
#indiantravelblogger
#wanderout
#travellove 
#travelrock
#wanderlust
#seeforyourself
#travelcouples
#globetrotter
#travelwithme 
#travelawesome 
#travelworld 
#wanderlust108 
#wanderess 
#solotravelgirl 
#travelholic 
#travelstagram
#beaches
Embark on a culinary journey at Edesia Crowne with Around the globe food festival. Let your taste buds experience  some of the finest cuisines from across the globe. Each dish will take you on a food ride from Japan, Thailand, Greece, Mexico and many more.  Date: 22nd - 3Oth Nov 2024
Time: 7- 11 PM  #instadaily #foodfestival #aroundtheworld #aroundtheglobe #delhifood #delhifoodblogger #foodblogger #foodphotography #saltandsandals #photooftheday
Whatever is happening in and around Delhi, the country and the world, the winter brunch has always retained its charm. We headed to @theclaridgesnewdelhi to welcome the Delhi winter season over a scrumptious Sunday brunch.  Priced at: Prosecco Brunch (INR 6495++), Premium Brunch (INR 4995++), Kids Brunch (INR 2495++)  #saltandsandals #foodphotography
#foodfestival #theclaridgesnewdelhi 
#sundaybrunch 
#claridgesgardern
#purposeforluxury #foodblogger #instadaily
The Dakshin Yatra, Flavours from the South at crowneplazaokhla features a plethora of authentic flavours from the region.  For Starters: The scrumptious Paniyarams, both Savory and sweet ,medu Vada, Idiyappam with chicken curry and Idli with a plethora of chutneys to choose from coconut, raw mango, coriander and beetroot. Savour the curd rice with a wide range of non-vegetarian and vegetarian achaars (pickle's) including mutton, chicken , tuna, raw mango and karela.  In the mains, there is Pineapple and tomato rasam, Meen manga curry(fish), Kari krassi ( chicken), and variety of other vegetarian and non-vegetarian curry dishes from Kerala, Tamilnadu and Andhrapradesh accompanied with papadam and a choice of steam rice or mutton biryani and some regional breads like Kothu parantha.  In the desserts, along with Mysore halwa there was gur ka payasam  The festival is on till 30th June 2024 at Edesia. It is only available for dinner 7:00- 11:00 pm and priced at INR 2799 ++.
The Indori food festival at @crowneplazaokhla features a plethora of authentic flavours from the region.  For Starters: The very famous Johnny hot dog( Anda bun), Poha, kachori, Jalebi, bhute ki khees, Indori style Dal Bati churma , Neemach Street tawa which has Kidney, Liver and Goat brain ( bheja fry) marinated and cooked on the Tawa, along with vegetarian option like stuffed capsicum, green chilli and potatoes. A range of  Pakoras featuring Dal Pakora, samosa which taste amazing with the Garlic Tomato chutney. Savour the golgappas with a wide range of flavoured water including hing, lehsun, pudina and mitha pani.  In the mains, there is Paya soup, Khassi ka meat, khada chicken, paneer, dal ,aloo ki sabji accompanied with papad and a choice of steam rice or chicken biryani and some regional breads.  In the desserts, along with Malpua Rabri there was laung lata, Gulab jamun and moong dal ka halwa  The festival is on till 19th May 2024 at Edesia. It is only available for dinner 7:00- 11:00 pm and priced at INR 2799 ++.  #food #foodblogger #foodfest #festival #foodfestival #uttrakhand #kamoni #pahadi #indianfood #foodphotography #instagood #instadaily