Baglung

Baglung is a city in western Nepal , 275 km west of Kathmandu. It is the administrative headquarters of Baglung District and Dhawalagiri Zone. Baglung is the largest and most populous of the Tri-cities area of the Kali Gandaki valley composed of two other district headquarters Beni (Myagdi) and Kushma (Parbat). Population of Baglung city proper is estimated to be close to 30000. The Tri-cities area of the Kaligandaki valley is home to a population of 132783 permanent residents. Baglung is a major business, financial, educational and healthcare center for the people of Kali Gandaki valley.

Places of interest

Very good views of Himalayas can be had from Baglung.Bhakunde a place near very near to Baglung is a good to place to see the panaroma of the various range of Himalayas. Terraced fields, waterfalls, forests, deep gorges and caves are abundant throughout the area. The temples in and around Baglung make an excellent pilgrimage. Baglung Kalika temple (built by King Pratapi Narayan, and renovated in late 90s) is visited by thousands of pilgrims each year especially during the festivals of Dashain and Chaitre Dashain. Trekking, biking, and rafting make it an ideal location for thrill seekers. Baglung is also the vantage point for trekkers to Mustang, Dolpa and Mt. Dhaulagiri. Baglung has the only hunting reserve in Nepal. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is a prime habitat for blue sheep and snow leopard.

Culture

Baglung and adjacent areas are well known for the folk Nepali music. The area has given rise to some of the more prominent names in folk music. Annual folk song competition held during the Chaitre Dashain festival attracts artists from all over the nation. In recent years music by artists such as The Sky Band, Sanjay Kishore Shrestha and Godhuli Band have gained main stream success.

Transportation

Baglung is connected to Beni Bazar of Myagdi to the north and Kusma Bazar of Parbat which are located 13 km to the north and 12 km to the south, respectively. A well-paved but winding highway connects the town with Pokhara, 72 km to the east. Highways to connect Jomsom, Mustang, Tibet to the north, Rukum via Burtibang and Dhorpatan to the west and Sera Bazar via airport (probably will see an extension to Palpa) to the south have been constructed recently. Most of the roads leading to nearby villages are either completed or under construction. However, these roads are not blacktopped and are closed during the monsoon season.


Mt. Dhaulagiri seen from Baglung

Baglung airport, in Balewa, is located 12 km to the south of the town across the valley from Kusma. This was the only connection to the outside world before completion of the Pokhara-Baglung highway. The airport is currently non-functional. Water transportation is virtually absent apart from seasonal white water rafting trips down the Kali Gandaki river for recreational purposes.

Demographics

There are around 27,289 inhabitants (2010) in Baglung Bazar. Annual population growth rate is 3.03%. It is the 42nd largest city in Nepal, up from 47th in 2001 [3]. Baglung Bazar is the major population center of tri-cities area encompassing three district headquarters namely Kushma (Parbat), Baglung (Baglung) and Beni (Myagdi). The district itself has a population of 268,937 (as per statistics of Nepal Government, 2001). Nepali (with accent unique to the region) is the most widely spoken language of the region. Other languages spoken include Newari, Gurung, Thakali, Tibetan and Magar.

Baglung is a multicultural and multiracial community. Majority of the population belongs to ethnic communities of Magar, Chhettri, Chhantyal,and Dalits. Smaller groups of Newar, Brahmin, Gurung and Thakali also live in the area. Majority of people from Baglung practice Hinduism. Other religions practiced in the area include Buddhism and Islam.

There is a Tibetan refugee camp located at Dhorpatan.