Nadai Gufa: A Sacred Cave in Jumla

Nestled in the hills, Nadai Gufa sits near Upper Khopri village - part of Tila Rural Municipality–9 in Jumla. Known also as Nadai Cave, it draws quiet interest for its faith-based roots, age-old past, and wild surroundings. Not many visit though, mainly because roads are rough and places to stay are few. Hard to reach, yet rich in meaning, it stays off most travel maps.

Farmlands stretch beside the path leading to Nadai Gufa, threading between scattered villages and bare slopes. Over wide ridges, sightlines run deep into old mountain chains - part of what gives the upper Karnali its feel. Elevation plays a strong role here, where silence settles easily across uneven ground.

Deep within the rock, Nadai Gufa stretches about 200 meters, shaped oddly like a cow's udder by nature itself. Water moves steadily through its passages, feeding a constant chill that fills the air inside. Because of these traits - coolness, shape, steady flow - the place has drawn people for ages wanting to honor old beliefs. Worship here didn’t start recently; it grew slowly over time, passed down hand to hand.

Built into the hillside, this cave holds more than just prayers. When fighting spread across Nepal, rebels found cover inside Nadai Gufa. Hidden by rock and thick trees, it gave them space away from eyes. What began as quiet retreat became supply point during conflict years. Shape of the land helped keep secrets long after voices faded. Now stone walls hold echoes of both worship and wartime choices.

Back then, getting to Nadai Gufa was tough because there were no roads leading to Upper Khopri or nearby settlements. Lately though, a footpath has opened up, making it easier to walk in. Close by, some simple amenities now exist - like a shelter where travelers and devotees can pause. Because of these changes, reaching the spot feels less remote than before.Paths are now clearer near the caves, with basic supports added along the way. Even though walking there is easier today, villages like Upper Khopri and Lower Khopri still lack proper roads for vehicles.

Hidden between tall ridges, the cave sits beside wide open slopes - perfect for brief hikes or quiet walks through nature. Jumla’s character shows clearly here: broad ground stretches out; plants change with the seasons, and from above, sightlines run far without blockage.

Still used for worship today, Nadai Gufa holds stories from times of unrest. Nestled high, the place ties old beliefs to rugged terrain in western Nepal. Not widely visited, it sits apart from busy trails yet part of local memory. With roots in faith and echoes of struggle, the cave blends into Jumla’s mix of hidden sanctuaries. Over time, nature and silence have claimed much of its presence.

Travel Plan

Heading out from Rara Bazaar - sometimes called Sheri Bazaar - a ride by jeep or motorbike will get you to Malapani village. Once there, the journey moves forward on foot, heading first to Khopri village. After that point, it is roughly two hours of walking to arrive at Nadai Gufa. Overnight options exist in Khopri if needed. Come morning, hikers go back through Malapani before catching a vehicle again in Rara Bazaar. Another option skips part of the return: from the cave, a steeper but quicker path drops down toward Triveni instead.

Batukey Lake, popularly known as the Sky Lake of Jumla, a silent Himalayan treasure

 High in the remote mountains of Jumla, far above roads and forests, lies a world of clear blue lakes touching the sky. In Guthichaur Rural Municipality, Batukey Lake is now known by trekkers as Sky Lake (Akashe Taal). At around 4,700 meters, this lake feels like a piece of the sky resting on the earth. It is not alone—several other sacred lakes are hidden nearby, making this area special for both nature lovers and pilgrims.

Sky lake / Photo KB Jumla

The journey starts from Chhotra village. From here, it takes about one and a half days of walking to reach the high alpine zone. The trail is tough but rewarding. As you go higher, trees disappear and wide open meadows appear. In summer, these grasslands turn green and are used by local herders for yaks and sheep.

The main base camp is Ghat Cave (4,100m), a simple stone shelter used by shepherds and pilgrims for generations. From here, the lakes are explored.

The most magical moment comes when you reach Sky Lake. The water is one deep, clear shade of blue—so pure it feels unreal. That is why people call it a Sky Lake. Locals say its old Tibetan name is “Mhangwa Yunzo,” showing that the lake has been important for a very long time.This area is deeply sacred. Just one hour away is Dudh Kundali Lake (4,000m), where locals come during Janai Purnima to pray. To the north lies Hiulsa Lake (4,300m), visited by Buddhist pilgrims during Buddha Purnima. For those wanting more adventure, Rakshak Lake can be reached after 3–4 hours of walking through untouched highland terrain.

For centuries, these lakes were known only to shepherds, herbal collectors, and pilgrims. Today, they offer something rare: quiet trails, strong cultural meaning, and untouched Himalayan beauty.

A Simple Trek Plan

 Day 1: Drive from Jumla to Chhopa Village (3,100m) and rest.

 Day 2: Trek from Chhopa to Ghat Cave (4,100m).

 Day 3: Visit Sky Lake and Dudh Kundali Lake return to Ghat Cave.

 Day 4: Walk down to Chhotra village and drive back to Jumla.

 This trek is more than walking—it is a peaceful journey where earth meets sky, and every lake tells an old story. Visit while it is still pure and quiet.

 All Photos / KB Jumla

Sinja: Heritage at the Edge of Disappearance

Sinja is one of the most important historical places of Jumla and the former capital of the Khasa Kingdom. It is the birthplace of the Nepali language and home to ancient civilization heritages that reflect a great past.

Today, many heritages around Sinja are in danger. There is no proper safeguarding. Stone pillars are broken, some structures are damaged, and others are nearly buried. Valuable arts and artifacts are hidden or already destroyed.

If urgent conservation is not done, the great history of Sinja’s civilization may not survive for future generations. Protecting Sinja means protecting the identity and history of Jumla and Nepal.

Pure Himalayan Shilajit from the Mountains of Jumla

What is Shilajit?

Shilajit (Nepali: शिलाजीत) is a natural, mineral-rich resin found in the high Himalayan mountains, including Jumla and other remote regions of Nepal. It forms over centuries through the gradual decomposition of ancient plant matter and organic materials trapped beneath layers of rock, subjected to intense heat and pressure. 

How Shilajit Oozes from the Mountain

During the warm summer months, sunlight heats the mountain rocks, causing the hardened shilajit to soften and expand. The resin then oozes naturally through cracks and fissures in steep rock faces, appearing as thick, dark brown to black sticky deposits.
Local collectors carefully climb high-altitude cliffs and hand-scrape the naturally exuded shilajit, preserving its purity and traditional harvesting methods.
(Photos show shilajit seeping directly from mountain rocks in Jumla.)

Medicinal Importance of Shilajit

Shilajit has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and traditional Nepali medicine. It is highly valued for its rich content of fulvic acid, humic substances, and essential minerals.

Traditionally, shilajit is believed to:

• Boost energy and stamina
• Improve immunity and vitality
• Support brain function and memory
• Enhance male and female reproductive health
• Aid in altitude adaptation and recovery
• Help reduce fatigue, inflammation, and weakness

In Himalayan communities like Jumla, shilajit is considered a natural rejuvenator and a gift from the mountains.

Quick Facts

• Appearance: Sticky, resin-like, dark brown to black
• Formation: Centuries of plant and organic decomposition under rock pressure
• Harvesting Season: Summer, when heat allows it to flow naturally
• Cultural Value: Rare, sacred, and highly prized in Himalayan traditions

Shilajit and Its High-Altitude Mining Station

Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry : A Forgotten Spiritual Heritage of Jumla

Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry

Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry is situated in Chotra—the last village of Jumla District—within Guthichaur Rural Municipality, near the border with Dolpa. It is one of the most remote monasteries in the Karnali region. According to local belief, this sacred site is regarded as the first monastery of Jumla, with an estimated history of around 55 years.  

Origin and Settlement History

Yalgen Budha age of 60 recalls that an earlier monastery once stood inside the village, but after it was shifted closer to the settlement, both structures eventually collapsed. Later, Tibetan refugees fleeing Tibet settled in the area for many years. Under the guidance of the main lama, Organ, the present monastery was constructed.

At its peak, the settlement was vibrant, with around 50 households and nearly 250–260 residents living there long-term. Over time, the entire community migrated to India, leaving the monastery behind. The exact reasons for their departure remain unknown to the local people.

The monastery was built under the guidance of the chief lama, whose framed portrait with a khada is displayed inside..

Decline and Absence of Care

The lama who founded the monastery used to visit it periodically, and later his family, who live in Kathmandu, appointed a caretaker. However, for many years now, no one has resided there to look after the monastery, leaving it completely unattended. It is believed that the main lama passed away near the Tibet border during his holy journey to Mount Kailash. Located a few hours’ hike from the village, the Gumba is now rarely visited and has effectively become an orphaned heritage site.

Artistic and Structural Deterioration

The monastery once housed exceptional mud-wall paintings and murals, representing rich Himalayan Buddhist artistic traditions. Today, these priceless artworks are rapidly deteriorating due to rainwater seepage through damaged walls and roofing.

One entire side of the monastery has already collapsed. Although the local government rebuilt the wall, it was done using a plain stone structure, without respecting traditional architecture, artistic value, or historical integrity. As a result, the monastery’s original aesthetic and cultural essence have been severely compromised.

Due to neglect and lack of security, valuable statues and thangka paintings have been stolen over time. The doors remain without locks, and no caretaker is present to protect what little remains.

 Religious Practice and Community Context

Despite the community’s deep Buddhist faith, not a single lama currently resides in the village. The Khampa community lives in Chotra, and while everyone follows Buddhism, organized monastic life has disappeared.  

Occasionally, respected lamas visit the monastery for short-term retreats or hidden prayers lasting up to a month. Local villagers mainly offer prayers during Purnima (full moon days).

Land, Location, and Economic Context

The monastery holds hundreds of acres of land registered in its name, yet this land remains unused and unmanaged. Chotra village lies about two hours’ drive from Khalanga Bazaar, the district headquarters of Jumla, and serves as a gateway to Phoksundo Lake and Dolpa.

The local economy depends largely on herbal trade, yak rearing, and horse farming, reflecting a traditional Himalayan livelihood system.

A Memory of Hope: The Unfulfilled Royal Visit

Local elders still vividly remember a moment of great hope, when it was said that late King Birendra would visit the monastery by helicopter. In preparation, villagers built three temporary helicopter landing areas, carved steps along the trail, and laid locally woven sheep-wool carpets—leui, radi, and pakhi—on the path where the King was expected to walk.

On the anticipated day, villagers waited from morning till evening at the monastery, holding khadas and malas, hoping to welcome the King. But he never arrived. At that time, reaching Khalanga Bazaar took an entire day on foot, and no government representative came to explain the situation. Later, it was said that the King reached Jumla and traveled as far as Gothichaur to visit the high-altitude sheep research center, but could not make it to Chotra.

That unfulfilled visit remains a powerful symbol of the monastery’s long-standing hope for recognition and care.

Hope for Preservation

Despite decades of neglect, the local community remains deeply connected to Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry. Many villagers still remember carrying stones, shaping mud walls, and painting sacred images together. Although a monastery conservation committee was formed long ago, it has remained largely inactive, allowing deterioration to continue.

Urgent conservation action is now critical

1. Locals urgently seek support for:
2. Immediate retrofitting and stabilization of monastery walls
3.  Protection and conservation of remaining murals and artworks
4. Basic security and caretaking to prevent further loss

Without swift intervention, Ogyen Sang-Ngag Chokhor Ling Monastry may disappear forever, taking with it an irreplaceable chapter of Jumla’s spiritual and cultural history. Your support can help rescue this orphaned monastery and ensure that its legacy lives on for future generations.