Nomadic Journals : The Hidden Myth of Karnali

Sometimes it's the journey that teaches a lot about society and life. When someone talks about travelling, we recall our most inspiring day passed together, somewhere far from the humdrum of the people and rusticate of the city. The thrilling Karnali satisfied one such journey with difficult taste. Our journey was intended to have fun but we didn't realize that we were guided by the reflected pain of Karnali and its people.

Day 1:

The thick black cloud was roaming around the sky to shower the rain droplets on the huge native Sinja valley. It was almost 6 hours long since we were walking from Badimalika. Our appetite was full before 6 hr by local foods available over there. As there were symptoms of rainfall, we planned to shelter nearby for the day. perhaps, it was a good idea for someone who had never travelled 6 hrs without rest on the messy road. Though the plan was set to reach Rara by the evening, the half journey up to Rara was completed. The modern city life hadn't thought of the difficult geography it would mesh up through the journey. We were welcomed with the local fish and red rice. It was delicious. Perhaps the taste was folded with respect towards the guest. So our imagination didn't encourage inquiring about the food. We were tired as well.

Day 2:

Finally, the rain stopped and Karnali welcomed its first sun after a long rain. We cannot endure wasting anything as precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.

So, early morning, we planned to continue our trek to Rara. Oh, no vehicles again! We had no other option than to walk on foot. So, we walked and walked along the rocky and steeply road for nearly one hour.

To become 'unique' the challenge is to fight the hardest battle that anyone can imagine until you reach your destination. Finally, we reached our destination, our main objective, Rara National Park. Rara really is a good destination point for trekking in the west. 

The biggest lake of Rara includes the Trans Himalayan valley with high ridges covered with pine, spruce, and juniper forest. The beauty of its magnificent bank encores the heart of strangers with pleasure and happiness for success to reach heaven without dying. We were astonished to see the setting sun and the fast-moving time. With three stages of the day, Rara transfigured itself into three different forms. As the darker shade in the area, we camped near the lake.

Day 3:

We were still not agreed with exploring Rara. But, people roaming over there, told us to leave for Jumla as we might not get flight tickets. So, unwillingly, we had our goodbye to Rara. At first, we planned to walk. But you cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight. So, we changed our decision. Maybe our legs could not handle the throne of King. So, we managed to walk to Jumla. Jumla, the origin of the Nepali language has a different tone of language. The locals called it 'Khas Bhasa''.

The modern trekkers named it 'legends of Nepali language''. Our day ended at the house of Dil Bahadur (People called me 'gore' seeing my white countenance as he says) and his wife Kamani the poor elders. At the moment when Dil Bahadur's family feeds us with Marsi rice, our hearts pound. In one corner of the house, all the family members were eating unpleasant food just to make sure that we both are comfortable. We were deeply touched by seeing their hospitality towards the visitors. That day, we both were so tired. So we went to bed early.

Day 4:

Early morning, we had the 'Goodbye' Dil Bahadur's family. Literally, after walking for long hours, we finally reached Jumla, Now, it was the most miserable moment for us as we saw the people of Karnali cultivating the Marsi rice. The rice which we ate almost every time whenever we took a rest or visited hotels in the camp, we just got to know how difficult it is to cultivate that rice.

The people of Karnali were so hard working that they made us feel pity towards them. As we know that Karnali lies in the high altitude of western Nepal, the zone has a food deficit and is the least developed, the cultivable land is limited and most of the agricultural lands are sloppy but we didn't know i.e. we were not aware of the condition. Though we often say that hard work is the key to success situation is really the opposite over here. Politicians and rich people might entertain themselves with this great rice, but they aren't aware of the unbelievable promises they had made to these innocent people to vote. Karnali is starving when the capital is throwing food over the street. Just living is not enough...One must have sunshine, freedom, and little flowers. Today, the desire of the Karnali people is just to survive. Their ideology is circulated by belief in God and superstition. I remember the talk of Dil Bahadur Dai "Even the god has to undergo a series of problems. The sun shines in the day and the moon during the night. Even they are eclipsed on and off. Even god suffers, why not we, we are his creatures. Their talks were heart-touching and filled with enthusiasm. So, in my opinion, the government must provide services to these people who can struggle and bear the pain of life. Their dedication to their agriculture was guided by traditional farming and low productivity with subsistence farming. It reflected their way of thinking(about pain and gain). The mesmerizing sunshine set at the hill of Karnali, and our journey to the land of Karnali ended at Talcha airport of Jumla.

To conclude, the adventure of Karnali made the realization of hope. Death isn't the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.