Refreshingly Daman

by TEXT AND PICTURES BY PRAVAT J GURUNG

FROM ISSUE # 162 (June 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Destination: Bajrabarahi, Palung & Daman in Makwanpur
How to get there: A three-hour drive to Bajrabarahi Village. And then  another half an hour to reach Daman.
How much to take: Travel and hotel cost aside, Rs. 500 per day.
What to take: Wind cheater, sun block and water and warm clothes and good trekking shoes for winters.

If hardcore trekking is not your idea of fun or if you're just seeking a night out to rejuvenate you're mind with friends or alone, Daman, just 75 kilometers south of Kathmandu, in Makwanpur District is the place to be. Daman is a mere three-four hour car or bus drive away from
the capital.
 
Dotted with settlements along the way, Bajrabarahi village is the most prominent of it all. Just half an hour before reaching Daman, Bajrabarahi is a windy village during summers and snow-capped during winters which offers home stay as well as lodges. People residing in this village come from diverse cultures and are very humble. With a smile on their face, you will be welcomed for a night of modest but delicious food, not to mention the fresh air. The fresh vegetables picked right out the fields makes the food here even more delicious. Bajrabarahi has developed rapidly in the past few years courtesy of various programs implemented by the government and various NGO's and INGO's.

Half an hour drive later from Bajrabarahi, you'll reach Palung and Daman.  Palung offers everything that Kathmandu does, however, with the added advantage of no pollution or dust. You'll also rarely see cars or bikes plying in the streets. But, Palung does not offer home stay yet. There are plenty of options for a comfortable accommodation. Since Daman is approximately 2,400 metres in height, there is plenty of snow fall during winter. Just three-hours away from the capital city, this place is jam-packed with people in the winters who come to enjoy the snow. So it is recommended that you look out for a hotel before hand. Amongst many other activities you can do in Daman, some you can try out are rock climbing, cycling or hiking. But if you just seek a quiet stay, this is just the place. The view from Daman is breathtaking, if the weather permits. You can view the Himalaya from this place. Seeing a clear mountain range view as you get up in the morning with a cup of tea is the perfect way to begin your day. Not only will this refresh your mind and body but you'll fall in love with Nepal, all over again. Locked within the concrete jungles and busy city life, Daman can be a refreshing change.

If you opt for trekking, you will see plenty of Rhododendrons during the route. These beautiful flowers add to the natural beauty of the place. The locals recognising this attraction to the tourists are now seeking ways to preserve them to attract tourists.

People in Daman believe that the petals of this flower hold the power of curing various diseases. Besides Nepal, some other South Asian countries use rhododendron petals as a spice to prepare meals. This is also considered as a sacred flower that is offered to Pashupatinath. Some species of Rhododendrons are poisonous and it is better if you ask a local before tasting its petals.

Daman is amazingly and truly Nepal and as exquisite as it sounds. You don't have to be in the ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) circuit or in Pokhara to enjoy your holiday within Nepal. In just three hours, you'll reach a destination that perhaps will be the most memorable one for you in your life. Give yourself a break from your studies or work, and just for a night, and experience Daman like the way it's supposed to be experienced. You will not only like it, you'll love it!