Ghalegaun, the beautiful Gurung village

Ghalegaun is a beautiful village situated at an altitude of 1,970m in the northwest of Khundi, the main entrance point to the Annapurna trekking route. This Gurung village of about 105 houses consist only about twenty five houses of Chhetri and Biswakarma. Ghalegaun is rich in natural and cultural beauty. The Gurung community in the village with their own language and culture and the splendid views of the Himalayas and mountains belonging to thirteen different districts make this village irresitable to the explorers of nature and culture.



The people here mainly follow two religions, Hinduism and Buddism, hence, the festivals are guided by them. The main festival in Ghalegaun is Lhosar, as the majority of the population belongs to the Gurung community. It falls on the Nepali month of Poush (December-January). Also, Dashain and Tihar are celebrated here during the Chandi Purnima (full moon) in May. One of the major attractions is the Ghatu dance which is performed for four days with great zeal. They also go to the Dudh Kunda or Dudh Pokhari (Milk Pond) to take a ritual bath and worship the local deities during the Janai Purnima in the month of August.

The dense forests of pine trees, willow trees and bushy plants gives the village a green look and the jungles of rhododendron, chestnut, raspberry, nettle, hemp and many other plants makes the place look colorful and splendid. The presence of birds like partridges, nightingales, owls, doves, crows, eagles, kites, vultures and barbets makes it exciting for the bird lovers. Also, the presence of various species of wildlife makes the place dangerous yet interesting.

The village people are simple hardworking hill farmers who are happy with their typical village life and are very warm and welcoming. They rear domestic livestock like sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes, chickens, pigeons and ducks. Ghalegaun is a pristine village rich with unspoiled natural and cultural assets. This Gurung village provides the majestic views of the snow-capped Himalayas in the Annapurna Himalayan range and also the mountains accommodating lush green forests.