Pokhara, 26 July – An attractive and culturally significant ‘Falcha’ (traditional rest house) has been constructed in Ridi, a renowned religious and historical site in Gulmi district. Located on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River in ward-1 of Rurukshetra Rural Municipality, this structure aims to serve both domestic and international tourists, as well as pilgrims visiting Ridi.
Alongside the construction of the Falcha, a small park has also been developed in the area. According to Yadu Gyawali, Chairman of Rurukshetra Rural Municipality, this addition will make the tourist environment of Ridi even more pleasant and welcoming. Notably, the Falcha was jointly built under a sister-city relationship between Rurukshetra Rural Municipality and Bharatpur Metropolitan City. Chairman Gyawali stated that both municipalities contributed 50/50 percent to the project’s investment.
The construction, undertaken by Neelkanth Construction at a cost of NPR 3.226 million, is designed to reflect the culture, art, and Newari architecture reminiscent of Kathmandu. This is expected to offer tourists an experience akin to visiting Kathmandu’s old city. As Ridi is an important religious hub, locals anticipate that the creation of such unique artistic structures will further enhance its significance. There is also a strong belief among locals that this development will positively impact business activities in Ridi Bazaar and its surrounding areas.
The newly built Falcha provides a comfortable resting place for tourists and offers an attractive backdrop for photographs. Situated along the Kali Gandaki River, Ridi is famous for various fairs, festivals, and religious activities. The construction of such infrastructure contributes to making the area more organized and tourist-friendly. Interestingly, the intricate wooden carvings used in the Falcha were crafted from timber produced within Gulmi district using local labor. Furthermore, the artistic components for the woodwork were skillfully created by inmates at the Gulmi District Prison, utilizing their own talents and expertise. These artistic materials carved by the incarcerated artisans are even exported throughout Nepal and abroad.
