Lomanthang Rural Municipality

{{Infobox settlement  | name = | other_name = | native_name = लोमान्थाङ | nickname = The Walled City | settlement_type = Rural municipality | motto =  | image_skyline = Lomangthang.jpg | imagesize = 300 | image_caption = Barley and Buckwheat fields of Lomangthang, Upper Mustang. | image_flag = | image_seal = | image_map = Gaupalikas of Mustang District.png | mapsize = | map_caption = Lomanthang (the uppermost part of Mustang district) | pushpin_map = Nepal Gandaki Province#Nepal  | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_mapsize = 300 | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Gandaki Province | pushpin_relief = y | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Nepal}} | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Gandaki Province | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Mustang | government_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://localelection.ekantipur.com/?lng=nep&pradesh=4&panto=mustang&location=413|title=स्थानीय निर्वाचन २०७४ - निर्वाचन विवरण तथा नतिजा - मुस्ताङ - लोमन्थाङ}}</ref> | government_type = Rural council | governing_body = Lomanthang Rural Council | leader_title = Chairperson | leader_name = Suwarn Kumar Bist (NC) | leader_title1 = Deputy-Chairperson | leader_name1 = Pema Dolma Bist (NC) | established_title = Settled | established_date = 1380 | established_title1 = Established (rural municipality) | established_date1 = 10 March 2017 | area_total_km2 = 727 | area_total_sq_mi =  | population_as_of = 2011 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 1899 | population_density_km2 = auto | timezone = NST | utc_offset = +5:45 | coordinates = {{coord|29|10|59|N|83|57|24|E|type:city_region:NP|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes =  | elevation_m = 3840 | website = {{URL|lomanthangmun.gov.np}} | footnotes = | official_name = Lo Manthang }} '''Lomanthang''' ({{langx|ne|लोमान्थाङ}}) is a rural municipality in Mustang district in Gandaki Province of western Nepal.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://103.69.124.141/ |title= स्थानीय तहहरुको विवरण |trans-title= Details of the local level bodies |language= ne |access-date= 17 July 2018 |website= www.mofald.gov.np/en |publisher= Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180831065451/http://103.69.124.141/ |archive-date= 31 August 2018 |url-status= dead }}</ref> It is located at the northern end of the district, bordering the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda rural municipality of Mustang in the south.

'''''Lo''''' is the northern two-thirds of Mustang district, culturally and linguistically influenced by Tibet, while the southern third is called '''''Thak''''', the homeland of Thakali people who speak a different language and have a synthesis of Tibetan and Nepalese culture. In 2007, a series of at least twelve caves were discovered north of Annapurna and near the village, decorated with ancient Buddhist paintings and set in sheer cliffs at an elevation of {{convert|14000|ft|m|-2}}.<ref name="Reut050307" /> The paintings show Newari influence, dating to approximately the 13th century, and also contain Tibetan scripts executed in ink, silver and gold and pre-Christian era pottery shards.<ref name="Reut050307" /> Explorers found stupas, decorative art and paintings depicting various forms of the Buddha, often with disciples, supplicants and attendants, with some mural paintings showing sub-tropical themes containing palm trees, billowing Indian textiles and birds.<ref name="Reut050307" />

==History== Lo Manthang was the walled capital of the ''Kingdom of Lo'' from its founding in 1380 by ''Ame Pal'' who oversaw construction of the city wall and many of the still-standing structures.<ref name= "Peissel">{{cite book |last= Peissel |first= Michel |author-link= Michel Peissel |title= Mustang - A Lost Tibetan Kingdom |orig-year= 1967 |edition= 2nd |year= 1992 |publisher= Book Faith India, Delhi |pages= 227–31}}</ref> After the Shahs of Gorkha unified Nepal out of numerous petty kingdoms in the 18th century, Lo became a dependency but kept its hereditary rulers. This arrangement continued as long as Nepal remained a kingdom, until the country was declared a republic in 2008 and Jigme Dorje Palbar Bista ({{reign|1964|2008}}) was stripped of his title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/08/content_10167598.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304064713/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/08/content_10167598.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2009|title=China View news}}</ref> His suzerain King Gyanendra suffered the same fate, however the ''raja'' or ''gyelpo'' of Mustang was 25th in a direct line of rulers dating back to 1380 AD. Gyanendra was only the eleventh Shah ruler since Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered Kathmandu in 1768.

More prosaically, Lo Manthang became a village development committee in Mustang district of Dhawalagiri zone. The 1991 census counted 876 people living in 178 households in the VDC.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalhimalaya.com/collections/nepalcensus/form.php?selection=1 |title=Nepal Census 2001 |magazine=Nepal's Village Development Committees |publisher=Digital Himalaya |access-date=15 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012163506/http://www.digitalhimalaya.com/collections/nepalcensus/form.php?selection=1 |archive-date=12 October 2008 }}.</ref> The population includes ethnic Lhobas.<ref name=Reut050307>Gopal Sharma, [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305160721/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nepal-idUKB50593420070503 Explorers find ancient caves and paintings in Nepal], Reuters, May 3, 2007, ''Accessed October 28, 2012''</ref>

==Demographics== At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Lomanthang Rural Municipality had a population of 2,350. Of these, 87.5% spoke Lhopa, 7.0% Gurung, 3.6% Nepali, 1.2% Magar and 0.7% other languages as their first language.<ref>[https://nepalmap.org/data/table/?table=LANGUAGE&primary_geo_id=local-42004&geo_ids=local-42004,district-45,province-4,country-NP NepalMap Language]</ref>

In terms of ethnicity/caste, 87.6% were Lhopa, 7.1% Gurung, 2.3% Thakuri, 1.5% Magar and 1.5% others.<ref>[https://nepalmap.org/data/table/?table=CASTE&primary_geo_id=local-42004&geo_ids=local-42004,district-45,province-4,country-NP NepalMap Caste]</ref>

In terms of religion, 92.8% were Buddhist and 7.1% Hindu.<ref>[https://nepalmap.org/data/table/?table=RELIGION&primary_geo_id=local-42004&geo_ids=local-42004,district-45,province-4,country-NP NepalMap Religion]</ref>

In terms of literacy, 40.1% could read and write, 2.1% could only read and 57.7% could neither read nor write.<ref>[https://nepalmap.org/data/table/?table=LITERACY_SEX&primary_geo_id=local-42004&geo_ids=local-42004,district-45,province-4,country-NP NepalMap Literacy]</ref>

== Administration == The total area of the Lo Manthang rural municipality is {{convert|727|km2|mi2}} and the total population according to the 2011 census is 1899. The rural municipality is divided into 5 wards.<ref name="lom">{{cite web|title=District Corrected Last for RAJAPATRA|url=http://mofald.gov.np/sites/default/files/News_Notices/Final%20District%201-75%20Corrected%20Last%20for%20RAJPATRA.pdf|access-date=17 July 2018|website=www.mofald.gov.np}}</ref>

Previously Lomanthang was a village development committee which was upgraded into a rural municipality merging adjoining VDCs of Chhoser and Chhonhup.<ref name="lom" /> The rural municipality came into existence on 10 March 2017, fulfilling the requirement of the new Constitution of Nepal 2015 when the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration replaced all old VDCs and municipalities into 753 new local level bodies.<ref>{{cite news|date=10 March 2017|title=New local level structure comes into effect from today|website=www.thehimalayantimes.com|publisher=The Himalayan Times|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/new-local-level-structure-comes-effect-today/|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=11 March 2017|title=New local level units come into existence|url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2017-03-11/new-local-level-units-come-into-existence.html|access-date=18 July 2018|website=www.kathmandupost.ekantipur.com}}</ref>

== Transport == {{Main|Upper Mustang#Transport}} Lo Manthang is {{convert|20|km|mi|0}} by unpaved road from a border crossing into Zhongba County of Shigatse Prefecture, TAR. This road continues about {{convert|50|km|mi|0}} from the border to China National Highway 219, which follows the valley of the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

The Government of Nepal has built a road north along the Kali Gandaki River, to within {{convert|9|km|mi|0}} of Lo Manthang. There are also scheduled flights from Kathmandu and Pokhara to Jomsom Airport, located {{convert|50|km|mi|0}} south of Lo Manthang.

==Tourism and access== The village is noted for its tall whitewashed mud-brick walls, ''gompas'' and the ''Raja's'' or Royal or King's Palace, a nine-cornered, five-story structure built around 1400.<ref>[http://www.royal-mt-trek.com/fixed_departure/mustang.php Mustang: The Forbidden Kingdom] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630180009/http://www.royal-mt-trek.com/fixed_departure/mustang.php |date=2007-06-30 }}, Royal Mountain Travel, 2004, ''Accessed May 3, 2007''.</ref> There are four major temples: Jampa Lhakhang or Jampa Gompa, the oldest, built in the early 15th century and also known as the "God house"; Thubchen Gompa, a huge, red assembly hall and gompa built in the late 15th century and located just southwest of Jampa Gompa; Chodey Gompa, now the main city gompa; and the Choprang Gompa, which is popularly known as the "New Gompa".<ref>[http://www.trekkingtopnepal.com/upper-mustang-trek-explore-the-hidden-mystery-of-himalayas/ Upper Mustang Trek] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602050003/http://www.trekkingtopnepal.com/upper-mustang-trek-explore-the-hidden-mystery-of-himalayas/ |date=2013-06-02 }}, Osho World Adventure Pvt. Ltd., ''Accessed June 2, 2013''.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Prasad |first=Madhav |date=2018-08-13 |title=Things to do in Mustang Nepal - Things You Shouldn't Miss in Mustang |url=https://mosaicadventure.com/things-to-do-in-mustang-nepal/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Mosaic Adventure |language=en-US}}</ref>

Even though foreign visitors have been allowed in the kingdom since 1992, tourism to Upper Mustang remains limited, with just over 2000 foreign tourists in 2008.<ref name="Reut050307"/>

The Nepalese Department of Immigration requires foreign visitors to obtain a special permit, which costs $50 per day per person, and liaison (guide) to protect local tradition from outside influence as well as to protect their environment.<ref>[http://www.taan.org.np/info_details/trekking-permit Nepal Trekking Permit Fees] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715100930/http://www.taan.org.np/info_details/trekking-permit |date=2013-07-15 }}, TAAN Nepal, ''Accessed June 2, 2013''.</ref>

==2015 Earthquake== The April 2015 Nepal earthquake caused multiple cracks in the 600-year-old Lo Manthang Royal Palace.<ref>[https://archive.myrepublica.com/2015-16/society/story/31675/quake-hit-upper-mustang-still-in-ruins.html Quake-hit Upper Mustang still in ruins], myrepublica.com, 25 November 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.nepalnow.org/stories/local-people-have-reconstructed-lomanthang-palace-on-their-own/ Local people have reconstructed Lomanthang Palace on their own], nepalnow.org, 31 October 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2018.</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> File:Lo Manthang Royal Palace.JPG|The Royal Palace in Lo Manthang File:Lomanthang.jpg|Lo Manthang File:Lo Manthang.jpg|The settlement of Lo Manthang File:Photos of Mustang, Nepal Tourism Center 02.jpg|Nepal Tourism Center, Upper Mustang Mustang-Lo Manthang-42-Jampa Lhakhang-gje.jpg|Jampa Lhakhang Mustang-Lo Manthang-Laden-02-2015-gje.jpg|Shop Mustang-Lo Manthang-Choerten-12-LKW-Wrack-2015-gje.jpg|Choerten Mustang-Lo Manthang-Lotus Holiday Inn-12-Gaeste bei Totenfeier-2015-gje.jpg|Lotus Holiday Inn </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Bibliography== *Maïe Kitamura, ''La cité fortifiée de Lo Manthang, Mustang, Nord du Népal''. Paris, Éditions Recherches, 2011. 214 plans & drawings, photography. {{ISBN|978-2-86222-077-2}}. [http://www.editions-recherches.com/fiche.php?id=58]

==External links== {{Commons category|Lomanthang Gaunpalika}} *{{URL|www.lomanthangmun.gov.np}} *[http://www.un.org.np/maps/district-maps/western/Mustang.pdf UN map of the municipalities of Mustang District] *[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tibet/program.html Restoring a temple] on Nova (series) *[http://www.nepalphotogallery.com/lomanthang.htm Lo-manthang Photo Gallery] {{Geographic location |Centre = Lomanthang |North = {{flagicon|China}} Tibet |Northeast = |East = {{flagicon|China}} Tibet |Southeast =Dalome |South = Dalome |Southwest = Chharka Tangsong, Dolpa |West ={{flagicon|China}} Tibet |Northwest = }} {{Mustang District}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Rural municipalities in Mustang District Category:Populated places in Mustang District Category:China–Nepal border crossings Category:Hill stations in Nepal Category:Rural municipalities of Nepal established in 2017