Tourists flock to Tharu museum

By Santosh Dahit, Dang, July 23: The Tharu Cultural Museum at Chaukhara in Dangisharan Rural Municipality-3, Dang, has become an increasingly popular destination for both domestic and international visitors.

 During the fiscal year 2025/26, the museum welcomed 118,505 visitors and generated Rs. 14.87 million in ticket revenue.

According to museum manager Shanta Chaudhary, 13,382 of the visitors were students, single women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

 The museum attracts domestic tourists from Jhapa in the east to Kanchanpur in the west, as well as visitors from abroad.

She said the standard entry fee is Rs. 130 per person. Students, single women and senior citizens receive a 30 per cent discount, while persons with disabilities are entitled to a 50 per cent concession.

Established to preserve and promote the language, art, culture, history and way of life of the Tharu community, the museum showcases the cultural diversity of Tharu people from different parts of Nepal in one location.

 It features traditional houses representing the Dangaura, Desauri, Rana, Chitwaniya and Morangiya Tharu communities, along with displays of traditional costumes, jewellery, handicrafts, agricultural tools, fishing equipment and indigenous farming practices.

Chaudhary said the museum has recently expanded its collection of books on the Tharu language, further strengthening its role as an important centre for students, researchers and anyone interested in studying Tharu culture.

Museum conceptualiser and former Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary said the museum was established to maintain the Tharu community’s indigenous language, culture, traditions and attire, which are increasingly under threat from modern lifestyles.

He said the museum is more than a venue for displaying cultural artefacts, it is also evolving into a centre for research and the study of Tharu history, culture and lifestyle. 

As it brings together the cultural diversity of Tharu communities from across the country, it has become a valuable resource for students, researchers and tourists alike.

Spread across five bighas of land, the museum was established in 2013 and officially opened to the public in 2018. 

Around Rs. 200 million has been invested in its construction and infrastructure development so far. It is currently managed with support from the Lumbini Provincial Government, the federal government and its own internally generated revenue.

Sundar Chaudhary of Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan City-2 said the museum plays a significant role in preserving the authentic identity of the Tharu community. 

He added that being able to observe the lifestyle, culture, traditions and architecture of Tharu communities from eastern to western Nepal in one place offers visitors the experience of a nationwide cultural journey.

According to local residents, the museum has made a significant contribution not only to preserving the Tharu language, culture and traditions but also to promoting rural tourism and strengthening the local economy.