Dhorpatan (Baglung): The Shaligram Museum in Kundule, Baglung Municipality-4, has seen a remarkable rise in tourist footfall, especially among religious pilgrims. With its unique collection of sacred stones, the museum is fast becoming a must-visit destination.

The museum houses an astounding 1.25 million Shaligram stones, revered in Hinduism for their divine significance. These stones are preserved inside a 100-meter-long tunnel, making it the largest collection of its kind.

According to curator Rishi Prapannacharya, the number of visitors has significantly increased this year, with nearly 150,000 religious tourists visiting in just the first ten months of the current fiscal year—up from 100,000 the previous year. Many visitors come from various parts of Nepal and South India, often stopping by the museum on their pilgrimage to Muktinath in Mustang.

Visitors are particularly impressed by the scale and spiritual aura of the museum. Tulsiram Sapkota from Gaindakot remarked, “Nowhere else can one see such a vast number of Shaligrams in one place.” Menuka Poudel from Nawalparasi, visiting with her family, said she believes viewing the sacred stones will help fulfill her wishes.

Some Shaligrams in the museum weigh as much as 300 kilograms. These stones are traditionally collected from the riverbeds of the Kali Gandaki River and are believed to bring prosperity and good fortune to those who worship them.

The Shaligram Museum has been open to the public for the past four years and continues to gain popularity among devotees and curious tourists alike.