Seeta Ram Chaudhary, residing in Ward No. 4 of Ghodaghodi Municipality in Kailali, welcomes guests warmly into his home, following a tradition of hospitality ingrained in Tharu culture. He has been managing the affairs of the local homestay, located about five kilometers from Sukhad Bazaar along the East-West Highway, for the past ten years. Chaudhary takes pride in providing the visitors staying at the homestay with services, kindness, and management, including communicating with them.
The homestay welcomes visitors in accordance with Tharu customs and provides them with a chance to sample authentic Tharu food, which includes locally produced goods including rice, lentils, veggies, chicken, fish, and liquor. According to Chaudhary, visitors also take pleasure in discovering the diverse cultural and gastronomic customs of the Tharu group.
Rupa Chaudhary, the manager of House No. 11 in Maghi Homestay, has also dedicated herself to serving guests and contributing to the development of the village for the past decade. Both Chaudharys emphasize the importance of homestays in sustaining livelihoods and fostering community development.
According to Seeta Ram Chaudhary, approximately 200 visitors stay at Maghi Homestay each month, contributing significantly to the village’s economy with an estimated income of three to four lakh rupees. He acknowledges the attention given by local and provincial governments to the development of tourism infrastructure and the promotion of social and economic development in the region.
Seeta Ram Chaudhary concludes by stating that homestays not only support the Tharu community’s livelihoods but also play a vital role in social and infrastructural development. He highlights the ongoing efforts of local and provincial governments to prioritize these initiatives, including budget allocations for the construction of museum buildings by the provincial government.
