Along The Kali Gandaki The Ancient Salt Route In Western Nepal

A true cultural heritage of the Tamang Thakali lies buried in the dilapidating clan shrines, Bon shrines, Buddhist and Bon dKar Lamaist, Gompas, Kaka-ni, Mani walls, Choten, Kangyur chapel and holy frescoes which can still be encountered in profusion along the ancient Salt Route of the Upper Kali Gandaki Region in western Nepal. The religious, cultural and economic dominance of Tibet helped the Tamang Thakali transform their tribal existence into a highly civilised Buddhist community of the Himalayan region. It is therefore, justified that we should acknowledge the dignity of Tamang Thakali culture with its past accomplishments in the fields of religion, art, culture, commerce and politics rather than relegate these to oblivion. Any attempt to discredit the native Don (jhakrism), Bon dKar and Lamaist traditions of Thak Khola would not only be straying from the historic truth, but it would also prove to be a grave cultural loss for the Tamang Thakali.