Tourist attractions in the Kanda region.
1. Stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, an ideal location for bird spotting and animal watching in their natural environment. These include: Ghigaratola, Dhapoli, Dhallan, Chandrapur, Annapurna, Bijaypur, Kandamaidan and Kabashna.
2. Ancient temples of Kanda’s heritage, and of the surrounding areas:
a. Badrinath Narayan, 500m from Kanda.
b. Kalika Mandir in the center of Kanda market.
c. Gopeshwar Mahadev, 7km from Kanda market by road.
3. Religious temples at Kanda:
a. Kalika Mandir – center of market.
b. Golu Mandir Sokhula – 1km.
c. Jawala Devi Mandir – 1km.
d. Annpurna Mandir – 2km.
e. Dholinag Mandir – 5km.
f. Hanuman Mandir – 3km.
g. Ganga Nath Mandir – 2km.
h. Pheninag Mandir – 15km.
4. Regional fairs of Kanda:
a. Dashara fair at Kanda market, 10 days, 5 sacrifices.
b. Shiva Ratri – Lord Shiva worship, Gopeshwar.
c. Panchami fair Dholinag in September/ October.
d. Bashai Jagaran, 11days celebration, Golu and Ganganath temples.
e. Dashahara – 5 sacrifices or 9 night celebration in other temples.
5. Local Kumoani festival:
a. Harela (Greenary) April – July – September.
b. Fooldaie (flower presentation on doors), March.
c. Basant Panchami (welcome of spring), March/ April.
d. Ghee San Kranti (use of butteroil on the first day of the month), August.
e. Rakhi (sacred thread from sister to brothers wrist), August.
f. Krishna Janamastami, (Lord Krishana’s Birthday), August.
6. Regional festivals:
a. Dashara.
b. Deepawali.
c. Holi festival.
7. Regional customs and traditions:
a. Marriage ceremonies.
b. Ceremony of the sacred thread.
c. Ceremony of naming a child.
d. Daily worship.
e. The religious rite Sharaad.
7. Rural culture and tradition:
a. Rural folk songs and group singing – Chaachari.
b. Jhora.
c. Dholnagara – drums, music and dance.
d. Choliya dance.
e. Huraka Baden – small hand drum beating.
f. Basuri – flute.
g. Jagar, Bashie, Nawabriti.
h. Astabali, Panchabali – goat and buffalo sacrifice.
i. Religious customs – the tradition of fasting.
j. Pilgrimage – to religious temples.
k. Group songs and dances by women.
8. The cultural heritage:
a. The designs on the houses are beautifully carved into the doors and window shutters, which are opened daily.
b. Local uses of silver, bronze and copper.
c. Grains are stored in buildings made of well-cut stones, which open onto paved courtyards.
d. The main doors of the houses are decorated with welcoming carvings.
e. Daily life includes worshipping deities, working in the terraced hills, ploughing the fields, and using the water mills.
f. The decorations and carvings on the houses sometimes signify aspects of daily life, such as gods and goddesses, wildlife and the natural environment.
g. Painting on the houses which is called Alpana and Rangoli.
9. Kumoani culture:
a. Local language, style of dress, way of life.
b. Local people farm the land and raise animals.
c. There is a division of labour between men and women.
d. Men inherit property.
e. Families eat together.
f. There are many religious events in the community, e.g. weddings, funerals.
g. People prepare their own food, and grind grain, pulses and spices.
h. Food is usually prepared by the mother of the family and given to the family with her love, and hospitality is offered to guests to enjoy this food.
i. Guests are treated like God in Kumoani homes, with much respect.
j. There are celebrations when people part.
k. Worship of Tulisi (Basil, the holy plant in the courtyard).
l. Compost is produced, bio-agriculture used and the fields are well irrigated, and the cow dung and urine are used as antiseptic and are considered holy.
m. Respect is given to elders, and from children to their parents.