Shaligram Museum in Baglung Attracting Surge in Religious Tourists

The Shaligram Museum located in Kundule, Baglung Municipality-4, has seen a remarkable rise in religious tourism, drawing thousands of visitors eager to witness its vast collection of sacred stones.

Home to an estimated 1.25 million Shaligram stones, the museum features a unique 100-meter-long tunnel where these revered objects are preserved and displayed. The Shaligram, a black ammonite stone found in the Kali Gandaki River, holds deep spiritual significance in Hinduism and is believed to bring prosperity and divine blessings to worshippers.

According to museum curator Rishi Prapannacharya, the site is attracting pilgrims and spiritual tourists from across Nepal and South India. “This year alone, we’ve already welcomed 150,000 visitors—an increase of 50,000 compared to the previous fiscal year,” he said.

Established four years ago, the museum has quickly become a must-visit destination, especially for devotees en route to the holy temple of Muktinath in Mustang. Many visitors include the museum in their spiritual journey, either before or after visiting the revered shrine.

Some of the stones at the museum weigh as much as 300 kilograms, making the display not only spiritually significant but also visually impressive.

Visitors have shared their awe and reverence. Tulsiram Sapkota, who traveled from Gaindakot, remarked, “There’s no other place where you can see so many Shaligrams in one location.” Menuka Poudel from Nawalparasi echoed this sentiment, saying she brought her family to the museum with the belief that viewing the Shaligrams would bring her wishes to fruition. “I had seen Shaligrams before, but never in such quantity and in such a sacred setting,” she said.

As word spreads, the Shaligram Museum continues to grow in prominence, solidifying its status as a spiritual and cultural landmark in western Nepal.