Key Takeaways:

• More than 12,000 devotees visited Muktinath in three days after Dashain
• Visitor numbers rebounded after floods and landslides disrupted travel
• Hotels and local businesses are benefiting from the tourism surge
• Demand has increased for Mustang's apples apple brandy and wine

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 26 Thousands of pilgrims and tourists have returned to Muktinath following Dashain, reviving travel and business activity in Mustang after floods and landslides kept visitors away during one of the region's busiest pilgrimage periods. More than 12,000 devotees visited Muktinath Temple between Thursday and Saturday, according to police data. The temple, a major pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, had seen relatively low visitor numbers in the weeks leading up to Dashain as damaged roads disrupted travel to the mountain district. Police records show 3,033 visitors arrived on the day after Dashain, 4,813 on Friday and 4,284 on Saturday, highlighting a sharp increase in post-festival travel. The recovery follows the reopening of the Beni-Jomsom road, which remained closed for two weeks after floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall damaged key sections of the route. The disruption also affected travel during the Shorshraddha period, when thousands traditionally visit Mustang for pilgrimage. The surge in visitors is already being felt by local businesses. Hotels and lodges along the route are reporting strong occupancy, while demand has increased for local products including Mustang apples, apple brandy and wine. Many visitors are using the extended festival break to travel. Sujan Thapamagar, who travelled from Tanahun, said he chose to visit Muktinath during the holiday period, while Ratna Bahadur Maharjan of Lalitpur said his group combined the pilgrimage with a trip to Korala. For local tourism entrepreneurs, the return of visitors is an encouraging sign that Mustang's tourism season is regaining momentum after weeks of weather-related disruptions. (With inputs from RSS)