Larumba is a religious tourist site located in Mangsebung Rural Municipality of Ilam District in Nepal. This temple has been developed as a spiritual place after Guru Atmananda Lingden moved here from Ibhang in 2035 BS. Atmananda is the eldest son of Guru Falgunanda’s eldest brother. This temple is now being developed as a place to study the religious texts of the Kirant community.
Larumba, which has been in the form of Kirat Manghim since 2035 BS, is an important religious and tourist destination for the Kirat caste and the whole nation. Guru Atmananda Lingden and Guruma Pavitrahangma Sawa Lingden are the sanctuaries of Kirat Dharma.
Ethnic Groups
Larumba, a densely populated Limbu’s area, is also home to the Rai, Magar Gurung, Newar, Dalit, and Brahmin communities. Larumba, which is within a radius of five and a half kilometers, is also a religious place of Kiratis. Kiratis of this place consider AtmanandaLingden as their religious leader.
Satya Hangama (History of Larumba)
It is believed that Larumba has been developed as a religious site and peaceful place with the idea of Guru Falgunanda. Born in Ibhang, Ilam in 1942 BS, Falgunanda had put forward the concept of Satya Hangama in Larumba, to bring Kirati to the path of righteousness. The code of conduct formulated by Falgunanda to remove the anomalies and distortions in the Kirat community is called ‘Satya Hangama.’
He gathered the ten Limbuwans in 1988 BS and made a statement of Satya Hangama in Labrekuti of Panchthar. About one thousand and one hundred families of Larumba are following Falgunanda’s Satya Hangama.
Code of Conduct
Larumba is also known as a vegetarian village as non-vegetarian food is banned in this place. Similarly, no one drinks alcohol here. Such items have been excluded since 2006. Besides liquor, killing animals, consuming meat, tobacco, pollen, gutkha, etc., are also forbidden.
Remember, even if you are traveling to these religious sites from outside, you cannot eat forbidden food.
Young people here observe whether or not the villagers are using prohibited items. Religious codes of conduct have been developed to stop using things that are considered evil in society. The code of conduct includes non-violence, not killing and worshiping animals, not lying, not poaching. As smoking and alcohol are prohibited, even those who used to drink have lost their habit. Because of all these implementations, the village area is pristine and serene as there is not much quarreling and fighting.
Cultural Activities
Every year on the 25th of Kartik, 18th of Mangsir, and 5th of Kartik, especially from Nepal, Bhutan, India, Burma, etc., millions of Kirat devotees come to this place. According to the Kirat, different traditions, religious discourses, rituals, and various religious programs are organized in those days. Devotees who reach the sacred site of Larumba worship Manghim wholeheartedly.
Pilgrims wake up in the morning, take a bath, become pure, wear white clothes, and start to worship and pay homage to Guru Falgunanda. There is a belief that people can get whatever they wish for by lighting 108 lamps after worshiping for a whole day. Drinking, smoking, beatings, obscenities, and the use of words are strictly forbidden in this holy place. Devotees who worship there use a quantity of flowers, garments, offerings, etc. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are seated in the manghim of Larumba.
Natural Beauty
Surrounded by hills and lush green valleys of the Terai below, Larumba is equally important as a tourist destination from the viewpoint of natural beauty. Along with the tourist destinations of Ilam such as Manmalung, Miklajung, Rabibazar, Chulachuli, Larumba has become an essential destination for tourists. Every effort is being made by the ministers to make Larumba a tourist destination.
Getting there
Larumba is 260km away from the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. To reach Larumba, first, you can get to Birtamod. You can go there via local bus or private jeep/car. It takes around 15-16 hours to reach by the local bus and about 9-10 hours by private jeep.
From Birtamod, you can drive towards Larumba, which covers a total of 142km. It takes around 5-6 hours to get there by private jeep. Throughout the way, you will be able to witness ArjundharaJaleshowrDham, SukhaneySahid Park, ChilimChiya Bazaar, Sanima Hydropower, local settlements, thin cultivable lands, etc.
The situation of the road is moderately difficult till AatmanandaChowk. After crossing this chowk, your actual drive to Larumba begins. The road is slippery, unpaved, rough, and bumpy. So, prepare yourself before starting this journey. However, the road route becomes better when you get near Larumba. 5 kilometers of Mangsebung Ring Road have been constructed to promote tourism.
Larumba, a religious site under MuzolungManghim in Kirat Hangsa, is now a place of refuge. Due to Maoist-affected Kiratis who entered Larumba as Maoist victims during the armed conflict in the country, this site has become overcrowded and populated. Manghim provided free houses and land to the displaced people from different districts of Purvanchal who came to Guru Ashram. Religion, script, judge, etc., of the Kiratis, are also taught in this religious place. There are many students studying rituals here.
Larumba, the holy land of Guru Falgunanda, is worth visiting if you want to experience the uncrowded and exotic place. Anyone craving natural and cultural beauty can pay a visit to this village. Contributing to Nepal’s beauty, this village is the most-visited place of Ilam district.
-Article written by: Kusum Kharel for Land Nepal
