Marpha, located at an altitude of 2650 m (8,760 feet) in the Kali Gandaki Valley, is a village in the Mustang District of Nepal. Mainly inhabited Thakali people, Marpha has a population of around one and a half thousand people in 500 households. The traditional quaint stone-lined village, with narrow cobblestone alleys, is much more charming than Mustang’s capital Jomsom. That’s why many trekkers and other visitors of Lower Mustang consider overnight stays in Marpha instead of Jomsom. Marpha has several lodges, homestays, guest houses and even small hotels.
LOcation of Marpha
Marpha, 6 km (4 miles) southwest of Jomsom Airport, is situated just where the Kali Gandaki, the forming the world's deepest valley, enters the region of the main chain of the Himalayas. The driving distances from Pokhara and Kathmandu are 146 km (91 miles) and 490 km (305 miles) respectively.
Traditional Thakali Architecture
The white stone houses in Marpha have typical Thakali-style flat mud roofs and cherrywood-paneled doors and windows. Almost every home has a white-and-red mural painted on the rock as a totem. The rooftops are stacked with wood for heating in the cold winters. As wood is rare in this trans-himalaya region, piles of firewood serve also as a public display of prosperity. The windows are few and small. Additional light and air is provided by small central courtyards inside the houses.
This architecture is convenient, protecting inhabitants from the cold winds in the Kali Gandaki valley that blow up particularly harsh from late morning onwards. These daily strong winds are caused by differences in atmospheric pressure between the Tibetan plateau and the lower reaches of the Kali Gandaki valley. The alleys of Marpha are paved with flagstones, with an efficient underground drainage system. Small chorton and prayer flags are abundent.
Buddhist Sights of Marpha
Culturally, the impact of Tibetan Buddhism is conspicuous. There are numerous chortens placed in and around the village. According to popular beliefs, building chortens and performing at their sites helps averting illness and calamities.
Dominating the village is a Buddhist monastery of the Nyingma Pa, the oldest of the schools od Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery called Tashi Lakhang Gompa was built in the 18th century. It has a large courtyard, where the Mani Rimdu festival is celebrated annually. The daily Puja ceneremony can be joined by foreign guests. This temple at the upper end of Marpha offers good views of the village and the valley of Kali Gandaki River. Above the monastery is a chorten painted onto the cliff face. Legend has it that the villagers became afflicted with leprosy, until a monk, originally from Tukuche further south, advised them to build the chorten. Rhisum Gompa is a triangular-shaped white stone on a slope of the hill. In the southern hills of Marpha there is an ancient cave dwelling, which can be reached via a stairway with iron steps. The Mamti cave now shelters a bronze statue of Padmasambhava, the stone slates encrypted with Tibetan writings.
The village name refers to the reputation of zeal of the Thakali people. "Mar" means hard working and "pha" meaning people. The traditional source of income is farming anf mule rearing. Since the opening of Mustang for foreign guests, the hospitality sector contributes much to the livelihood.
The village name refers to the reputation of zeal of the Thakali people. "Mar" means hard working and "pha" meaning people. The traditional source of income is farming anf mule rearing. Since the opening of Mustang for foreign guests, the hospitality sector contributes much to the livelihood.
Apple Orchards and Products in Marpha
Marpha likes to be called the „apple capital“ of Nepal. Apples from the orchards of Marpha are considered the most delicuous in the country. „Marpha Bhaata“ can fetch triple prices in Kathmandu, when compared to other apples. Jams and brandy are produced from the apples in Marpha and also apple pie, dried apples, apple jams and apple pickles are served in the local gastronomy. While you are in this village, it is worth visiting the small library located at the center of the village or in the horticulture farm for more exploration about the village and history.
A horticultural apple farm was established in 1966 to facilitate a more efficient apple production. Travelers can also visit a distillery manufacturing the Marpha apple brandy and also offering apple cider.
A horticultural apple farm was established in 1966 to facilitate a more efficient apple production. Travelers can also visit a distillery manufacturing the Marpha apple brandy and also offering apple cider.
Further Places of Interest in Marpha
The Marpha Foundation established by Jessica Kain hosts a residence program for Nepali artists. The attached village community center include a small library. A unique museum dedicated to Japanese Zen monk Ekai Kawaguchi is another attraction of Marpha. The small museum exhibits some of his possessions and documents about his travels to Tibet. In 1900, Ekai Kawaguchi stayed for for several months in Marpha to prepare his journey to Tibet by studying the Buddhist sacred texts of Kangyur and Tangyur in the chapel of this house. „A Stranger in Tibet“, a novel by Scott Berry, tells of the Ekai Kawaguchi’s travels.
On the southern outskirts of Marpha, on the opposite bank of the Kali Gandaki River, is one of Nepal’s Tibetan refugee camps, the residents of the camp provide handicraft for the souvenir shops of Marpha. The riverside monastery of Chhairo, however, looks back to a much longer history than the refugee camp
On the southern outskirts of Marpha, on the opposite bank of the Kali Gandaki River, is one of Nepal’s Tibetan refugee camps, the residents of the camp provide handicraft for the souvenir shops of Marpha. The riverside monastery of Chhairo, however, looks back to a much longer history than the refugee camp
Seasons - Climate & Festival
Like most of Mustang, Marpha has a semi-arid climate. The summers in the monsoon shadow of the Himalayas are comparatively dry and mild, whereas the winters are bitterly cold. However, Marpha can be visited in all seasons. The autumn months around October have the clearest views, like in most mountainous regions of Nepal, also the spring months of March to May presents best trekking conditions.
The Tibetan new year of „Losar”, celebrated in Marpha, lies between February and March, whereas the famous 19-days „Mani Rimdu“ festival is also celebrated in autumn. This festival, marking the founding of Tibetan Buddhism by Guru Rinpoche, is also celebrated by Buddhists in the Everest region.
The Tibetan new year of „Losar”, celebrated in Marpha, lies between February and March, whereas the famous 19-days „Mani Rimdu“ festival is also celebrated in autumn. This festival, marking the founding of Tibetan Buddhism by Guru Rinpoche, is also celebrated by Buddhists in the Everest region.