DANG: The ‘Janti Dhunga’ area in Ward No. 13 of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City is rapidly transforming into a major hub for tourism. The unique site has seen a continuous surge in popularity as visitors flock to capture photos, record videos, and share them across social media platforms like TikTok.

The site is characterized by thousands of naturally formed, intricately shaped rocks clustered together, looking almost as if they were sculpted by a master artist. Located within the Jhankri Dhunga Community Forest area, the site is known locally as ‘Janti Dhunga’ (Wedding Procession Stones) due to an ancient mythological legend.

According to local folklore, an entire wedding procession (Janti) mysteriously vanished at this spot in ancient times. Local residents believe that the unusually shaped rocks—resembling various figures and statues—are the petrified remains of the groom, bride, and their guests.

Local resident Liladhar Bhattarai shared that elders used to warn children against walking near the area out of fear that they too might disappear. “The older generation used to say that the wedding party took rest here in the evening, became disoriented in the morning, and vanished,” Bhattarai said. He noted that this air of mystery has recently fueled public curiosity, causing visitor numbers to skyrocket.

Locals emphasize that with proper promotion, Janti Dhunga has the potential to become one of the country’s prominent tourist destinations. In a bid to safeguard the area, a Janti Dhunga Conservation Committee has already been formed. The influx of tourists has also stimulated local economic activity, prompting the setup of temporary shops and the initiation of basic infrastructure development.

Similar unique rock formations have also been spotted along the border of Tulsipur Wards 13 and 14 on the ridge of the Jhankri Dhunga Community Forest. Locals believe that constructing a view tower on the ridge, alongside conservation efforts, would offer panoramic views of Dang and its neighboring districts, further boosting the area’s tourism appeal.