Kabishiromani Lekhnath Poudyal’s hometown in Arghaun Archale in Kaski district is undergoing a metamorphosis. The road to the quaint building that was once Poudyal’s home has now been black-topped. The home itself has received a facelift from its once frail, sorry state. Just across the compound is a pavilion, with a capacity to house 300 individuals, which will host literary meet-ups in the future. The gardens are now adorned with the poet’s verses carved onto pillars and a nearby pond and chautari mimic the pastoral motifs of the poet’s verses.

The newly-developed site is soon to be a museum that will host artefacts related to the poet’s life and work. The museum will also feature

materials that the poet used during his literary journey. Lekhnath Janmasthal Bikash Samiti, the committee overseeing the renovations, is also initiating a documentary tracing the poet’s life to be screened on site for visitors.

“By researching the poet’s residence, the materials he used and the history of his published and unpublished texts, we have set out to establish the Lekhnath Museum,” Bishwo Prakash Lamichhane of the Samiti told the Post. “By doing so, we are also developing the site as a centre

for tourism and hope to transform it into a hub for Nepali literature enthusiasts.”

The construction of a concrete building that will house the museum has been gathering pace. “We were planning to develop the poet’s home as a museum but since it is frail, we decided on the new building,” said Sandip Khanal of the Regional Museum, “The new space will be a museum and will also serve as a research centre.”  In addition, road signs along the Prithvi Highway already boast placards that feature the poet’s verses, according to Khanal, who adds that the committee is looking at the possibility of establishing homestays in the area for travellers. With the picturesque site overlooking lakes such as Fewa, Begnas, Dipang and Khaste, and offering panoramas of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, locals remain optimistic that the village can be converted not just into a literary hub but also a novelty site for tourists passing through Pokhara.

“But more than anything,” said Lamichanne, “these renovations will be a tribute to the contribution the poet has made to Nepali literature. We hope that the site will serve as point of departure for those looking to delve into literature and history. We remain very optimistic with the progress.”

The committee has a total budget of Rs 6,000,000, of which, the Department of Archaeology, through the Pokhara-based Regional Museum, has contributed Rs 2,000,000. Kaski District Development Committee and the Lekhanath Municipality have also been major contributors to the renovations. The project is slated for completion later this month.