The Batule/Ghumaune Ghar

The Batule/Ghumanune Ghar is Nepali  traditional house and basically belongs to Darai people.  Darai  race of people are one of the indigenous ethnic community of Nepal. Beside Darai, people from other races are also found to be followed the same architecture. This kind of  Nepali Traditional house  are found but rare in various parts across the country. For instance, Ghumaune Ghar are  in existence in Ramkot Village. This typical Magar village  is located nearby Bandipur Bazar. Magar is another major indigenous ethnic community in Nepal. Bandipur is a beautiful hill station located at  between Kathmandu and Pokhar, just few kilometers off  the highway.

Ghumaune ghar is  Nepali  traditional house made of wood and scrub. The walls of the house are plastered with a mixture of mud and khar (a kind of plant scrub) on both inside and outside. Inlet of air is made with just small windows  provided. In general such house contains four rooms, namely Bhansa (kitchen), Majheri (common room), Bhadar (guest room) and sikuwa (sleeping room). The roof is made of Khar (scrub) in umbrella style.

“In recent time, in the race of modernization the the Nepali  traditional house  are being lost gradually. Traditional Nepali Mountain building architecture is therefore in the risk.  Nowadays it is rare to witness such Batule/Ghumanune Ghar. On the other hand it has become more tourist attraction. Therefor, it is today’s’ challenge to preserve  our Nepali old architecture. To revive the mountain tradition and promote the village tourism is top priority.  Re-construction of such houses with providing sufficient windows, larger floor area and kitchen exhaust system by using the local natural material could be the best way out from the worsen situation.  This will be the best options to eliminate the recent massive use of inert materials like cements and iron re-bars. And which is leading us towards  to concrete jungle.