KOBANG - The home of the Thakalis

Kobang along with Khanti and Larjung is considered the cultural center of Thakalis. The Thakali people believe their ancestors arrived here from the western parts of Nepal. The four Thakali clans: Bhattachan, Sherchan, Gauchan, and Tulachan are found in Kobang. But there are different Thakali clans to the north of Tukuche (Jwarchan, Lalchan, Pannachan, Hirachan). There are even shrines of Bhattachan and Sherchan clan here in Kobang. Shrines of Gauchan and Tulachan are situated in Larjung. When someone dies, his/her remains are brought and kept in this shrine. Every 12 years, there is a special festival called La Phewa celebrated by bringing out the deities of all four clans. This is the only time when all four deities are made public. Besides these temples, other attractions in Kobang are the two gompas. Maki Lakhang is the most important one as it is the oldest Nyingmapa sect gompa in the Thak region. Regarding mountains, the view of Dhaulagiri is magnifique but is even better from Larjung.

Bhupi Sherchan, one of the most famous and respected poets of Nepal also belonged to Kobang and there is a Bhupi Memorial Library in his honor. He was quite an eccentric poet with subjects ranging from narrow alleys to entire nations. His rebellious and sarcastic poems have been appreciated by many and have been very successful at showing the double-faced nature of the society we live in.