The enigma of the golden trails

In ‘Sotala’, Dor Bahadur Bista invites readers into an era when Nepalis’ quest for trade and glory led them across the Himalayan trails to Lhasa.

In the past, Nepali students did not dream of studying at prestigious American and European universities. People weren’t captivated by travelling across continents or romanticising life in Europe. Instead, they lined up along the trails of Kuti, drawn to the allure of Tibetan monasteries. Nepalis imagined Tibetan nymphs serving salted tea with cheerful smiles, embodying their aspirations.