There is a boat shaped rock in Madi that is believed to be a remnant of the town’s primordial past.

According to the local Tharu community, their ancestors had once used this ‘boat’ for travel and when travelling artist Lalkaji Gurung first heard this story, he immediately set off to see the rock and then painted a picture about it.

At the behest of the Madi Tourism board, Gurung and 12 other artists were invited to stay and work at the Pun-Magar home stay. The work they make in the ensuing weeks is to be exhibited in Madi, Bharatpur, and Kathmandu.

Operating off of the home stay, the artists travelled around Madi to absorb the scenes, learn its culture, and ultimately paint pictures about it. “We are surrounded by ancient temples, antique houses, and greenery on all sides.

Madi really is beautiful,” said artist DB Rai of Sankhuwasabha. The Tourism board of the town hopes that art work will help publicise Madi’s scenic beauty and further develop the little known town as a popular tourist destination.