POKHARA, Jan. 19 -- Homestay is not a healing center. However, that can certainly be made so, according to Yogi Bikasananda. 'Even now, people are getting healed in a certain way when they spend time meeting 'organic' people, far from the maddening crowd .'

Speaking at a program 'Spirituality in Tourism', held in Pokhara on Friday by Homestay Association of Nepal, Bikasananda said that homestay helps keep both the mind and body healthy. Food, culture, and lifestyle tourists are directly benefitted by homestay, he said.

"Why do people think of staying in rural villages, with indigenous people in the first hand? Knowingly, unknowingly, they are looking for some break from the tedious daily life of the city. And when they get fresh food, f...