POKHARA – An enchanting Himalayan valley (Bird-eye view series of Nepal)

If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, then Pokhara is its centre of adventure. Pokhara (population approx. 1, 000,00) is a resort city of remarkable beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificent summit of Machhapuchhre rising behind it create an ambiance of peace and magic. Pokhara is part of a once vibrant caravan route extending between India and Tibet. This is the land of Magars and Gurungs who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. Brahmins, Chhetris, and Thakalis are other major communities here.

PLACES TO SEE

Mountain views. Clearly the most stunning of Pokhara’s sights is the spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range which forms its backdrop. The Annapurna I to IV and Annapurna South. Although the highest among them is Annapurna I (8,091 m), it is Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) which dominates all others in this area.

Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in the Kingdom roughly measuring 1.5 by 4 km, is the centre of all attractions in Pokhara. It is the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the resplendence of the resort town. The eastern shore, popularly known as Lakeside or Baidam, is the favorite home base for travelers and is where most of the hotels, restaurants, and handicraft shops are located.

Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake are located about 5 km from Pokhara at the end of a road that turns north from the highway to Kathmandu. Divided by a forested hillock called Panchabhaiya Danda, the lake offer the perfect nature retreat because of their relative seclusion. Splendid boating and fishing opportunities can be had here.

Barahi Temple. Built on an island on Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectress deity representing the female force. Devotees can be seen, especially on Saturdays, carrying animals across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity.

World Peace Stupa, a massive Buddhist stupa, is situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great vantage point which offers superb views of the Annapurna Himal range and Pokhara city.
Seti Gandaki. Flowing right through the city, the boisterous river runs completely underground at places. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. But its depth is quite beyond imagination – over 20 meters! Mahendra Pul, a small bridge near the old Mission Hospital, provides a perfect view of the river’s dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by its powerful flow.

Seti Gorge and Green Caynon. The View Point of the Fulbari Resort offers an unrivaled panorama of the Annapurna range with Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna III, Annapurna I, and Annapurna South extending from right to left. A splendid vista of the Seti Gorge, a deep and narrow gorge cut by the Seti river, and the Green Canyon spreads out below.

Devi’s Fall. Locally known as Patale Chhango, Devi’s Fall (also known as Devil’s. Devin’s or David’s) is an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway to Tansen. Legend has it that a trekker (Devin, David …) was washed way by the Pardi Khola and disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall.

Gupteswar Gupha is a sacred cave located near Devi’s Fall. The cave is almost 3 km long. It has some big fall hall-size rooms and some passages. This cave holds special value for Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered.

Mahendra Gupha. Another of nature’s wonders in Pokhara is the Mahendra Gupha. This large limestone cave is locally known as the House of Bats, an apt name for it. A two-hour walk to the north of Pokhara, it is best to bring your own torch to see the stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the local winged residents.

Robert’s Aviary. Colonel Jimmy Roberts, the father of trekking in Nepal, collected pheasants during his trekking and mountaineering forays into the Annapurna mountains. He maintained an aviary for these colorful and sangquine birds.

The Old Bazaar. Pokhar’s traditional bazaar is colorful and so are its ethnically diverse traders. In its temples and monuments can be seen ties to the Newar architecture of the Kathmandu Valley. Located about 4 km from Lakeside, the market’s original charm is alive and well.

Bindhybasini Temple is the centre of religious activity in the old bazaar. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati, yet another manifestation of Shakti. The park-like grounds offer a fine picnic area, and on Saturday s and Tuesdays when devotees flock there to offer sacrifices, take on a festive local flavor.

The Tibetan refugee settlement, Tashi Palkhiel, also known locally as Hemja Camp, is
7 km north of Pokhara on the west bank of the Seti river. Of interest here are the monastery, handicraft centre, and herbal medicine clinic.

MUSEUMS

Pokhara Museum, located between the airport and Mahendra Pul, reflects the ethnic mosaic of western Nepal. The lifestyles and history of ethnic groups such as the Gurung, Thakali, and the Tharu are displayed.

Annapurna Museum, also known as the Natural History Museum, is located at Prithivi Narayan Campus east of the old bazaar. Managed by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the museum has an exceptional collection of butterflies, insects, birds, and models of wildlife as well as samples of various precious and semi-precious stones and volcanic rocks.

The Gurkha Memorial Museum is housed within the premises of Hotel Nature Land at Pardi, Pokhara. The museum has on display uniforms and badges of Gurkha infantry regiments, Gurkha engineers, signals, and transport regiments, and the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force. There are also historical photographs and medals of Gurkha veterans – some dating back to the First World War.