 |
 |
Pokhara - Nepal
|
 |
Pokhara:
This mountain city is the main trek starting
and ending points for Mt. Annapurna Region
and situated 200 kilometers away from
Kathmandu.
The Pokhara valley stands one of the most
picturesque sites of Nepal. Some believe it
to be the Nepalese Paradise in the
ecological sense. The perpetual beauty of
the valley is enhanced by its three renowned
lakes including Phewa, Begnas and Rupa,
which own their natural resource in the
glacial sector of the Annapurna Range of the
Supreme Himalayas. The Annapurna Range is
virtually the abode of five major peaks
namely Annapurna I, Annapurna II , Annapurna
III, Annapurna IV and Annapurna South. The
scenic beauty of the tall deep waterfall
also makes our trip more enchanting. The
striking landmark is none other than Mt.
Machhapuchhare (the metaphorical usage of
Fish-Tail). |
|
Places of interest in and around Pokhara |
|
Mountains.
The moment you step into any part of
Pokhara the first thing that takes you to a
spontaneous delight is the gorgeous view of
the gigantic mountains. Pokhara is, in fact,
the first and foremost convenient point for
mountain-oriented sightseeing. Mt. Annapurna.
Literally meaning the goddess of abundant
harvest, lies at a horizontal distance of 40
kilometers from the valley of Pokhara, which
remains at an elevation of just 900 meters
above the mean sea level. Here is clear clue
for the identification of mountain peaks
visible from Pokhara. At the extreme left
isolated from the massif is visible the peak
of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167). |
|
Phewa Tal.
The lake in the immediate vicinity of the
city is the Phewa Tal with an island temple
dedicated to Goddess Barahi in the middle.
With its serene water reflecting the
Annapurna Range and nicely reserved woods in
the adjoining southern slope, this legendary
second largest lake of the kingdom is indeed
a source of attraction for the visiting
tourist. Swimming and boating can also enjoy
on this lake. |
|
Sarangkot.
Above the Bindabasini Temple, a ridge road
leads to Sarangkot along with panoramic view
of northern mountains as well as Pokhra
Valley. Annapurna range and overlook the
valley of Pokhara to enjoy the eye fast of
the east. A view tower has been built in the
top of Sarangkot hill at an elevation of
1,600 meters. |
|
Tibetan
Village. There are two Tibetan villages
in the vicinity of Pokhara. One of them
called Tamshiling is in the south past
Patellae Chhango. The other village by the
name of Tashi Palkhel id in the north of
Pokhara at the place called Hyangja in
Pokhara- Baglung Highway. The Tibetan people
living in these villages keep themselves
bust by producing and trading in woolen
carpets and other handicraft items.
|
|
Patale
Chhango. This sightseeing spot is
popularly known as Devi's Fall in the
southern flank of the Pokhara Valley, and
left of the Siddhartha Highway carves
another amazing course. At this point the
stream overflowing Phewa lake suddenly
collapses surges down the rocks into a deep
gorge, leaping through several potholes
before taking a final long plunge.
|
|
Begnas and
Rupa Lakes. These twin lakes lie to the
north-east of Pokhara Valley about 15
kilometers away form the airport. The road
to Begnas follows Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway
( the Prithvi Highway to some) as far as
Sisuwa near the police check post and
branches off the road towards north. It is
possible to fetch a bus-ride to the dam side
of Begnas from the city. A small hill called
Pachbhaiya, which separates the two lakes
cab, be reached in 30 minutes on foot from
the Begnas bus stop. From a convenient point
on this hill one can overlook the twin lakes
in either side. These two lakes provide an
opportunity for angling, canoeing.
Sunbathing and bird watching. |
|
Mahendra Cave. It is another interesting natural
site across the Seti River past Batulechour village
in the north of Pokhara Valley. It is one of the few
stalagmite-stalactite caves found in Nepal. The cave
has not yet been fully explored and it conceals more
than the present first galleries. A flashlight is
worthwhile to explore the interior. |
|
River Gorges. The Seti River carves a deep course
through the city area of Pokhara from Bagar in the
north to Sita Paila in the South. The Deep gorge can
be viewed from any bridge over the Seti River K. I.
Singh Bridge at Bagar, Mahendra Bridge at downtown
and Prithivi Highway Bridge near the bus park.
Looking down these bridges one can see the white
turbulent flow of the Seti through an incredibly
narrow canyon about 26 meters below. |
|
