 Bindavasini
and Barahi temple, Mahendra Cave, Davi's Fall, Tibetan
Refugee Camp, Seti River gorge, Sarangkot and World
Peace Temple (Hill station for sunrise and sunset
and viewing mountain ranges).
Few places in the world might have
a splendid variety of natural beauties crammed into
one small area like the valley of Pokhara. It is a
rare combination of the long arrays of snowclad peaks,
crystal clear lakes, and turbulent rivers with deep
gorges and picturesque villages inhabited by simple
and friendly ethnic people. Situated at the lap of
the panoramic Annapurna Himal, the climate of Pokhara
remains favorable all the year round it is neither
too warm nor too cold. The monsoon rains are strongest
during June to August. Other months are relatively
dry. Due to pleasant, climate and good accessibility
Pokhara is enjoyable throughout the year.
Bindavasini and Bahari Temple
It is located on top of a beautiful mound overlooking
the most popular area of the Pokhara city. the road
to Sarangkot starts from the foot of this mound. It
is much-revered Hindu temple where non-Hindus are
also allowed to enter.
Bahari Temple situated on a small
island in the middle of Phewa Tal. A stop at this
serene temple after a canoe ride is really worthwhile.
There is a nice Buddhist monastery on the small-forested
hill above matepani east of Mahendrapul. It overlooks
the majority of Pokhara area.
Mahendra Cave
It is an interesting natural site
across the Seti River past Batulechaur village in
the north of Pokhara valley. It is one of the few
caves found in Nepal. The cave had not yet been fully
explored and it may conceal more than the present
first galleries. There is lighting arrangement inside
the cave but torchlight is worthwhile to explore the
interior
Phewa Tal
The
lake in the immediate vicinity of the city is Phewa
Tal with an island temple dedicated to Goddess Barahi
in the middle. with its serene water reflecting the
annapurna range and a nicely preserved forest on the
adjoining southern slope, this legendary second largest
lake of the kingdom remains a major source of attraction
for the visiting tourists. It can be explored in canoes
locally known as doongas which are available on rent
at several points on the lake. This lake can also
be enjoyed by swimming and fishing. Fishing rods can
be taken on rent from the lakeside shops. There are
two other lakes call rupa & begnas in Pokhara
Valley.
Tibetan Refugee Camp
There are the two Tibetan villages in the vicinity
of Pokhara. One of them called Tashiling is in the
south past patale chhango. The other village by the
name of Tashi Palkhel lies north of Pokhara at a place
called Hyanja on Pokhara Baglung Highway. The Tibetan
people living in these villages keep themselves busy
by producing and trading in woolen carpets and other
handicraft items. They also run souvenir shops around
lakeside. Some of them work like hawkers selling souvenirs
at bargaining prices.
Seti River gorge
The Seti river carves a deep course
throughout 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 bridges. These
bridges can see the white turbulent flow of the Seti
through an incredibly narrow cannot about 46 M. below.
Another amazing course is carved by Patale Chhango
popularly known as Davis Fall in the southern flank
of the Pokhara valley left of Siddhartha Highway.
At this point the stream overflowing phewa lake suddenly
collapes and surges down the rock into a deep gorge,
leaping thrsough several potholes before taking a
final plunge.
Sarangkot
To enjoy an eyefeast of the Annapurna
range to the north and overlook the Phewa Tal valley
of Pokhara to the south and east, you can walk uphill
for three hours from the foot of Bindabasini temple
along a ridge track northwest of the valley and get
to Sarangkot.
|