Museums as heritages of natural and cultural importance

There are a total of five museums in Pokhara. Two of them have the collections of natural and cultural heritages, whereas the rest three house collection of the cultural heritages of different ethnic groups of Pokhara. Table 2.4 offers the highlights of these museums.

Table 2.4 List of museum with their key information

Names of the Museums	Location	Distance	Days of opening	Contact telephone number
Annapurna Natural History Museum	Bagar, inside then Prithvi Narayan Campus Premises	1.5 Km. from Mahendra-pool bazaar	All days except Saturday and Public Holidays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.	061-431102
Western Regional Museum	Naya Bazaar Down Town from Mahendra-pool	About 15 minutes walk from Mahendra pool	Daily except Tuesday 10am-4pm	061-520413
Gurkha Memorial Museum	Deep, near K.I. Sing bridge. Towards North from Mahendra- pool.	About 2km from Mahendra-pool and 15 minute walk from Prithvi Narayan Campus.	7 days a week 8 am.-4:30 pm.	061-441762
Gurung Ethnographic Museum	Ramghat (Sakti ghat) on the bank of Seti river,	Downtown from Mahendra-pool, 1km. away across the bridge on Seti river and some steps up the hill road, then down towards the left.	All days 9am.- 5pm.	525406
International Mountain Museum	Ratopahiro, Gharipatan	About 1.5 km South from Pokhara Airport, Gharipatan.	Everyday 9 am. - 4:30pm.	061-460472

Source: Compiled by author from various sources

The succeeding paragraphs are provided with details descriptions of these museums from historical perspectives.

 

a. Annapurna Natural History Museum

This Museum is the ever first established museum in Pokhara. It was established by a lady, An American Peace Corp volunteer named late Dorothy Mierow in 1965 A.D. It is in Prithivi Narayan Campus Complex.

Mierow's long stay in Pokhara helped this Museum grow continuously. She had an interest to promote wildlife like insects, plants, birds and butterflies found in Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, to provide learning opportunity to visitors. She was also encouraged by the collection of large varieties of butterflies collected and presented by a British Entomologist named Colin Smith.

A collection of almost all of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, 's 640 species of butterflies is demonstrated in the Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, collection. Besides butterflies, there are collections of interesting dragonflies and varieties of plants, birds, animals and information of culture of the people of the western region, especially hill and mountain region.

A total of about 70 plants and 150 birds of the regions are stuck on plywood strips and charts on the wall. According to the Annapurna Natural History Museum, there are 56 birds skin to study for the students of ornithology which were donated by Dr. Bab Fleming Sr. Some of the rarest birds like vulture, Kande Bhyakur (Indigenous bird of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, ), etc. are kept here. Butterflies as well as moths which are found around the Annapurna ranges are collected. However, the collection of butterflies of different kinds such as banded afol, sesabita, Medobya, etc. are dominating in the

exhibition. So, the Museum is also named by visitors as Butterfly Museum. About 90 animals' life-sized pictures on plywood and cement reliefs are depicted. Since 1988 A.D. (Thapa 2010) Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has handled and monitored the Museum.

There is very good Western Regional Library next door to it. There is a room allocated to ACAP in which the tectonic block theory of moving continent and rising mountains like Mahabharat including Himals and formation of valleys like Pokhara are explained to visitors. In this room, there are many samples of different rocks and fossils like 'Saligram' a kind of igneous rock, and many other minerals. Some of these are donated by the Geology Department of Colorado College.

The museum is worthwhile to visit and learn about Nature's creation. This

Museum lies in the locality 'Bagar, in Prithvi Narayan Campus compound,

3 km. from the Mahendra Pool town. There are eye-catching, beautiful

painted, 10 pillars which represent a man and a woman from mountain

or Himalayan region, Tarai region, and Newar farmers from Kathmandu

Valley (Hill region), Brahmins of hills and Tibetans at the entrance of

the Museum building. Such images welcome you with their fashionable

cultural costumes, when you step up to the entrance of the Museum

building.

b. Regional Museum

This Museum stands as the second oldest museum after the Annapurna Natural History Museum in Pokhara Valley. It is in Naya bazaar, an old bazaar of Pokhara, and main walking route to Tarai. It lies about 15 minutes walk from the city centre of Mahendra-pool bazar. It was inaugurated on

15 February 1985 by late King Birendra. Now it is looked after by Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country,

Government. It has 23 ropanis area surrounded by stone cemented wall.

According to the authority of the Museum, the government of that time planned to establish Regional Museum in each 5 Development Regions. Accordingly, 3 Regional Museums were established in Dhanakuta, Surkhet and Pokhara, the Regional Headquarters.

Pokhara Regional Museum instituted to represent the Western Region composed of 3 zones and 16 districts. Thus, the Museum is thought to be the storehouse of all artifacts related to art, architecture, science culture, history and archaeology which carry an academic value. It represents geographically all those 16 districts, which include the following features:

a.      Historical,  anthropological  and  social  identities  of  different ethnic groups.

b.      Artifacts used by those ethnic groups.

c.      Rituals, practices, objects and procedure.

d.      Their ethnic practices and professions which are not practiced now, such as Ghumauro Ghar (round house), bamboo Hukka (Hubblable) and bamboo Kokro (cradle for babies).

The displayed objects are traditional metallic and wooden utensils and dishes; gold, silver and brass jewelries; agricultural and fishery tools; clothes, traditional hunting weapons etc. It displays large collection of ethnic costumes, musical instruments, manuscripts and coins. There are two dummies- one depicting a Hindu wedding practice and another is a dead body, preparing for funeral ceremony. Both are worthwhile for the visitors. Besides these, there are other dummies which represent the life style and culture of different races and castes like Thakali, Tharus, Newars, Brahmins, Gurungs, Magars, Damai (tailor), Kamis (black smiths) and Gaines (singers).

There are photos and pictures of dances such as Sorathi dance belonging to Gurung (Tamu) race, Bhairav dance belonging to Newar, Teej dance belonging to Brahmin and Chhhetri, etc. In this way, the Western Regional Museum of Pokhara has become a vivid source of information and knowledge for the visitors, scholars and sociological researchers. "The Regional Museum, yet has to expand more", say the authority of the Museum, "to fulfill the objectives of it, and they are under the planning."

c.  Gurung (Tamu) Ethno-graphic Museum

This Museum stands on the third position for being established in the chronology of the history of museum in Pokhara. It was established on the bank of Seti River in the year 1990 A.D. by the effort of Tamu Pay Lhu Sangha (association). The objective of the establishment of the Museum is to preserve and develop Tamu (Gurung) history, language, culture and customs as well as Bonism, which has been followed by the indigenous people, Tamus, as their own ancestral religion. In this context, the Museum has been a great work to make anyone learn about the Tamu people's life style and history.

Inside the building, a visitor comes across a dummy of a Tamu lady weaving a piece of cloth on a unique, traditional handloom. It is so attractive and

fascinating that one does not like to turn his eyes away from the sight. Weaving cloths in such typical handloom is a traditional occupation of Tamu ladies. There are various exhibitions to present the Tamu lifestyle in paintings, posters, dummies and collection of costumes, ornaments of gold and silver such as Dhungri and Naugedi. There are dummies of Lamas (the priest of Tamu society) performing different rituals during birth, wedding, death etc. Besides, there are the display of bows, arrows and quivers which were used by their forefathers in hunting and for defending themselves in their settlement from the attack of the enemies. The most valuable collection is the manuscript written in special paper made by them using chemicals.

Thus, apart from the native or domestic tourists, the Museum welcomes a great number of foreign visitors. The museum is also invaluable for the researches as well as visitors who like to enjoy the different life style and culture of Tamu Communities. The Fascinating attraction of the environment around the Museum is the turbulent flow of Seti River through a vast open sandy area and the mouth of the gorge where the river enters and disappears.

d. International Mountain Museum

The International Mountain Museum (IMM) is the largest and most sophisticated modern type of Museum. It is unique of its type in the world. It was initiated in 1996 A.D. by Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, Mountaineering Association (NMA) (Khatiwada and Kshetry 2004).

The beautiful architecture in the huge complex exhibits the perfect landscape. There is a grand Museum Hall. The total area of the IMM is six

hectors. Actually, the idea to establish IMM in Pokhara was the inspiration of all those mountains of Pokhara that attract the people of the world. The great attraction are the skyscraper snow-capped mountains and maundering, evergreen coniferous forest, hills and hillocks covered with dense forest and varieties of biodiversities which suit to enjoy days and weeks' long tracking in those areas. These are the motivations to open the IMM where the visitors can get information about all these objects and know how to visit those spots, where to visit and when to visit the areas in Pokhara. From the Museum premises one can view the panoramic mountain peaks of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna.

Thus the aim of International Mountain Museum is to provide enjoyment along with the knowledge of wonderful natural heritage and cradle of cultural heritage of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, especially Western Region. There are exhibitions of mountaineering history and its methods as well as entertainment and knowledge of mountain geography, ecology and culture of people living in the regions. They are displayed in splendid photos, pictures and charts. The management committee has also managed a documentary show for the visitors. So the IMM in Pokhara is an especial tribute to mountains and people living in mountain and hilly regions. It also provides knowledge to the visitors who wish to go for adventurous trekking in those areas, who want to study and explore something about mountains (ibid 2004).

The main Museum has the following halls where things are displayed artistically and beautifully so that the visitors can enjoy both researchable knowledge and information.

y      The Hall of the Himalaya

The geography of Himalayas, their peaks, flora and fauna, indigenous ethnic diversity and life style has been displayed in this Hall.

y      The Hall of International Mountains

This Hall is allotted to display the planning of the knowledge and information about the mountains and the peaks of the world.

y      The Hall of Expedition

There are the displays of the history of mountaineering expedition together with the equipment and development of mountaineering techniques that are used.

y       The Hall of Fame

This Hall exhibits the tributes to famous Mountaineers who performed record breaking events with courage, energy and willpower. There are also the displays of famous discoveries, researches and explorations.

e. Gurkha Memorial Museum

"Gurkha" is the term for Gurkhali warriors since the start of political and geographical unification of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , which was launched in the year 1801

B.S.(1745 A.D.) by Prithvi Narayan Shah. Internationally the word 'Gurkha' becomes popular for the first time, for the bravery, courage and undying spirit of war and dedication to their duty during Anglo-Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, ese War 1814 to 1816 A.D. Latter, British Government started recruiting Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, ese youth with the name of 'Gurkha' and sent them to fight in the First and Second World Wars. Since then, Gurkha became popular in every nook and corner of the world for their bravery, courage and sense of responsibility. Gurkha Memorial Museum represents glimpses in detail in different medium to the satisfaction of the visitors.

Its short history stars from Lainchaur, in Kathmandu. Gurkha Memorial Trust (committees) decided to establish Gurkha Memorial Museum. So, the Working Committee decided to manage the Museum in 1996 A.D. in Lainchaur under the Chairmanship of Capt. Eknarayan Gurung. Latter in the year 2001 A.D., the Museum was shifted to Pardi, Pokhara, in the complex of the Hotel Nature Land hiring a house there. The motive to move the Museum to Pokhara must be that the largest numbers of Gurkhas belong to Pokhara and its vicinity. On 9th  July 2005, this Museum again moved to its own building in Deep, Pokhara sub-metropolitan city ward no. 16, in the north of K.I. Singh bridge, in the complex of British Camp.

The Museum lies in one hour's walking distance from Mahendra Pool city centre and about 10 km. from lake-side. There is a regular city bus service from Lake-side to Gurkha Memorial Museum. From its vicinity one can enjoy watching the deep gorge of turbulent Seti River about 300 feet below the new bridge. There is old K.I. Singh Bridge on the left when you are crossing the new bridge towards the Museum. The Museum's doors are open for 7 days from 8 am to 4:30 pm.

The aim of the Museum is to maintain the ever-lasting history and memories of Gurkha with their bravery medals such as Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for exceptional bravery in the battle field. Thirteen Gurkhas have received this glorious medal.

There are five galleries which contain the displays of the following;

y      Historical Gallery in Ground Floor

It contains the photo-display of the history of the Gorkhas from Anglo-Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, ese war in the year 1814-1916 AD to present days. Together with it, there are the displays of different war and fighting sounds, managed in different color of light. It is very interesting to watch and hear them.

y      Gorkha Infantry Regiments Galley in First Floor

It has the display of historical photos of the old and new British Gorkha Regiments, platoons divided after the independence of India and formations of the infantries since then.

y      Gorkha Specialist Corp Unit Gallery in Second Floor

It has the displays of the history of platoons working in British Singapore and the detailed information of warning times and normal situation till today. It also contains the communication devices used in military as well as the sounds of military march pass.

y      VC Room in the Second Floor

There is a 29 inch big Telivision (TV) screen on which the documentaries about Gurkhas are shown. This show is managed only for those visitors who come in group.

y      Other displays and Library in the Second Floor

There is a library in the second floor. Different models of Khukuries (traditional Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, i knife) which the Gorkha had used are displayed together with the souvenir items along with the names of the contributors and photographs who helped and donated money to establish the Museum.

To summarize the display, there are displays with realistic sound in background, military uniforms with medals, hundreds of photographs of individual Gorkha regimental history, souvenir shop, genuine Gorkha Khukuries, Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, i ornaments and books on Gorkhas. There a documentary film is shown on T.V. which is especially designed for a large number of school children. Beautiful mountain top views from the top of the floor of the building, a unique venue of seminar etc. can be interesting, informative and enjoyable for the visitors.