natural heritage Tourism sites of Pokhara, Nepal

a. Mount Fish-Tail and Annapurna
One can view Fish- Tail and Annapurna Mountains to the north –west from different spots of Pokhara. Annapurna Mountain (Himalaya) range stretches west-East and is divided into Annapurna (1) 8091, (2) 7937

(3) 7575 (4) 7535 meters. Machhapuchhre (Fish tail Mountain) is in the middle of the range with the elevation 6998 meter from sea level (NTNC

2012). Machhapuchhre is a glorious natural heritage of Pokhara. Its local name is Machhapuchhre because of its forked summit looks like the tail of a fish. One can view this fish-tail shape from Sarangkot, peace stupa and other points too. It is still a virgin Mountain.

If you are flying to Pokhara, Machhapuhhre welcomes you with broad chest and gorgeous look to you the moment you step down at Pokhara Air Port. If you are travelling on a bus or by car along the Prithvi Highway from Kathmandu, you can see it after passing Damauli. It's an eye opening picturesque view to look at Machhapuhhre from a distance. The feeling is as if Machhapuchhre is watching you raising its head high in the sky. When you look at Machhapuhhre's image within the Fewa Lake, it becomes a unique experience of romance for you. At the moment of sunrise and sunset it looks like gold and other time silver, especially in moonlight.

b. Fewa Lake

Fewa Lake is the biggest lake in Pokhara. The picturesque image of Machhapuchchre Himal and Annapurna range can be seen reflected in the Fewa Lake, which is very unique.

 

The surface area of the lake is about 4.43 km2.    The maximum depth is

12.30m and the average depth 11.71m (Lamichhane and Upadhyay 2006).

The lake has about 51.9 million cubic meters average volume of water

(Lamichhane 1998 as in Lamichhane and Upadhyay 2006, p 49). The shape

of the lake is elongated North-West to east south with irregular width

at different points. There is a tinyisland in the middle of the lake where

Barahi (the Hindu Goddess) temple is located. On the Southern side there

is a luxurious green forest where one can reach by boat. Boats are available

at the bank of Barahi Baidam. Similarly, on the north-east side of the lake

there is Baidam Bazar, now called lake–side. It is a tourist market where

tourists from different countries can buy souvenirs including antiques.

c. Begnas Lake

This is the second biggest lake in Pokhara valley. It is about 30 km east from Fewa Lake and about 15 km from Mahendrapool bazaar (city). Unlike Phewa Lake its shape is almost round. It is surrounded by hillocks and greeneries except to the south which is the entrance to the lake. Its area is 3.73 sq km (Lamichhane et al. 2009). There are lodges, hotels and restaurants for the visitors and small local bazaar for shopping of local souvenirs and essential goods. The spot is an idyllic place for peace and tranquility.

d. Rupa Lake

There is a long hillock ridge called Rupakot extending from south to north- east. On the northern side of the ridge, there is Begnas lake and on the southern side of it, Rupa lake. From a few spots, one can see both lakes at the same time standing on the ridge. Rupa is extended from east to west with narrow width. Its total area is 1.15 sq km. The shape looks like a serpent. It is said that this lake looks like a lizard changing its color from red, blue, green to different colors.  People say that there are many medicinal plants in the vicinity (Shakya 2012).

e. Seti River Gorge and K.I. Singh Bridge

Seti River is fed by snow of Muchhapuchhre and Annapurna Himal. Seti (means white) river is elusively strange. Somewhere it flows through unseen channels, somewhere open and somewhere creating very deep gorges. It gives exciting feeling to anyone when he/she look down to the gorge from the top of the cliff. There are many deep gorges made by Seti River, such as gorge below K.I. Singh Bridge2, gorge below Mahendrapool,

2    K.I. Singh Bridge was built in 2014 BS (1957 AD) and named after K.I. Singh who was the then prime- minister. He gave donation to construct the Bridge. That is why it was named after his name.

gorge below Chinese Bridge, gorge below Chor Sangu near Air Port. Among them the george of Seti river which is quite visible just below the K.I. Sing Bridge, looks exciting and adventurous to watch. One can look down the turbulent river flowing very clearly while watching from the bridge about

300 feet below. On the left side, while crossing the new bridge towards Gurkha Memorial Museum, there is the old K. I. Sing Bridge made of cement concrete. It is the first concrete bridge constructed in Pokhara.

f. Bhim Dhunga

There is a graniteingnious, huge black rock like a big globe about eight meters high and with circumference of 26 meters3. The stone lies in P.N. Campus complex, in Pokhara. This rounded rock is called locally Bhim Dhunga. This is the biggest rock in Pokhara valley. Bhim is one of the brothers of Pancha-pandav mentioned in Hindu legend belonging about

1500 B.C. The local people narrate a myth that the rock was thrown by physically mightiest Bhim. So it has its name as Bhim Dhunga. Dhunga in Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, i means rock or stone. Local people have established a deity called

'Kali' on the spot. So it is also called 'Bhim kali'. Actually, the geographical legacy is that this huge rock had been carried down from the Vicinity Mountains during glacial period by moving glacier. Such igneous stones are found in other places also, such as Chiple Dhunga, lying on the road side of Mahendrapool bazaar and other places too. Mr. Krishna Prasad Poudel, a geographer, observers that the very Bhim Dhunga with rounded shape, near P.N. Campus office at Pokhara also might have been rolled down by catastrophic outburst (Paudel 1988).

g. Mahendra Cave

Before the visit of late king Mahedra in the year 1960 AD, this cave was just a bats' cavebecause the bats used to flutter around the cave. But after the visit of the king, local people named it as Mahendra cave, thinking that the king would donate more money to develop the park. But it didn't turn into reality.

This placeis located in the north of Pokhara sub-metropolitan city which comes under the ward no 16. It is 6 km north from Mahendrapool bazaar and connected with city bus service as well as accessible by bicycle along the black- topped road. It is exciting to view the nature's creation. Apart from, Gupteswor Cave, there are many other small caves in several other places of Pokhara where some of the tourists visit.

3    Personal communication with Dr. Bishwa Shrestha, Geography teacher in P.N. campus, Pokhara

The caves are generally found in limestone region, for instance, Mahendra Cave. Before this cave was physically disturbed, one could enjoy the different shapes of lime stone, some projecting downward from the ceilings and some upward from the ground. It gives a strange and exciting feeling while you watch it. The writer has experienced such shapes while visiting the cave. But now-a-days, it has been disturbed by people. After entering through the big mouth-like opening of the cave, then walking ahead about 50 feet to the left, a little hole appears from where the light can be seen just entering through it, which remains more exciting. Through the hole one can scroll out slowly. On the right, the tunnel of the cave continues ahead about 100 meters. Actually, the trip gives adventurous experience and enjoyment.

h. Bat's Cave

With its name as Chamero Gupha in Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, i, Bats’ Cave is the popular name in English. This cave is in Batulechaur which is about half kilometer walk from Mahendra cave. It is still a popular and adventurous cave to get into. The natural phenomenon of this cave has attracted thousands of bats as they feel no disturbances inside.

 

People with the sense of adventure usually enter inside with torchlight. The visitors must be cautious, since the cave is not yet equipped with electricity, and that path is also full of sharp stones. The water dripping from the ceiling makes the path damp and slippery. When one is very near to the mouth of the cave, he/she can hear haunted sound inside the cave.

The area of the Bat’s Cave is 10 meters depth and six meters height along with its 135 meters length. There is a small stream flowing deep under the rock. At the far end of the cave there is a small narrow hole. However, the cave at its center is amazingly spacious. There are large boulders cut out of solid rock. Standing on the boulder you can look round the cave. In the middle of it you can see hundreds of bats hanging from the ceiling. Walking through the darkness, lighting a torch light and finding the exit is indeed toughest but adventurous. If one is not courageous enough, they had better not enter the cave (Thapa 2010).

i. Devi’s Fall

It is a nature-made hole in Chhorepatan, very near about 2 km away from the Fewa Lake and Lakeside area. Actually, the over-flowed or excess water of Fewa Lake is drained out through this hole and water runs underground to a distance of about one km away from Chhorepatan. Eventually, it mingles with the small rivulet called Phusrekola downwards the site. The hole is about 20 feet in diameter and 50 feet deep. A big flow of water speedily flowing down into the mouth of the cave exposes lovely rainbows flickering unsteady into the water vapor. Then the big mass of water flows invisibly and vanishes below the hole which provides extremely exciting and pleasant feelings.

Its local name is Patale chhango. The very name Patale chhango in Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, i has become popular among the tourists and tourism operators as Davis fall. The word "Patale" certainly derived from the Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, i word 'Patalo' means shallow or it can be named from the religious word "Patal" means beneath the world. "Chango" is the Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, i word for a water fall. But after the miserable death of a tourist by slipping into the water fall, its name has become popular as 'Devi’s Fall'. The story of her death goes as following:

In 1961, a Swiss couple were having bath just to the side above the waterfall  with  their  dog.  Around  2  pm, when  the  watergates of  the Fewa dam were opened as usual, the overflow of the rushing lake water approached them. It is believed that their dog saw the rushing flood from the distance and barked loudly. However, the couple couldn't pay

any attention to the mere sound of the dog. In the twinkling of eyes the rushing water approached them and swept away the lady down into the hole. However, her husband survived (Shakya 2012).

j. Hill – Tops

The contrast land setting with the plains, small hills and hillocks on the shadow of towering mighty Himalaya range is the great virtue of natural heritage in Pokhara. The beautiful vision of the Himalayan range is the prime attraction of these hill tops. Each of these hill tops is accessible up to the peaks by surface transport or two to five hours of trekking or pony trek.

Some of these hilltop destinations are full of agro (farming) and cultural activities. There is availability of home-stay tourism with rural tourism activities in the surrounding villages of these hilltops. Some of the major hill-tops are highlighted in succeeding paragraphs.

k. Kaskikot

There are many hill tops from where enchanting and romantic views of Pokhara valley, green forest, gorgeous and sky- scraper snow clad mountains and beautiful lakes can be seen. Kaskikot hill top is one of them. Kaski is the name of the place and 'Kot' means 'Fort' in Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, i language. About the derivation of the name 'Kaski' there are two versions. According to one version, 'Kaski' is the name of a costume which is worn by Tamu (Gurung) indigenous people, from the waist to the knee, now known as 'kacchad' by distortion. It is associated with a Petty king or chieftain who belonged to Tamu aborigine at the start of the settlement in Kaski. This gives the historical fact or source of the name Kaski. Another version is from Hindu legend or fiction. According to the fiction, a sage called Kashyap had meditated in that place. So the name Kaski is given to this Hill Top (Subedi 2004, p 27). There is a saying 'Ghale Mari Shahi Rajaya' still in the tongue of the local people, which means killing Ghale (We) chose Shahi (Shaha). This is the political and historical information about the Kaskikot Hill-Top (ibid). By the name of Kaskikot, the whole place is named with the word Kaski (Niraula 1986). Kaski is the ancestral state of the Shaha kings of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, whose capital was Kaskikot about 1650 years ago.

There is black – topped road up to Sarankot and fair weather road from Sarankot to Kaski Hill-Top (Kaskikot). On the other side, via Hyanja to Naudanda, there is another pitch – road and then fair- weather road to reach to Kaski Hill-Top. From Bindavasini Archal Bot via Sarankot, it is a good trekking to to reach upto Kaski Hill- Top. It can be done in one day. There are hotels and restaurants to rest in Kaski kot Hill-Top.

From Kaski – Hill Top, the visitors can enjoy the panoramic views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna and Dhawalagiri Himals as well as Pokhara Valley, far and wide. It is most beautiful to watch especially in a clear full- moon night. At the time of rising sun in the morning the entire Himalaya range looks bright in golden color. The visitors realize the direct existence of divinity while watching the beauty of nature.

l. Sarangkot

About the name of Saranagkot, there are two historical sources. "Sarang" is a traditional dance related to fighting and war. Men dance with swords in their hand by beating a drum. In Sarangkot (Sarangkot – fort), military guards lived during the period of Shaha kings who had palace in Kaskikot (Niraula  1986).  Those  militaries  who  stayed in  Kaskikot used  to  visit

Sarangkot everyday dancing 'Sarang' and returned to Kaskikot every morning (Subedi 2004). Thus the Hill – Top's name is Sarangkot. Another historical source of the name 'Sarang' means high station according to the Kirat (Rai- Limbu) language. Kirats are the indigenous people of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, and speak Tibeto-Burman language still today. Thus the place became Sarangkot (Bista 1983, pp 12-14).

Sarangkot is a very interesting and beautiful spot. It's very windy place which provides cool and exciting experience. From Sarangkot Hill-Top, one can watch the panoramic view of Machhapuhhre, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Ganesh Himals along with other tourist spots like Panchase, Swargadwari and even the historical palace called Shreenagar of Palpa. Since the Hill-Top lies on the North – west direction of Fewa Lake, from where the lake starts, one can have the full view of the whole lake and almost all the valley of Pokhara.

From Sarangkot one can make a trekking trip to Kaskikot and then to Naudanda and back to Pokhara by bus. It is a lovely place to watch sunrise and enjoy the early sun shine on Himal turning into golden color. Now days, it has become very popular as para-gliding center with the 5000 feet elevation. It has been an international para-port.

m. Foksing

It is a hill station about 4-5 km south of Pokhara Airport which lies in Nirmal Pokhari VDC. It is a beautiful ridge, especially rich from topographical point of view. From here, the view of whole Pokhara valley can be viewed together with the Fewa Lake and surroundings. One can also enjoy the fantastic view of the sunrise and full moon-light especially from here. In the moon-light the shining of snow-clad mountains and dazzling Pokhara valley with lights is the most alluring and pleasing to the visitors. Watching the landing and taking off of the planes in the airport from Foksing is another most pleasant scene. The Foksing is also a place for one-day short trekking.

n. Kahunkot

It is not a fort (kot) for military purpose or station. It was a fort for animal sacrifice in festivals like Chaite Dashain and Bada Dashain.4 Sacrifice of male animals like buffalo, sheep, goat and also the birds like pigeon, duck,

4    Chaite Dashain and Bada Dashain   are traditional and most respected festivals of Hindus in Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, .

Chaite Dashain falls in March- April where as Bada Dashain falls in September-October.

rooster, to goddess Durga Bhagwati is supposed to be a way to make her pleased.

From the point of view of tourism, Kahunkot is a joyful spot to have panoramic view of the snow capped mountains, hills and evergreen natural forests. One can see the forked summit of Machhapuchhre and other Himals, from the peak. It is very near to Mahendrapool bazaar. From Kahunkot most part of south- Western valley and almost all part of northern valley of Pokhara can be seen. From the peak, Mahendrapool bazaar area and its vicinity sights seems very close. In Kahunkot there is a tower constructed to have a good view of the surrounding areas. It is also a spot for short trekking. The tower and its summit can be viewed clearly from Mahendrapool bazaar also.

o. Pangdurkot

The historical meaning of Pangdurkot is not only interesting, but also associated with natural beauty. The indigenous people like Gurung, Magar, Rai- Limbus, Newar, Tamang, etc. who are the Mangolian origin speak Tibeto- Burman language as their mother tongue. Thus according to Tibeto- Burman language 'Pang' means 'House' and 'Ding' means 'Sun' or

'Sunlight'. From pangdur hill- top, the sunrise view can be watched clearly. So its name at the beginning was 'Pangding'. Later, it has become Pangdur kot (Bista 1983, pp 12-14).

Pangdur is 30 km west from Pokhara valley. This kot can give historical information of the time before the political and geographical unification of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, . In other words, it gives the information of the time when there were 24 and 22 states in western Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, . There are still the remains of a fort made of stone wall on the top of the hillock. It has 200 meter circumference about 3 meter (8 feet) height and 1 meter (3 feet) wide, during the period of 22 and 24 states Parbat, one of the 24 states, used to attack the adjacent state Kaski. Because of this reason Pangdur was a fort (kot) of which remains are still available in Pangdur hill- top.

p. Anadu

Anadu Hill- Top is situated in the western part of Pokhara valley and South- western side of Fewa Lake. Its height is 1,100 m from the sea level. In summer season this place remains the most cooling spot for the visitors who feel too hot around the lakeside area. In winter, it has direct sun-shining for the whole day and visitors can enjoy the warm sun with fantastic views of vivid sights.

The visitors can view many more snow- capped mountains from the hill- top of Anadu than any other hill- top stations of Pokhara. The different parts of locally named Himalayas like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchchre, Himchuli, Himal and Hati Sunde (elephant trunk shaped), Rakanoyar, Glacier Dome, Manapathi, etc. can be recognized from Anadu hill-top. In clear weather, Larke and Ganesh Himal also appear to the view. Fewa lake with the small Barahi temple (island) can be viewed like a over-looking bird from very near. Besides, almost all sights of Pokhara valley and green landscape of hills and hillocks can be overlooked from the Hill-Top like a hanging Paradise below the visitors’ eyes. There is a peace stupa constructed in memory of the Lord Gautam Buddha, the peace preacher of the world. One can enjoy peace having inspiration from the peace stupa and viewing the natural gift around.

This Hill-Top is more than 12 kms away from Mahendrapool city. There are 4 routes to reach to the hill-top. One can reach to Chhorepatan, near Devi’s- Fall by city bus and then walk gently up-hill. While walking, one can enjoy a real village life and its culture as well. The second route is the most exciting one. One can hire a boat from Barahi Fewa bank and reach to other (opposite) side of it, enjoy with boating. Then walk up-hill which takes less than an hour inside the forest. This walk is refreshing and recreational too. The third route is from just below Fewa dam and above Devis-Fall. There is a very short suspension bridge at the bottom of the Ranivan. From there starts a very gentle uphill walking. While walking starts through the Ranivan forest, one can hear the melodies of different birds. It takes about two hours walk to reach the top. The fourth route starts from Kalimati of Pumdi- Bhumdi village Development committee. It is the shortest route to walk to Anadu Hill- top enjoying the sceneries of village green fields.

q. Ghandruk

Ghandruk  Hill-Top  is  about  6500  feet  above  sea  level,  and  it  is  the last boundary of Pokhara valley in the north- western direction. The specialty of this hill-top is that one can see the other side or back side of Machhapuchhre Mountain very closely. Another specialty is that tourists can have hospitable and homely enjoyment at Home stay hotel in Ghandruk. Down the hill- top one can view the terraced landscape with greeneries and foot hills. The visitor can also enjoy the sight of the beautiful, gorgeous flow of Mordi River. If one has never seen a mountain stage of a river, then it would be an ever-lasting memory in his life.