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Welcome
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Pokhara
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Information about
Pokhara |
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Pokhara is located in the mid western Nepal and a six-hour drive or 20-minutes flight from Kathmandu. Pokhara is set against the magnificent Annapurna range. This valley is dominated by the Annapurna range in the north and various lakes. Phewa, Rupa and Begnas are the most famous lakes and Khaste, Dipang and Mardi are the smaller lakes located out of town. Pokhara is situated at an altitude of 884 m on the Seti Khola river and overshadowed by the Machhapuchhare or the Fishtail mountain. Due to its stunningly beautiful natural setting and the suitable base for trekking in the Annapurna region, Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destination in Nepal after Kathmandu. The majority of the people of Pokhara are Brahmins and Chettris from Kathmandu and Tibetan settlers. The best time to visit Pokhara
is from October to April as during the summers, it is very hot
and humid. |
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History of Pokhara |
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The town of Pokhara came into existence after the malaria eradication programme in the early 1950. A hydro-electric dam was constructed with the Indian aid in 1968, an airstrip land and the connecting road with Kathmandu was built to link the village with the capital and it provides part of the infrastructure required for developing it into a tourist
centre. |
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Trekking in Pokhara |
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Pokhara is a base for all treks to the Annapurna region. Several small treks can also be organized from Pokhra to Sarangkot. The four hours’ hike to the top of this hill offers the hiker a spectacular view of Phewa Lake, the entire Annapurna Range, the Seti river and the village of Hyangza. The trekkers can also make a night trek to Naudanda and Ghachowk, Khaste and Oppang Tal from Pokhra. From Naudanda, the twin peaks of the Macchapuchare or the Fishtail Mountain can be seen. One of the longer trek is the trip from Pokhra to Jomson. This journey along an ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet takes about seven days and often one comes face to face with mule caravans taravans transporting goods between the Tibetan border and the Pokhra town. |
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Tourist Attractions in
Pokhara |
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There are various exotic places of interest in Pokhara. Some of these places are the Seti River Gorge, Devi Falls, Sarangkot, Phewa Lake, International Mountain Museum, Fine Art Gallery, Regional Museum, Karma Dubgyu Choling Nyeshang Monastery, Mahendra Caves and Bindya Basini Temple. |
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International Mountain Museum
The International Mountain Museum is the home of mountaineers, adventurers and summiteers worldwide. This museum has been opened recently to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest by Hillary and
Norgay. This museum is visited by various visitors. The museum is set on landscaped grounds and divided into various areas of interest.
Fine Art Gallery
The Fine Art Gallery is located near the airport and modest in its setting. The gallery displays the works of the owner, artist Yadab Chandra Bhurtel. The main part of the collection are bold strokes worked on Nepali rice paper and emphasise on the female form. Nepali culture and landscapes are reflected in other works. |
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Phewa Lake
The Phewa Lake is the largest lake in Pokhara. The changing light of the sun on the Phewa Lake is an aesthetic delight. On one side of the lake are clusters of restaurants and pubs. Boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, bird watching, fishing and angling are some of the activities which can be done on Phewa Lake. The Phewa Lake is also a place to enjoy the spectacle of a variety of species of birds for which the lake is a natural habitat. In the midst of the lake stands the Varahi temple, dedicated to Varaha, the boar, the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu. |
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Mahendra Caves
The Mahendra Caves attracts various visitors
and is a cave of bats. This cave is full of
stalactite and stalagmite formations. The exact
size of the cave complex cannot be decided. A
famous geologist visited the cave, but could not
cover all parts of the cave complex or find an end
to it, although he explored for two whole days.
Devi Falls
The Devi Falls is situated about 2 kms. south of the airport on Siddhartha highway to Kathmandu. The Devi Falls is a sink hole, where the Phewa lake drains into the Pardi Khola and disappears underground and emerges about 200 m away. There are various legends about the area, and it is a frequently visited tourist spot. |
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Sarangkot
Sarangkot is situated towards the north of the Phewa lake. This area carries historical significance, and derive its name from the Magar language. The word Sarang means sword, and
Kot is the position from where defence was established and used to store arms and ammunition. Most of the people prefer to walk up the gentle slopes to enjoy the mountain views. From the top, one can enjoy the view of the lake and township below. The views of sunrises and sunsets against the snow clad mountains are especially spectacular from here. Sarangkot is also gaining popularity as the take-off point for
para-gliders.
Karma Dubgyu Choling Nyeshang Monastery
Karma Dubgyu Choling Nyeshang Monastery is set on the top of the hill and gazes down at the sprawling town. The peace and tranquility reign here under the shadows of the immense Buddha figure. The monks inside the monastery are extremely willing to help with prayers and information.
Regional
Museum
The Regional Museum in Pokhara display maps, photographs, musical instruments, clothing, jewellery and clay models that depict traditions, ceremonies and lifestyle of the people from this region. The museum is open throughout the week except on Tuesdays and other national holidays. |
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Bindya Basini Temple
Bindya Basini Temple is a famous religious temple. The Bindya Basini Temple is located on the road to Sarangkot. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga in her Bhagwati manifestation and animal sacrifices are made on Saturdays. The shrine is a shaligram (marine fossil) of black ammonite.
Gorkha
Gorkha or Gurkha is situated about 18 km north of Siling on the Prithvi Highway, about 136 km west of Kathmandu and 106 kms. east of Pokhara. Gorkha was the ancestral home of the Shah dynasty and is connected with the Prithvi highway by a good all-weather road. Under the rule of the king Prithvi Narayan, the Thakuris, Tamang and Magar soldiers were known as the Gurkhas. The Prithvi Narayan Shah built an impressive fort with the temple and palace complex on the top of the hill, overlooking the town to celebrate his conquest of the Kathmandu valley. The Gorkha Durbar is situated about 1 km from the bus stand. There are various important buildings that surround the tank. Some of the temples of Vishnu, Krishna and Ganesh
are also situated near it. There is also a column with a
statue of the great king. |
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How to reach Pokhara |
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The Royal Nepal Airlines operates daily flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Pokhara is linked with Kathmandu by Prithvi Highway and the Indian border-town of Bunauli by Sidharatha Highway. All major cities including Gorkha within the kingdom are linked to
Pokhara. |
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