Pokhara, Nepal

Information about Pokhara Pokhara is located in the mid western Nepal and a six-hour drive or 20-minutes flight from Kathmandu. Pokhara, the centre of adventure in Nepal, is an enchanting city nestled in a tranquil valley. 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. It is the starting point for many of Nepal’s most popular trekking and rafting destinations. 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. History of Pokhara 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. The powerful rule of the old kings of Kathmandu, the Lichhavis and the Mallas, held sway over the valley for some time. Pokhara Valely and the surrounding hills disintegrated into small kingdoms, frequently at war with each other these were called the Chaubise Rajya or the Twenty four Kingdoms. It was amongst these that Kulumandan Shah established his kingdom. His descendant Drabya Shah was the first to establish Gorkha, source of the legendary Gurkha Warriors. Finally, Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India & Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of the Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide frame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship. Trekking in Pokhara Pokhara is a base for all treks to the Annapurna region. Pokhara is the starting and as well as finishing point for some of the most popular treks including the Annapurna Circuit and the Jomsom Trek. The most popular destination among them is Sarangkot (1592 m), lying atop a hill to the west of Pokhara. Kahundanda, Naudanda, Ghandrung, Ghorepani and Ghalchok are other favorite destinations around Pokhara. Several small treks can also be organized from Pokhara 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 transporting goods between the Tibetan border and the Pokhra town.

Geography of Pokhara 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. Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. At an elevation lower than Kathmandu, it has much more tropical feel to it, a fact well appreciated by the beautiful diversity of flowers, which prosper in its environs. Indeed, the valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, emerald lakes,

and the world famous views of Himalaya. The spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range forms its backdrop. Although the highest among them is Annapurna I (8,091 m), Machhapuchhare or Fishtail, so called as the shape resembles tail of a fish, dominates all others in this neighborhood. Tourist Attractions in Pokhara 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. The Phewa Lake is the second largest lake in Nepal and is the centre of all attractions. It is the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the resplendence of Pokhara. The Mahendra Caves attracts various visitors. This large limestone cave is locally known as the House of Bats. How to reach Pokhara 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. Pokhara is located roughly 200 km west of Kathmandu. The journeys between these two cities is part of the Pokhara experience. Flying over the snowcapped Himalaya to the north and the green Mahabharat range to the south is thrilling, while the overland journey past spares rural settlement nested along the Trisuli River provides a view of life particular to Nepal’s middle hills.

Boudhanath

Boudhanath (Devanagari: बौद्धनाथ) (also called Boudha, Bouddhanath or Baudhanath or the Khāsa Caitya) is a stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is known as Khāsti in Nepal Bhasa, Jyarung Khasyor in Tamang language or as Bauddha by speakers of Nepali. Located about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.^[3]

The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.

The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner, passes by Boudnath Stupa to the ancient and smaller stupa of Cā-bahī (often called 'Little Boudnath'). It then turns directly south, heading over the Bagmati river to Patan - thus bypassing the main city of Kathmandu (which was a later foundation).^[2] Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Boudhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassa.