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Pokhara
Valley :
The
Pokhara valley stands one of the most picturesque
sites of Nepal. Some believe it to be the Nepalese
Paradise in the ecological sense. The perpetual
beauty of the valley is enhanced by its three
renowned lakes including Fewa, Begnas and Rupa
which own their natural recourse in the glacial
sector of the Annapurna Range of the Supreme
Himalayas. The Annapurna Range is virtually the
abode of five major peaks, namely Annapurna I,
Annapurna II, Annapurna IV and Annapurna South.
The scene beauty of the tall deep water-fall also
makes our trip more enchanting. The striking
landmark is none other than Mt. Machhapuchhre (the
metaphorical usage of Fish-Tail) though located at
a far distance direct to the magnetic north.
Pokhara is situated a little over 200 kilometers
west of the capital city and is connected by air
as well as by surface route. There are many
panoramic and interesting places to pay decent
visits outside the Kathmandu Valley. Most of then
can easily be reached from Kathmandu by
surface-rout or air-route which is often lead
through sloppy rough trails.
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Sarangkot
:
This
small village, perked on top of a hill just 5
kilometers from Pokhara's Lakeside seems to be
making something of a comeback, after falling from
tourist favor about fifteen years ago. In those
days the start of trekking in the Annapurna region
usually started at Bindabasini Mandir, north of
Pokhara, and took the trekker through Sarangkot
and along the ridge to Nayapul. The completion of
the Pokhara-Baglung road changed all that! This
year the only good news in a dismal tourist season
has been the explosion in numbers of people trying
their hand at paragliding and the place from where
to launch oneself into the air is Sarangkot.
Lodges and restaurants are reporting a better
business. But you might also want to come here for
wonderful mountain views, quite enjoyable walking
along the ridge top or simply to escape the heat
of Pokhara. At 1592 meters above sea level,
Sarangkot is a good five degrees cooler than
Pokhara.
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Mahendra
Cave (Gupha) :
It is another interesting natural site across the
Seti River past Batulechaur village in the north
of Pokhara Valley. It is one of the few
stalagmite-stalactite caves found in Nepal. The
cave has not yet been fully explored and it
conceals more than the present first galleries. A
flashlight is worthwhile to explore the interior.
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Bindhyabasani
Temple :
Bindhyabasini temple is the center of religious
activity in the old bazaar. It is dedicated to
goddess Bhagwati, yet another manifestation of
shakti. Worshippers flock here to perform
sacrifices, and especially on Saturdays the park
like grounds take on a festive fair.
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Devi's
Falls (Patale Chhango) :
Locally known as the Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall).
Devi's Fall (also known as Devin's and David's) is
a lovely waterfall lying about two km south-west
of the Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway.
Legend has it that a trekker (Devin, David..) was
washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously
dis appeared down into an underground passage
beneath the fall.
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Barahi
Temple :
The most important religious monument in Pokhara,
built almost in the middle of Phewa Lake, thsi two
storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar
manifestation so Ajima, the protectors Deity
representing the female force.
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Santi
Stupa :
The Santi Stupa is a massive Buddhist stupa and is
situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of
Phewa lake. Besides being an impressive sight in
itself, the scene is a great advantage point which
offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range
and Pokhara city. You can get there by crossing
the lake by boat and then hiking up the hill.
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Fewa
Tal (lake) :
The second largest lake in the kingdom is the
center of all attraction in Pokhara. The eastern
shore, popular is known as lake side or Baidam, is
the favorite home base for travelers, where most
of the hotels, restaurants, and handicraft shops
are located.
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Seti
Gandaki :
Flowing right through the city, the boisterous
river runs completely underground at places.
Amazingly, it certain points the river appears
hardly two meters wide. But its depth is quite
beyond imagination over 45 meters.
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The
Old Bazaar :
Pokhara's traditional bazaar is colorful and so
are its ethnically diverse traders. Around here
the temples and monuments reflect Newar
architecture of the Kathmandu valley. Located
about four kms from Lakeside ,The market's
original charm is alive and thriving . Ganesh Tole
and Ram Krishna Tole is the old market (bazaar) of
Pokhara and it provides a glimpse into the
traditional ambience of art and architecture of
the Pokhara valley . This area with the red brick
walls, carved windows and tile roof harbours some
interesting temple also. The old bazaar is also
home to one of Pokhara's most important shrines
locally called the Bindyabasini Mandir.
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Bhandrakali
Temple :
To the south of the Buddhist Monastery there is
another small beautiful hill. in this pleasant
sylvan setting lies Bhadrakali temple which also
merits a visit. this is the one of the most famous
temple in pokhara valley It is located in
matepani.It is 230 ft above from sea leavel.
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Matepani
Gumba (Buddhist Monastery) :
There is a splendid Buddhist Monastry on the top
of the small forested hill above Matepani east of
Mahendra pool. It overlooks a large section of the
Pokhara city and once there on find oneself lost
in time amid the chanting Ramas, there colossal
guardian images of the Buddha accompanying two
other gurus and a prayer house with exquisitely
carved columns and friezes.
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Gupteswar
Cave (Gupha) :
Gupteswar Gupha is a sacred cave, lies 2 km from
Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway leading
southwest from the city. The entrance is right
across from Devi's Fall and the cave is almost 3
km long. It has some big hall-size rooms and some
passages where you have to crawl on all fours.
This cave holds special value for Hindus since a
phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in
the condition it was discovered. An entrance fee
of Rs. 5 is charged and taking pictures inside the
cave is prohibited.
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