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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Enchanting Pokhara

Nature, spirituality, and nightlife blossom in Pokhara

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Pradeep Chamaria
Pradeep Chamaria
I am a photojournalist. Love to travel to unknown and unexplored vistas. Since 1992, I make places desirable for other travelers through experiential Travel Writing.

Nepal. Pokhara. Nepal, a Himalayan paradise is full of delightful villages, incredible mountain scenery, pagodas, monasteries, and temples. In addition, museums, memories of ancient kingdoms, backpacker-friendly streets, stunning wildlife, and tantalizing nightlife in cities that are waiting to be explored.

Nepal, though only 800 km long and 150 km in width, has some of the highest mountain ranges. Mount Everest and Annapurna are only two examples of these high mountains. In contrast, the famous Terai plains bring abundant nature and wildlife to a small country. The climatic conditions vary from sub-tropical in the Terai region to subzero winters in the upper mountains. Aside from the diverse climate, spirituality has always been an integral part of this nation with more than 125 caste and ethnic groups, and 123 spoken dialects. The country as a whole is characterised as naturally pure, tranquil, and culturally unique.

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Landscape, Photo Credits: Pradeep Chamaria

Soul-satisfying holidays

For people leading a busy and hectic life, Nepal offers enchanting locales for soul-satisfying holidays. It is always advisable to hire the services of a local travel agency like Hiking Adventure Treks Pvt. Ltd. Kathmandu, who can make all the arrangements for you and make your holidays memorable.

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Pokhara is one such place that can be explored at a relaxed pace. You can fly into Pokhara or drive for 6-7 hours to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu. Most of the hotels in Pokhara have stunning views of the Annapurna Himalayas and have easy access to the thriving life on the lake street of Pokhara.

Annapurna ranges  

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Get greeted by the heavenly sight of the entire Annapurna range early in the morning and try spotting the glistening peak of 6,993-metre high Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail, which is one of the few virgin mountains that no one is allowed to climb. The hypnotising sight normally gets engulfed in mist and clouds.

Old town

You can start with a trip to the streets of the old town. Morning walks on the wet roads of the old town are delightful. You can see acres of farmland, typical Nepalese houses, domesticated farm animals, and spectacular blue skies. The ambiance is further lightened up by chirping birds. You can chat with friendly locals as they get ready for the daily chores in their Newari houses made of red bricks and ornately-carved wooden windows. The main attraction at Pokhara’s old town, a major trade route 300 years ago, is the 200-year-old Bhimsen Temple, known for its erotic carvings and the ancient Bindhya Basini Temple.  

Gupteshwar Mahadev gupha

Gupteshwar Mahadev Gupha, Photo Credits : Pradeep Chamaria

At Gupteshwar Mahadev Gupha, near Devi’s falls, the water from the falls flows into a 500 feet long tunnel into the subterranean cave where a Shiva Lingam was discovered. Caves can be approached through artistically painted pathways and limestone formations; the Flowstones inside the cold and damp cave are stunning.

Boating on Pehwa lake

A leisurely boat ride on Phewa Lake will bring you to the Tal Barahi temple. Getting through the crowd is an adventure in itself, but it is fully worth the effort. Once on the lake, it is a wonderful experience to connect with nature minus the hassles of the tourist crowds.

Misty Phewa, blanketed by lavender water hyacinths, has a faint emerald hue due to the surrounding lush-green fields and forests. It is quiet and peacefully away from the touristy end of the shore. The fishermen along the shores are never bothered by tourist presence around them and keep themselves busy at work with their nets. Occasional sights of a paraglider soaring high above snow-covered mountains will invite you to climb up the hills and take a chance to fly.

After visiting the Tal Barahi temple in the middle of the lake, rowing to the southern fringe of the lake is recommended to view the starting point of a small trek to the World Peace Pagoda. After an hour hike to reach World Peace Pagoda, there is a beautiful dome-shaped pagoda shining atop a hill and has four images of the Buddha facing the four directions. It is also a great vantage point, offering spectacular views of the Annapurna range and nearby hills.

Enjoying nightlife

Once back in the city, venturing out to experience the nightlife is highly recommended. It is a place which will decrease blood pressure in the daytime as you experience the rustic natural beauty, and help pump up blood pressure at night with other people.

Other attractions

The vibrant city of Pokhara offers so much that it is hard to list all the attractions. However, a few of these must-do activities include:

• Indulging in extreme sports: paragliding, bungee jumping, zip-lining, river rafting or flying over the peaks in an ultralight aircraft
• Visiting Sarangkot to see the sunrise over the Annapurna and Fishtail mountains
• Visiting museums: International Mountain Museum and Gurkha Museum

Author

  • Pradeep Chamaria

    I am a photojournalist. Love to travel to unknown and unexplored vistas. Since 1992, I make places desirable for other travelers through experiential Travel Writing.

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