In this last segment of my series on Nepal , I would be focusing
on the natural beauty of this erstwhile Himalayan kingdom. Besides its famous
Buddhist and Hindu sites , Nepal is famous for Mount Everest-The highest peak
in the world. No wonder Nepal attracts a lot of adventurers and mountaineers
who brave an attempt to this highest and ever challenging peak in the world.Not
only adventurers and climbers, normal tourists also thrive to have a glimpse of
the world’s highest mountain peak .
 |
| Everest |
 |
| Aerial view of everest |
 |
| Everest in sunlight |
Nagarkot
, which is located 32 kms, east of Kathmandu is known for its unrestricted view
of the mountain range from Annapurna in the west to the mighty Everest in the
East. It’s the closest place from Kathmandu from where one can have a glimpse
of Everest. However, to be lucky to have a limpse of Everest, one needs a clear
sky. Other peaks of Annapurna
however can be seen anytime and are a treat to the eye.
 |
| Nagarkot: waiting for siunrise |
 |
| Nagarkot: sun about to rise |
Historically, Nagarkot was a
place for the royals of Nepal to escape the scorching heat of summer and a
hectic city life. Today, people from all over World, from different walks of
life, travel to Nagarkot, to enjoy the picturesque rural scenery of terraced
rice fields, green pastures, the sunrise and sunsets and ofcourse to have a
breath-taking view of the mighty Annapurna ranges and a glimpse of Everest.
 |
| Panoramic view of Annapurna range |
Pokhara is the second largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu. Three out of the ten
highest mountains in the world —Dhaulagiri, Annapurna 1 and Mansalu — are within a linear distance of 50 km from the city. The Macchapuchare (Fishtail)
with an elevation of 6,993 m is the closest to the city. Due to its
proximity to the Annapurna mountain range, the city is also a base for trekkers
undertaking the Annapurna circuit. In
this region the mountains rise very quickly and
within 30 km, the elevation rises from 1,000 m to over 7,500 m.
As a result of this sharp rise in altitude the area of Pokhara has one of the
highest precipitation rates in Nepal.
 |
| Phewa lake , Pokhra |
 |
| Phewa lake |
 |
| Barahi temple in the middle of Phewa lake |
The Seti Gandaki or the white river ,is the main river flowing
through the city. The Seti Gandaki,
and its tributaries have created several gorges and canyons in and around the
whole city which gives intriguingly long sections of terrace features to the
city and surrounding areas. These long sections of terraces are interrupted by
gorges which are hundreds of meters deep. The Seti gorge runs through the whole
city from north to south and then west to east and at places these gorges are
only a few metres wide.
 |
| View of Dhaulagiri from Pokhra |
 |
| Phewa lake at sunset |
Pokhra is also called the city of lakes.
In the south the city borders on Phewa
Tal at
an elevation of about 827 m above sea level while in the north at Lumle the city touches the base of the Annapurna mountain
range. Pehwa lake is freshwater lake. There are many sightseeing
spots in Pokhra .Phewa lake is the most popular and the most happening place in
Pokhra. A good lake for boating. The boat ride to the Tal Barahi temple
situated at the centre of the lake is an experience in itself. Tal Barahi is the most important religious
monument of Pokhara. This two-storied pagoda is believed to be dedicated to
Lord Vishnu. Mostly it gets crowded on weekends. Boating in Pehwa lake and the
visit to this temple is a must in Pokhra.
 |
| Nepalese folk dance |
Baidam is
the eastern bank of Phewa lake and is also known as Lakeside. This part
contains endless strip of hotels, lodges, restaurants, bookshops and souvenir
shops. This side is one of the best known tourist area of nepal. It is also the
starting point of the tour to Pokhara. There are lot of activities taking place
and one can see a lot of foreign tourist roaming around. There are variety of
restaurants serving local Nepali and Indian foods besides Thai, continental and
fast foods. The restaurants are nicely decorated and offer local dance and
music during the night.
 |
| A view of the market at Pokhra |
Davis fall: Davis Falls is
a waterfall located in Pokhra and a
majot tourist attraction of the region.The water forms an underground
tunnel after reaching the bottom. This tunnel is approximately 500 feet and
runs 100 feet below ground level. In 1961, a Swiss couple Davi went swimming
but the woman drowned in a pit because of the overflow. Her body was recovered
3 days later in river Phusre. Her father wished to name it "Davi's
falls" after her. Its Nepali name is Patale Chango, which means
"underworld waterfall".After exiting the tunnel, the water passes
through a cave called Gupteshwor Mahadev or "cave beneath the
ground".
 |
| Davis fall |
Gupteshwar cave: This
cave is the significant cave of Pokhara and a major tourist attraction. The
cave is divided into 2 parts -the first one is 40metre long.it is the main
natural cave .Here we can see the temple of lord shiva.The second part of this
cave is longer and dark too .This part goes downside part of Davis fall and one
can view the fall too.
 |
| Inside Gupteswar cave |
Mahendra cave and the Bat cave: Mahendra cave is also one of the major
tourist attraction in Pokhara. It is located at Batulechaur, just a few
kilometers away from the Pokhra town As, the name suggests, it is named after
the name of the Late king Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. The cave itself is
amazing and we can see the various natural shapes and images of the various
hindu god and goddess on the stone made of the lime. Here, for the safety
measures, electricity is provided through out the cave and additional torch and
emergency lights can be taken for the convinence. The area is surrounded by the
community forest at the hillside and at the end of road there flows the small
river called the Kali Khola.
 |
| Inside view of bat cave |
Just a ten minutes
walk from the Mahendra Cave, there lies a another cave named the Bat Cave. In
Nepali language, it is also called Chameri Gufa. As the name suggests, it is named
after the bats as there is the prevalence or the habitats of the bats over the
cave's wall and the ceilings. The cave is made of up the limestone and there is
the provision of the torch and the emergency lights for the view of the cave.
Also, there is the provision of the guides for the assistance. Apart from it's
attraction, it is also rich in greenery as the surroundings of the cave
is covered by the forest.
Bindhyabasini temple: Standing atop a hill, this temple is the most popular
and most visited place in Pokhra.The white pagoda style temple gives a good
view of the town as well as the Annapurna and Macchipucchare ranges. The temple
is located in the busy old Bazar area .The temple is dedicated to goddess Durga
who appears in the form of Saligram here. The temple dates back to 1845 AD.
 |
| Bindhyavasini temple at Pokhra |
Sarangkot: Sarangkot is a village near Pokhra
and famous for sunrise and sun set views. The village is located on a
mountainside ridge at an altitude of 1600m with panoramic Himalayan views. From
Sarangkot, on the northern direction we can see Dhawalagiri in the far west .
Annapurna range is visible when the weather is clear on the same side. On the
southern direction the village overlooks the city of Pokhara and
its lake on the north-western outskirts of the city. Sarangkot can be
reached easily by 45 minutes by a car ride to the top from Pokhara and then 45
minutes hike up to the main view point. Many tourists come to Sarangkot for
sunrise view and go back after few hours but it will be good if tourist stay
there for one night and enjoy the view and city light of Pokhara from
Sarangkot. Paragliding can also be done from Sarangkot
