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Attractions
Phewa
Lake
Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in the Kingdom,
is the center of all attraction in Pokhara. It is the
largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that
add to the resplendence of Pokhara. Here, one can sail
or row a hired boat across to the water or visit the
island temple in its middle. The eastern shore, popularly
known as lakeside or Baidam, is the favorite home base
for travellers and is where most of the hotels, restaurants
and handicraft shops are located.
Barahi
Temple
The Barahi temple is the most important monument in
Pokhara, Built almost in the center of Phewa Lake, this
two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation
of Ajima, the protectress deity representing the female
force Shakti. Devotees can be seen, especially on Saturdays,
carrying male animals and fowl across the lake to be
sacrificed to the deity.
Seti Gandaki
Another of Pokhara's natural wonders that unfailingly
interests visitors is the Seti Gan- daki river. Flowing
right through the city, the boisterous river runs completely
underground at places. Amazingly, at certain points
the river appears hardly two meters wide. But its depth
is quite beyond imagination - over 20 meters! Mahendra
Pul, a small bridge near the old Mission Hospital, provides
a perfect view of the rivers's dreadful rush and the
deep gorge made by its powerful flow.
Devi's
Fall
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.
Mahendra
Cave
Another of nature's wonders in Pokhara is the Mahendra
Gupha. This large limestone cave is locally known as
the House of Bats, an apt name for it. A two-hour walk
to the north of Pokhara, it is best to bring your own
torch to see the stalactites and stalagmites, as well
as the local winged residents.
Tibetan
Village
There are two Tibetan village in the vicinity of
Pokhara. One of them called Tashiling is in the south
past Patale Chhango. The other village by the name of
Tashi Palkhel is North of Pokhara at the place called
Hyangja on Pokhara-Baglung highway. The Tibetan people
living in these villages keep themselves busy by producing
and trading in woollen carpets and other handicraft
items.
Sarangkot
This hill station is a mere half hour drive from
Pokhara through spectacular country side and an hour
long over a hill. For the sunrise lover this place is
awesome to watch sunrise and sunset.
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