Nepal – What’s more refining and overwhelming than boating in the middle of a large-blue lake that oversees the reflection of beautiful snow-capped mountains? The delight is heavenly, the joy is angelic and the rays that brighten our eyes are cosmic. Such solace can be sought only in paradise and no-doubt Pokhara is a heaven on earth.
Pokhara, a window to the mighty Himalayan range and the gateway to the Annapurna mountain circuit is patiently decorated by lakes, waterfalls, caves and temples. This old city of Nepal is a major touristic hub and a destination for relaxation and adventure. Pokhara lives with a graceful humid weather for half-a-year and a cold yet bright winter for half-a-year.
I visited Pokhara during the peak of its winter, in October. I had a winter break and I really felt the urge to find out whether Pokhara was exaggerated or it truly was a nature’s craft. A bus ride from Kathmandu, via the Prithivi Highway along the banks of Trisuli River took me to Pokhara in approximately 8 hours. The day was getting dark. So, I carried myself to an average lodge near the famous Phewa Taal, to allow me some delicious food and a beautiful sleep.
Before sunrise, when it was still dark and cold, I hiked all the way up-hill to Sarangkot to experience my closest encounter with the sun-rays, so far. As sun ascended in its red avatar enforcing light and life in earth, the Annapurna Mountains sparkled in visible colors making me absorbed and mesmerized. Paragliding was also available in Sarangkot, but I chose to watch people flying over the blue horizon.A slight south walk from the foot of the hill delivered me to the Shree Bindhyabasini temple. The ancient hindu shrine rebuilt with modern-classic touch looked glorious. I’d never thought brown-polished bricks, metal doors and roofs, wooden windows and copper pinnacles can make such a beautiful monument until I saw the main temple of Bindhyabasini.At around 11, I was back at my lodge. I took a quick shower, grabbed some bread and bacon and charged my batteries. The day was bright. There were a dozen of places to visit, varieties of food to taste, hundreds of pictures to take and tons of memories to make. So, without any time to waste I was out by midday again. I rented a Royal Enfield, a quite popular bike in Nepal and rode to Gupteswor Mahadev Cave. The cave is named after Lord Shiva as there is a Shiva Mandir just above the cave. A staircase downwards leads you to the cave’s entrance. The cave was dark and narrow. There were light bulbs and derails to guide the way. It was hard for a tall guy like me to walk through the cave without bumping his head. At the cave’s end, was a water sanctuary; bars were kept as the rocks were slippery. A water fall could be seen at the other bank of the sanctuary; the waterfall was indeed the Davis falls.
A little walk in the opposite direction of Gupteshwor temple, through the narrow streets with shops and vendors selling antique Nepali products took me to The Infamous Davis fall. It was like a park, well gardened and cleaned. There was a typical Nepali house, a sculpture representing Annapurna Mountain Range and how can I forget the scenic Davis fall. In 1961, a Swiss husband and wife were swimming just up from the water fall. The wife was pulled by the water current and she drowned to death. The woman’s name was Mrs. Davis and that’s when people started calling it Davis falls. The melody, the pictures queue and the smell of falling river was sensational; it worked my eyes, ears and nose at once by which the memory of Davis fall is still vivid in my conscience.I rode the Enfield back to my lodge. A little refreshment and I returned the bike. I walked along the banks of Phewa Lake in the evening. Bars and resorts were having their orchestra; the aroma of food was encompassing the environment; tourists were boating in the lake. I went to a cozy resort. I ordered Chicken Sekuwa along with a coke and a plate of momos. After I was done, I paid the bills and strolled around the lakeside market. Since darkness was enveloping the air, I decided to postpone boating for the next morning. I thought the pleasure would subside if the rays from the mountains didn’t hit my retina.
The next morning I loosened my schedule. Around 8, I went boating in the Phewa. The morning atmosphere was pretty chill. I could touch the Machhapuchhre Mountain in the cold water and sense it’s snow. The reflection of the hills, the tress and the blue sky looked like an art portrayed on the lake’s surface.The next place to visit was the International Mountain Museum, perhaps the most beautiful museum in South-Asia. It mostly featured various mountain climbing races of Himalayan region. Their clothes, utensils, homes and tools were pristine and no doubt the museum was preserving and presenting them for the generations to come. The gradual evolution of mountain climbing tools and costume was incredible and well-displayed. No doubt, the museum is a treasure of vast Himalayan history. There was even a 25 feet tall sculpture of a mountain, carved out of stones which could be climbed for recreation.
After the venture of Himalayan Museum, I took a bus to Anadu hill. I was drained up and hiking all the way up seemed horrifying. So I took a taxi and drove to unveil the image of the Pokhara Valley. Standing on the top of the Anadu hill, World Peace Pagoda added beauty to Pokhara valley. The hilltop provided a splendid view of the Himalayan Range, Fewa Lake and Pokhara city. Out of 88 World Peace Pagodas in the world, there are 2 in Nepal, fortunately one’s in Pokhara. The best thing about Buddhism is it has no restriction. People from every background are equally welcomed and everyone can circumambulate the sputa. Shanti Stupa, as called in Nepali did attract many tourists from every part of the world for its cultural prominence and also for the stunning view of the valley and the mountains.
The day had been exhausting and tiresome. When I got back to my lodge in the evening, I took a shower. I left my cameras and bag behind and strolled along the banks of Phewa. I was extremely hungry, thus I ended up in a bar.
Since, Begnas Lake was an hour’s ride away from the main city; I had it scheduled for the last day. With a proper Thakali brunch at 9 in the next morn, I headed straight to the station. An hour later, I was absorbed in peaceful and tranquil vicinity. The lake, the hills, the smell of wood and earth were lightening. There were few people and the silence was addictive. I offered myself some tea, and devoured into them after I had rowed my boat far from the land.While caught up between the blues; the blue water and the blue sky, I was tangle-wrecked. My phone alarmed me at 12 that I had a bus to catch at 2. It was too heavy for me to realize that I was living a hectic life, my clock was scheduled and I couldn’t ask for any further time to savor the beauties of Begnas. I rowed back to shore, departed from Begnas and headed to my lodge. I paid the bills, gathered my stuffs and thanked the staffs. In no time, I was leaving the heavenly city with a handful of memories.
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