Our Planet’s Landmarks Series #28
Pokhara – The Jewel of Nepal
Mountains have a character. Especially so if we talk about the Himalayas. Mysterious mists. Fluffy clouds. Tranquil lakes. Rolling pastures. Gentle slopes. Pearly monasteries. Bobbing boats. Towering trees. Gliding raptors. Hide-and-seek sun. Colourful blooms. Blues, greens, browns, and whites of the peaks. And a whole lot more.
Yet, not all places in the Himalayas offer it all. But Pokhara? Well, it presents it all. Wrapped as a neat bundle. Complete with icing. And cherry topping. So, calling it our planet’s landmark will not be wrong.
Unhurried pace contrasts with the adrenaline fix it gives to the adventure seekers. For foodies, it offers varied fare. From authentic Nepalese to Italian. From vegan to gluten-free. And, from fast food to the fine dining.
The accommodation available here suits all budgets. That of backpackers and of the luxury seekers. With over 300 hotels, lodges, B&Bs, homestays, and inns, travellers are spoilt for choice.
Hello Pokhara!
Nepal Tourism invited a few of us to experience their beautiful country. Our 25-minute Kathmandu-Pokhara flight circled to land. And we found ourselves gaping at the gigantic Phewa lake beneath. 30 minutes after we landed, we were at our hotel – Barahi Pokhara. A well-spread out low-rise set around a pleasing blue pool. Its well-fitted rooms gave a pleasing sense of comfort and convenience. No struggle to keep your devices charged!
We set out for sightseeing. And we did not imagine our next two days were to stand out for sheer diversity of activities.
Exploring Pokhara
It took us around 15 minutes to reach Davi’s Falls (Patale Chhango) from our hotel. These falls mark the point where Pardi Khola stream vanishes underground. Seeing these falls seemed a bit of a disappointment. In size, these were not great. I didn’t realise it at the time, but these falls were soon going to surprise us big time.
Across the road from Davi’s Falls is Gupteshwar Mahadev – A cave temple of Lord Shiva. To get to the temple, you climb down 200 steps, enter a cave, and walk the cave with walls dripping water. Brilliantly-carved statues of deities lined the steps.
Our guide asked us to go past the temple. We climbed down until we found ourselves on a viewing platform. There was a thunderous noise around. In total darkness, all we could see was a misty crevice. As we looked, we realised that was where the Davi’s falls landed. What we saw was awesome.
It took us 20 minutes to reach the parking beneath Anadu Hill. Our guide pointed towards a hill that we were to climb. We could see nothing of interest there. After a strenuous 20-minute climb, we reached a viewpoint. There, we saw the breath-taking view of Phewa Lake with Pokhara, a semicircle along the banks of this lake.
A few more minutes of huffing and puffing. And we were at a pearly-white pagoda – World Peace Temple (Shanti Stupa). The place was buzzing with Friday crowds and selfie-clickers. After clicking a few images, I climbed down to the parking. Our first day in Pokhara had been engaging.
Sunrise in Pokhara
Next morning, we left early. Real early. Before sunrise, in fact. Our destination was Sarangkot. We spilled out of our van to embark on the onerous climb of a few hundred steps. Again, we did not know what was in store.
Atop the hill, along the ridge, there were 6-7 rows of steps. Each step must have been at least 20mt across. Already, a few people were sitting there. The sun was still not out. The Annapoorna range in front looked mysterious.
As we hung around, a short while later the highest peak caught sunrays. Amongst blue peaks, it glowed like gold. And soon, the gold started to spread across the range. While Annapoorna is the highest peak here, Fishtail seems more imposing as it is way closer. With every passing minute, amid oohs and ahs, the mountain magic unravelled. Fascinated, we watched nature’s show. It left us speechless.
Being a drone
Our next stop was Pokhara Airport. As we reached there, the excitement built up. We would be flying in an ultralight plane. But one look at the craft, and many amongst us got cold feet.
The ultralight craft was a cross between a motorbike’s sidecar and a hang glider. Air scooter, a friend described it as.
The takeoff was an adrenaline rush. Soon, we were flying over the sloping roofs of the cluttered city. A moment or two later, the serene view of Phewa Lake replaced this muddle.
To soar, or not to soar. While others deliberated, the adventurer in me volunteered. And soon, they strapped me as a pillion rider of this air scooter.
During my short flight, I captured some interesting shots. Another ultralight, the World Peace Pagoda, Phewa Lake, a luxury resort, and then some. I realised I had turned into a drone!
More Pokhara
The afternoon took us to Jangchub Choeling Monastery and a Tibetan refugee settlement. The Nepalese government does not allow these refugees to seek employment in Nepal. But they manage to eke out a living by selling souvenirs. I would say buying souvenirs from them is good karma.
After exploring Pokhara’s varied attractions, we went back to the city centre. To spend the evening by the lakeside. The cheerful faces and colourful boats had a festive feel.
Amidst the commonplace, my mind went back to the extraordinary Pokhara offers. And I thought Pokhara, as a destination, is definitely our planet’s landmark.
