Phewa
Tal (Lake)
Phewa lake, the second largest lake in the kingdom,
roughly measuring 1.5 km by 4 km, is the center of all attractions
in Pokhara. The enchanting lake is an idyllic playground.
Brightly painted wooden boats and sailboats can be rented
on reasonable cost around lakeside.
The lake is neither deep (roughly 47 meters at most) nor particulary
clean, but the water is warm and swimming is pleasant if you
don't think about the probable pollution.
The eastern shoreline of the lake, popularly known as Lakeside
or Baidam, consists of seemingly endless strip of lodges,
restaurants, bookshops and souvenir shops. One of the fascinating
parts of lakeside is the splendid view of the mountains, especially
when the still water reflects the peaks, creating a double
image.
Begnas lake and Rupa lake
The lakes are located about 15km from Pokhara at the
end of a road that turns north from the highway to Kathmandu.
Divided by the forested hillock called Panchabhaiya Danda,
the lakes offer the perfect nature retreat because of their
relative seclusion. Splendid boating and fishing can be done
here.
Barahi temple
This is the most important religious monument in Pokhara.
Built almost in the middle of Phewa lake, the 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.
World Peace Pagoda
The pagoda is a massive Buddhist stupa and is situated
on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa lake. Besides
being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great
vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna
range and Pokhara city. You can get there by crossing the
lake by boat and then hiking up the hill.
Seti Gandaki
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 river's dreadful rush and the deep gorge made
by its powerful flow.
Devi's Fall
Locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell's Fall), Devi's
fall (also known as Devin's or David's) is an awesome waterfall

lying
about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway to
Tansen. An interesting modern legend says that a foreigner
named David was skinnydipping in the Pardi Khola (river) when
the floodgates of the dam were opened, sweeping him into an
underground passage beneath the fall, never to be seen again.
Gupteswar Gupha
Gupteswar Gupha, a sacred cave, lies 2
km from Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway leading
southwest from the city. The entrance is right across from
Devi's Fall and the cave is almost 3 km long. It has some
big hall-size rooms and some passages where you have to crawl
on all fours. This cave holds special value for Hindus since
a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition
it was discovered. An entrance fee of Rs. 5 is charged and
taking pictures inside the cave is prohibited.
Mahendra
Gupha
Mahendra Gufa, locally called Chamero
Odhaar ("House of Bats"), is the large limestone
cave. Shepherd boys are said to have discovered it around
1950. A two hour walk to the north of Pokhara, it is best
to bring your own torch to see the stalactites and stalagmites,
although most of them have been carted out by souvenir hunters.