Western Nepal
Pokhara
Nestled in a fertile valley below the Annapurna massif, Pokhara is known
for its stunning mountain views and its relaxed lifestyle. A perfect
point to begin and end any trek in the Annapurna area, Pokhara boasts
one of Nepal’s largest lakes, the Phewa Tal. All along the lakeside
are resorts, hotels, and tourist amenities that make this a wonderful
place to relax at any time of the year.
From the lakeside area, the panorama of Annapurna, Machapuchre
(Fish Tail), and Dhaulagiri is truly breath-taking, especially as you
can enjoy it and bask in Pokhara’s sub-tropical warmth at the
same time! A sunrise or sunset boat trip out on the lake lets you enjoy
the mountains and their reflections in the lake’s calm waters.
You can also visit the island temple of Tal Barahi and explore the far
shores of the lake, or simply drift aimlessly soaking in the sun as
you view the icy Himalayan peaks.
Other attractions in Pokhara include scenic natural formations
like Mahendra Caves and Devi’s Falls. Temples such as Binde Basini
abound, and surrounding Pokhara are many traditional Gurung villages
well worth a day’s visit.
Gorkha, a small town but of historical
importance to the country lies west of Kathmandu, and can be reached
by following the Prithvi Highway towards Pokhara and then turning off
south or north respectively. It is the historic seat of the Shah kings
who united Nepal, beginning with Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1769. Their
palace still stands fortified high on a hillside, and recalls the majesty
of Nepal’s past.
Tansen
Tansen is an old trading town on the banks of the lower Kali Gandaki
river. Its beautiful surroundings and bustling bazaar are worth a few
days of exploration.
Lumbini
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is situated 250 kilometers south-west
of Kathmandu. A broken pillar erected in 249 BC by the first major Buddhist
ruler of India, Emperor Ashoka, proclaims in a now-extinct script that
the Buddha was born there and that the emperor made three pilgrimages
to the holy spot.
Lumbini’s status as a garden of peace has been
recognized the world over and its development is being undertaken by
Buddhists from everywhere. In the same spirit, the Nepali government
formed the Lumbini Development Trust in 1985 to oversee the development
of the entire Lumbini area as a religious and pilgrimage centre. |
