Pokhara
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History




Presently, a very small Muslim community inhabits the eastern corner of Pokhara known as Miya Patan.
With the annexation of Tibet by China, a large number of homeless refugees from Tibet flocked into this area and at present, Pokhara houses four camps of Tibetan settlers which have evolved into proper townships, each with its own monasteries and typical architecture that stands on their own.
Till the 1960, this place could have only been reached by foot. However, with the completion of the Siddharta Highway in 1968 this city was connected with the rest of Nepalese territories as it, thereafter, started developing as a major tourist attraction in Nepal. To be simple and precise, the Phewa Lake and its surrounding area which is known as the ‘Lake Side’, has of late, become one of the most important tourist hubs of Nepal in recent times.

What to Expect
The tourism capital of the county, Pokhara is the favorite destination for trekking enthusiasts and adventure seekers from all over the world. The place is dotted with more than 300 hotels of all kinds which varies in price, from very cheap budget rooms to magnificent 5 star rated resorts. Being a small city, most travelers prefer to explore it on foot though there are cheap and crowded minivans which can take you to the city’s most popular tourist destinations. One can even hire a bicycle or scooter from many of the shops near the lake side, however it’s advisable that you must tread on foot since many spectacular tourist spots around this picturesque location are particularly accessible on a bicycle.
Just a note on to this destination. One should not miss the opportunity of paragliding around the beautiful lake, which you can take as a once in a lifetime experience.
There are dozens of Reiki

Being one of the most expensive cities in Nepal, food here can be costly. However, one can always savor mouthwatering noodles, dumplings, and samosas at the road side stalls at a very affordable and flexible rate while vising this town. The lake side road also has numerous pretty cafes and several gastronomically enriched eateries to choose from.
The musical aura at Pokhara is very vibrant and the traditional Nepali ‘lok geet’ (country songs) along with western rock and roll, jazz, and pop is very popular here as many musical concerts are arranged in this city for the musical aficionados during the evening times.
The Hindu festival Diwali


Places to Visit
The Shanti Stupa or the World Peace Pagoda which was created in 1999 and is located on a hilltop, south of the Phewa Lake and offers splendid views of the Annapurna mountain range. It is a great site, especially to view the sunrise or sunset. The World Peace Pagoda can be reached by taxi or by a moderately long trek from this location.The Sarangkot which offers a stunning view of the mountain can be reached by a steep hike from the northwest corner of the Pokhara city.
There are three caves in and around this city. The Mahendra Cave which lies in Batulechaur, in the northern fringes of Pokhara, is indeed a sight to behold. The ‘Bat cave’ which is locally known as the Chamare Gufa is a 10 minute walk from the Mahendra cave and is infested with bats hanging from the cave walls.
The Gupteswar Mahadev Cave near Pokhara, which is situated in the southern part of the city houses, is a deity of Lord Shiva and therefore is of religious importance to all the localities. Located directly opposite the Devi’s fall, on the following staircases of the Gupteswar Mahadev Cave, one can easily reach the waters of this fall.
The Pokhara Valley is dotted with numerous monasteries and temples. The Taal Barahi Temple which lies on a tiny island on the Lake Phewa can be reached by a boat. The Bindhyabasini Temple, Mudula Karki Kulayan Temple, the Sunpadeli Temple, The Kumari Temple, and the Sitaladavi Temple are some of the other notable temples in this valley.
The International Mountain Museum in Pokhara houses is dedicated to the history of mountaineering and the Gurkha Memorial Museum which displays the uniforms and weapons of the famous Gurkha

Shopping
One can find many Tibetan women sitting by the roadside and selling pretty jewelry and trinkets which can satisfy the tourist’s shopping spree. However make sure to bargain since the starting rate is naturally overpriced. One can buy hand-woven clothes and other pretty handmade goods from the Kriayt Social Business Center- which is a small market in the lake side which aims to empower the local business women in Pokhara.How to Get There
Pokhara is well connected by means of roads to other parts of Nepal and there are regular bus and taxi services from this city to all adjoining towns and villages in India and Nepal. The 206 km road from Kathmandu to Pokhara is scattered with many beautiful temples and places of religious interest. There are local buses from Kathmandu to Pokhara and vice-versa which leaves, throughout the day, from both the cities. The Pokhara Airport also operates regular flights to Mustang and Kathmandu and will soon be converted into an international airport, in accordance to the news of recent times.
Similar Landmarks Nearby
Many travelers to Pokhara like to go for a trek, covering the Annapurna Circuit



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Author: SubhasishMitra. Last updated: Dec 08, 2014
Pictures of Pokhara


