An evening at the shores of water with a cup of coffee is bliss unmatched. The flow of water takes with it the vast ocean of thoughts, worries and pain. Time flies, heart sighs, and mind lightens with every drift of the heavenly waters. In the final edition of Lakes of Nepal, we dive into Phewa and its sister Begnas along with the holy Gosaikunda and unearth Dumba, the hidden gem of Mustang.
Phewa and Begnas
The valley of Pokhara holds many natural wonders; amongst them are the lakes of Phewa and Begnas. These two, along with Rupa, are the most popular among its eight sisters. Each lake has developed as a major tourist attraction with Phewa is commonly known as Lakeside. Numerous hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars cater to the large influx of tourists who visit Pokhara independently or as part of their trekking itinerary.
The lake's water also used for generating electricity. Commercial fishing in this region utilises cages. Tal Barahi temple, located in the centre of the lake, is an important religious site.
Begnas, on the other hand, is a popular destination for retreats. It has numerous resorts which cater ample facilities to visitors. The lake water irrigates nearby cultivable land. The range of Annapurna and Manaslu are visible from the lake. Whereas from Phewa mountain peaks of Annapurna along with Dhaulagiri range and Macchapuchhre are visible. Their reflections mirror on the surface of the lake.
Gosaikunda
This lake lies at an altitude of 4380 meters above sea level in the district of Rasuwa. It is one of the holiest lakes of Nepal. Pilgrims visit this lake during the auspicious occasion of Janai Purnima (Full moon).
The itinerary can feature one of two distinct routes, Dhunche-Helambu and Langtang Valley. The most popular path to date is the route via the Langtang valley. A trekker doesn't just get to favour the eye candy that is Gosaikunda but also indulges in the Himalayas during the trek. In recent years, the route via Helambu is also gaining popularity with sound investment in tourism and hospitality infrastructure.
Did you know? In the city of Lalitpur lies a pond that people believe is fed by the waters of Gosaikunda. As per local legends, a duck owned by a local farmer fell into the pond and disappeared. During the month of Bhadra, the locals honour a recently departed family member via a pilgrimage to Gosaikunda. As he had recently lost someone, he embarked on this journey. Surprisingly, when he was about to dip in the lake, he saw a duck in the shoreline. Upon inspection, it was his duck, which had mysteriously disappeared.
From this moment on, individuals visit this pond during Janai Purnima. Especially those who cannot make a pilgrimage to Gosaikunda.
Dhumba
Dhumba, commonly referred to as a hidden lake, is a gem of Mustang. It lies at an altitude of 2760m, and sandstone cliffs surround it. The famous peak of Nilgiri is visible to its south and Putang mountain from the north.
from Jomsom or a longer itinerary that features Tikhedunga, Ghorepani, Tatopani, Ghasa, Marpha, Kagbeni and Muktinath. The first begins at Jomsom. A bus ride from Kathmandu- Pokhara- Jomsom averages 15 hours, whereas a flight from Kathmandu-Pokhara is 25 minutes and Pokhara- Jomsom, 20 minutes. The second requires a drive to Nayapul, which is 1 hour away from the city of Pokhara.
This journey doesn't just include a chance to bask in the oasis that is Dhumba but also explore the Annapurna region. A short hike from Ghorepani to Poon Hill offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayas. Mountain ranges of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and others in the faint glimmer of sunrise are a sight to behold. The Gurung villages along the trail look picturesque, with the Himalayas as a backdrop. Crossing into the region of Mustang is a journey back in time. The outback seems never-ending, and the stone masonry of Tibetan villages in awe.
