1. Barahi Temple

Barahi Temple is located in the centre of Phewa lake, so that it is completely surrounded by water. It is a Hindu temple. From the compound of the temple, visitors can also catch a startling reflection of the peaks reflected in the tranquil water of the lake. There is an interesting story about the formation of an Island in the middle of the lake. Legend has it that, one fateful night goddess Barahi herself came to a village in Pokhara. She disguised herself as a traveler and went asking for shelter. But none of the villagers allowed her shelter. A poor old couple living in extreme poverty offered shelter and the only meal they had. The next morning, the old couple were surprised to see the entire village was drowned in water except the hut of the old couple's later on, the goddess wishes to be wishes to be worshiped at the same spot. While turning the pages of Nepali History, it will show that King Kulmandal Shah first constructed Barahi Temple before Kulmandal Shah, there was only a small idol of goddess Barahi but here was no temple. Later on King Kulmandal Shah constructed a beautiful temple at the site.

2. DEVI'S FALL

Devi's fall is locally known as Patale Chhango. This is the most famous water fall in Pokhara. It is 2 km southwest downtown Pokhara. During summer and rainy season, the waterfall takes its real form with gushing water splashing and making its way through the rocks. The water flows through the underground way and goes out to meet Phurse Khola (Phurse River) to the south. The source of the fall is Phewa lake which is situated about 2 km to the north. There is little water in winter. The depth of the fall is about 100 meters. A tragedy occurred at Patale Chhang (Dvi's fall) on the fateful day of 31st Jul 1961. A foreign couple went for a sight seeing of Pokhara. They happened to come Patale Chhango on seeing the crystal water of Patale Chhango, the couple could not resist taking a plunge. While they were deep engrossed in their swim, they were completely unaware about the impending danger. All of a sudden an unexpected surge of the river took the shape of furious flood that shower no mercy upon the couple and swept them away at once. The couple struggled for their life but all in vain since nobody could dare to rescue them from such a terrible current of water. In the tiresome ordeal eventually Ms Devi fell into the pit and died while her husband miraculously survived unscathed. 

4. BINDHABASINI TEMPLE

This temple is one of the most revered temple of the Pokhara where hundreds of Hindu devotees flock every morning worship the goddess Bindhabasini after whom the temple is named. It is located on a small hill at about 3000 ft above sea level. A stone idol of goddess Bindhabasini is placed here which has seen artistically carved into the unique shape of goddess Bindhabasini. As legend toes King Khadga Bam Malla, Kihng of ganga in Kathmandu was a veritable devotee of goddess Bindhabasini. One night goddess Bindhabasini did appear in his dream and order him to bring her idol from Bindhyachal Pradesh, India and place her in Nepal. Being a staunch follower of goddess Bindhabasini he immediately set out for an arduous journey to India to bring the revered goddess Bindhanasini to Nepal. On the way to Bindhyachal Pradesh, he faced several difficulties but nothing could deter him. Eventually King Malla reached the place where the idol of Bindhabasini was kept. King Malla was taken aback when the Indian King refused to hand over the idol of the goddess Bindhabasini. At the last broken hearted the king made him was back to Nepal. Goddess Bindhabasini then appeared in the dream of the King of Bindhyachal Pradesh and ordered him to cooperate with the King Nepal and allow him to carry her idol to the Himalayan Kingdom being a sincere devotees of goddess Bindhyabasini. He handed over the idol of goddess to Khadga Bam Malla received the idol and set out the return journey to Nepal. When he was still on the way to Pang, he took an night halt at the same place where the temple is now locate. Tired porters and king had their dinner and soon went int a deep slumber. Goddess again appeared in the dream of the king Khadga Bam Malla and told him that she liked the very place and that he should established her there only. Next morning the porters got up and tried to lift the idol of Bindhyabasini to their surprise they could not even move the idol an inch. With great amazement the porters ran to the King and described the whole story, but they became even more surprised when they found their King did not show any sign of astonishment. Later on, the king told them about the wish of the goddess and that she wanted to stay there permanently. The whole story was later written in an Bhoj Patra during the reign of King Bhirkote.

5. SETI GORGE

Nature has gifted Pokhara Seti gorge is a remarkable natural beauty in exotic valley Pokhara. Seti River means white water river. It is silently flows in centre part of Pokhara. The silver colour river made the wonderful Gorge, which called Seti Gorge. Seti Gorge is an unique and wonderful looking. It flows through the deep rifts of the Conglomerate Mountains. It flows deep into the ground right from Bagar near KI Singh Bridge to Sita Paila, Dhunge Sangu. The Seti river flows almost 40 to 50 meters down the rift. Mostly it can seen from KI sing bridge at Bagar, Mahendra bridge at Mahendrapool market and Chinese bridge at Lakhan chowk. Seti river flows from North West to South of this exotic valley Pokhara in silently by this Gorge.

6. ANNAPURNA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (ANHM)

Annapurna Natural History Museum (ANHM) is located within the compound of Prithivi Narayan Campus of Pokhara, a unique museum that offers a rare collection of nearly 90% of the 640 species of butterflies found in Nepal. Beside such a precious collection of butterflies, this museum does offer a large collection of wildlife, plants, insects and birds found in Nepal. The museum was established in 1965 with the purpose of drawing students and visitor’s attention towards the diverse of Nepal’s flora and fauna. The museum attracted the attention of some well known scholars and well wishers alike. Among them the names of Dorothy and Colin Smith are unforgettable. The large collection of butterflies in the museum has much scientific importance and attracted so much attention that this museum was nicknamed “The Butterfly Museum.” Butterflies have been duly categorized in different environments and climates. The museum also has an interesting collection of various species of moths and tropical insects.

7. WORLD PEACE PAGODA (SHANTI STUPA)

This is located on the peak of ‘Anandu Mountain’ in Pumdi VDC, Kaski, Pokhara. The Stupa lies at 21 hundred feet above from sea level and is about a Kilometer away from the Sidhartha Highway. Located on the peak it stands as a beacon of peace and cam be seen from every corner of the Pokhara valley. Shanti Stupa is also the only stupa in Pokhara located at such a great height. Construction of the Stupa first begun in 1973 but a year later owing to some difficulties construction work was stopped for some time. After the restoration of democracy in country, once again construction work was resumed in full swing. Within ten years eventually this Stupa was completed on 5 November 1999. This Stupa itself is spread over an area of 100 meters of area and its height 35 feet. The Stupa has been pointed white in colour. “The white colour is a symbol of peace therefore we have painted this Stupa in white colour .” says a senior monk at the Stupa. On the peak of stupa a golden steeple is mounted, which is quite visible even from a great distance. There are four majestic statue of the Buddha placed in the four different directions. The first statue faces the east and it was brought from Japan. Similarly, one the southern side the statue was installed through the collective efforts of Buddhist devotees in Nepal. The Buddha statue on the Western side was brought from Sri Lanka while the one on the Northern side was brought from Thailand. Among other things, a small Helipad has also been constructed here.

8. INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN MUSEUM (IMM)

The newly established International Mountain Museum (IMM) has added a new chapter in the history of Pokhara. Pokhara, which has already earned a huge name and fame for its diverse range of flora and fauna, the establishment of IMM has further added one more precious ornament to enhance the beauty of this exotic valley. The arrangement has been made to display documents and record in chronological order about natural history and cultures of the Himalayas and other world mountains. It will also display record and document chronicles of mountaineering history in the Himalayan and other international mountain ranges. Besides this, it will function as an educational and recreational center for mountaineers, tourists, students and public. IMM will also provide a forum to share information among the international mountain community. The construction work of IMM was started in 1996. The museum which is spread in 4000 sq meters has been completed in three phases. Moreover, IMM is the first king of mountain museum in the world, which encompasses mammoth undertakings. The prime purpose of IMM is to present geography methods will be displayed, including this, the museum will function as an archive for both Himalayan and international mountain research. The unique location of the museum has further added an extra attraction to IMM. The museum is surrounded by green, lush foliage where Seti Gorge flows right be below the foot of the museum and on the top of the museum stands Mt Fishtail and if a silver crown rests on the head of IMM. To sum up in few words, the backdrop of the museum does present a magnificent reflection of vagrant nature. However, Pokhara itself bears the testimony of vastness of the Himalayas that richly sprawled across Pokhara exotic valley. It wants be an exaggeration if Pokhara is called a natural museum.

9. MAHENDRA CAVE

Mahendra cave the famous and oldest cave of western part of Nepal in Pokhara. It is one of the biggest cave of Nepal and famous tourist point of  Pokhara.  This cave found and inaugurated by late King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shaha. So the cave called Mahandra cave. This cave is about 6 Kilo meters from Pokhara bus stand. The cave is located at Batule chaur. Tourist can access this cave by city bus and taxi from downtown Lakhan chowk (Prithivi chowk) and Mahendrapool main market of the Pokhara. The cave is dark inside. The route is slippery. It has not been fully explored yet. Visitors must carry a torch light with them while going inside the cave. The cave has a narrow outlet about 30 meters from the main entrance. There inside so many statue of different kind of goddess should be seen, therefore it is important for religious aspect.    

10. POWER GLIDING

Power gliding (Ultra light flight) is yet another main attraction for the visitors in Pokhara. These micro-flights are few of the most attracting activities Pokhara has to offer.  Power gliding can fly to an altitude of 5000 meters. Avia Club Nepal conducts such flights. Power gliding one engine glider provides a bird’s eye view of exotic valley Pokhara and the snow capped peaks of Annapurna range. The flights varied in time and in cost respectively. This is thrilling experience in itself. Beside this in recent times paragliding has also become an added adventure. A thirty minutes paragliding is very wonderful trip. Many tourists can be seen flying over Sarangkot. 

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