Tuesday, August 31, 2010

POKHARA SUB-METROPOLITAN CITY INTRODUCTION


Pokhara is a remarkable place for natural beauty at an altitude of 827 meter from the sea level and 200 km west of Kathmandu. This city is ever known as a real paradise in Earth. The valley is filled with swift flowing river and dotted with clear gleaming lakes. It is blessed with the back drop is the most dramatic sceneries in world. A 140 km of panoramic Himalayan ranges seem close enough to be touched. The serenity from the nature can not only be touched but also can be felt. The magnifiacation of the Himalayas rising behind the lake create an ambience of peace and magic, popular for water rafting, Kayaking and trekking Expeditions. Following the unification of Nepal in 1769, it took a shape of permanent bazaar (small town). Newar migrants from Kathmandu Valley established business and introduced new architecture design of the city. It grew as a catering place to caravan traders with limited infrastructure facilities located at the break of bulk point along the trans-Himalayan trade routes.

Designation of Pokhara as the administrative headquarter of district west No. 3 in Rana regime supported to flourish the pokhara bazaar. The political chance of 1951 further accelerated the development process. The introduction of airplane 1952 and Gypsy 1957 increased the linkage with Kathmandu, the capital city, and surroundings. In 1958, it was formally declared as a municipality and resumed into Town Panchayat in 1965. Establishment of Indian Pension paying camp in 1960 and the British Pension paying camp in 1966 attracted in-migrants in Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City. Hydro-power generation by Phewa dam provided electricity for the first time, Construction of two High ways viz. The Sunauli-Pokhara Highway (1969) and the Pritivi Highway 1972 linked with the terai plain and Kathmandu. Progress functional establishments and growth as a center of trekking tourists contributed to its development. Designation of Pokhara as the headquarters of the Western Development Region of Nepal in 1972 contributed to upgrade Pokhara Municipality in the present status of Sub Metropolitan City in 1996.

The highest governing body of municipality is Municipality Council. The Municipal Council of Pokhara Sub Metropolitan City consists of 112 members including the Hon. Mayor, Hon. Deputy Mayor, elected ward chairmen and members of 18 wards, nominated members and municipal secretary. The municipal board consists of Hon. Mayor, Hon. Deputy Mayor, 18 elected ward chairmen and 2 nominated members.
Likewise, ward chairman and four members are elected in each ward.

Convocation of Pokhara University




Convocation of PU brought thousands of youth in to Pokhara. They had a hard time finding rooms in Lakeside. This episode of moods covers the moods of students attending the convocation of PU and like usual we are trying to make an ordinary people a celebrity.

Note: If anybody wants to remove the pictures from the moods please sent the pictures as an ecard to info@thikthak.com, with a reason for the removal of the pictures. At the end, we just want to say that Moods is just a way to show the lifestyle of the Pokhareli.

Monday, August 23, 2010

pokhara MUSTANG TREK




This semi-autonomous, heavily Tibetan influenced region was described by Tilman as “fascinatingly ugly country, the more fascinating for being so little known.” Indeed, the trek to Lo Manthang is through an almost treeless barren landscape, along a steeply undulating rocky trail, from which there are panoramic views of Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and a range of other soaring peaks.

pokhara Annapurna Circuit Trek





Few places in the world have such a splendid variety of natural beauty as the Annapurna region. It is a rare combination of long arrays of snow capped peaks, crystal clear lakes, turbulent rivers within deep gorges, Tibetan monasteries, hot-springs, and picturesque villages inhabited by simple and friendly local people. Behind the grater Himalaya, rain shed Trans Himalayan valley. This three-week trek takes you far away from the road, into the heart of the high mountains. The challenging Thorung La will make you feel like you are standing on top of the world!

At pokhara Hotels & Restaurants


Lakeside and Damside areas, which are located along the north shore of the Phewa Lake, are the major tourist hubs in Pokhara. There are a number of hotels, lodges, restaurants, bars, pubs, book shops, souvenir shops, Intenet cafes and ice cream parlors situated here. For good accomodation Lakeside is the best place to spend your vacation and you can find 5 stars hotels to Budgeted hotels according to your choice. As well as in Pokhara here is lots of restaurants with different taste. Mostly Chinese, Italian, Indian, Tibetan, Continental and typical Nepalese foods are available in these restaurants. In Pokhara you also can do enjoy with traditional dance and musical shows, which is programmed daily by some hotels in Lakeside.

Pokhara Grande hotle







Set up in a perfect location, Pokhara Grande is always ready to cater for everything you expect in a deluxe hotel and this is made possible by the undisputed efforts of its staff of 129, who are dedicated, well trained staff and at your service from the moment you check-in.

All of your senses will be delighted by the compelling potpourri of beauty, elegance and richness that you will witness in and around the hotel.

Savor unobstructed views of the mountains bordering the valley, shape yourself up in the gym, invigorate yourself in the Jacuzzi, dine quietly or have a banquet, show your swimming skills, spend a perfect honeymoon, unleash the poet in you in the beautiful gardens, conduct your business conference, rule the tables in the casino, or do whatever your heart desires; the possibilities are literally boundless while you are in care of Pokhara Grande.

At pokhara Tamagi Village


Tamagi is a small and beautiful Gurung village located in the mid-Western part of Nepal. The village is linked by road from Pokhara via Kandhe in the Pokhara-Baglung Highway.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

New pokhara lodge






The lodge lies on the shores of Pokhara's largest Lake. Sufficiently set back from the main road to guarantee peace, quiet & privacy, there are just 16 rooms all with attach tiled toilets and 24 hours hot and cold running water. The Lodge is built around one of the best gardens in Pokhara. There is a sun terrace from where the mountain to the north or Lake Waters to the south may be viewed and you can get a cold beer or a hot cup of coffee while you relax. All the rooms have en-suite tiled bathrooms and toilets, hot running water and wall to wall carpeting are tastefully decorated. Each room is equipped with cable TV broadcasting CNN, BBC, ESPN, Star sports , AXN and Star Movies, India's Doordarshan, Australian TV & Nepal TV. Long distance phoning, fax, and e-mail service are also available. Should we be hit by a sudden power cut, you won't be left in the dark! We have a generator on standby.

pokhara Shooting Report




Shooting Report
Maya nai Maya chha…
Maya nai Maya chha…

[View Full Gallery]
Artist: Sitaram Pokhrel
Album: October 4
Director : Prassana
Camera : …
Timi Aau Mero Nagik
Timi Aau Mero Nagik

[View Full Gallery]
Artist: Sitaram Pokhrel
Album: October 4
Director : Shimos Sunuwar
Camera …
Malai Bhulyauki
Malai Bhulyauki

[View Full Gallery]
Director : Prasanna Poudyal
Production : Limelight Creation
Editor

pokhara Bollywood Gossip



Now, Shahid-Priyanka to get intimate for ‘Ishq Vishq’ sequel
Sun, Aug 22 2010 No Comments
Now, Shahid-Priyanka to get intimate for ‘Ishq Vishq’ sequel

For quite sometime now, rumours have been rife that Shahid and Priyanka, who were reportedly dating each other a while back, but had a fall out later, are now looking forward to mend their broken lov

Friday, August 20, 2010

Pokhara Jomsom

Easily accessible via a 20-minute flight from Pokhara, Jomsom lies nestled beneath the splendor of Mount , Nilgiri. For those of you not inclined to make it to the mountains the hard way, i.e. slogging it on foot step by step in a gradual process, taking the US$ 50 flight to Jomsom from Pokhara is the ideal alternative. Jomsom, at an altitude of 2,700 meters lies tucked in between two giant mountain ranges, the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri- both reach out to the sky beyond 8,000 meters at their highest points, and although these ranges are around 35 kilometers apart, consider yourself to be technically positioned at the bottom of the world's deepest gorge, the Kali Gandaki Valley with a spectacular view of Mt. Nilgiri looming ahead like a huge snowy pyramid.

From Jomsom, one may venture on to leisurely treks for a day or two northwards to Kagbeni or southwards to Marpha, Tukuche, and Lete-Kalopani all of these places can be reached with effortless walking on an almost leveled surface. On the other hand, should the rarefied mountain air hinder your walking ability; you may choose to explore the area on a pony that can be made available by your hotel at a reasonable price. Food and board around Jomsom could probably be described as being the best among all the trekking regions of the country. All the better hotels provide cosy rooms that come with attached bath with running hot water. With three to four flights coming in from Pokhara every day, the larders of most restaurants are well stocked with fresh meat and vegetables.

Muktinath

This major Himalayan highway follows the gorge of the Kali Gandaki River, crossing from subtropical jungle to high-altitude desert in less than one week. Mixed in the stream of international trekkers are Hindu saddhus (ascetic) walking to Muktinath and jingling mule trains
Muktinath trek

heading down from Tibet loaded with bales of wool. Both are reminders of the trail's status as a major trade and pilgrimage route, an important cultural corridor across the Himalaya.

The end point is the ancient shrine of Muktinath (3,170 meters), one of Nepal's holiest pilgrimage sites. There's no real village, but lodges around the lower portion (Ranipauwa) put up pilgrims and trekkers. The ancient holy site is a typically confusing blend of natural, Buddhists and Hindu beliefs. The little Newari-style pagoda to Lord Vishnu is a relatively recent addition. Muktinath has been sacred for over 2000 years; the Hindu holy book Mahabharata mentions it as Shaligrama, "Place of the Shaligram,"the black fossil stones sacred to Vishnu and found in abundance in the Kali Gandaki valley. Its holiness stems from flickering blue flames of natural methane gas burning on water, stone and earth, and now enclosed in the shrine of Jwala Mai below the Vishnu temple. Near the pagoda, there is 108 spouts, shaped like bulls' heads, where devout pilgrims bathe in the freezing water to purify their sins and earn mukti or spiritual liberation.

The place has ancient association for Buddhists as well; Guru Rinpoche is said to have passed through here en route to Tibet, leaving his footprints in a rock. There are many old Buddhist temples around here.

The entire trek to Muktinath remains below 3000 meters. One should figure at least two weeks to walk in and out, allow a few extra days for exploration- the upper region in particular is lined with fascinating villages. Flying into Jomsom and walking back down is possible, but one should remember to acclimatize before climbing to Muktinath. One can fly from Jomsom to either Kathmandu or Pokhara.

pokhara HILLY REGION




The Hilly region, locally referred to as "Pahadi Bheg", occupies around 64% of the total land of Nepal and lies as a broad belt between the southern plains of the Terai and the Himalayas.
Hilly region
The Mahabharat range fills most of the hill region with its high hills and once dense forests. Below the Mahabharat range of hills lie the Siwalik range which constitute the lower hills and valleys near the southern plains. The Char Koshe Jhadi was once a dense forest that began from the Mahabharat range and ended around the borders of Nepal and India in the Terai. Today little of it remains.

The Pahadi Bheg is the heart of Nepal and accounts for around 57% percent of the total population of Nepal It includes fertile valleys such as Kathmandu and Pokhara, high hills and snow fed rivers that cut across the high hills and valleys acting as the life suppost system of the area. The hills which have been inhabited for centuries, supports nearly half of the country's population.

Himalayan Region




The word "Himalaya" is Sanskrit for "abode of snow". This region has an altitude ranging between 4,877 m to 8,848m. It includes eight of the 14 highest summits in the world that exceed an altitude of 8000 m, including the highest of them all, Mt. Everest (8,848 m). Only 8% of Nepal's population live in this region.
Himalayan Region
The region's culture and religion are closely linked to Tibet, and the traditional economy was (and sometimes still is) based on trans-border trade with its northern neighbour.

One can enjoy the magnificent Himalayas of this region in three different ways: take a mountain flight and enjoy the splendid view of snow capped Himalayas from the safety of the presurrized aeroplane cabins, or gaze at the panorama from popular mountain viewpoints such as Nagarkot and Dhulikhel around the Kathmandu Valley and Sarangkot in Pokhara or take the direct approach and trek to the mountain base from where you can actually touch them and feel the Himalayas.

Himalayan Region

Indeed, the best way to experience Nepal's unbeatable combination of natural beauty and culture riches is to trek through them. One should know that trekking means walking and is a process rather than a destination. As one gets into shape, it's easy to fall into walking-machine mode. Though
trekking demands a physical challenge, a trekker should remind himself/ herself to stop at teashops, admire the views, splash in a stream and play with local kids. Walking and nothing, but day after day, provides illuminating insights of Nepal's diversity in terms of geography, people, religion and culture.

The main precaution to be taken while trekking is not to go up too high too fast. The body should be given plenty of time to acclimatize. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) refers to the effects of the thin air at high altitudes which can be very dangerous and may even result in death. If you get initial symptoms like nausea,
Himalayan Region
dizziness, swelling of the face and breathlessness, descend to the lower elevation immediately and seek medical help. Check out Travel FAQ for more details on trekking in Nepal.

Trekking is possible at any time of the year depending on where one is going. The most popular seasons are spring (February - May) and autumn (September-November). Winter is very cold above 4,000m and high mountain passes may be snowbound but it is good for trekking at lower altitudes. During the monsoon season (June-August) you can trek in rain-shadow areas of the northern areas of regions like Mustang, Upper Manang and Dolpo. These places are out of reach of the rain clouds because they lie beyond the high mountains whcih block off the monsoon clouds.

Some of the interesting trekking places to visit in this region:

* The Annapurna Region
* Everest Region
* Langtang
* Remote Areas

Himalayan Vista




The magnificent Annapurna panorama that's visible on the northern skyline of Pokhara is quite incredible. The main peaks are Annapurna I to IV and the beautiful Machhapuchhare (or Fishtail Mountaian, so named after its twin peaks). Besides these, you can also see the Himchuli, Varahashikhar, Gangapurna and other peaks. The
himal
mountains will probably be hidden in the clouds between April and September. A nice evening on the banks of Fewa Lake with the mountain range as the backdrop is what Pokhara is really about!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Beautiful gift from Pokhara


From the Designer

Buy a gift from Pokhara for Parents, Girl friend, Boy friend, children, Sister, Brother, Wife, Husband and Friends
Add a special and unique ornament to your tree this holiday. Our handmade oval ornament is made of high quality porcelain. It measures 2.3" x 3.25" with red ribbon included.

* High quality porcelain
* Oval 2.3" x 3.25"
* Ribbon for hanging included

Activities during Pushkar Fair

"As the tempo of business goes down, the men folk turn to merriment, for the day of the camel sports is at hand. Camel races are the first event. Usually a lumbering beast of burden, the camel all decorated in finery, imagines itself to be an ostrich, and rushes through the race like one. Then comes the event analogous to musical chairs. Here, as the music stops, the camel is supposed to manage to stick its long arching neck between two poles, each camel owner guiding its entrant by means of a silken cord attached to its nose ring

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Pokhara and Annapurna Range


Pokhara is renowned for its setting rather than its historical or cultural endowments. Its peaceful lakeside location and proximity to the Annapurna mountain range mean it is an ideal place for recovering from (or gearing up for) a trek. Treks can be organised here as there is a good supply of guides and porters. Personally I just made it to Sarangkot (1592m) planning to take some Himalaya pictures. However the air wasn't clear as December lies in Nepal's dry season. The panorama pictures of the Annapurna range were taken from a boat in Pokhara lake

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Dhaulagiri Trek




A circuit trek of this gigantic mountain Dhaulagiri (8167m) is the strenuous trek around Annapurna region. After several hours of drive from Pokhara, this trek starts from Beni, the district headquarter of Myagdi. The worlds deepest George-kali gandaki George (1100m),the strenuous French pass (5360m),and the dhampus pass (5250m) are the great significant of this thrilling trek. Besides these, passing through Myagdi River and the Magar village gives a lifelong picture of the mountain life. The combination of the culture, nature and the adventure is no doubt the most attraction of this astonishing trek.

pokhara Thakali Community



Thakalis are the original inhabitant of Thak Khola, a high valley of Kali Gandaki in Mustang district northeast of Pokhara. The traditional areas of the true Thakali is known as Thak-Satsaya or seven hundred Thak but nowadays they have increased in number and have spread much further. Thakalis have regular feature of Mongolian with round face, flat nose, high cheekbones, narrow eyes and yellow skin pigments. They speak their own language which belongs to the Tibeto-Burmese family.

Previously the profession of the Thakali was salt trade form tibet. But nowadays they are involved in different business in the major cities of Nepal and have proved themselves to be successful entrepreneurs.

Thakali marriage custom is distinctive. They practice cross-cousin marriage of both maternal and parental lineage. The traditional marriage system is very interesting. The friends and close relatives of the boy set out for evening walk and capture the girl to be married. Then she is kept under the strict guardianship until her parents agree. But their traditions are rapidly changing and many Thakalis do not prefer traditional marriage.

The most significant festival is "Ihafeva" which is observed in November of every monkey year of the twelve year cycle according the Tibetan calendar. Many Thak people are attracted By Pokhara but Thak Khola is still considered the homeland of Thakalis. There are fewer Thakalis in Pokhara in comparison to others but their influence in trade and business is high.

pokhara Gurung Community



Gurungs are hard working mongolian hill people inhabiting southern part of Annapurna region in between 5,000 to 7,000 feet. Their main villages around Pokhara include Ghandruk, Dhampus, Ghachok, Armala, Tanting, Chhomorng and Sikles. Gurung people are considered honest, brave and laborious. Most of the Gurungs prefer to join the British and Indian army.

They have their own language and their cultural practices are still existing. The Gurungs live in small round, oval or rectangular houses which are clustered to form a single village. The upper section of their house is white washed and the lower part is red plastered.

The traditional costume for the women is maroon velvet blouse and large cloth which is fastened over their one shoulder, a wrap-round skirt and many yards of narrower cloth wrapped around their waist. Their ornaments include gold and coral necklaces which represent the prosperity of their family. Gold ear and nose rings are given to woman at the time of marriage. Money, keys and various useful things are wrapped into the waist cloth. A cotton cloth is usually tied round the head.

In Gurung community, boys and girls are free to make self choice of marriage partners. However, traditionally, cross-counsin marriage both of paternal and maternal lineage is widely practiced. The Gurungs have a very interesting dance tradtion. Two dances namely Ghatu and Shorathi are most popular. Rodi is another interesting Gurung institution. This is a club for boys and girls, of more or less of the same age-usually ten or eleven, under the supervision of an adult. Rodi also serves as a work association where various activities are planned for co-operative working. The most important festival of Gurung is Lhosar which is observed in the end of December.
Both cremation and burial practice of disposing dead bodies are prevalent in Gurung communities. Sometimes in the memory of dead person resting places (Chautara) are constructed.

Culture and Tradition




Most of the people of Pokhara valley are Hindus and Buddhists. However, different castes and ethnic groups have their own culture and tradition. There are nearly 20 castes and communities in the Valley.

People of Pokhara




Pokhara is rich in cultural diversity. The population of the valley comprises Brahmins, Kshetris, Newars, Gurung, Magar, Thakalis and other occupational castes like Damai (tailor), Kami (blacksmith), Sunar (goldsmith) and Pode (sweeper). There is a small Muslim community as well.

pokhara at forest BIRDS




Diverse floral composition of Pokhara valley has made it one of the most suitable places for birds. Habitat combination of Seti canyon and marshy lakes with dense forests and flat plains provide proper habitat for a diverse range of birds. Several species of birds including kingfishers, barbets, drongos, woodpeckers, babblers, flowerpeckers, flycatchers, egrets and bulbuls are found. The birds are residential as well as migratory. Following is a list of some very common birds of Pokhara.


S.No. Common Name Scientific Name Family
1. Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Ardidae
2. Dark kite Milvus migrans Accipitridae
3. Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus Accipitridae
4. Black patridge Fancolinus francolinus Phasianidae
5. Rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri Psittacidae
6. Eurasian cuckoo Cuculus canorus Cuculidae
7. Blue throated barbet Megalaima asiatica Captionidae
8. Blacknaped woodpecker Picus canus Picidae
9. House swift Apus affinis Apodidae
10. House crow Corvus splendens Corvidae
11. Himalayan tree pie Dendrocitta formosae Corvidae
12. Ashy drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Dicruridae
13. Black headed shrike Lanius schach Laniidae
14. Whistling thrush Myiophoneus caeruleus Muscicapidae
15. Beautiful nitava Muscicapa sundara Muscicapidae
16. Black headed oriole Oriolus chinensis Oriolidae
17. Golden oriole Oriolus oriolus Oriolidae
18. Red vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Pycnotidae
19. Grey tit Parus major Paridae
20. Pond heron Ardeola grayii Ardidae

pokhara at forest Mammals



Nearly 35 species of mammals are found in Pokhara valley. The mammals are commonly found in the forests around Pokhara but occasionally seen due to lower population and their shy nature as compared to avifauna. Hence patience is required to watch these mammals. The best places to observe these mammals are the forests near Fewa lake, Begnas lake, Rupa lake and Banpale Hill (Forest of Insitute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus). Some major species are:


S.No. Name Zoological Name Family
1. Common leopard Panthera pardus Felidae
2. Jungle cat Felis chaus Felidae
3. Crab-eating Mongoose Herpestus urva Herpestidae
4. Masked palm civet Paguma larvata Viverridae
5. Indian crested porcupine Hystrix indica Hystricidae
6. Golden jackal Canis aureus Canidae
7. Barking deer Muntiacus muntjak Cervidae
8. Common otter Lutra lutra Mustelidae
9. Asiatic lack bear Selenarctos thbetanus Ursidae
10. Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata Manidae
11. Assamese monkey Macaca assamensis Cercopithecidae
12. Bengal fox Vulpus bengalensis Canidae
13. Leopard cat Felis bengalensis Felidae
14. Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa Felidae
15. Small Asian mongoose Herpestus javanicus Herpestidae
16. Indian grey mongoose Herpestus edwardissii Herpestidae
17. Indian hare Lepus nigricollis Leporidae
18 Bush rat Golunda ellioti Muridae
19. Himalayan yellow throated marten Martex flavigula Mustelidae
20. Greater woolly Horseshoe bat Rhinoloplus luctus Rhonilophidae

The forests of Pokhara valley can be grouped under five types as follows

1. Evergreen Coniferous Forest:
t occupies roughly 7% of total forested area of the valley. It is mainly found on the higher slopes of the hills, above 1,850 m. in the north-western and north-eastern part of the valley. The main tree species of this forest are:

S.No. English Name Scientific Name Family
1. Chirpine Pinus roxburghii Pinaceae
2. Spruce Picea smithiana Pinaceae
3. Silver Oak Gravillea robusta Protaceae

2. Mixed Forest:
Mixed forest occupies nearly 34% of the forested area of the valley. It is found on the lower slopes of the hills between 1,220 m. to 1,850m. It is found on the northern parts and mainly concentrated in the north-western and north-eastern parts of the valley. The main trees species of this forest are:

S.No.


Local Name


Scientific Name


Family

1.


Chilaune


Schima wallichii


Theaceae

2.


Katus


Castanopsis indica


Fagaceae

3.


Uttis


Alnus nepalensis


Betulaceae

3. Monsoon Forest:
It occupies 33% of the total forested land. These forests are found in the south and eastern part of the valley at the elevation of 762 to 1,219m. Several tree species of religious importance have been planted in these areas: The main species are:
S. No. Local Name

Scientific Name
Family Habit
1. Sal

Shorea robusta


Dipterocarpaceae
Tree
2. Simal Bombax ceiba Bombacaceae Tree
3. Chilaune Schima wallichii Theaceae Tree
4. Bar Ficus bengalensis Moraceae Tree
5. Pipal Ficus religiosa Moraceae Tree
6. Titepati Artemesia vulgaris Compositeae Herb
7. Tapre Cassia tora Leguminoseae Herb

4. Grasslands:
This type of vegetation occupies 12% of the total forest areas. It is concentrated in the central part of the valley along river sides and deposited areas. The major grassland species are:

S. No.


Local Name


Scientific Name


Family


Habit

1.


Dudhejhar


Euphorbia hirta


Euphorbiaceae


Herb

2.


Banmara


Lantana camera


Verbenaceae


Shrub

3.


Unyu


Dryopteris species


Polypodiaceae


Herb

4.


Bhui Kaphal


Fragaria insica


Rosaceae


Herb

5.


Kuro


Bidens pilosa


Compositeae


Herb

6.


Dubo


Cynodon dactylon


Graminae


Herb

5. Reverie Forest:
It covers 14% of the total forested land of the valley. The forest is found near the rivers and lakes. Swampy forest species are also included in this forest. Dominant species of this forest are:

S. No.


Local Name


Scientific Name


Family


Habit

1.


Khair


Acacia catechu


Leguminoseae


Tree

2.


Bayar


Zizyphus jujuba


Rhamasceae


Shurb

3.


Simal


Bombax ceiba


Bombaceae


Tree

4.


Kalo Siris


Albizzia lebbeck


Leguminoseae


Tree

5.


Amp


Mangifera indica


Anacardiaceae


Tree

Several species of medicinal plants are also recorded in the Pokhara valley. Some of them are:

S. No.


Local Name


Scientific Name


Family


Habit

1.


Asuro


Adhatoda vasica


Canthaceae


Shrub

2.


Amala


Emblica officinalis


Euphorbiaceae


Tree

3.


Bel


Aegle marmelos


Rutaceae


Tree

4.


Neem


Azidarachta indica


Meliaceae


Tree

5.


Chutro


Berberis aristata


Barberidaceae


Shrub

6.


Palans


Butea monosperma


Fagaceae


Tree

7.


Dhaturo


Datura stramonium


Solanaceae


Shrub

Besides these plants, the valley is equally rice in aquatic plants as it is the home of many lakes. Some of these plants are considered very important as they have become endangered. Following is the list of major aquatic plants:

Common Name


Scientific Name

Mosquito fem


Azolla carliniana

Water hyacinth


Eichornia crassips

Duckweed


Lemma spp.

Corntail


Ceratophyllum spp.

Water lettuce


Pistia stratiotes

Tape grass


Vallisneria spp.

Water weed


Egeria spp.

Pond weed


Potamogaton cenferoides

Water lily


Nymphoides aquatica

Hydrilla


Hydrilla verticillata

Water lotus


Nelumbo spp.

pokhara Flora and Fauna

Pokhara is not just a place for the mountains, it is rich for its natural vegetation and forest type too. Hills like Sarangkot, Kaudanda etc boast wide variety of forest plants and trees. These dense forest are also a dwelling place for different wild creatures.

There is exclusively great floral and faunal diversity in Pokhara valley due to the prevalence of a wide range of climatic and topographical variations. The valley is dominated by rich pockets of Schima-Castanopsis forest. In the southern part of the valley Shorea robust mixed with Schema wallichii is found. Along the river and streams side, Acacia catechu at lower belt and Almus nepalensis at higher belt occur. Gregarious Bompax ceiba trees spread over flat terraces. At higher elevations, north of Pokhara, floral composition of astonishing diversity comprising several species of blossoming rhododendrons and orchids and a wide range of other species of quercus, Champ, conifers, bamboos and pasture grasses have created dense and diverse vegetation complexes.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

pokhara River Kwai RESOTEL Kanchanaburi Thailand





River Kwai RESOTEL (Resotel Kanglawa) is an authentic mountain resort in KANCHANABURI THAILAND that will captivate your heart and become one of your life-long experiences. It is a breath-taking place where you can enjoy and relax in the tranquil world. A perfect blend of serenity, comfort and adventure, River Kwai Resotel is an ideal hideaway for who wish to escape from the mundane life of a city for sometime.

River Kwai RESOTEL nestles on the bank of the legendary Kwai Noi River, surrounded by lofty mountains and beautiful cliffs. Being acclaimed as one of the world heritage rivers, the River Kwai Noi maintains a variety of pre-historic evidence. Extending from the west forest of Thailand, this heritage river experienced a memorandum of the history of the Thai-Burmese war at the beginning of the Rattanakosin period. The river has been widely reputed during the World War II by the Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai. Come in with your loved ones and experience an amazing holiday amidst the tropical forest of Thailand.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

pokhara Green Peace Resort


Green Peace Resort is Located North of Lake side 900 meter out from the major tourist area, north west from camping chock called Sedi Bazaar, Lake side, Pokhara, Nepal . Surrounded by beautiful landscape of open farming rice paddy field and fascinating lake view, the resort is unique to the place. Beautiful garden with in the resort engraves the true nature welcoming different birds at seasons... especially the three different kinds of kingfishers that inhabitant in the region.

pokhara Banana Garden




Started in early 90's, the Old and Popular, Banana Garden Lodge, we have been giving the best with our services to our guests, visitors and friends, we have since meet and made. Located at northern Lakeside, Khahare, in the Pokhara, the only greatest seneric city in Nepal, just a few minutes walk from the busy lakeside in Pokhara and away from the busy center, it is popular for the tranquility and peace.



"The best and brightest of the budget guesthouses, Banana Garden benefits from genial owners and a lovingly maintained garden." - Author Joe Bindloss, Lonely Planet



Situated slightly elevated, gives one of the most elegant view of the Fewa Lake and magnificent view over the fields in the monsoon that comes along down the road and the bank of the lake. Ranges of trees and wood along the backyard often provides great chances to come over different ariel species and beautiful birds and insects.

These features inherits a great charm during the stay. One of the other most Specular feature is the resting place... places to lay down hammock, or the read over a sitting places, gives a home alike environment during the stay. You can order for the drinks, toast and simple breakfast, but we provide one of the best Nepali Meals as people say.

During your stay you can have great time with various activities like to organize and fix short trek, walk or visits to different places. Sarangkot is well known for a day trek, have close access to it. It provides dignified views of the mountain ranges in the north and the over all view of the Fewa lake, along with the Harpan river that trails from the north west and merges into the lake.
Stupa, one of the greatest symbol for peace, you can make about an hour boat trip over the lake and then 3 quarters of an hours walk to this monastery. Different museums, caves, ancient and religious temples are located around or within the city.

We have always been stable and rigid with our position, its business and its services through every circumstance, since it started. We thank to all the friends, visitors and the great authors of the popular travel guide books for their genuine recommendations which has always greatly felicitated....and will always do for the image and the position of the little home- "Banana Garden".

Porakha is Place of remarkable beauty




If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, Pokhara is its center of adventure. An enchanting city nestled in a tranquil valley, it is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations. The atmosphere on the shore of Phewa Lake is one of excited vitality as hipster backpackers crowd the many bars and restaurants exchanging recommendations on guest houses and viewpoints, both by the lake and above the clouds.

Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) rising behind it create an ambience of peace and magic. At an elevation lower than Kathmandu, it has a much more tropical feel to it, a fact well appreciated by the beautiful diversity of flowers which prosper in its environs. Indeed, the valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, emerald lakes, and of course, the world famous views of the Himalaya.

Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the out-skirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. This is the land of the Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship

pokhara hotle View Point






View Point as defined by its name itself is a viewing point for beautiful sceneries of Pokhara. World famous Fewa Lake in its back and the twinkling white Annapurna Range in front of it really makes it feel like living heaven on earth. To fulfill the want of humans to live and enjoy the beauty of nature. Hotel View Point provides beautiful rooms and garden where they can see, feel and enjoy the natural beauty of Pokhara.


Our Features:


* Hotel View Point is located at Gaurighat, Lakeside the most beautiful area of Pokhara.

* It is very near from the airport of Pokhara and has very easy facility of transportation.

* Hotel View Point offers very beautiful and well furnished rooms with attached bathrooms and toilets.

* All the rooms have allowance to panoramic view of Annapurna Range.

* Beside this, Hotel View Point Also has a very beautiful green garden where visitors can sit and relax.



Pokhara which was one of the most beautiful places on earth has now definitely become the most beautiful place on earth with this very beautiful hotel in its lap. as defined by its name itself is a viewing point for beautiful sceneries of Pokhara. World famous Fewa Lake in its back and the twinkling white Annapurna Range in front of it really makes it feel like living heaven on earth. To fulfill the want of humans to live and enjoy the beauty of nature. Hotel View Point provides beautiful rooms and garden where they can see, feel and enjoy the natural beauty of Pokhara.


Our Features:


* Hotel View Point is located at Gaurighat, Lakeside the most beautiful area of Pokhara.

* It is very near from the airport of Pokhara and has very easy facility of transportation.

* Hotel View Point offers very beautiful and well furnished rooms with attached bathrooms and toilets.

* All the rooms have allowance to panoramic view of Annapurna Range.

* Beside this, Hotel View Point Also has a very beautiful green garden where visitors can sit and relax.



Pokhara which was one of the most beautiful places on earth has now definitely become the most beautiful place on earth with this very beautiful hotel in its lap.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

pokhara Structure

The Annapurna range from the World Peace Pagoda above Phewa lake

Pokhara spans 8 km from north to south and 6 km from east to west but, unlike Kathmandu, it is quite loosely built up and still has much green space. The Seti Gandaki flowing through the city from north to south divides the city roughly in two halves with the down-town area of Chipledunga in the middle, the old town centre of Bagar in the north and the tourist district of Lakeside (Baidam) in the south all lying on the western side of the river. The gorge through which the river flows is crossed at five points, the major ones are (from north to south): K.I. Singh Pul, Mahendra Pul and Prithvi Highway Pul. The eastern side of town is mainly residential.

About half of all tourists visiting Pokhara are there for the start or end of a trek to the Annapurna Base Camp and Mustang.

Lake Phewa was slightly enlarged by damming. It is in danger of silting up because of the inflow during the monsoon. The outflowing water is partially used for hydro power. The dam collapsed in the late 1970s and has been rebuilt. The power plant is located about 100 m below at the bottom of the Phusre Khola gorge. Water is also diverted for irrigation into the southern Pokhara valley.

The eastern Pokhara Valley receives irrigation water through a canal running from a reservoir by the Seti in the north of the city. Phewa lake is also used for commercial fishing. The tourist area is along the north shore of the lake (Baidam, Lakeside and Damside). It is mainly made up of little shops, little hotels, restaurants and bars. The larger hotels can be found on the southern and south-eastern fringes of the city, from where the view of the mountains is best. To the east of the valley, in Lekhnath, are several smaller lakes, the largest being Begnas Tal and Rupa Tal. Begnas Tal is also known for its fishery projects. There are no beaches in the valley, but one can rent boats in Phewa and Begnas Tal.

History

Pokhara lies on an important old trading route between China and India. In the 17th century it was part of the influential Kingdom of Kaski which again was one of the Chaubise Rajaya (24 Kingdoms of Nepal) ruled by a branch of the Shah Dynasty. Many of the mountains around Pokhara still have medieval ruins from this time. In 1786 Prithvi Narayan Shah added Pokhara into his kingdom. It had by then become an important trading place on the routes from Kathmandu to Jumla and from India to Tibet.

Originally Pokhara was largely inhabited by Brahmin, Chhetri and Thakuri (the major villages were located in Parsyang, Malepatan, Pardi and Harichowk areas of modern Pokhara) and the Majhi community near the Fewa Lake. Later in the 18th century A.D the newars of Bhaktapur migrated to Pokhara and settled near main business locations such as Bindhyabasini temple, Nalakomukh and Bhairab Tole. The establishment of a British recruitment camp brought larger Magar and Gurung communities to Pokhara. At present the Khas (Brahmin, Chhetri, Thakuri and Dalits), Gurung (Tamu) and Magar form the dominant community of Pokhara. There is also a sizeable population of Newaris in Pokhara. A small Muslim community is located on eastern fringes of Pokhara generally called Miya Patan.

The nearby hill villages around Pokhara are a mixed community of Khas and Gurung. Small Magar communities are also present mostly in the southern outlying hills. Newari community is almost non-existent in the villages of outlying hills outside the Pokhara city limits.

From 1959 to 1962 some 300,000 refugees fled to Nepal from neighbouring Tibet after it was annexed by China. Four refugee camps were established in and around Pokhara: Tashipalkhel, Tashiling, Paljorling and Jambling. These camps have evolved into well built settlements, each with a gompa (Buddhist monastery), chorten and its particular architecture, and Tibetans have become a visible minority in the city.

Until the end of the 1960s the town was only accessible by foot and it was considered even more a mystical place than Kathmandu. The first road was completed in 1968 (Siddhartha Highway) after which tourism set in and the city grew rapidly. The area along the Phewa lake has developed into one of the major tourism hubs of Nepal.

pokhara Geography




Pokhara is situated in the northwestern corner of the Pokhara Valley, which is a widening of the Seti Gandaki valley. The Seti River and its tributaries have dug impressive canyons into the valley floor, which are only visible from higher viewpoints or from the air. To the east of Pokhara is the municipality of Lekhnath, a recently established town in the valley.

In no other place do mountains rise so quickly. In this area, within 30 km, the elevation rises from 1,000 m to over 7,500 m. Due to this sharp rise in altitude the area of Pokhara has one of the highest precipitation rates of the country (over 4,000 mm/year). Even within the city there is a noticeable difference in the amount of rain between the south of the city by the lake and the north at the foot of the mountains.

The climate is sub-tropical but due to the elevation the temperatures are moderate: the summer temperatures average between 25–35 °C, in winter around 5–15 °C.

In the south the city borders on Phewa Tal (lake) (4.4 km² at an elevation of about 800 m above sea level), in the north at an elevation of around 1,000 m the outskirts of the city touch the base of the Annapurna mountain range. From the southern fringes of the city 3 eight-thousanders (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu) and, in the middle of the Annapurna range, the Machapuchhre (Nepali language: Machhapuchhre: 'Fishtail') with close to 7,000 m can be seen. This mountain dominates the northern horizon of the city and its name derives from its twin peaks, not visible from the south. The porous underground of the Pokhara valley favours the development of caves of which three prominent ones can be found within the city: Mahendra, Bat and Gupteswor. In the south of the city, a tributary of the Seti coming from Fewa Tal disappears at Patale Chhango (Nepali for Hell's Falls, also called Devi's or David's Falls, after someone who supposedly fell into the falls) into an underground gorge, to reappear 500 metres further south.


[hide]Climate data for Pokhara
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 16.1
(61) 17.8
(64) 22.2
(72) 26.1
(79) 26.1
(79) 27.2
(81) 26.1
(79) 26.1
(79) 26.1
(79) 23.9
(75) 21.1
(70) 17.2
(63) 23.01
(73.4)
Average low °C (°F) 3.9
(39) 6.1
(43) 10
(50) 12.8
(55) 17.2
(63) 20
(68) 21.1
(70) 21.1
(70) 18.9
(66) 15
(59) 8.9
(48) 5
(41) 13.33
(56)
Precipitation mm (inches) 18
(0.71) 15
(0.59) 30
(1.18) 38
(1.5) 102
(4.02) 201
(7.91) 376
(14.8) 325
(12.8) 188
(7.4) 56
(2.2) 3
(0.12) 10
(0.39) 1,362
(53.62)

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Pokhara Airport

Pokhara Airport is relatively small and acts as a regional airport for central Pokhara in Nepal. It is operated by the government department of ‘Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’ and was established on July 4, 1958. It is from here that you can get regular connecting flights to such places as the city of Kathmandu and Jomsom. Warning: if you wish to travel to Manang you will have to establish when the exact seasonal connections are available so as not to be disappointed.

Pokhara Airport in Nepal is considered to be one of the busiest domestic airports in Nepal in terms of aircraft movement, with an increase of 64.5% since last year. Authorities also noted an increase in the movement of passengers where a surge of 26.7% was noted. As a result, Pokhara Airport is rated as the second busiest domestic airport after the Biratnagar Airport. In the future Pokhara could become the top domestic airport in the country should CAAN’s plans go through for a revised new airport.

There are three main airlines which are housed at Pokhara Airport. They are: Cosmic Air (which flies to Jomsom and Kathmandu), Royal Nepal and Yeti Airlines (which both fly directly to Kathmandu). Most of the planes here are relatively small but regardless of this accidents can still occur. One such accident did occur on November 6, 1997, when a ‘Necon Air Avro 748 – 100 was arriving back from Kathmandu. Upon landing at the Pokhara Airport its hydraulic system began to fail causing it to run off the runway. The pilot made an attempt to steer the plane back on course but just a couple of meters along the plane hit into a ramp and struck a similar Avro 748. Thankfully there were no fatalities amongst the 4 crew members and 44 passengers on board.

Some interesting facts about Pokhara Airport: The shortest flight available within Nepal is about 43 miles away while the longest flight that can possibly be taken is about 91 miles. It is estimated that approximately 2632 passengers fly out of Pokhara, Nepal, every week which then amounts to over 112 flights per week with an average of 44 passengers on board.

Discover the beauty of Pokhara

Pokhara is situated on the edge of the Pokhara Valley which is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Nepal. Here the Seti River has dug incredible canyons in the floor of the Seti Gandaki Valley. Most of these canyons are only visible from higher viewpoints but they are stunning to behold. If you wish to see what they look like, getting a little higher off the ground shouldn't be too difficult. The mountains here rise from 1000 m to over 8000 m over the short distance of only 30 kilometers. This astonishing fact makes them one of a kind! The Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges can all be seen from Pokhara and make for a stunning backdrop. There is a fantastic waterfall known as David’s Falls where the water from nearby Phewa Lake thunders into a large hole and disappears mysteriously.

Summers in Pokhara are relatively hot and winters are mild. The region is sub-tropical because of the elevation and this means you can expect lots of beautiful green shrubbery all year around.

Pokhara has changed much since the 1960’s. Back then it was a quiet little town which could only be reached by foot. Many considered it to be even more mystical than Kathmandu. The completion of the first road in 1968 soon brought a change to this. Tourism quickly became a major industry and the city grew rapidly. Though Pokhara is considerably bigger than it was only a few years ago, there are still a lot of green spaces which make the place feel peaceful and spacious. Most of the town’s traffic is made up of tourists traveling to the Annapurna Base Camp.

Since most of the city’s growth has occurred in recent years, Pokhara is relatively modern. However, the old center, known as Purano Bazaar, is quite interesting and reminiscent of days gone by as are the mule caravans which arrive regularly from Mustang. There are lots of temples to visit in the region and lots of hiking trails to do. The lakes are generally not very good for swimming though boating is popular. There are a great number of natural attractions in the area which are well worth visiting.

Many tourists enjoy Pokhara as it is not as cramped as Kathmandu, but it does not house as many cultural attractions as Nepal's capital. While it does have some great cultural sights, the focus tends more towards the many natural wonders around the city. Pokhara should definitely not be missed

Pokhara, Nepal

Pokhara valley extends, in the 'Oriental Realm', between the north parallels of 250 7’ and 280 10' and east meridians of 83050' and 84050'. Situated in the mountainous region of the southern Himalayas and trapped between the higher Himalayas in the north and Mahabharat range in the south, it occupies central position in the country. It valley spreads mainly over Kaski district and covers small portions of Tanahun and Syangja district from Pokhara, Tibetan border to the north is 72 kilometers and Indian border to the south is 78 kilometers. Within a small area the elevation ranges nearly from 500 meters to 3,000 meters in the Pokhara valley.

Based on the administrative division on hierarchical order Pokhara lies in Western Development Region, Gandaki Zone and Kaski District. The valley includes Pokhara Sub‑Metropolitan City', Lekhnath Municipality, and some other Village Development Committees. The city is located in the central part of the valley.





The development of Pokhara valley and the origin of Annapurna range including the majestic peak Macchapuchhre is ascribed to Geological faulting in the 'Tertiary Period! (between 65‑25 million years ago from now). The convergence of Indian peninsula with Tibetan plate resulted into upsurge of Himalayas from the Tethys sea. After the upsurge of Annapurna range, due to the action of climatic components, glaciers started eroding mountains. The eroded materials ‑ limestone, gneiss and quartzite ‑were transported downwards depositing larger and coarser debris first and smaller as well as smoother debris later. Therefore the northern region of Pokhara has thicker layer of coarser and larger boulders but this thickness decreases southward and smoothness and size reduction occurs gradually. In this way, the tectonic valley was developed due to the hauling of debris as moraine and subsequent deposition as lake deposit.

Pokhara, now‑a‑days, is linked to the major cities of Nepal by air and road transportation. Aeroplanes of different airlines fly several times a day from Kathmandu to Pokhara and many times a week from other major cities of the country. All the cities of Nepal where motoring has been possible so far, are linked to Pokhara by roads and regular bus services are available.

Pokhara is the only city in Nepal which is famous for the Himalayan Peaks and the Annapurna Himalayan Range. Some of the Famous Mountains that can be seen from Pokhara are Mt. Machhapuchree, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Hinchuli etc. it is the only City in Nepal that consist of seven beautiful lakes. Some of the famous lakes are Fewa Lake, Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake. It is the only City in Nepal that has excellent and breath taking caves. There are more then 5 caves within this city. Some of the most popular caves are Mahendra cave, Bat cave, Kali khola cave, Shiva cave etc.

Pokhara is the only City that has several rivers flowing within itself. Some of the major rivers that flow within this beautiful city are Seti, Yamdi, Mardi, Kali Khola, Madi etc. This City must be God's idea of heaven. Pokhara is so rich in Natural vegetation and excellent climatic conditions. It is neither too hot nor too cold. It seems to be a paradise.

Sustainable Travel



The world's a pretty awesome place or you wouldn't be traveling to see it. =) I'm sure you've all lived it - travel is an incredible life-changing experience. The world's given a lot to us, so let's do our part to preserve this crazy-awesome planet. We've put together some tips reducing our impact while traveling with the help of Sustainable Travel International.