1. Taal Barahi Temple
This is the most important religious monument in Pokhara. Built almost in the middle of Phewa lake, the two storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectors deity representing the female force Shakti. Devotees can be seen, especially on Saturdays, carrying male animals and fowl across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity.
2. Devi’s Fall
The pagoda is a massive Buddhist stupa and is situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city. You can get there by crossing the lake by boat and then hiking up the hill.
3. Shanti Stupa
The pagoda is a massive Buddhist stupa and is situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city. You can get there by crossing the lake by boat and then hiking up the hill.
4. Bindhyabasini Temple
Bindhyabasini Temple is also one of the most popular and well known temple in Pokhara.It is situated in the laps of Machhapuchhare and Annapurna ranges.This temple lies in the north of Pokhara. This temple is 3000 ft above from the sea level. You can get a fabulous view of Pokhara city and the Himalayas from this temple.The fragrance of the scented “Dhup” and refreshing air can keep anyone spellbound.
This temple originated when the Goddess “Bhawani “ told king khadag Bum Malla to establish her statue in Bindhyachal hill.This temple was established in B.S 1845 since then this goddess is worshipped daily.Even the tourists visits at least once there. This temple is one of the most important holy places for the Hindu people.The government has even printed its stamp with the picture of the temple in the year 2045.
5. Mahendra Cave
Mahendra Cave resides in Batulechaur. Its a 10 minute drive from chipledhunga the central market place of the Pokhara city. Mahendra cave has been named as per the Late King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. This is also one of the most demanding tourist attraction center here in pokhara. It resides in the northern settlements of the valley.
This snap here features a visitor within the interior of the cave. This cave is a natural tunnel which is provided with artificial lighting systems. Bulbs are used by the cave incharge so that the visitors can visit it without any difficulty. But do take a torch light with you just in case the electricity goes off.
Mahendra cave is rich for its rock types and different stones that glitters when a beam of light is striked in it. This natural formation is to see not to strike with sharp digging objects.
This snap features the internal natural tunnel of the Mahendra Cave. This cave consist of big boulders of rock and the tunnel leads to different places like Kali Khola (River) but at present many of the tunnels are blocked by huge boulders of rock. A 10 minute walk from the Mahendra cave leads to Bat’s Cave which is also known as the Chameri Gufa in Nepali. Pokhara has several caves and all these caves are home to the nocturnal flying Dracula known as the BAT.
6. Matepani and Hyangja Gumba
Pokhara is not only god gifted place surrounded by the natural beauty but also rich from the historical view. Here you can find many historical oriented temples reflecting the ancient periods of the Nepal . Among the various temples in this city, Bhadrakali temple is one of them .This temple is in the east of the city.
In the year 1817 B.S this temple was previously known as “Mudule Thumpko”.It is 230 ft. above the sea level and is surrounded by greenery which give it a peaceful environment .
This temple came into origin when the Goddess “ Bhadrakali “ told the Priest to dig the hill .There they found the statue of the Goddess since then it has been worshipped as “BhadraKali”.
This temple covers an area of about 135 ropanies of land .People worship goddess Bhadrakali to fulfill their wish. Lot of marriage ceremony take place in this temple and some people even use it as a picnic spot.
7. Begnas Lake
Begnas Lake, the second largest lake of Pokhara Valley is situated at an altitude of 650m. It is located in the Siswa village on the eastern part of Pokhara and is 13 km away from the Pokhara city. It covers an area of 3 sq. km. Average water depth of the lake is 9.37 and the maximum water depth is 13.84m. The capacity of the lake is 29.05 million cubic meter. It is comparatively deeper in the northern and western part in the comparision to eastern and southern part. The lake water is drained out by Khudi Khola from the western part.
Geologically the area is composed of slate and phyllite zone with beds of calcareous conglomerate and gravel deposits. The vegetation here is quite different than in other parts of Pokhara because here the major species on the southern aspect of the hills on the northern part of the lake is Shorea robuista whereas the major species of the forest on the northern aspect of the hill lying on the southern part of the lake is Schima-Castonopsis. The forest is very dense on the northern and southern part of the lake whereas there is cultivation on the eastern part and fishery project on the western part.
The forest is very rich in flora and fauna. The forest surrounding the lake is the habitat of more than 150 species of other birds. The northern part of the lake is best site for observing water fowls. The forest is also rich in mammals where abundant leoparts roam majestically. The pride of this forest is that it is the home of some endangered flora and fauna. You can enjoy boating and fishing in this lake. You can travel to the nearby villages by hiring the boat all the day.
8. Mountain Museum
The newest cultural offering in Pokhara, the International Mountain Museum is devoted to the mountains of Nepal and the mountaineers who climbed them. Inside you can see original gear from many of the first Himalayan ascents, as well as displays on the history, culture, geology and flora and fauna of the Himalaya.
9. Bhadrakali Temple
Pokhara is not only god gifted place surrounded by the natural beauty but also rich from the historical view. Here you can find many historical oriented temples reflecting the ancient periods of the Nepal. Among the various temples in this city, Bhadrakali temple is one of them .This temple is in the east of the city.
In the year 1817 B.S this temple was previously known as ‘Mudule Thumpko’. It is 230 ft. above the sea level and is surrounded by greenery which give it a peaceful environment .
This temple came into origin when the Goddess ‘Bhadrakali’ told the Priest to dig the hill .There they found the statue of the Goddess since then it has been worshipped as “BhadraKali”.
This temple covers an area of about 135 ropanies of land .People worship goddess Bhadrakali to fulfill their wish. Lot of marriage ceremony take place in this temple and some people even use it as a picnic spot.
10. Annapurna Natural History Museum
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.