Name: Pokhara
Rating: 4.5

Phewa Lake, Pokhara Overview

Phewa Lake is the second largest lake in Nepal. It is a semi-natural freshwater lake enveloped by rani ban or queen's forest and stunning reflection of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges in the clear lake waters. It is also a perfect place to experience the ever so glorious Himalayan sunrises.

One can hire a colourful boat called doonga and sail through the lake for a relaxing ride. It has some religious significance too as it is known for the sacred Tal Barahi Temple located on an island in the lake. Baidam or lakeside of Pokhara on the eastern part has some amazing lodges, restaurants, cafes and bookshops. The densely forested region around the lake has thrilling trails that lead up to higher grounds.

Things to Do at Phewa Lake

A paradise in itself, Phewa Lake is flocked by tourists, nature lovers and photographers. One may choose to rent a canoe or a paddleboat for NPR 500 approximately to explore and capture the scenic beauty to their heart's content as they sail through the serene waters.
When tired, a stop at the Tal Barahi Temple just to absorb the divine vibe or to offer prayers to the Goddess before setting sail ahead is quite recommended.
There are also exciting trails in the thick forests surrounding the Lake that make it a perfect destination for nature walks, bird watching and treks.
The forests house a variety of flora and fauna that one can explore while they rest on the shore in between their boat rides.
One of these trails leads up to the World Peace Pagoda from where one can enjoy a splendid view of the lake and the mountain ranges. If the natural light is right, one may even see the reflection of the mountain peaks in the water.

Tal Barahi Temple

The divine Tal Barahi Temple is located in the middle of Phewa Lake surrounded by nature and tranquillity. It is a sacred shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga who is considered to be the protector of all Gods and a symbol of Shakti/Strength. Barahi means Boar, an avatar which Goddess Durga manifested (also called Ajima) to kill the demons with her tusks.

According to a legend, the deity came to visit the place and was so captivated by its natural beauty and the people that she decided to reside here. In reality, however, the temple was built in 1864 by the first Shah King of Kaski, King Kulmandhan Shah, who was an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga. The beautiful shrine has two-storey traditional pagoda-style architecture made of stone and wood and stands strong on an island in the lake which was formed after the dam was built.