Beautiful Panchpokhari: The Cluster of Five Ponds

Panchpokhari Valley, located at an altitude of 4100 meters above sea level, is an attractive yet less-traveled destination in Nepal. Panchpokhari, which means five pounds, is one of the important tourist destinations and religious sites in the Sindhupalchowk district, which lies northeast of Kathmandu. Sitting on the lap of Dorje Lakpa Himal, the lake complex is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is also regarded as the sister of Gosainkunda – the high altitude lake in the Rasuwa district.

Panchpokhari is a mountain valley. It is one of the nine most crucial high altitude wetlands and can be visited from April through September. The area remains covered by snow for the rest of the year. This cluster of the freshwater lake is the originating point of the Indravati River – one of the important tributaries of the mighty Saptakoshi River.

The place is also rich in terms of flora and fauna. About 250 species of wildlife, including the endangered Red Panda, and 350 species of flora have been recorded in this area. Similarly, the culture and lifestyle of Hyolmo and Tamang people are the area’s other attractions. Rainfalls are expected from May to September. Varieties of colorful flowers can be seen on extensive plains, or Patan, of this mountain valley, which adds to the charmer of this place.

Apart from the pristine lakes, the area is also famous for its mountain views. The place offers magnificent views of mountain peaks like Ganesh Himal, Yangri Himal, Dorje Lakpa, and Gaurishankar. The place will be a festoon during the Janai Purnima festival when hundreds of pilgrims reach this holy area to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

Five lakes — Bhairab Kunda, Saraswati Kunda, Ganesh Kunda, Surya Kunda, and Nag Kunda – form the Panchpokhari Lake system. Local people name these lakes as Jethi, Mahila, Swahili, Kahili, and Kanchi Kunda — or the five siblings, eldest to youngest. The largest of them, the Jethi Kunda, is the most valued one. Pilgrims circumambulate the lake, offering prayers to deities. The second point, Maili Kunda, is regarded as the home of evil spirits. This is why shamans, or Jhankris, who make a pilgrimage to the site in large numbers, do not circumambulate it. Panchpokhari Development Committee – a local agency overseeing the preservation of this site – has built a trail around the pond for the ease of pilgrims and visitors.

 

The Temple

According to an inscription on the lake premises, the temple of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati was built around 2335 years ago by a hunter named Bumba Ruwa Waiba. The inscription also tells the story behind the establishment of the temple. As per the inscription, one day, the hunter Waiba spotted some unusual sightings. He saw few people planting rice seedlings at such a high altitude. Curious, he reached the plantation site and saw Lord Shiva himself planting saplings. But as the hunter moved closer, everyone there vanished. So, with a strong belief in having spotted Lord Shiva, he took off a bell from his dog’s collar and built a temple there. Recently, locals have built a stupa on the hilltop from where the hunter is believed to have spotted people planting rice.

Religious Belief

The temple at Panchpokhari is highly regarded by people, especially farmers, in the surrounding areas. Farmers offer fresh crops and milk at the temple and pray for better harvests. Cow herders also seek blessings for better milk production and the better health of their livestock. Those who do not have a child also reach the time believing that they conceive after worshipping at the temple.

Jugal Himal, the closest mountain from Kathmandu, lies just above Panchpokhari. The place bears festive looks during the Janai Poornima festival, and it is also one of the prime destinations for shamans to hone their skills. During the festival, aspirant shamans can be seen practicing along with their masters without even wearing slippers and dancing to the tunes of their drums or Dhyangro. People of the Hyolmo and Tamang communities are especially fond of the practice. People from the Brahmin and Chhetri community also reach the place to remember their deceased family members.

 

Getting there

Trek to Panchpokhari begins from Chautara — the district headquarters of Panchpokhari – and Melamchi. If you don’t want to walk much, you can use a bus to travel to Bhotang – the last settlement before Panchpokhari. However, you can find yak sheds along the trail, which offer boiled noodles, tea, and boiled potatoes.

The trail lacks basic infrastructure. It, however, is pleasing as it passes through dense forests, crossing several rivers and creeks on the way. The trekking trail goes along the banks of the Indravati River. The river becomes smaller, and the water becomes whiter as the trail climbs higher. Before reaching Panchpokhari, you will come across a heap of sticks. It is a place called Lauribina Hill, and it is customary to leave your walking sticks here.

The environment and natural beauty of Panchpokhari are sure to take your breath away. The combination of the chilly mountain breeze, hills and mountains, greenery, and the cluster of five ponds make the place a must-visit place in the Himalayas. On clear days, blue sky and clouds can be reflected in all the ponds. A short hike of around half an hour takes you to a nearby hill that offers mesmerizing views of the ponds and mountains.

 

Even though the place holds enormous potential for tourism development, the lack of infrastructure, communication, and other facilities makes things difficult. Camping is the only option to reach the place. It takes around 8-10 days to complete the trek from Kathmandu. As most of the trekking trails are shortened, the government and trekking companies can divert trekkers to this area by building necessary infrastructures like lodges and communication facilities.