History and legends of Panch Pokhari
There are many tourist destinations in Nepal.
Some of the lakes, ponds and natural beauty in the lap of the mountains fascinate the tourists. Tourists can study different castes, religions, cultures and lifestyles during the visit. On the other hand, one can observe the diverse weather, the water flowing in the natural creeks, the waterfalls falling from the mountains and the mountains. Tourists visiting the Himalayan region consider this environment as a boon. With Nepal, tourists think that people are born and raised in the lap of the mountains in Nepal.
Pancha Pokhari is in the lap of Jugal and Himal Dorje Lhakpa . It is also one of the best destination for tourists. Panch Pokhari belongs to Bhotang Shir in Sindhupalanchok district in Province No. 3 Thangpal village municipality. Pachanpokhari is located at an altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level. This pond is the source of the river Indravati. A big fair is held on the full moon of every year in Pachanpokhari, which is important for nature and pilgrimage. This pond is described in the snowy section of the Skandha Purana as a great pilgrimage site called Panch Pokhari. Which is said to be a pilgrimage site similar to Tirtharaj Prayag and Bandganga (Kurukshetra).
There are high peaks around Panch Pokhari and a valley of ponds in the middle. From the base of these high peaks, water sources have burst and become ponds. The Indravati River has started flowing with water flowing into the ponds. There are also flower gardens around the pond. Many species believe that these colorful flowers were planted by the gods of Panch Pokhari. When the weather is clear, the blue sky and its clouds appear like mirrors in all the ponds. It takes about an hour to walk around the whole pond. Tourists imagine that they are above the sky because of the flying clouds that look like white carpets under the hill where they are sitting in Pachanpokhari. Cold air, mountains and hills, green environment, jugal mountain range in front. The beautiful view of Pachanpokhari cannot be described in words.
Saraswati Kund is the largest of the five ponds at the source of the Indravati and Brahmayani (Balefi) rivers. It falls in the middle of Saraswati Kunda. Although the depth of the tank is not measured scientifically, it takes about an hour to orbit it. There are two pairs of swans in the pond. It is considered to be an amazing feature to have a pair of swans in any season. Many also believe that snow falls when there is noise in the area. Gole cast do not go to Nag Kund (pond) because of the death of Jhankri Nag Kund of Gole cast many years ago.
After walking for about half an hour from the pond to the top of the hill, you can see the mountains in front of your eyes. At other times, the ponds, which are usually quiet, are full at the full moon fair. Pilgrims flock to visit Lord Shiva and bathe in the pool. There is a temple of Shiva Parvati near Pachanpokhari. The five ponds are classified by the Tamangs as Jethi, Miley, Sainli, Kainli and Kanchi. But others have named Bhairav, Saraswati, Ganesh, Surya and Nagkund. In Pachanpokhari, pilgrims visit the largest pond. This pond is bigger than the others. A little smaller than that, Miley Pond, however, is not visited by jhankris. Miley Pond is considered as a ghost town by Jhankri.
The establishment of the Panch Pokhari temple is mentioned in the inscription in Panch Pokhari established by hunter Bumba Ruwa Waiba 2335 years ago. The hunters saw Bumwa planting paddy in a snowy area while going hunting. When he approached, there was Mahadev who was threshing paddy. As soon as Mahadev saw the bumba hunter, all the farmers, including Mahadev, who had started planting paddy, disappeared. After that, the bomb was removed and the bell on the dog's neck was removed and a temple was set up there. Now, a stupa has been built on the hill where the hunter Bumba saw Mahadev.
The Panch Pokhari temple is a temple of faith for the farmers. Farmers go to Panch Pokhari with maize, cucumber and milk. He asks Mahadev for blessings of progress in agriculture. They ask the bridegroom to milk the cattle and increase the cattle in the barn. Even those who do not have children go to the temple and ask for blessings for their children.
When Shiva was carrying the dead body of Goddess Sati, after the whole body of Goddess Sati fell, Shiva took a step on the head of Jada Simhamati river to perform penance in Uttarapanth. The Simhamati River is known as the Jhadi River. Similarly, it is said that Panch Pokhari was named after Shiva who fasted for five nights and bathed in five dams in Dada in front of Naulig Dada. There is a religious legend that Vishwamitra and Shrigi sage did penance in Panch Pokhari. Panch Pokhari is also considered important from a historical point of view.
Ran Bahadur's eldest Maharani Rajeshwari had lived in exile in Helambu for three years, while Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa was also living in the same place. The tradition of feeding yogurt and chura to the pilgrims going to Pachampokhari run by Bhimsen Thapa is still alive.
How to go to Panch Pokhari Sindhupalchok from Kathmandu ?
The journey of Panch Pokhari starts from Jorpati of Kathmandu. Melamchi can be reached in about three hours via Jarsinghpauwa. Melamchi is a business center of Sindhupalchok district. It is now becoming a holiday destination for domestic tourists. The Melamchi Drinking Water Project attracts a lot of tourists. Melamchi has well-equipped hotels, lodges and canteens targeting tourists. Tourists from Kathmandu, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Sankhu and other places go on Friday and return on Saturday. Melamchi, which is only 72 km from Kathmandu, is becoming an attractive destination not only for internal but also for foreign tourists as the river is connected to the bazaar and has a beautiful environment. From Melamchi, foreign tourists go to Melamchi for adventurous trekking to places like Panch Pokhari, Helambu, Amilo Pani, Jugal Himal, Langtang National Park and Gosaikunda of Rasuwa, Shivpuri National Park of Nuwakot.
Panch Pokhari can be reached in a two-day trek from Melamchi via the banks of Indravati via Jamire, Langche, Bholenamlang, Thangpaldhap, Thangpalkot and Bhotang. Tourists from the districts around Sindhupalchowk and from the capital to Pachanpokhari are found on the trip. Occasionally foreign tourists are also seen on the trip.
After eating at Melamchi, you have to take another bus. That bus reaches Tipeni. Then the trek begins. On the first day, you can stay in Bhotang through Manekharka. The journey up the steep hill and jungle jungle starting from the second day is a bit difficult but the natural beauty forgets the sorrow. This route includes Mother Yangri, Dragon Cave, Haveli, Nagi Danda, Raithaneshwari. After rising from Bhotang Bazaar, there is no other option but to stay in the middle. There are not many settlements above Bhotang. There are cowsheds in some places. Where you can eat tea, noodles, potatoes. There are plenty of suspension bridges on the journey. Throughout the journey, Indravati follows along. The higher you go, the whiter the water of the Indravati River becomes.
The closer the Pachanpokhari destination gets, the colder the wind starts to blow. Tourists do not feel tired because of the beautiful scenery. As you approach Panch Pokhari, you see a lot of laurels. There is a practice of throwing the stick you have leaned on. There are five ponds in the middle of the hills. Tourists enjoy the cool air, the lap of the mountains and hills, the green environment and the five ponds in one place. Tourists are amazed by the unique landscape decorated by nature. Temple of Shiva Parvati near Panch Pokhari. The weather is changing from time to time. The colorful flowers that bloom around the huge grass field fascinate the tourists who reach Pachanpokhari. During Gurans flowering season, all the slopes here are at night. Even white guarans can be seen on the journey to Panch Pokhari.
After Melamchi, the other route to reach Panch Pokhari is from the district headquarters Chautara. From Chautara you can go to the scenic Okhreni and from Khasre to Langtang National Park. Khasre, which has an altitude of 2,200 meters, houses are not found after the ground. Pilgrims on this route often end up on the Chocho Mountains. Chocho Mountain is in front of Jugal Himal. The entire city of Kathmandu can be seen from this hill. Pilgrims like to stay at Chocho Mountain to enjoy the glitter of Kathmandu at night. There are many cowsheds on this hill. On the second day, tourists staying at Nyosam Pati and passing through this route reach Panch Pokhari on the third day.
Especially in Panch Pokhari, a special fair is held on the day before Janapurnima and on the full moon day of Mangisar month. Pilgrims from Bhaktapur and Kavre visit this fair in large numbers. Being a mountainous region, it is difficult to travel. Since some passengers may even have a leak, it would be better to carry general first aid kits by yourself. The closer you get to Panch Pokhari, the colder the wind starts to blow. The ears, mouth, and hands begin to turn blue. A strange smell begins to come from the yellow weeds found during the journey. The smell can be poisonous for tourists. And the lake seems. But, despite the arduous journey, there is no limit to the happiness after reaching Panch Pokhari.
There is no village in the Panch Pokhari area above the Bhotang village inhabited by the Tamang caste. Panch Pokhari in Bhotang Shir of Thangpal village municipality falls within the Langtang National Park. Pachampokhari, which is visited by foreign tourists every year in October-November, is not only known for its pilgrimage but also as a storehouse of herbs. Five species of native species, which are considered to be rare in the world, have been found here. Sunpati, Bhairangpati, Dhupil and other plants are found in Pachanpokhari area. According to a weekly field study by the World Wildlife Fund, plants such as Meconosis, Cremenozyme, Cordialis, Barberry, and Caramkurmi, known locally as wild cumin, have been found. Similarly, 64 species of herbs including Yarsagumwa, Pachaule, Padamchal and Raktachandan are also found in Pachanpokhari area.
Especially in Panch Pokhari, a special fair is held on the day before Janapurnima and on the full moon day of Mangisar month. Pilgrims from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kavre, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dolakha, Dhading and other districts visit Panch Pokhari to attend the fair. The scene of Jhakri dance at Pachanpokhari fair is considered amazing. Zachary's Vedic Tantra also reaches Panch Pokhari for the completion of the mantra. It is believed that one cannot become a jhankri completely without visiting Panch Pokhari.
When the jhankris arrive at the fair dancing in their own costumes, the pilgrims start taking photos from their mobiles and cameras. Pachanpokhari is fascinating not only from a religious point of view but also from a natural point of view. In the Pachanpokhari fair, you can find things like churpi made from gold leaf, cedar and chauri milk.
Only cars will be constructed in Panch Pokhari. An agreement has been reached between Panch Pokhari Thangpal Municipality and Sindhu Himalayan Cable Car Company for the construction of the cable car. The only car will be about 7.5 kilometers from Chhotji Deurali of Bhotang without a lorry. According to the feasibility study report, this cable car will be the highest in Nepal.
