Khotang's Salpa Pond attracting visitors

By Raj Kumar Bhattarai, Khotang, Aug. 25: Salpa Pond is situated at Salpasilichho Rural Municipality of Khotang district. However, it is also the junction spot of four districts – Khotang, Solukhumbu, Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha. 

The pond attracts visitors with its beauty and religious importance and is turning as a major tourism destination of Province 1. Situated at an altitude of 4,043 metres from the sea level, the pond can also be reached from all the four districts.

From Khotang’s headquarters Diktel, one can head towards the pond by reaching Mundum Foot Trail via Talkharka and Maiyungdanda. A route also reaches the pond through Sungdel of Khotang.

Visitors can also land at Tumlingtar Airport of Sankhuwasabha and reach Salpa Pond on foot. From Bhojpur, one can reach the pond via Kattike, Nepaledanda, Majhuwa, Kedakaule, Tanbutar and Dovane. 

Similarly, Salpa Pond is accessible from Solukhumbu via Mahakulung Rural Municipality.

It is said that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa went to climb Mount Everest passing through the route of Salpa Pond.

Visitors reaching the Salpa Pond also climb the Silichung Hill on the side which is at a height of 4,100 metres. From the top of Silichung, a beautiful panoramic view of mountains including Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Kumbhakarna and Merapik can be relished. 

Alongside the Himalayan range, rivers, forests and plain lands of Terai can also be sighted from Silichung’s top.

Surrounded by hills from all sides, locals from Kirant community call the pond ‘Sali-Pa’ (a name for the ancestral god living in the highest altitude). 

The pond also hosts fair four times a year on four full moon days – Chandi Purnima, Mangshir Purnima, Janai Purnima and Kartik Purnima. 

There are also different belief regarding the pond. Some stress that individuals with speech impairment get cured after taking a dip in the pond. 

Many visitors have started visiting Salpa Pond after finding out about its religious importance and for enjoying the majestic scenery around the pond.

Meanwhile, there is no proper lodging facility for visitors nearby the pond. People have been living in poor sheds erected around the pond and locals manage some food for them.

Locals argue that the only work done for the pond is the construction of Mundum Foot Trail. Salpa Pond is also included in the ‘100 places to visit in Nepal’. 

If concerned authorities showed sincerity, the pond can be a major tourism destination for the country and the living standard of the locals could be lifted as well.