By Kailash Lama
Charikot, Nov. 23: Located on the border between Dolakha’s Jiri Municipality - 1 and Ramechhap’s Gokulganga Gaunpalika - 1 are two mesmerising ponds - Jata Pokhari and Panch Pokhari.
Not only are these ponds exceedingly beautiful and scenic, they are also religiously significant with pilgrims from as far as India coming to pray here.
“Worshipping at Jata Pokhari and Panch Pokhari is believed to help childless couples bear children, unmarried men and women get a suitable spouse and bring peace and prosperity in the family,” said Tika Gurung, a local of Gaurishankar Gaunpalika. “Especially childless couples circumambulate the ponds, carrying a cucumber in their arms like a child and loudly praying for children.”
Jata Pokhari is 4,250 metres above sea level and Panch Pokhari is just above it at 4,605 metres and it takes 45 minutes to reach the latter on foot from the former.
Lord Shiva is believed to reside in both these ponds and devotees are required to first reach Jata Pokhari and then only go to Panch Pokhari.
Moreover, the ponds are a symbol of religious unity, according to Jung Kunwar, chairman of the Nepal Communist Party in Gaurishankar Gaunpalika, because they are considered sacred by both the Hindus and Buddhists.
“Hindu and Buddhist worshippers from all over the country, including Dolakha, Ramechhap, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Bhaktapur and Sarlahi and from Sikkim and other regions of India come here to offer their prayers on the day of Janai Purnima,” Kunwar said.
To reach the ponds, one has to travel to Garjang in Ramechhap through Jiri, Dolakha and trek from there.
One can also trek from Chankhu in Gaurishankar Gaunpalika-6, Dolakha.
The natural beauty and fresh atmosphere will keep exhaustion at bay.
“In summer, the melting snow creates a spellbinding environment with enthralling and almost hypnotic patterns carved into the rocks and foliage,” Swayam Bahadur Khadka, chairman of Gaurishankar Gaunpalika, said.
The area is also rich in herbs with Salep (Panch Aunle), Spikenard (Jatamasi), Himalayan Rhubarb (Padamchal), Bishmar and Chairaito found in abundance.
Because of all these features and specialties, the Gaunpalika is planning to build homestays in some places to develop the area as a religious and tourism destination, Khadka informed.