Sabha Pokhari, Sankhuwasabha, the finest destination

Sabha Pokhari is one of the best places in the Sankhuwasabha district of Province 1 of Nepal. Its area coverage is 222.08 square kilometres. It lies at 27.450019 degrees north latitude and 87.300000 degrees east longitude. The current chairperson of this place is Mr Ratna Bahadur Subba. In the lap of Makalu Mountain, a naturally existing pond is whispering to us and sparkling to nature. This pond is situated at an altitude of 4240m from sea level. Visitors can view Lumba Sumba, Makalu mountain simply from the pond area. The pond includes clean, sparkling and freezy cold water melted directly from a mountain range. This pond is considered to be spiritually pure and has high religious significance.

Conferring to the Mythology, an enlightened sage named ‘Byasa’ defined to the eighty-eight thousand sages at the pond area in the Vedic age. Some people also believe that Lord Shiva described Puran to sages at this pond. So the name ‘Sabha Pokhari’ came after this incident where the English meaning of it is ‘Gathering and meeting in this place. Visitors and locals believe that if any pilgrim or visitor bathe in this water, his/her good wish will be fulfilled for sure.

Sabhapokhari is surrounded by rocks, green grasses, large rare species of flower, medicinal herbs like ‘Panchaaunle’, Sunapati, ‘Bhairampati’, ‘Kukumpati’, ‘Thulo Okhati’, ‘Dhupi’ and many more which are still needed to be discovered and branded technically. Due to very high altitude, many people suffer from altitude sickness ‘lekh lagnu’ while visiting. The symptoms of Lekh Lagnu are headache, vomiting, nausea, difficulty in breathing etc. To prevent and maintain appropriate health, medicinal herbs like Rani Timur, maize flour mixed with local alcohol, walking slowly, deep breathing, frequent consumption of lukewarm clean water, avoiding drinking and smoking etc. The combination of the flower bloom, green grass, rock cliff and mountains, crystal clear pond water make it look like a piece of heaven which is still underrated in the tourism industry of Nepal.

This place is so barren and adventurous for travellers that there is no road access for transport. Due to this, there is no proper facility for food and lodging for visitors. Trekkers have to carry all necessary kinds of stuff and the guide must have good knowledge of the pathway to evade wandering and avoid possible accidents. For travellers, its passing route is also very adventurous. Visitors have to pass very steep and narrow pathways along the side of rocky mountains looks like a perfect plan of madness. Along with that windy air pushing away from the trail makes the journey more tough and scary. Placing own camp, cooking food requires more energy for vacationers. The problem of wind, landslides, thunderstorms, extreme cold etc. makes the journey dreadful on winter days.

 

There are many routes for travelling to Sabhapokhari. People can walk through trails starting from ‘Khandbari’, Headquarters of Sankhuwasabha district which is about 8 hours far from Dharan in four-wheelers. Tourists can directly use the airway from Kathmandu to Khandbari to save their time and effort. An alternative way for vacationers might be through Gupha Pokhari, Sankhuwasabha. This place is about 2 hours away from Basantapur, Tehrathum.

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On average the trekking will be about 5 days long for which trekkers must be self-occupied during travel. Portable tent material, fast food, warm clothes, clean drinking water, medicines, a strong flashlight, firing materials, emergency cell phones must not be ignored during the journey. Weather forecasts should not be ignored during or before the journey. The solo trip must be avoided because of risk. Trekkers must carry at least five to ten thousand Nepalese rupees cash in hand and rest in a bank account for emergency cases. Always attempt to prefer the month of Bhadra to Ashoj (August-October) for clean suitable weather to get a clear panoramic view during the trip.

 

The place is not only religiously important but it has its natural importance. It is the best place for trekking. If you want to choose ways from Khadbari then crossing Bhankharka, Mangmaya, Mansima, Khongrana Danda we finally reach our destination Sabha Pokhari. We can also travel to this place from Basantapur (Tehrathum) by enjoying the natural beauty. We cross Chauki, Gufa Pokhari and Milke to travel towards this pond. Twenty-five different types of Rhododendron can be seen while blooming in Milke. We can view sheep and yak grazing on green hills, snow-capped mountain and white cloud playing hide and seek with green land attract everyone. In the lap of white Makalu Mountain Savapokhari is one of the most attractive places. We can sight the different places of different neighbourhood districts like Taplejung, Pachthar, Khotang, Bhojpur and Tehrathum from this pond on a clear day.

We sense as if a piece of heaven is drop-down to earth after viewing this place. This is one of the quality touring locations for Nature lovers.