What we acquired on the Pachpokhari Trek

 Kartik 18, 2078

We have decided to visit Pachpokhari in Sindhupalchowk. Which is located in Pachpokhari Thangpal rural municipality of Sindhupalchowk district. Pachpokhari is very famous within the Buddhist and Hindu communities. This place is both a holy place and a wetland. This place is famous for not only its religious aspects but also its spiritual, natural, and medicinal herbs. There are five ponds that is why its name remained Pachpokhari. Mahadev temple is most powerful temple within the district. Interesting myth of Buma Ruwa Waiba behind this Pachpokhari.

We started our journey from Kathmandu to Pachpokhari at around 6 AM. We started our journey from Jawlakhel, and we reached Jorsing Pwuwa, Sankhu.  We continued our ride to Melamchi. We reached Melamchi and observed the condition of the area where a couple of months ago a flood devastated Melamchi's residence. We ate snacks and asked about Pachpokhari. We continuously move forward to our destination. We reached Kot and had breakfast with a beautiful view of Gunja village (Darjeeling of Sindhupalchowk). The village is beautiful, and most of the people are from the Tamang community.

Our last destination for the ride is Bhotang village. The last bus stop and the last stop for other vehicles is Chhimti. We arrived in Chhimti after riding for 90 kilometers. After a while, we set out on foot in the direction of Pachpokhari. The path is steep up and down, which we must go through. On the first day, we reached Tupi Dada at around 4 PM. We inquired about the cost of a night's stay with Tamang Brother. There is a system of packaging per night, 7 hundred light meals. (We have to stay in the common room).

The very next day, we started our trek at 5:30. We didn’t carry a torch, so we faced difficulties in the dark. We do, however, ask Tamang brother for light. We met people who were returning back to their homes from Pachpokhari, and they were saying there might be only Sherpini didi. But she was saying, ‘I go to my son’s shed." This word really haunted us, whether we would get a chance to stay there or not. After 5 hours, we reached Chokar Dada and had breakfast. We rested for 30 min. Then we embarked on our trek to Nyoutsangpati. Luckily, we reached the hotel before it shut down (the hotel owner was returning to the village). We ordered lunch, and we had lunch with wild meat. If you want to stay at Nyoutsangpati, then rooms are available at a cheap price of 800 per head. When we finished our meal, we continued our journey. After around 4-5 hours of walking through Dharmaduwar and Sitalpati, we reached Pachpokhari.

When I reached there, I started to scream loudly, and my friend mad (Suman). He was earlier than me to stop Sherpini dd not to leave the hotel. In the middle of the way (path), we got information that Sherpini dd is leaving the hotel and going to her son’s Chauri shed (Goth). So it was the most challenging part of our journey. Finally, we met Sherpini DD. That was the happiest moment for us on the journey. We saw five beautiful lakes side by side; they are Jethi, Maili, Saili, and Kanchi. An amazing or interesting history we have known about Mahadev Temple and Pachpokhari. ‘Once upon a time, there was Buma Ruwa Waiba, he was the hunter and king of this area, and one day he was hunting the prey around Pachpokhari, he saw people planting paddy in the lakes. Surprisingly, after a while, they vanished and one man dissolved inside the land. When he saw a man vanished, he knew it was Mahadev, and he took out the bell of his hunter dog and offered it there where Mahadev dissolved, at the same area where the temple is built.

According to the myth, if you find paddy crops, you will be the luckiest and filled with prosperity. Your wish will be granted in this temple if you beg and pray with a pure heart. So, many people come here at Bhadra full moon to pray and wish for good luck in their lives. A huge carnival starts every year in Bhadra's full moon. Many witch doctors, Jhakri, and Lama will be present at that time to become mightier and to demonstrate magical and spiritual power to one another and to oneself.

The very next day, we went to the top of the peak and witnessed the Jugal Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Phurbi Chyachu, Madiya, Rolwaling, and Langtang range. Pach Pokhari is full of adventure and mysticism. The geographical terrain, flora and fauna, and mountain vistas are best witnessed by anyone who reaches there.  We also enjoyed a lot with nature and the amazing history of Pachpokhari and the water resources on the top.

Itinerary:

Kathmandu – Melamchi, Kot (Gunja village), Bhotang, Chhimti

Chhimti to Nyotsampati and then Pachpokhari.