Sabha Pokhari: Paradise pond of Nepal
Sabha Pokhari is a rural municipality of Sankhuwasabha district, Province 1 of Nepal. It’s area coverage is 222.08 square kilometer. The total human population is 10, 492 according to the Census of Nepal, 2011. It is located at 27.450019 degree north latitude and 87.300000 degree east longitude. The present chairperson of this place is Mr. Ratna Bahadur Subba.
Sabha Pokhari is a naturally existing pond located at the lap of Makalu Mountain Range on northern side. This pond is located at an altitude of 4240 masl. Visitors can view Lumba Sumba, Makalu mountain range easily from the pond area. Pond contains clean, fresh and freezy cold water melted directly from mountain range. This pond is considered to be spiritually pure and have high religious importance.
According to the Hindu Mythology, an enlightened sage named ‘Byasa’ described puran (Hindu mythological manuscript) to the eighty eight thousand sages at the Sabha pokhari pond area in vedic age. Some poeple also believes that Lord Shiva (The supreme Hindu god) described puran to sages at this pond. So the name ‘Sabha pokhari’ came after this incident where the English meaning of it is ‘Gathering or meeting pond’. Visitors and locals believe that if any pilgrim or visitor bath in this pond water, his/her good wish will be fulfilled for sure.
Sabhapokhari is surrounded by hard rocks, green grasses, large rare species of flower, medicinal herbs like ‘Panchaaunle’, ‘Bhairampati’, ‘kukumpati’, ‘Thulo Okhati’, ‘Dhupi’ and man more which are still need to be explored and identified scientifically. Due to very high altitude, many people suffer from altitude sickness ‘lek laagnu’ visiting this place. Headache, vomiting, nausea, difficulty in breathing etc. are the major symptoms. To prevent and control appropriate medicine, medicinal herbs like Timur (Zanthozylum alatum), maize flour, walking slowly, frequent consumption of luke warm clean water, avoiding drinking and smoking etc. The combination of flower bloom, green grass, rock cliff and mountains, crystal clear pond water make it look like a peace of heaven which is still underrated in tourism industry of Nepal.
This place is so barren and adventurous for travelers that there is no road access for transport. Due to which there is no any proper facility of fooding and lodging for visit. Trekkers have to carry all necessary stuffs and guide must have good knowledge of the pathway to avoid wandering and avoid possible accidents. For travelers its passing route is also very adventurous. Visitors have to pass very steep and narrow pathways along the side of rocky mountains looks like perfect plan of suicide. Along with that windy air pushing away from the trail makes journey more tough and scary. Placing own camp, cooking food requires more energy for travelers. Problem of wind, landslide, thunderstorm, extreme cold etc. makes journey terrible in winter season days.
There are many routes for travelling to Sabhapokhari. People can walk through trails starting from ‘Khandbari’, Headquarter of sankhuwasabha district which is about 8 hour far from Dharan in four wheelers. Tourists can directly use airway from Kathmandu to Khandbari to save their time and effort. Another way for trekkers could be through Pokhari bazaar, Chainpur-3, Sankhuwasabha. This place is about 3 hour away from Basantapur, Tehrathum. People have to divert at a place called ‘Zero point’ near the Chainpur bazaar to enter towards Pokhari bazaar in north-east direction. After that they have to floow following route:
Pokhari-Mayam siraan-Thaan pokhari-Gorujure-Jarbutte-Dobaate-Hile-Gidde-Manebhyang-Bhute pokhari-Bhakari-Chiruwaa-Jaljale pahaad-Selele-Phelele-Dharma dhoka-Sabha pokhari
In 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, strong flash light, firing materials, emergency call phones must not be ignored during the journey. Weather forecast should not be ignored during or before the journey. Solo journey must be avoided. Trekkers must carry at least five to ten thousand Nepalese rupees cash in hand and rest in bank account for emergency case. Always try to prefer month of Bhadra to Ashoj (August-October) for clean suitable weather to get clean panoramic view during trip.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savapokhari
http://citypopulation.de/php/nepal-mun-admin.php?adm2id=0909
https://www.adventhimalayatreks.com/milke-sabha-pokhari-circuit-trekking.html
Interview done to key informant, Mr. Nirmal Karki, of Sabha Pokhari, Chainpur, Sankhuwasabha
