LB ThapaMother Nature is revered as omnipotent. She is a mystery; sometimes beyond human’s comprehension. Humankind have always been trying to understand the mystery of nature, but more they try to understand it more mystified they become.
There is a small wonder of nature at Kharpani, Kaski, which lies about 20 km away from Pokhara. Three ponds of hot water on the bank of Seti River attract one and all. It is widely believed that water in those three ponds do have medicinal value. After having taken bath in these ponds, many people have been cured from several physical ailments, say many people. A hot water pond in the icy waters itself startles many.
These three small ponds of hot water have become the cynosure of all eyes. The number of visitors has been on rise over the last few months. The flow of visitors both domestic and foreigners has lifted up the sinking mood of the locals here. Now they have started thinking of taking benefit out of it. More locals have started coming down to Kharpani with their goods to sell. This will definitely boost up the local trade.
The majestic Seti River rambles through Shardikhola and Machhapuchhre VDC enriching the fertile land with its icy cool water. The river has been the only source of irrigation along the riverside vast prairies. The crystal clear water of the river has been the lifeline of the local people who depend on this river for many things.
Kharpani is a wonderful place. Rich in natural beauty the entire area is surrounded by Parche, Puranchaur, Machhapuchhre and Ghachok VDCs. The total area of Shardikhola VDC in which lies Kharpani is about 54.05sq. km. A newly built motor road links Pokhara with Kharpani. After the construction of the road more domestic tourists are visiting the spot.
"Nowadays the number of domestic tourists has increased dramatically. This has boosted up our enthusiasm. But still we have to go a long way to manage several things properly so that no visitors should face any difficulty" said Baburam Gurung, an active member of Sayapatri Youth Club.
The place came into limelight after Kharpani Festival that was organized there recently. The participation of the people from different quarters of life in the Festival was encouraging. Forest and Soil Conservation Minister Prithvi Subba attended the Festival in order to put extra weight on it. Addressing the audience he said, "Village tourism is the future of Nepal. Now time has come the government and local people of respective villages must work hand in hand to promote village tourism. As we know that most tourists visit Nepal to see our rural ambience not the men made marvels. Hence, special programmes must be launched to meet this target and the government is well aware of it".
After the Festival more domestic tourists have started visiting to Kaharpani to take a plunge into the Tatopani ponds so that they can get rid of skin and several other physical ailments. It is believed that the hot water in the ponds does have miracle healing power.
Hari Bahadur Sunar, an octogenarian local of Sardikhola VDC told some breathtaking stories about the hot water ponds. "I was a small boy then when my father told me this story. A man from nearby village was regularly visiting to this site where now we can see the ponds. The man was chopping off the tree into small pieces so that he could carry them off easily in small bundles. For this purpose he was visiting the site for several days. During the interval of chopping wood, he noticed that a crow with one of its dangling legs was regularly visiting the site. Out of curiosity, he started watching the activities of the bird. He saw the bird was regularly taking a plunge into a certain place in the river. The bird repeated the act almost every day. Then one day the woodcutter was much surprised when he saw the bird’s dangling leg was completely healed and it was firmly standing on its both of legs".
Sunar narrated yet another interesting story about the same place. "Sometime in the past a leper was left at Kharpani to live a solitary life lest he should infect villagers with his disease. The leper began to live in a tiny cave near the Seti River. It was summer and scorching sunlight made him impossible to stay inside the cave. He began taking a plunge or two into the ponds on regular course. After a few days he realized that he was fast recovering. To his surprise he was fully cured after a few more days of bathing in the river. It was since then the villagers found out these hot water ponds hidden beneath the river.
Its reputation has spread far and off. Now not only Nepalese but many foreigners do also know about the place. Visit Tatopani anytime and one can see a few foreign tourists enjoying hot bath in the ponds.
This scribe approached a young couple who laid neck deep in the pond. When asked what led them to this pond they said, "We are from Canada. A week ago we had been to Ghandruk where we met a man from this place. He told us about this miraculous hot water pond. After then we could not resist the temptation of visiting the place. And today we are here in the pond."
Yet another foreigner John Anderson, a professional photographer from Ireland looked upbeat while relaxing into the hot water pond. "A guide in Pokhara told me about this place. In fact, I had already been to Nepal for three times, but I had no idea about this place. After having reached here I felt myself blessed. It is a wonderful place where peace and natural beauty are guaranteed. I’ll definitely go to tell more about this place to my friends back at home in Ireland. I have also planned to bring my elderly Mom who has developed arthritis."
When this scribe met a few ladies in the next pond they looked rather tinged with anger. Sita Gurung from Phulbari, said: "The place is completely mismanaged. The ponds are small and uncomfortable. A little effort is enough to expand the sizes of ponds, which the management has neglected. Our main complain is that at least one pond should be reserved for ladies alone. We feel very uncomfortable to share the same pond with men. And some try to take benefit of the situation".
Meanwhile yet another lady popped out her head from the water and said: "You can also see some people using soap on their bodies and wash it off into the pond. This is disgusting indeed. This is the gross negligence on the part of the management committee. When they take money from us they are morally bound to provide us facilities we require. A small bathroom or two should immediately be constructed so that after a dip in the hot pond, we could wash off our body with the fresh river water".
Sayepatri Youth Club has been taking care of things here. When asked about the complaint the visitors made with Baburam Gurung, the member of the club, he said: "We are very sorry for not being able to manage things up to their expectation. But efforts are underway and within a few days things will start getting change. Moreover, our club has started coordinating with other organizations including local tourism authority for the planned development of the site. However, we are well aware of the problem many people facing here. Nevertheless, more attempts will be made to provide all necessary facilities to everyone visiting to this place". He further added, "In case of emergency we have an ambulance service provided by the Indian Embassy. Likewise, there is a Dahrmasala which have six rooms where visitors can stay free of cost. Moreover, Annapurna conservation Area Project (ACAP) has built a toilet on the premises. There is also an eco-friendly campsite constructed by the ACAP".
Sushil Gautam a professional tour guide of Pokhara has something more to speak about the Tatopani ponds. He has recently been to Hungary where he was surprised to see some well-organized hot ponds there. A group of experts would test the water and ascertain available ingredients to decide what ailments it can cure. Only after then the visitors are allowed to visit respective ponds, after taking certain amount as entry fee. The place has earned a huge name only due to its hot water ponds. The local government has also left no stone unturned for popularizing the ponds at home and abroad by every means possible. As a result, a large number of tourists can be seen there round the year, said Gautam.
Taking an example of Hungary the tourism Department of the country must promote Tatopani and several other such places with due attention. Promotion of Tatopani area and several others place will surely help make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a grand success.
There is a small wonder of nature at Kharpani, Kaski, which lies about 20 km away from Pokhara. Three ponds of hot water on the bank of Seti River attract one and all. It is widely believed that water in those three ponds do have medicinal value. After having taken bath in these ponds, many people have been cured from several physical ailments, say many people. A hot water pond in the icy waters itself startles many.
These three small ponds of hot water have become the cynosure of all eyes. The number of visitors has been on rise over the last few months. The flow of visitors both domestic and foreigners has lifted up the sinking mood of the locals here. Now they have started thinking of taking benefit out of it. More locals have started coming down to Kharpani with their goods to sell. This will definitely boost up the local trade.
The majestic Seti River rambles through Shardikhola and Machhapuchhre VDC enriching the fertile land with its icy cool water. The river has been the only source of irrigation along the riverside vast prairies. The crystal clear water of the river has been the lifeline of the local people who depend on this river for many things.
Kharpani is a wonderful place. Rich in natural beauty the entire area is surrounded by Parche, Puranchaur, Machhapuchhre and Ghachok VDCs. The total area of Shardikhola VDC in which lies Kharpani is about 54.05sq. km. A newly built motor road links Pokhara with Kharpani. After the construction of the road more domestic tourists are visiting the spot.
"Nowadays the number of domestic tourists has increased dramatically. This has boosted up our enthusiasm. But still we have to go a long way to manage several things properly so that no visitors should face any difficulty" said Baburam Gurung, an active member of Sayapatri Youth Club.
The place came into limelight after Kharpani Festival that was organized there recently. The participation of the people from different quarters of life in the Festival was encouraging. Forest and Soil Conservation Minister Prithvi Subba attended the Festival in order to put extra weight on it. Addressing the audience he said, "Village tourism is the future of Nepal. Now time has come the government and local people of respective villages must work hand in hand to promote village tourism. As we know that most tourists visit Nepal to see our rural ambience not the men made marvels. Hence, special programmes must be launched to meet this target and the government is well aware of it".
After the Festival more domestic tourists have started visiting to Kaharpani to take a plunge into the Tatopani ponds so that they can get rid of skin and several other physical ailments. It is believed that the hot water in the ponds does have miracle healing power.
Hari Bahadur Sunar, an octogenarian local of Sardikhola VDC told some breathtaking stories about the hot water ponds. "I was a small boy then when my father told me this story. A man from nearby village was regularly visiting to this site where now we can see the ponds. The man was chopping off the tree into small pieces so that he could carry them off easily in small bundles. For this purpose he was visiting the site for several days. During the interval of chopping wood, he noticed that a crow with one of its dangling legs was regularly visiting the site. Out of curiosity, he started watching the activities of the bird. He saw the bird was regularly taking a plunge into a certain place in the river. The bird repeated the act almost every day. Then one day the woodcutter was much surprised when he saw the bird’s dangling leg was completely healed and it was firmly standing on its both of legs".
Sunar narrated yet another interesting story about the same place. "Sometime in the past a leper was left at Kharpani to live a solitary life lest he should infect villagers with his disease. The leper began to live in a tiny cave near the Seti River. It was summer and scorching sunlight made him impossible to stay inside the cave. He began taking a plunge or two into the ponds on regular course. After a few days he realized that he was fast recovering. To his surprise he was fully cured after a few more days of bathing in the river. It was since then the villagers found out these hot water ponds hidden beneath the river.
Its reputation has spread far and off. Now not only Nepalese but many foreigners do also know about the place. Visit Tatopani anytime and one can see a few foreign tourists enjoying hot bath in the ponds.
This scribe approached a young couple who laid neck deep in the pond. When asked what led them to this pond they said, "We are from Canada. A week ago we had been to Ghandruk where we met a man from this place. He told us about this miraculous hot water pond. After then we could not resist the temptation of visiting the place. And today we are here in the pond."
Yet another foreigner John Anderson, a professional photographer from Ireland looked upbeat while relaxing into the hot water pond. "A guide in Pokhara told me about this place. In fact, I had already been to Nepal for three times, but I had no idea about this place. After having reached here I felt myself blessed. It is a wonderful place where peace and natural beauty are guaranteed. I’ll definitely go to tell more about this place to my friends back at home in Ireland. I have also planned to bring my elderly Mom who has developed arthritis."
When this scribe met a few ladies in the next pond they looked rather tinged with anger. Sita Gurung from Phulbari, said: "The place is completely mismanaged. The ponds are small and uncomfortable. A little effort is enough to expand the sizes of ponds, which the management has neglected. Our main complain is that at least one pond should be reserved for ladies alone. We feel very uncomfortable to share the same pond with men. And some try to take benefit of the situation".
Meanwhile yet another lady popped out her head from the water and said: "You can also see some people using soap on their bodies and wash it off into the pond. This is disgusting indeed. This is the gross negligence on the part of the management committee. When they take money from us they are morally bound to provide us facilities we require. A small bathroom or two should immediately be constructed so that after a dip in the hot pond, we could wash off our body with the fresh river water".
Sayepatri Youth Club has been taking care of things here. When asked about the complaint the visitors made with Baburam Gurung, the member of the club, he said: "We are very sorry for not being able to manage things up to their expectation. But efforts are underway and within a few days things will start getting change. Moreover, our club has started coordinating with other organizations including local tourism authority for the planned development of the site. However, we are well aware of the problem many people facing here. Nevertheless, more attempts will be made to provide all necessary facilities to everyone visiting to this place". He further added, "In case of emergency we have an ambulance service provided by the Indian Embassy. Likewise, there is a Dahrmasala which have six rooms where visitors can stay free of cost. Moreover, Annapurna conservation Area Project (ACAP) has built a toilet on the premises. There is also an eco-friendly campsite constructed by the ACAP".
Sushil Gautam a professional tour guide of Pokhara has something more to speak about the Tatopani ponds. He has recently been to Hungary where he was surprised to see some well-organized hot ponds there. A group of experts would test the water and ascertain available ingredients to decide what ailments it can cure. Only after then the visitors are allowed to visit respective ponds, after taking certain amount as entry fee. The place has earned a huge name only due to its hot water ponds. The local government has also left no stone unturned for popularizing the ponds at home and abroad by every means possible. As a result, a large number of tourists can be seen there round the year, said Gautam.
Taking an example of Hungary the tourism Department of the country must promote Tatopani and several other such places with due attention. Promotion of Tatopani area and several others place will surely help make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a grand success.
(This article was published in The Rising Nepal)
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