Panch Pokhari, Sacred lakes in Sindhupalchowk District, Nepal.
Panch Pokhari consists of five high-altitude lakes located at 4,100 meters in the central Himalayan region, surrounded by snow-covered peaks of the Jugal Himal range. The lakes form an alpine wetland system set in one of the most elevated locations in the country.
The lakes have been revered as sacred places in local Hindu and Buddhist traditions for centuries. Nepal's government later acknowledged their importance through efforts to preserve their historical and religious significance.
During Janai Purnima in August, Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims come to perform religious ceremonies and change their sacred threads at the lakes. This annual gathering reveals how deeply the lakes connect to the spiritual life of people in the region.
Two main trails lead to the lakes: one starting from Sano Okhareni through Chautara and another from Bhotang via Melamchi, with trekking typically taking 5 to 10 days. The route demands good physical fitness and proper gear suited for high-altitude mountain conditions.
These waters rank among the nine highest-altitude wetland systems in the world and shelter rare mountain wildlife and plants adapted to extreme elevation. Few visitors realize that this harsh environment harbors a remarkably varied ecosystem despite the challenging conditions.
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