History

The name Pokhara: Pokhara is very old name. The word is derived from the Nepali word "Pokhari" which means "Pond". This place has been endowed with beautiful natural scenery, so people sought to do justice to it by giving it the natural name "Pokhara".

Geologist believe that Pokhara was formed by the drying up of a lake. The remains of this can be seen in the form of lades scattered throughout the valley. There are seven lakes in the valley. They are Fewa, Begnas, Rupa, Khaste, Dipang, Maidi and Kamal Pokhari. The lakes of Pokhara like, Depang, Kamal Pokhari and Maidi Lake have almost lost their identity. They have shrunken in size due to rapid sedimentation and encroachment by farmers.

The person interested in having a glimpse of old Pokhara bazaar must go to Nalamukh, where there are some beautiful old houses. The people of Pokhara are as beautiful as beautiful as its mountains. The women of Pokhara are beautiful and simple. They do their traditional household duties like cooking, cleaning and caring for the younger children. The women's community still suffers in Nepali society. Polygamy is freely practised, even though it is illegal. It is common to see a man having more than two wives in the privilege stage. However, it cannot be denied that a small minority of women living in town has benefited from education facilities. Women working in offices are becoming more assertive, due to their economic independence.

Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, situated on the southern foot of Annapurna Himalayan range, is a second largest urban centre in the hills of Nepal. Pokhara is known for its panoramic view of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Lamjung Himalayan ranges, fresh water lades, river gorges, natural caves and unique socio-cultural heritage of Himalayan inhabitants. The city, in particular, emerged from periodic religiou8s place of fairs/ gatherings viz. Dhungesangu and Sunpandeli Jatra during the medieval period. Following the unification of Nepal in 1769, it took a shape of permanent bazaar (Small Town). Newar migrants from Kathmandu Valley established business and introduced new architecture design of the city. It grew as a catering place to caravan traders with limited infrastructure facilities located at the break of bulk point along the Trans-Himalayan trade routes.

Designation of Po9khara as the administrative headquarters of district west no 3 in Rana regime supported to flourish the Pokhara bazaar. The political change of 1951 further accelerated the process of infrastructure development in the city. The introduction of airplane 1952 and Gypsy 1957 increased the linkage with Kathmandu, the capital city, and with its surroundings. In 1958, it was formally declared as a municipality and resumed into Town Panchayat in 1960. Establishment of Indian Pension Paying Camp in 1960 and the British Pension Paying Camp in 1966 attracted in-migrants in Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City. Hydropower generation by damming Phewa Lake provided electricity for the first time. Construction of two High ways viz. The Sunauli-Pokhara Highway (1969) and the Prithivi Highway (1972) linked with Terai plain and Kathmandu. Progress in functional establishments and growth as a center4 of trekking tourists contributed to its development. Designation of Pokhara as the headquarters of the Western Development region of Nepal in 1972 contributed to upgrade Pokhara Municipality into the present status of Sub-Metropolitan City in 1996

The highest governing body of municipality is Municipality Council. The Municipal council of Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City consists of 112 members including the Hon. Mayor, Hon. Deputy Mayor, elected ward chairmen and members of 18 wards, nominated members and municipal secretary. The municipal board consists of Hon. Mayor, Hon. Deputy Mayor, 18 elected ward chairmen and 2 nominated members. Hon. Mayor chairs the board. Likewise, each ward has ward committee comprising an elected ward chairman and four ward members.

Between 83^o58'30" E to 80^o 02' 30" E Longitude and 28^o 10' N to 28^o16' N Latitude.

F Pokhara Sub-metropolitan City 55.66 Km²

F Pokhara valley Floor 123 Km²

There are more than 20 castes and communities in Pokhara. The main communities are as follows:

• Brahman : 22.83%

• Gurung : 21.62%

• Magar : 8.20%

• Kshetri : 15.35%

• Newar : 1.05%

• Tamang : 2.65%

• Sanyasi : 0.96%

• Muslim/Chureta :1.21%

• Thakali : 1.08%

• Rai : 0.84%

• Thakuri : 1.55%

• Dalit : 8.71%

• Unidentified : 1.52%

• Others :11.32%

Dhungesangu Jatra, Sunpandeli Jatra, Bhirab Jatra, Bagh Jatra, Gai Jatra, Haribodhani Ekadasi Mela, Teej Jatra, Talbarahi Jatra etc.

Bada Dashain, Deepawali, Teej, Srawne Sakranti, Maghe Sakranti, Buddha Purnima, Lhoshar, Janai Purnima, Fagu Purnima (Holy Purnima), Chaite Dashain, Shree Ram Janmastami, Shree Panchami, Idd etc.

Natural heritage sites

Phewa Lake, Seti River Gorge, Kamal Pokhari, Mahendra Cave, Patale Chhango (Davis Fall), Gupteshowr Cave & Sahanti Ban Batika (Peace grove forest) etc

Cultural heritage sites

Bindhyabasini Temple, Bhadrakali Temple, Tal Barahi Temple, Narayanthan, Shovabhagwati, Sital devi, Bhimsenthan, Bhairabthan, Jalpa devi, Saraswoti Temple, Bauddha Morastries, Buddha bihar, Ram Krishna Tole, Gaine Tole etc.

Museums

• Regional Museum, Narayanbazzar
• Annapurna Museum, Prithiv Narayan Campus
• International Moutain Museum, Gharipatan