- Location: Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
- Year of filling: 1670
Almost in the center of Kathmandu is an artificial reservoir of Rani-Pokhari, which is considered almost the main attraction of the Nepalese capital. It is not only a tourist site, but also a sacred place. After all, according to the legends, the pond fills the waters of 51 holy Hindu sources.
History of the Rani-Pokhari
The initiative to create this artificial pond belonged to King Pratap of the Malla dynasty. He had a son Chakrabartendra, who was trampled by an elephant. After the death of the heir to the king's wife, Queen Rani, asked to create an artificial pond, from which she could mourn for her son. As a result, the excavation was excavated, which was filled with water, brought from the following Hindu sources:
- Badrinath;
- Gosaykunda ;
- Kali-Gandak;
- Kedarnath;
- Muktinath .
In the center of Rani-Pokhari a temple was built, which the king dedicated, according to some data, to the goddess Shiva, on the other - to his wife. In 1934, as a result of the earthquake, the sanctuary was seriously damaged, but it was restored. In April 2015, an earthquake hit Kathmandu again, which again damaged the temple. Currently, restoration works are carried out on the territory of Lake Rani-Pokhari.
Features of Lake Rani-Pokhari
Initially, to create an artificial pond was allocated a territory of 180x140 m. It has an almost square shape, in the middle of which the sanctuary of Shiva was erected. The temple is distinguished by snow-white walls, a domed roof and a copper spire. With the shore of Rani-Pokhari, the sanctuary is connected by a stone pedestrian bridge of the same white color. On the southern shore of the pond is a statue of a white elephant, on which the family of King Pratap Malla sits.
In the corners of Lake Rani-Pokhari there are smaller temples with the following Hindu deities:
- Bhirab;
- Harishankar;
- Shakti;
- Tarkeshwari.
And although the reservoir itself can be visited at any time, access to the temple is only open on the day of Bhai-Tik, which falls on the last day of the festival of Tihar .
In Rani-Pokhari, King Protap Mullu also established a memorial table, which tells about the creation of the pond and its religious significance. The inscription is in Sanskrit, Nepali and the dialect of Bhasa. As witnesses, five brahmanas, five chief ministers (pradhans) and five Has Magars are listed.
How to get to Rani-Pokhari?
To see this artificial pond, you need to go to the south of Kathmandu . From the center of the capital to Rani-Pokhari you can get to, following the streets of Kanti Path, Narayanhiti Path or Kamaladi. Less than 100 meters from the pond there are bus stops Jamal and Ratna Park.