Baraha Taal (Lake)
This biggest lake of Surkhet is about to disappear due to lack of protection and conservation. Located at ward no. 6, Taranga VDC, Surkhet district is known as Barah Lake which is 10 Kosh (Kms) away from Birendranagar in west. This beautiful lake is spread over 12 Bigah (4 acres) in the middle of the jungle and the length is more than 2 Kilometers.
In
2008, the most of the part of the lake is vanished by flood and
landslide. Local residents are coming together and trying their best to
protect this lake. A small road and a temple have been built by the
villagers without any help from government. As this lake is located in
remote area so it is never highlighted and still looking for its
identification.
The
most interesting thing about this lake is that, the leaves which are
fallen into the lake are disappeared immediately. According to the local
mythological values, a special bird took away those leaves which are
fallen into the lake and help to keep lake always clean
On
the occasion of every New Year, an entertaining traditional fair is
organized here by the villagers around the lake. This fair is the most
awaited event in his locality and everybody enjoy the way as they wish.
According
to available facts, Barah Lake is the biggest lake in Surkhet district
but most of the people are not aware about his lake even it’s hard to
believe that Surkhet owns one more lake. It’s really a matter of
disappointing. This lake really needs care and conservation so that
could be a source of earning as well it could get the national wide
identification. Once a road and other basic facilities are provided to
this area, on one can stop this area from being a perfect destination
for trekking and adventure.
Deuti Bajai
Deuit Bajai is the most famous Hindu Temple in Surkhet and entire Midwestern Region of Nepal. This temple is a local temple which is located in Latikoili VDC in Surkhet. Specially, its history is relative with "RAJI" society's people. Long time ago only Raji society’s people were allowed to pray in this temple.
Every day people from near and far come
to pray and make BHAKAS (promise with god). People from every community
and class are welcome here. They start their new Job, married life,
business and other important work by worshiping in this temple and
receiving blessings of goddess.The temple area is a national heritage site and the government along municipality is trying to make best of the service for the Religious tourists. On the occasion of festivals a huge crowd is found here. Early morning local shops are full with prayer goodies (ghanti, prasad, flower, leaves, scented sticks, dhawja, sweets, matchbox etc.) and are decorated at both side of road. It gives a very nice pleasure when walking through seeing such busy shops, especially small boys and girls who give you a perfect smile and inviting you to purchase some goodies from their stalls.
Near the entrance of the temple a small wooden bridge welcomes for all visitors. When we stand on that bridge and see around the valley, the scene is really pleasurable. That clear water below bridge, small fishes in to the water and couple of swans searching for those fishes, this is truly an unforgettable picture which will attract you again and again.
“La hajur photo khichaunus”, is the sentence which is used by local photographers for inviting people to get clicked with family and friends. These photographers will frequently force you to pay little attention towards them. Photography is also a good source of income in Birendranagar also helping people to capture such beautiful memories with friends and family.
While coming back, local mouth watering dishes for breakfast (aloo chop, tea, namkeen, jalebi, local bananas and many others) with refreshment (lassi, cold drinks) awaits for visitors.
Deuti Bajai is on the top of tourist spot but it lacks many basic facilities. Clean drinking water, public convenience (toilets, luggage and shoe stalls) and good security are required. Deuti Bajai is in high need of a good management to make the location more clean, attractive and spacious. Overall visitors find this place as a perfect tourist destination especially by youngsters and new comers in Surkhet District.
Kakrebihar
Kakre Bihar is a Hindu-Buddhist Temple Near from Birendranagar. This temple is believed to be built on 12th century. It is made by solid stone with attractive bronze Idols of Hindu gods and goddess along Buddha. This place is also famous for its natural beauty. It is situated over a small mountain. It is located in Latikoili VDC in Surkhet.
This place is also known as Buddha Bihar (Bihar means area/place). This place attracts every community from every part of country to see its rich art and for trekking. Green jungle and many species of birds are main attraction of Kakre Bihar. Many sagas about Kakre Bihar are famous among people of Surkhet. According to local villagers, Mahabharat’s Heroes-“The Pandavas”, came here, built cottage for their living and passed their Banbas Period (hiding themselves from other people). It has a shape like seed of cucumber thus it is called Kakre bihar, it’s yet another mythological value about its name.
As media is playing major role in communication, this place is getting famous day by day specially among Buddhist countries like Japan, China and Tibet. Many archeologists from these countries are visiting Kakre Bihar and trying to find more facts about its art and importance.
Kakre Bihar seems to be most effective source to make Surkhet known globally and can help its resident to find new opportunities by its antique art and importance but this place is not safe anymore. There is no respect for such antique statutes and art.
Not any single organization is taking care of this place. People have written their name and other ugly slogans on these precious art and statutes. These arts are defacing day by day by our own brothers and sisters. Until and unless we are aware about our heritage and importance about our history, one cannot protect them being vandalize.
Bulbule Taal (Lake)
Bulbule is a very beautiful and impressive public park in Surkhet. It has a very wide and clean area for picnic and walking. This Garden is located in Latikoili VDC in Surkhet. Very close to Surkhet Bus Park and opposite to Birendra Multiple campus.
Park is full of various types of roses, imported flowers and attractive green grasses. A nominal fee for entrance is charged to general public. Well trimmed and straight standing trees on both side of main entrance look very impressive. A small pond welcomes the visitor which is full of fishes. This pond is source of natural water spring which comes in the form of bubbles. On the left side of pond two huge public bathing places are there which are always busy. One of them is for gents and another for ladies where people always wash clothes and takes bath.
The main attraction is its small lake of underground water. It is also the main water resource for paddy production in that area. This lake is full of fish and is also natural habitat for other water creatures and birds. At the front of that lake there is the main part of Bulbule Garden. This open area full of flowers and ornamental plants makes atmosphere more pleasurable.
Bulbule Garden has also inspired many poets and singer to write poems and songs based on this garden. “Surhet bulbule taal, maya mai syanee huna le chutyo maya jaal” is a very popular song which made Surkhet more popular among other districts of country. When people see at Siddha Paila and Ladhe standing at Bulbule’s open area, it’s amazing and incomparable. That heart touching scene is mesmerizing and every visitor wonders, amazes and feel lost in the beauty of the scene.
Bulbule Garden is probably the single public garden in Surkhet and its entry is chargeable, this place also lacks all basic facilities and is getting polluted day by day. As it is famous picnic spot and people come here to enjoy on weekends with their friends and family, basic facility must be available here. Not any resource for drinking water, toilets, security and other needs are available at present. A proper lighting system in evening, a good security (just fencing is not enough) and other public convenience is the most demanding requirements at present.
Secondly people washing clothes and bathing looks untidy and odd when walking with family and in group. It is a public park and people come here to enjoy and share some time with family. Such scene create pollution in this beautiful area. This activity must be banned if we want to gift a clean and green Bulbule Garden to our generation.
Ghanta Ghar
Ghanta Ghar-Clock Tower is one of the highest cemented tower as well as Public clock in Surkhet. It was built by the help of Japan Government.
It has rich architectural appearance and situated in the middle of Birendranagar City. A small park is around the Ghanta Ghar which is very green as well as clean. This cemented high tower is also the landmark of Surkhet.
Many public events are held around the Ghanta Ghar. Now days, a famous Chaat Street is getting popular for hanging with friends near Ghanta Ghar. This small Chaat Street has become a place where one can meet his/her friends and share some time with hot and spicy Chotu’s Chaat who always try to make something delicious in his stall.
Around the Ghanta Ghar, local residents are found selling fresh vegetables, fruits and other local products like Kaphal, Aiselu, Peaches, Aaru Bookhara, Cucumbers, Guava, Sugarcane, Timmur, and Citrus products which gives a very homely feeling while seeing this scene.
This Ghanta Ghar is very useful when people don’t have watch at night because it gives alarm after every hour and tells time to residents.
Proper maintenance, paint to tower, securing its area and making Clock Tower’s services (time and alarm) always up is the main expectation from Municipality of Birendranagar which is never done.
Siddha Paila
Siddha
Paila is the first choice of those people who love to trek and enjoy
challenging their body as well as mind. To reach this fantastic
location, an exhaustive journey of 15 Kms which will take 3-4 hours on
foot has to be made from Birendranagar. Although frequent bus services
are available, which will drop you at the front of the Siddha Paila but
it’s a different fun when you are in group and cover this journey on
foot. Siddha Piala has a famous mythological belief also. According to local villagers and elder person, there are foot prints of god Shiva on the rock and local residents have started to worship those prints as god’s own foot prints. A small temple has been also built and many religious events are held in this temple now.
Siddha Paila is situated at a very high mountain so visitors must check their health status (Blood pressure, heartbeat and other precautions) before starting this trekking. If visitors are using bus, motorbike and cars then they can ignore the previous risks. Within 20 minutes of journey, a very dark and conserved forest starts. Many species of birds, monkeys, and reptiles are found in this jungle. Big wild animals and their appearance is a rare tale so we can enjoy this forest without any fear.
Dharamasala is probably the first location (base camp) where visitors and other travelers can take rest and drink cold water supplied by devotees. Some temporary stalls of cigarettes, khaini-gutkha (tobacco products), cucumber, yogurt, chau-chau (instant noodles) and tea are available till sunset and again they are brought back to home by local residents.
After having small rest time at Dharamsala, we must walk as very much distance is yet to be travelled. Many wild plants like Sunakhari, Malu (used to build rope as well as eating purpose), Chameli, Amla and especially Badar ko kera (monkey’s banana, a funny word to denote that plant) are found in this jungle. Now the way becomes bit rough and danger due to rocks and small passes way. Make sure you are offering a way for coming groups of donkeys and mules which are frequently faced at this area otherwise they may harm you.
The next place that comes before reaching Siddha paila is Katuka. This place has its own history and still sign of its glory. Both sides of roads are full of various kinds of bloomed flowers (according to season) especially marigold flower because the entire Surkhet valley is the creation and habitat of those people who were staying in Katuka many years ago. Katuka is famous for its chilled Dahi (yogurt). Many people come Katuka to just eat such delicious Dahi.
Siddhapaila is about 45-60 minutes away from Katuka and a shortcut way has to be taken which is used by donkeys and mules for transportation. While travelling to this shortcut way all fingers and toes get a bit yellowish which creates a curiosity among travelers and trekkers. According to residents of this area, a gold mine is closest to that road which makes everything yellow.
After crossing this road, visitors reach to Ladhe which is a popular destination for Guraas (Rhododendron) flower. In the summer month mostly all school’s students come here and enjoy the gorgeous scene which is created by Guraas. All eatables are available at Ladhe even in case of emergency; accommodation may be available in small hotel cum home.
A short distance but straight up climbing is required to reach the miracle. It’s the wonder, it’s the sensation it’s Siddha Paila. White rocks, white soil, huge mountain and visitor’s are on the top. Amazing and clear scene of valley can be captured from this place.
As other places this adventurous and attractive place is looking for conservation. Due to regular soil erosion many years tones of soil is removed from this area. Lack of trees and other plants in this area is major factor behind this problem. Related organization should plant such types of plant which can grow and spread in soil having fewer amounts of humus as amount of grinded sand stone is very high in soil.
