I Spent Nepali New Year in Pokhara & Here’s What It Was Really Like
Journey to Pokhara: The Shift from Chaos to Calm
On the journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara, there is an obvious contrast in the two cities.The atmosphere in Pokhara is totally different from Kathmandu as it offers scenery that transitions from green hills to water flowing next to the road to the fresh air that you breathe as you travel toward your destination.
You will also see signs of the change in the atmosphere as you make your way to Pokhara (there are visible differences in the environment around you). Compared to the city of Kathmandu, after you arrive at your destination of Pokhara, you will see that Pokhara has a completely different feeling, and it is much more open and less crowded than Kathmandu (due to many people celebrating together during this time of year).
Although Pokhara is considered one of the top tourist destinations in Nepal, the atmosphere during this time of year is not like the chaotic, fast-paced environment found in Kathmandu (especially during festivals). The atmosphere at this time of year will be that of excitement in anticipation of the new year.
Lakeside: A Place To Celebrate With No Stress
The Lakeside area around Phewa Lake is where most of this activity will occur on Nepali New Year's Day. As you walk through Lakeside, take notice of all the restaurants lit up with lights, the many sounds of music pouring from every corner and all the people enjoying themselves in various ways i.e. those dancing to live bands, sitting quietly by the lake, and those just out soaking up the scenery. It isn't like you're being sent to one giant event; it is more of a series of individual celebrations taking place all at once.
The biggest thing that stands out is your feeling of having no restrictions. You're not being funnelled into one type of experience. You have the option to either immerse yourself in some of the energy or to step away from it at will. This ability to go with the flow is what makes Pokhara New Years celebration so attractive.
Sarangkot Sunrise
Watching the new year sun rise over the mountains from Sarangkot is not just a touristic experience. It is a heartfelt moment of reflection. When you arrive in the early morning, you will see a number of people in their warm clothing standing quietly in the cold of the mountain air, waiting for the sun's first rays on their skin.
As dawn breaks over the Annapurna Mountains an amazing change occurs as the mountain peaks are transformed from dark shadows into shining peaks. The large crowd quickly becomes quiet as they realise this will be a moment to experience instead of taking a photo. So many people used this time to reflect on the past year and anticipate their future. The quiet surroundings allow for deep thought and create an ideal symbolic beginning for the New Year.
Phewa Lake Experience: Calm After Celebration
Phewa Lake provides a necessary balance following the excitement of the evening and the emotional sunrise. The peacefulness of boating on Phewa Lake during New Year is not only entertaining, but is also a chance to pause.
As you move across the lake's flat, calm water, you will feel like you have entered a different world because of the pure reflections of the mountains and sky. As the noise from Lakeside disappears, replaced by the sound of the water, you will truly begin to appreciate the natural beauty of Pokhara.
Tal Barahi Temple will give you an experience that is deeper than just celebrating Nepali New Year (i.e., typical ways such as lighting candles/incense, praying, sitting in quiet/reflecting, etc.) Many people will view Nepali New Year as just fun; however, it is also about intention, connection, and spirituality.
Food/Dining As a Celebration of Atmosphere & Flavor
Food becomes part of the culture you are celebrating when you celebrate Nepali New Year in Pokhara because the Lake side restaurants become parties and have combined music, lights, and food creating memorable experiences.
Dining in Pokhara will be unique because you will be using each of your five senses (i.e., listening to live music, seeing reflections of lights on the Lake, tasting a variety of foods (both locally or internationally). Eating traditional Nepali foods will be very popular during this time, as traditional dishes will be part of a variety of food to eat.
Adventure Activities: Starting the Year with Adrenaline
While many people believe that Pokhara is the hub for adventure in Nepal, adventurers will find no better place to celebrate this New Year than in Pokhara. The combination of activities such as zip lining, paragliding, and short hikes provides a totally different kind of adventure while celebrating New Year’s.
Paragliding gives you a new perspective of the world around you by allowing you to see the city from a whole new vantage point. A person paragliding above Phewa Lake, as the city celebrates below, has a chance to experience both the physical aspect of being above everything and the emotional aspect of connecting to the energy of the city.
Starting your year off with an activity like paragliding is symbolic. It represents stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring new possibilities.
Nightlife in Pokhara: Fascinating & Fun
The nightlife in Pokhara during the New Year is still going to be full of life, but it will also be less chaotic than other metropolitan areas, and thus have a more friendly feel and a greater sense of control over the experience. Whether you are looking for a fun night filled with DJs and dancing or a quieter evening with live acoustic music, you can easily move between locations within a short walking distance.
This is what makes Pokhara different. You can celebrate however much you wish while still enjoying yourself without feeling bored or over-stimulated.
A Perfect Place To Escape: Isolation From The Festivities
Pokhara also has places where people can be alone during one of the most hectic seasons. The ‘World Peace Pagoda’ is one of many attractions that each offer a different view of the surroundings of Pokhara for tourists visiting. Tourists can see the entire Pokhara, including all of the lakes, hills, and mountains, from the top of the World Peace Pagoda. Tourists can enjoy an atmosphere free of noise from celebrations while at the World Peace Pagoda - this creates an opportunity to meditate, reflect, and develop connections with themselves without being distracted by what is happening around them.
The contrast of celebration versus peace-comfort is what makes the New Year spirit in Pokhara so unique. Regardless of how you feel about New Years celebration, you can create an experience for yourself.
People and Cultural Connection: Shared Experience
Locals in Pokhara are known for their great hospitality, being very warm and friendly and having a lot of joy each time a visitor comes to Pokhara.
In addition to the blend of different types of travelers, there’s also a strong feeling of camaraderie. If you show up alone, you won’t feel alone on any level. There are many occurrences where people will have conversations with each other. And many of these interactions happen naturally as there are common factors amongst all the travellers.
Your feeling of being a part of something, also adds another level of meaning to the event. The reasons for enjoying New Year’s in Nepal go beyond just where you are at; it’s also based on who is there to enjoy the experience with you.
The Reality: Preparing for What to Expect
Although celebrating New Year in Pokhara is a fabulous way to spend the start of a New Year, be aware of some of the realities that only exist at the time. Because Pokhara is such a popular destination, everything you do will be more expensive than if you planned ahead (particularly, if you are booking a hotel again).
For this reason, everything around the lake becomes over-crowded in the early evening, which may be of no interest to you. Also, with the influx of visitors, it is quite possible for some businesses to increase their prices because of this.
There are other kinds of challenges that you will face when you want to celebrate New Year in Pokhara. But they can be prevented if you plan properly by making advance plans, going to less crowded locations, paying attention to what you pay, and so on.
Conclusion
Nepali New Year in Pokhara is not only going to attend a celebration; it is also about feeling. The mixture of natural beauty, warmth of culture, adventure, and peace create an experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Pokhara is a place where you can celebrate, relax, reflect and create at the same time. The mountains are beautiful, towering above the people in the valley below.