Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Dudh Pokhari........ an adventerous trek and a beautiful pilgrimage




    Dudh Pokhari (4700m) is situated... at the east of Marshyangdi river as well heart of the south western slopes of Baudha Himal and Himalchuli of Mt Mansalu Massif (killer mountain) in the between of Lamjung and Gorkha district Nepal. This is a short trek to have close view of the,Mt manasalu massif (8163m), Himal chuli (7896m), Dr. Harka Gurung Peak (7871m), Annapurna range including Manang valley,Boudha Himal, Himalchuli and Lamjung Himal. Dudh Pokhari is the long ridge that stretches south from Himal chuli (7896m) and near to Boudha peak (6672m). It is also visited each summer monsoon by devot pilgrims who make the difficult journey there to bath in its sacred milky waters.

    The significance of Dudh Pokhari to the Gurung cannot be underestimated.It is believed that, It’s on the original migration route used for access into their present homelands. Prior to the later improvement of a lower route along the Marshyangdi Valley, Gurung from Siklis travelled past Dudh Pokhari to buy Tibetan salt in Manang. Even after the easier trail along the Marshyangdi Valley became the more popular route, some independent-minded Gurung still preferred the higher trail. This was to avoid the grossly demeaning “right of passage” imposed by the Rajah who ruled the area through which the easier trail passed - all who journeyed along this trail had to crawl through the out-stretched legs of the Rajah, thus becoming his subjects.

    Now, this route has been developed as a most challenging trekking route. There are many ups and down with some high passes like Rupina Bhanjyang. The trek starts either from Phaleasangu or from Besishahar, capital of lamjung district. We have to cross the Marsyangdi River and go through the paddies fields and terraces of Gurung villages to the Tamang community and follow the ridge of Simledanda with pristine forest of rhododendron and bamboos.

    On the way return we can see beautiful historical village of Laprak also which is situated at an altitude of 2200m. There are about 500 houses with the habitants of 2400, which are practicing the Buddhist Shamanism culture, and strong traditions of their ancestors. Beyond Dudh Pokhari is a high pass, Rupina Bhanjyang, which takes the trekker in to the valley of the Budhi Gandaki. Alternatively, from Dudh Pokhari a trail can be followed into the Deurandi khola valley and on to Gorkha.

    This is adventurous trek that require the correct way of walking on the difficult trails. The paths are not so easy they are narrow with full of rocks. So one should have experience of walking through the remote villages. And sometimes we don't have the particular trail we should follow the pasture trail also.But it is suitable for those who prefer to do the trek in an isolated area. This is the best trek, as the route is not so frequentedPhoto