Pokhara-A close look

The cool breeze blowing from the snow capped peaks of the Annapurna range into the valley keeps the green vegetation very live and fresh. The Seti River cut deep gorges and runs past Mahendrapool, the heart of Pokhara, occasionally draining its cold water into the irrigation canals and finally joins the Madi river in the far west.

Perhaps, due to the artistic landscape of this place, the people here seem to be blessed with instinctive creativeness. The popular rock bands and talented artists whose work of art is magnificently displayed in various exhibition halls and commercial studios around the country were born here. A couple of weeks ago, I happened to visit Mr. Monoj (21) at Matepani at his residence. He showed me his collection of paintings and pointed out the peak of Machapuchre in one of his canvas and he remarked, "It is very difficult to paint the Machapuchre peak. I know, any one can make the landscape of this famous peak, but only a few can make the cold breeze on it soothe your soul". I observed at it closely and carefully and yes, I got what he was trying to tell.

The lines that I have mentioned here is although very insignificant to describe the true face of pokhara in the way Mother Nature has molded its appearance, landscape and beauty. So many of the special features of this place are unspoken, as I myself have not been able to venture all corners of this beautiful valley yet. But for sure, this place really offers great wonder and appreciation; the gorges, the low hills, the Davis fall, the Annapurna base camp, research and meditation centers, diversity in religious and cultural heritage, its peace loving people, is to name a few. These features are the glory and the pride of this beautiful metropolitan city, Pokhara now, and will remain so in the years to come.

Indraman Gurung

The establishment of the International Mountain Museum (IMM) is a solemn tribute to mountains and mountaineers who challenged the unforgiving peaks. IMM added a new chapter to the history of Pokhara.

The construction of IMM started in 1996. this museum is the first of kind, which involves mammoth undertakings. It has made all necessary arrangements to display the history of mountaineering methods in the most pragmatic way; and the museum will also function as an archive for both Himalayan and Internal mountain research. The museum is surrounded by green, lush foliage where richer Seti flows right below the foot of the museum. On the top of the museum stands Mt Fistail itself.

The IMM has the following main exhibition halls which are partially opened for the visitors. The construction work of the main building of the museum has been completed and indoor decoration and systematic placing of large number of items are placed and still new items have been adding day by day.

The IMM has received variousaid from several organization and individuals; otherwise the construction of IMM would have never been possible. Un the request of UAAA, JICA had managed to send Prof Hisao Ando to work at IMM for two years. Prof Ando is a scholar and expert on museum management. As per grand arrangement, the museum had five different huge halls. They are:

The Hall of the Himalaya: displays geography of the Himalayas, notable peaks, study of ornery, flora and fauna, ethnic diversity and livelihoods.

The Hall of Internal Mountains: displays internal mountain ranges and peaks, culture and ethnography in these mountain regions, bio-geography and climbers of internal peaks.

The Hall of Fame: displays feats of great mountaineers, memorable events associated, with famous explorers and research and discoveries.
Hall of Expedition: displays history of mountaineering, equipment used in expeditions, development of mountaineering techniques and famous expeditions in the Himalaya.

The mad rush for scaling Mt Everest boomed when Tenzing Norgey Sherpa and Edmund Hillary scaled Everest for the first time on May 29, 1953.

L.B Thapa (Pokhara)