Ghodaghodi Lake :Nepal Most Visited Place

Ghodaghodi Lake

Ghodaghodi Lake :Anyone who travels to the far-western region does not hesitate to see the beautiful view of Ghodaghodi Lake and capture it on camera. Ghodaghodi Lake, located along the East-West Highway, has been the choice of internal and external tourists.

Horses are among the lakes that have different geographical, environmental and socio-economic characteristics.The lake area, which is the pride of the central region of Kailali district, has been listed in the Wetland Convention Ramsar. This lake is surrounded by hot autumn forests.

There are 19 more small and large natural lakes around this lake, which is the largest natural reservoir in the Terai region of Nepal.

The Ghodaghodi Lake area is rich in biodiversity and is also an important habitat for many aquatic animals and plants of international importance. The forest and wetland areas of this region have also acted as a biological route connecting the Terai and the Chure region.

“Ghoda-Ghodi” Lake is located in the foothills of the Kailali district of  Sivalik Mountains, in the form of a large lake frozen in natural water, filled with natural beauty and carrying the glory of the entire Far West.What is special about Ghoda-Dhodi Lake is that it is made up of 13 small lakes and rivers.

That is why this area is also called Simsar area. In terms of area, the lake is spread over 2563 hectares and the maximum length is 1.83 km. The lake is not very deep and the depth is 1-4 meters.

The lake  is surrounded by dense forests. According to the survey, the Ghoda-Dhodi Lake area is home to 450 species of flora and fauna, as well as a variety of animals, including tigers, deer, dragons, crocodiles, jungles and hawks. , Turtles, leopards are especially.

In terms of tourism, this area is very popular and apart from that, the place has its own religious and cultural bisesta. The Tharu community has been living in the Ghod-Ghodi area since time immemorial. Every year in the month of December, there is a tradition of offering sacrifices in the temple of horses and there is also a religious practice of bathing in the same pool.

The area is very popular in terms of tourism and it is very easy for tourists to reach here as Ghoda-Ghodi Lake is connected to the Mahendra Highway. The nearest towns are Dhangadhi and Tikapur. Every day there is a bus facility from the capital Kathmandu and one can also travel by air from Dhangadhi or Nepalgunj.

How was Ghodaghodi Lake named?

One day, towards the end of the Satyayuga, Lakshmi Bhagwati saw her brother Revantak riding a high horse and coming towards Baikunthadham as a glorious man. Similarly, there is a religious belief that Bhagwati Lakshmi was cursed so that she would have to go to the underworld and wear it as a mare.

It is said that this lake came to be called Ghodaghodi after Lord Vishnu came to the lake in the form of a horse. In the local Tharu language, this lake has been called Ghorighora Lake ever since. It is said that Ghoraghori Lake is now called Ghodaghodi and the religious area is called Laxminarayan Dham.

The geographical location

The geographical location of the lake is about 53 km east of Dhangadhi Bazaar on the East-West Highway. It is located on the border of Ghodaghodi Municipality of Kailali District. The lake is 205 meters above sea level. The lake has an average depth of about 4 meters and an area of ​​138 hectares. The lake is shaped like a palm with 19 fingers.

The other 19 small lakes around Ghodaghodi Lake cover an area of ​​only 248 hectares. Its total area is 2563 hectares. Observing from the aerial view, the scene of one lake is not finished and another lake starts, so this area looks like the lake. The lake area is a protected area for rare species of birds.

Dozens of endangered fish species, butterflies and other rare birds have been protected by the lake. More than 450 species of plants, 31 species of fish, 226 species of birds, 32 species of butterflies, 11 species of snails and ducklings, 7 species of reptiles, satsal, saj, khair and other plants are found in this region.

Religious Significance of the Lake

Ghodaghodi There is a famous temple of Ghodaghodi Baba on the southwestern side of the lake. The local Tharu community worships in this temple on the wedding day. At this time pigeons, ducks, chickens, goats and monkeys are sacrificed in the temple. People from the Tharu community live in the temple as priests.

On the day of Lwangi Pooja, Mohanyal Pooja, Krishna Ashtami, Maghe Sankranti, Shivaratri Wedding Panchami, big religious fairs are held in this area. Sitakunda is another major religious site in the region. In this area, it is customary to perform religious rituals including Kotihom.

Due to the temple of Lord Shiva near Ghodaghodi Lake, this area is also a center of faith from a religious point of view. Sanskrit schools are also operating in this area.

Utilization of the natural resources of the lake

The water of Ghodaghodi Lake is used for irrigation in the dry season in about 200 hectares of agricultural land of Kauwa village and Ghodaghodi village. Apart from Ghodaghodi Lake and Nakrodi Lake, fishing has also been started in other small lakes. The forest near the lake area provides timber and grass for the grazing area of ​​the cattle.

Crocodile and Visiting Bird Breeding Center in the Lake

A crocodile breeding center has been set up in the middle of the lake to protect the endangered Sutahi and crocodile in Nepal. A bird breeding center has been set up near the lake for breeding of visitors and local birds from Siberia and other regions to avoid winter cold.

An organization called Horse Conservation and Janajagaran Manch Nepal has been working for a long time for the protection of forest areas including lakes and birds, crocodiles and fish.

Facilities for Tourists

Boats have been arranged for internal and external tourists to visit the lake area. Arrangements have also been made for tourists to eat basic dishes of the Tharu community. Tharu Khaja Ghar has been set up in Bhaluphanta and Maituhawa villages and Home Stay in Maghi village, which is about 500 meters away from the lake area.

Ghoda Ghodi is decorated for boat rides in Ajuwa Lake near the lake. Watchtowers and footpaths have also been built to view the lake.The Ghodaghodi Municipality has so far spent over Rs 20 million for the development of the lake by making a master plan.

The amount spent for the lake has not been effective. The use of plastic products in the lake area has been discouraged.

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