Gosaikunda, an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake in Langtang National Park, Rasuwa District, is the right destination especially for Hindu devotees and for the people who love to observe the beauty of nature. It is located at the height of 14000 feet from sea level. It has been spread up in the area of 600-meter length and 370-meter breadth. It is one of the beautiful, peaceful, and cool places on the earth, so it is considered as the heaven of the earth.
According to religious values, people worship Gosaikunda as an admiration of Lord Shiva. People believe to get virtuousness by cleaning impiety and badness while bathing in Gosaikunda. People of this area used to organize a grand fair in Gosaikunda two times a year on the day of Dashahara and Janaipurnima. More devotees and local and foreign tourists gather on the day of Janai Purnima than on other days.
Gosaikunda is the origin of the Trishuli River. According to the legendary oral statement, Lord Shiva had gone to Himalayan Parbat and made holes in the wall by a trident and drunken the water. 3 holes made by Lord Shiva are still in existence which is well-known as Trishildhara. It is the religious belief that Gosaikunda and river Trisuli are formed from the water flow from Trishuldhara which was made by Lord Shiva.
Gosaikunda area is not only important religiously but also important naturally. Every year’s lots of foreign tourists come to Gosaikunda to see the religious, cultural, and natural beauty of Gosaikunda. This place is peaceful and cool for fans of nature and trekkers.
The actual trekking to Gosaikunda starts from Dhunche, the District headquarters of Rasuwa District. The distance from Kathmandu capital of Nepal to Dhunche is about 117 kilometers. It takes around six to seven hours to reach Dhunche from Kathmandu by bus. Then after it is around 3 days trekking route to Gosaikunda from Dhunche.
Gosaikund is visited after climbing the hill of Lauri Binayak via Deurali, Chandanbari, Chyalongpati from Dhunche. Devotees and tourists have to cross the difficult path of the hilly region, therefore people face difficulties of swelling stomach, dizziness, and headache in the course of climbing hills. The frequent change in climatic conditions also makes some difficulties during the journey to Gosaikunda. However, after reaching Gosaikund the crystal clear water of Goshaikunda and mesmerizing views of the mountain relieve the visitor.
On the way to Gosaikunda, people can see the amusing scene of mountains of the Himalayan range including Annapurna, Ganesh, Manasulu, Langtang, and other mountains of Tibet. The mesmerizing views of the sunset and other natural beauty also add beauty to the journey of Gosaikunda.
More than a hundred species or diversities of flower and plants having under Langtang National Park including Jatamari, Padcham, and different species of birds like Chakhewa, Kalijure as well as eminent wild animals of the world Res Panda also raise cheerfulness.
In the Gosaikunda area, the majority of people belong to Tamang culture, but people from another different ethnicity area also living in this area with harmony.
Gosaikunda area is also well-known as a ground of ponds. There are 108 holy lakes and ponds including Bhairabkunda, Suryakunda, Swarsawotikunda, Ganeshkunda, Dudhkunda and Parbatikunda.
Besides religious and natural importance, the Gosaikunda area has historical significance as well. The courageous army commander of Nepal AmarsinghThapa during the Anglo-Nepal war (1814-1816) had breathed his last during the pilgrimage. There is a cave near Goshaikunda which is named after Amar Singh Thapa.
Due to this religious, historical, and natural magnitude of Goshaikunda, people from all over the world come to visit this area. Everyone felt joyful by the attractive scene of blue water of the ponds, taller hills and shining mountains and mountain range like silver and cools, clean and eye-catching environment. Therefore, Gosaikunda becomes the glory and pride of Nepal and the Nepali people.
Article written by: Kusum Kharel for Land Nepal
