Phewa Lake

Phewa Lake, Phewa Tal or Fewa Lake is a freshwater lake in Nepal located in the south of the Pokhara Valley that includes Pokhara city; parts of Sarangkot and Kaskikot. The lake is stream-fed but a dam regulates the water reserve, therefore, the lake is classified as semi-natural freshwater lake.It is the second largest lake in Nepal, the largest in Gandaki Zone followed by Begnas Lake.Phewa lake is located at an altitude of 742 m (2,434 ft) and covers an area of about 5.23 km² (2.0 sq mi).It has an average depth of about 8.6 m (28 ft) and a maximum depth of 24 m (79 ft).Maximum water capacity of the lake is approximately 43,000,000 cubic metres (35,000 acre·ft).The Annapurna range on the north is only about 28 km (linear distance) away from the lake. The lake is also famous for the reflection of mount Machhapuchhre and other mountain peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges on its surface.The Taal Barahi Temple is situated on an island in the lake.

Lake economy

Phewa lake and water sports is the main tourist attraction of Pokhara city and the north shore of the lake has developed into a tourist district, commonly called Lake-Side, with hotels, restaurants and bars catering to the tourists.The water from Phewa lake's outlet is used to generate electricity. The Phewa Power House is located about 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from the southern part of the Phewa lake.A part of the lake is also used as commercial caged fisheries.

Major attraction

Tal Barahi Temple, located at the center of Phewa Lake, is the most important religious monument of Pokhara.This two-storied pagoda is believed to be dedicated one of the Hindu god known as Vishnu. Mostly it gets crowded in the Saturdays.

Baidam is the eastern banks of Phewa lake also known as Lakeside. This part contains seemingly endless strip of hotels, lodges, restaurants, bookshops and souvenir shops. This side is one of the best known tourist area of nepal. It is also the starting point of the tour to Pokhara.