Kailash Manasarovar along with Everest Base Camp (EBC), Mukthinath, Pokhra, Mankamna Temple, Chitwan Gardens, V(B)almiki Ashram,  Janakpur – Inclusive of two days trekking at Kathmandu valleys – 24 Night/24 Days

By Earthbound Expeditions (P) Ltd.; Chaksibari Marga Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal;PO Box 5801, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

From August 12th to September 05th 2012

(Trip from New York started on August 10th and Returned on September 15th 2012)

OM NAMA SHIVAYAH!  OM NAMA SHIVAYAH! OM NAMA SHIVAYAH!

Trip Link: 

https://plus.google.com/photos/114444234205054405036/albums/5801555381431354321

Paragliding Link

https://plus.google.com/photos/114444234205054405036/albums/5888732077819993249

[The above link has 558 pictures of above trip.  I also have provided detailed captions to have a better idea.]

This is Third Leg of our Trip after completing EBC (First Leg) and Kailash Manasarovar Parikram (Second Leg)

Sunday, 26th August 2012.  

We all the nineteen were ready by nine in the morning after a heavy breakfast.  We had packed our dresses for six/seven days and the bags were left in front of the room for keeping in the cloakroom of the hotel.  The bus was ready and so were Badri and Kedar. 

Our first destination was Manakamna Temple.  Manakamna is about seventy miles from Kathmandu.  We took about three hours or so with a rest stop in the middle.  Manakamna is located about four thousand feet above sea level. Manakamna is located at the place called Kurintar. 

Manakamna name was derived as a place where your wishes of mind will be fulfilled as Mana means mind and Kamna means wishes.  The deity of this temple is Bhagawathy or Kali or Devi.  The belief is that whatever wishes in your mind would be fulfilled if you worship goddess Bhagawathy of Manakamna temple and therefore is known as wish fulfilling goddess. 

This is a temple where animal and bird sacrifice still continues.  Though there was ban for sacrifices of birds like pigeons, ducks, roosters, etc. we did see rooster sacrifice at the time when we visited the temple.  Goat sacrifices still continue without any ban.  

As the temple is located at a height of four thousand feet by trekking it may take about three to four hours to reach there.  But with the advent of the Cable Car service now we can reach there with a ten to fifteen minutes ride.  This is an amazing engineering feat.  This 2.8 kilometers or 1.74 miles length cable car is the longest at the highest altitude.

  

We had to stand on the long queue for Darsan but it was as expected.  Please see the pictures of the temple and cable car below.  

Bhadra Kali at Pokhra

The Greenery of Himalayan Mountain Range at Manakamna Temple, Nepal

Cable Car Carrying Passengers to Manakamna Temple, Nepal.  This is the longest Cable Car Service at the Highest Altitude in the world.

I am in the Cable Car to Manakamna Temple, Nepal.  Thanks to Subhash for taking this picture (1)

I am in the Cable Car to Manakamna Temple, Nepal.  Thanks to Subhash for taking this picture (2)

Subhash in the Cable Car to Manakamna Temple, Nepal

Manakamna Temple of Nepal (1)

Manakamna Temple of Nepal (2)

Manakamna Temple of Nepal - Garden Park (1)

Manakamna Temple of Nepal - Garden Park (2)

Himalayan Valleys from Manakamna Temple

Garuda Bhagawan at the base of the Temple and the Cable Car Service is appropriately named as Garuda Cable Car Service

After lunch in a restaurant at the base of the temple we proceeded to Pokhara in our bus.  Drive through entire Nepal is extremely pleasant because we can watch Himalayan Ranges all around us.  So you are never going to take your eyes out from the beautiful views outside and would enjoy each moment of it.  By evening we reached Pokhara.  We had booking at Temple Tree Resort & Spa.  Rooms were neat and clean with multiple double storied cottages.  And food and services were excellent with full bar facility.  You can enjoy the serenity and calmness of a village with all modern facilities and amenities.  You would definitely enjoy staying here. 

A fully justified and well deserved nap after sixteen days of continuous travelling mainly through Tibetan Plateaus
We are on our way from Manakamna Temple to Pokhara