Kaski District is one of Nepal's seventy-seven districts and is located in Gandaki Province. The name comes from the ancient Kaski Kingdom of Kaskikot.
According to the 2011 Census, the district, which has Pokhara as its headquarters, covers an area of 2,017 square kilometres and has a total population of 492,098 people. This district is located at the geographic centre of the region. Kaski district's elevation varies from 450 meters at its lowest point to 8091 meters at its highest end in the Himalayas range. Politically, the Kaski District consists of one metropolitan city, four Gaupalika, and three electoral sectors.
The district covers sections of the Annapurna mountain range, and the picturesque scene of the mountains can be viewed from several areas of the district. It is one of Nepal's most popular tourist destinations. Rivers such as the Seti Gandaki, Modi, and Madi and other rivulets abound in the district.
Pokhara, the district capital, is about 750 meters above sea level and is one of the world's best tourist destinations. The Himalayan range, which includes about 11 peaks higher than 7,000 meters, is the district's most notable feature. Machhapuchhre is one of the nearest hills (Virgin Peak - 6,993m).
On the northern slope, the Annapurna Range is still covered with snow. Natural resources and tourist attractions include the scenery of the northern mountains, the Seti River gorge, Davis Falls, natural caves, Fewa Lake, Begnas Lake, and Rupa Lake.
How Does Kaski Get Its Name?
There are some theories about the origins of the word Kaski, including:
- derived from Khas; Cas; Kas: Caus, referring to the Khas Rulers;
- Kashyap Rishi, who spent time in Kaskikot creating the ayurvedic grantha "Kashyap Sagita";
- from the word koshkash, which means "a place rich in natural mineral resources";
- from kacchad, a Nepalese dress style;
- from Kaski's central region, Kashikot.
History Behind Kaski District
Human existence in Kaski is thought to date back to the prehistoric period. Many historians attribute the term Kaski to Kashyap Rishi. Khas Rulers were the first to create a civilization in the valley.
Culture of the People of Kaski
The district is densely populated with people who speak various languages, practice multiple religions, and come from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Depending on their ethnicity and faith, multiple people have different diets, dresses, and norms. Many places provide Home Stays for domestic and foreign visitors and local dance performances based on caste and tradition.
Kaski's charm: Where nature and culture embrace gracefully
Kaski district has about 84 castes, 44 languages, and 11 religions, according to the census of 2068. People here dress in a way that is consistent with national attire. People here eat Dal-Bhat Tarkari, Roti, and Dhindo as their main dishes (typical Nepalese foods). Different castes such as Gurung, Brahmin, Chhetri, Newar, Thakali, Kumal, and others live in the district.
Climate of Kaski District
Kaski is divided into six climatic zones. They are:
- Upper Tropical
- Subtropical
- Temperate
- Subalpine
- Alpine
- Nival
- Trans-Himalayan
Tourism in Kaski District
There are several places for a tourist to visit in the Kaski district. They are:
- Phewa Lake is Nepal's second-largest lake, with a surface area of 4.43 square kilometres and an 18-kilometre diameter (11 mi). Phewa Lake offers boating opportunities that draw in the nearby forest and villages. In the centre of the lake is the Tal Barahi shrine.
- Begnas Lake, located in Kaski district's Lekhnath, is Nepal's third-largest lake, covering 3.73 square kilometres. The lake is well-known for its crystal clear water compared to other lakes and the view of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre.
Pokhara: Lakeside Serenity Captured
- Rupa Lake
- Patale Chhango: a waterfall in the Chorepatan-Pokhara region.
- Gupteshwar Cave is a religious and tourist destination in Chorepatan-Pokhara.
- Mahendra Cave in Bataulechaur is about 125 meters long. It contains realistic depictions of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesh, among others.
- The Bataulechaur Planetarium is a tourist destination that includes a planetarium, science centre, mirror maze, and mystery house.
- The Seti River flows from Machhapuchhre Peak through gorges up to 200 feet deep.
- The Bindhabasini Temple is one of Nepal's most important worship sites. From this temple, different Himalayas can be seen.
- Sunrise, sunset, views of Pokhara city and paragliding are all everyday activities at Sarangkot. Sarangkot is located at a height of about 5,500 feet.
- Machhapuchhre is a mountain in Nepal that stands at 6997 meters and is known for its fish-tail structure. Mountaineers are still unable to access the summit.
- The Annapurna Range, which runs between Manang and Myagdi districts, can be seen from almost every location in Kaski.
- Panchase Chhetra covers about 5,500 hectares and contains the roots of the rivers Harpan, Rati, Aandhi, Jare, and Seti and five peaks (Panchadham). This area is located on the frontier of the districts of Kaski, Parbat, and Syangja. Many Himalayan peaks can be seen from here. This is the site to go to if you want to know a lot about Sunakhari; there are around 113 different varieties of Sungava here. The area is known for its biodiversity, which includes Lali Gurans, Chap, Kharshu, Chandan, and hundreds of other plant and animal species, as well as tiger, bear, and deer.
- The Bat Cave (Chameri Gufa in Nepali) is a solutional cave with a Horseshoe bat shelter on the walls and ceiling. It is a display cave made of limestone and one of Pokhara's most popular tourist attractions. There is just one way in and out of the tunnel. Since the exit is shorter than the entry, it must be climbed. Only those who have not sinned should proceed into the exit hole, according to indigenous tradition. Trees encircle the cave. It's next to Mahendra Cave, which is nearby. The cave is U-shaped, and carvings of Hindu deities can be found inside.
- Dhampus village is a village and Village Development Committee in the Kaski District of northern-central Nepal's Gandaki Region. Nepal had a population of 2,753 people residing in 547 households at the time of the 1991 census. It is increasingly becoming a tourist attraction. The Australian Base Camp, with views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre, is located there.