Local Community Pushes to Develop 'Sun Cave' as New Tourist Destination in Pokhara

Kaski. Pokhara, the tourist capital, is also a city of caves. Caves located here, such as Mahendra, Chamere, and Gupteshwor Mahadev, have increased tourist attraction.

While mysterious caves are currently extending the stay of tourists visiting Pokhara, local residents in Tiklang, Bharatpokhari, Pokhara Metropolitan City-33, are actively working to develop the 'Sun Cave' (Sun Gufa) there as a new tourist destination.

Locals say that the cave, estimated to be about one and a half kilometers long, extends from the middle of the Tiklang playground towards the Chune Paharo (rock face) facing the Seti River.

Sangeet Baniya, Chairman of the Chune Paharo Sun Cave Conservation Committee, stated that although locals have been aware of this cave for a long time, interest in its tourism utilization has gradually developed. The late Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari had shown interest in promoting tourism through the conservation and development of the cave.

Following the late Adhikari, support for the promotion and development of this cave has been provided by the then Member of Parliament Bidya Bhattarai, former Ward Chairman Shiva Prasad Acharya, and the current Ward Chairman Ramchandra Adhikari.

He mentioned that in recent years, state interest in its infrastructure development has also been increasing, informing that infrastructure development work worth approximately NPR 5 million has been completed so far through federal and local budgets.

He stated that the office building was constructed in BS 2076 for the conservation, promotion, and development of the cave, noting that work such as managing the cave entrance and surrounding area, and constructing stairways, has been completed.

He shared that there is approximately 30 ropani of land encompassing the cave, and there is a plan for its tourism utilization. According to him, various natural formations and a large number of bats can be observed inside the mysterious cave.

He mentioned that work is being prioritized on infrastructure development, and plans are being made to formally open the cave to tourists after completing infrastructure such as lighting management for cave entry and restrooms. He added that this area, including the cave, has been a religiously significant site since ancient times.

This cave is about a 10-minute walk from Powerhouse, Pokhara Metropolitan City-30, along the Prithvi Highway, and is easily accessible by public transport from the main market of Pokhara. Public buses of the Pokhara Metropolitan City regularly operate up to Tiklang Chok, located above the cave.

In recent times, Tiklang, which has also become an attractive center for agricultural tourism, and the entire Bagmara area are famous as the 'City of Milk.' Domestic tourists visiting the cave can take milk, vegetables, and other local products from this area as souvenirs.

Locals say that the face of this area has changed due to the wide road constructed with the support of the World Bank from Pokhara's Dobhilla to Puditar. Ward Chairman Ramchandra Adhikari of Pokhara-33 stated that the ward has prioritized the tourism development of this area, including the cave.

"We are trying to uncover every possibility in this area," he said. "Our goal is to promote agricultural tourism possibilities alongside the promotion of the Sun Cave."

Youth Padam Thapa, who says the Sun Cave is a destination with great tourism potential, emphasized that everyone should be interested in its tourism utilization. He expressed confidence that if its conservation, promotion, and publicity are done, it will help in the development of domestic tourism and also extend the stay of foreign tourists visiting Pokhara.

"It seems that increasing tourist arrivals for cave viewing will significantly help in enhancing local employment," he said. "Since increased tourist arrivals will also support the marketing of local products, the tourism utilization of the cave is necessary to keep the economy dynamic."