Matsya Pokhari —
The Fish That
Cannot Be Touched
मत्स्यपोखरी
Past Chichila Bazar, where the road turns to dust and the hills close in, a pond holds fish the local Gurung and Rai communities believe are living deities, protected by a warning still repeated village to village today.
A Pond That Is Also a Deity
Situated within the untouched landscapes of eastern Nepal lies a spiritual and cultural marvel known as Matsya Pokhari, a sacred fish pond in Sankhuwasabha district. More than just a body of water, it is a vibrant symbol of heritage, local belief, and spiritual reverence.
A visit here is a journey into the heart of the Gurung and Khaling Rai communities, filled with tradition, age-old stories, and breathtaking Himalayan views. The name itself carries the meaning directly: Matsya translates to "fish" in both Sanskrit and Nepali, a name that speaks plainly to what makes this pond sacred.
Matsya Pokhari — Quick Reference
- Location
- Matsya Gaun, Sankhuwasabha
- Name meaning
- Matsya = fish (Sanskrit/Nepali)
- Access point
- Chichila Bazar
- Key viewpoint
- Chuchhe Dhunga Chowk
- Local communities
- Gurung, Khaling Rai
- Ritual practice
- Puja, flowers, incense, milk offerings
- Sacred belief
- Fish considered living deities
- Access route
- Road to off-road track
Heading Out From Chichila Bazar
Getting to Matsya Pokhari is an adventure in itself, and the approach is genuinely part of what makes the destination memorable.
-
Start
Chichila Bazar
A small yet lively market town in Sankhuwasabha, and the natural starting point for the journey to Matsya Pokhari.
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Transition
From road to off-road track
As you head out of Chichila, the roads transition into off-road tracks. The route is not extremely difficult to drive, but the bumpy terrain calls for caution and patience.
-
Viewpoint
Chuchhe Dhunga Chowk
A scenic stop that gifts breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding hills and valleys, with views of the traditional villages of Kagate below.
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Arrival
Matsya Gaun and the sacred pond
The final approach reaches Matsya Gaun, a culturally rich Gurung settlement, where Matsya Pokhari itself sits at the centre of village life and belief.
From Chuchhe Dhunga Chowk, you can see the peaceful traditional villages of Kagate, home to the Gurung and Khaling Rai communities. Their homes, built in traditional stone-and-wood style, stand as silent witnesses to centuries of culture and wisdom along this hillside.
The Warning Passed Down Through Generations
"If anyone dares to kill or harm the fish in this pond, they invite disaster upon themselves and the village."
According to the locals, natural calamities, storms, thunderstorms, heavy rain, hailstorms, are believed likely to follow if the pond's sanctity is disturbed. Whether or not a visitor believes these stories, the unity and collective respect the villagers show toward Matsya Pokhari is remarkable in itself, reflecting a genuine, profound connection between people, nature, and the divine.
To the local Gurung people, this pond is not simply a water body, it is a living deity. The fish that swim in its tranquil waters are believed to be sacred beings, protected by powerful spiritual forces that predate any formal conservation rule.
A People Bound Closely to Nature
The Gurungs and Khaling Rais living near Matsya Pokhari are known for their close relationship with nature, reflected directly in their architecture, clothing, food, and daily lifestyle. Traditional stone houses with wooden roofs line the hillside, built with eco-friendly materials sourced locally rather than shipped in from outside.
Puja Rituals
The community frequently conducts pujas near the pond, especially during key festivals, performed by village priests, known locally as Lamas or Pujaris, to protect the community and bless the land.
Calendar Pilgrimage
The pond is a site of pilgrimage on certain lunar or solar calendar dates, when people come to pray, offer flowers, light incense, and pour milk or water into the pond as acts of reverence.
Daily Life & Craft
Their festivals, dances, and daily rituals often pay homage to local spirits and ancestral deities, reinforcing a bond with the natural world that shapes nearly every part of village life.
Aside from its religious significance, Matsya Pokhari sits in a genuinely picturesque setting, surrounded by lush forest and alpine meadow, with birdsong in the background and mist rolling gently over the hills in the early mornings. It is a setting that lends itself naturally to meditation, photography, or simply unwinding away from anywhere crowded.
Because of its relative obscurity, Matsya Pokhari hasn't been touched by mass tourism, giving visitors a rare chance to experience authentic local culture in a genuinely unspoiled setting.
How to Visit Matsya Pokhari Well
As more travellers look for off-the-beaten-path destinations, places like Matsya Pokhari face real new pressures. Tourism can bring economic opportunity, but only if it doesn't threaten the fragile cultural ecosystem that makes the place worth visiting in the first place.
- Respect local customs, especially the belief around not touching or harming the fish
- Avoid littering, and help maintain the purity of the sacred site
- Support local guides and homestays, empowering communities through tourism
- Participate respectfully in local festivals or rituals, observing and learning without imposing
Planning your visit: Connect with local guides or explore homestay options in Chichila and Kagate. You won't just be visiting Matsya Pokhari, you'll be participating in something genuinely sacred to the communities who live there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Matsya Pokhari?
Matsya Pokhari is a sacred fish pond in Matsya Gaun, Sankhuwasabha district, eastern Nepal. The name means "fish" in Sanskrit and Nepali. Local Gurung and Khaling Rai communities consider the fish in the pond to be living deities protected by powerful spiritual forces.
How do I get to Matsya Pokhari?
The journey begins from Chichila Bazar, a small market town in Sankhuwasabha. From there, the road transitions into off-road tracks, passing through the scenic viewpoint of Chuchhe Dhunga Chowk before reaching Matsya Gaun and the pond itself.
What is the legend behind Matsya Pokhari's sacred fish?
According to local legend, anyone who kills or harms the fish in Matsya Pokhari invites disaster upon themselves and the village. Locals believe natural calamities such as storms, heavy rain, and hailstorms can follow if the pond's sanctity is disturbed.
What rituals take place at Matsya Pokhari?
Village priests known as Lamas or Pujaris conduct pujas near the pond, especially during key festivals. On certain lunar or solar calendar dates, pilgrims visit to pray, offer flowers, light incense, and pour milk or water into the pond as acts of reverence.
Which communities live near Matsya Pokhari?
The Gurung and Khaling Rai communities live in the villages surrounding Matsya Pokhari, including Matsya Gaun and Kagate. Their traditional stone-and-wood architecture and close relationship with nature shape daily life across the area.
How can I visit Matsya Pokhari responsibly?
Respect local customs, especially the belief around not touching or harming the fish. Avoid littering, support local guides and homestays in Chichila and Kagate, and participate respectfully in any festivals or rituals you encounter, observing rather than imposing.
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