Tucked peacefully at the southern gateway of the Kathmandu Valley near historic Chobhar, Manjushree Lake is an idyllic retreat steeped in deep Buddhist and Hindu mythology. According to ancient chronicles recorded in the Swayambhu Purana, the Kathmandu Valley was once an immense, turquoise lake known as Nagdaha (lake of the serpents).
The Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, Manjushree, arrived from Mount Wutai in China, witnessed the holy lotus burning with sacred flame across the waters, and with a single stroke of his fiery sword of wisdom, cleaved the southern gorge at Chobhar. The waters drained away to reveal the fertile valley floor where Newari civilization and heritage would flourish for millennia.
Today, the peaceful waters of Manjushree Lake serve as a living tribute to this legend. Framed by pine-forested ridges, flowering rhododendrons, and calm walking trails, it offers travelers an off-the-beaten-path haven away from the bustling streets of Kathmandu.
