Sundevi Lake's natural beauty goes unnoticed due to lack of promotion

 Kanchanpur, January 31 – Tucked away in the Chure hills of Shuklaphanta Municipality-8, Sundevi Lake is a stunning natural site that remains largely unknown due to poor publicity and lack of access.

The lake gets its name from the golden glow it takes on when sunlight hits its surface—'Sun' meaning gold in Nepali. Spanning about 400 meters in length and 200 meters in width, the lake's waters shift between blue and yellow depending on the wind. Surprisingly, despite being surrounded by thick forests, no leaves are seen floating on its surface. Unlike most lakes in the region, Sundevi has no fish.

The surrounding forest is teeming with wildlife, including deer, wild boars, monkeys, hedgehogs, and birds like peacocks, hornbills, and owls. Wildflowers add to the lake’s natural charm.

Close to the lake stands a small temple dedicated to Goddess Sundevi. It draws devotees, especially during festivals like Navratri, Dashain, Tihar, and Maghe Sankranti. The temple holds bells believed to date back to 1673, highlighting its historical and religious significance. Locals believe that couples without children are blessed with offspring after praying and offering rituals here.

Despite its scenic beauty and spiritual value, the lake remains off the radar for most travelers. There's no proper road, and visitors must drive eight kilometers from the East-West Highway and then hike another five kilometers past the Watawaran Madhyawarti Community Forest.

Local activist Durga Dutta Bhatta stressed the need for better infrastructure, calling on authorities to develop roads and promote religious tourism, which could also bring job opportunities to the area.

Historically, Stationpur—located seven kilometers south of the lake—was used as a timber transport hub by the British during the East India Company era. The region was later returned to Nepal in exchange for support from Junga Bahadur Rana during the 1857 Indian Rebellion.

With its unique mix of natural beauty, cultural value, and historical background, Sundevi Lake has the potential to become a major tourist destination—if proper promotion and infrastructure are put in place.

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