About the Taal Barahi Temple


The Taal Barahi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Durga (Barahi) - the protector of gods. It sits on a small island just off the shoreline on the southeast section of Pokhara's lake Phewa.

The Taal Barahi temple on lake Phewa in Pokhara

The Taal Barahi temple on lake Phewa in Pokhara

To get to the temple, you must take a small boat or larger barge for the 5-minute journey.

Did you know?

Durga is one of the main forms of the Goddess Shakti. She is also the manifested form of Parvati who acquired the name Durga after killing the demon Durgamaasura

Legend of the Taal Barahi temple


There’s a legend that states the goddess Barahi Bhagwati visited the area as a beggar but was rebuked by all but one of the local residents.

The goddess warned this woman of an impending flood so the woman took her family away.

Sure enough a flood came down from the mountains and destroyed the village. The woman and her family returned to build the island Barahi temple


Directions to the Taal Barahi Temple


From Phewa Ghat at the south east corner of lakesides Phewa lake you will need to board a barge or boat to cross over to the island temple.

Take a boat to the Taal Barahi temple on lake Phewa

Take a boat to the Taal Barahi temple on lake Phewa

Barge boats to Taal Barahi should cost 100 rupees return and the prices are shown near the ticket office. Sadly, the boatmen in this area don't play fair and will often have excuses why you can't board a barge.

If you are used to Nepal, then hang tough and simply ask local people already onboard a barge if there is room for you. They will usually help out as they don't like to be cheated either. At this point, you can either hand your money directly to the boatman or go with him to the ticket office.

The price of a private paddle boat has increased dramatically over the years and is now 1,500 rupees for one hour (with boatman). 600 just to cross over to the temple (you can share the price with others).

You will also need to hire out a life jacket (mandatory) from beside the ticket office for 20-30 rupees.

Once you are across at the island, most people only stay for 30 minutes. If you'd like to stay longer, you should be able to use your ticket to get back across on another barge with a vacant spot. Or, if the boatman is being difficult, you'll have to pay another 50 rupees.

All in all, if the hassle is not worth it, or if you want to spend extra time on the island (for the sunset views), then hiring out your own boat is the way to go until the authorities receive enough complaints about what's going on there. Hiring your own boat costs 1,500 rupees.

The kicker in all this is that they may also charge you another 13% VAT ... but it's random.

Basically, if you want a quick trip to the temple, take the barge for 100 rupees.


Is a trip Taal Barahi worth it?


Between 2024 and 2025, the main temple is being renovated. The shrine is being moved to a smaller area on the islands. If Hindu folklore and mountain photographs don't appeal to you, then it might not be worth your while visiting. There are some exceptions though.

If you can wrangle a 100 rupee return ticket then yes, it's worth it. Likewise, if you want to pay for a private boat and get some nice photographs of the Annapurna mountains, then yes, again.

Queues for boats on a Saturday can get long as it's a public holiday, so many Nepali will be visiting the island temple.

A good tip is that if you are hiring a boat out to the World Peace Stupa, you can ask them to stop off at the Taal Barahi temple (just give them a little tip).


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