Mai Pokhari
A sacred forest lake at 2,100m above Ilam — a Ramsar wetland fringed by orchids and a Hindu shrine in eastern Nepal's tea country.
- Altitude
- 2,100 m
- Coordinates
- 27.007°, 87.930°
Current Weather
Mai Pokhari is a small, sacred lake set at about 2,100 metres in a pocket of dense, mossy forest above the tea town of Ilam in far-eastern Nepal. Despite its modest size it is a Ramsar-listed wetland, recognised for its biodiversity — orchids, rhododendrons, ferns, and a rich community of amphibians and birds — and is protected as a religious forest.
The lake is revered by Hindus, who associate it with the goddess Mai; a temple stands on the shore and a fair is held here on Kartik Purnima. By tradition the water is not to be disturbed, and the surrounding forest has been preserved for generations as sacred ground, which is why such old-growth woodland survives so close to settlement.
Mai Pokhari is an easy excursion from Ilam Bazaar, combining naturally with a tour of the tea gardens. A walking trail loops the lake and forest. Mornings are often misty and atmospheric; the clearest views and best birdlife come in autumn and spring.
Getting there
Use Ilam as the nearest configured transport hub, then continue locally to Mai Pokhari.
- IlamNearest configured hub
Routes to Ilam
- BhadrapurtoIlamJeep2-3.5 hr
- BiratnagartoIlamJeep2.5-3.5 hr
Ilam is the nearest transport hub we have route data for, not a verified gateway for Mai Pokhari. The final stretch is local and we have not confirmed it.
Location
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