Taudaha: or Ta:Dahan (The Great Lake)

The name Taudaha: is derived from, the Newar language Ta:Dahan, which means great lake. It is another important tourist center of Kirtipur Municipality. It is the only preserved lake in Kathmandu Valley. According to a folk tale and Skandha Purana, Korkotak, the King of Nags(snakes) lived there in the pond, which lies at the southern foot of Chovar hill. In a popular folk ale, it is said that there is close realtion between the story of Karkotak and the Bhoto-festival of Jawalakhel, Lalitpur,It is written in Shree Swayambhu Mahachaitya that when Manjushree drained out the water of Kathmandu lake, he assigned Taudaha: as the home or dwelling place for Karkotak; and he also told Karkotak that if there was a drought, it would rain as soon as people perform conduct a formal worship by the edge of the pond.

Sunrise view of Taudaha Lake

It is guessed that the total area of this lake is about eighty ropani of land, with its length having 500 meters, width  400 meters and depth twenty meters. There are seven corners of the pond. Many worshippers come there from different places to take holy bath on the occasions of the first day of Nepali New Year. Nag Panchami, Janai Purnima, and Shree Panchami. There are different kinds of birds, fishes and plants in the pond which have given additional beauty to it. As it lies beside the way to Dakshinkali, one of the famous tourist centers, many tourists get down from their vehicles and enjoy the view of the pond.

Great Snake Statue