Your Guide to Pimbahal Pukhu: History, Significance & Visiting Patan's Pond - Nepal Purple Travel Guide

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Pimbahal Pukhu is a peaceful water pond in busy Patan. It’s a good place to take a scenic break during your walking tour of Patan and observe local life.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we typically promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the Viator tours below.

Origin of the name Pimbahal Pukhu

The name Pimbahal Pukhu comes from the Newar language, where ‘Pukhu’ means ‘pond’ and ‘Pimbahal’ refers to the surrounding locality. ‘Pimbahal’ itself is believed to derive from ‘Pim’, a term associated with fire or warmth, possibly referencing a historic fire event or a fire deity once worshipped nearby. Altogether, Pimbahal Pukhu simply means ‘the pond of Pimbahal’.

Pimbahal Pukhu: A Place of Utility, Beauty, and Ritual

Pimbahal Pukhu dates back several centuries and has served multiple purposes throughout its existence. Originally constructed as a traditional water reservoir, most likely in the 14th century, the pond helped supply water for household use, agriculture, and ritual purification - especially during festivals and temple activities.
Over time, Pimbahal Pukhu has evolved into a community hub, where locals come to relax, feed the fish, or escape the urban chaos. Its calm waters reflect the Pimbahal Pokhari Krishna Temple that is located inside the lake, adding to the spiritual ambiance.

Legends about the Pimbahal Pukhu Pond

There are fascinating legends surrounding the construction of the Pimbahal Pukhu. Here are the two most popular legends:

• The Legend of the Lakheys: According to Nepalese folklore, the area where the pond now stands was once an open ground haunted by mischievous Lakheys (a type of demon). These Lakheys would create nightly disturbances, scaring children and breaking into homes. Annoyed by their antics, a local resident named Gaya Baje, who possessed magical powers, decided to intervene. He used his powers to control the Lakheys and commanded them to dig a pond. The belief was that as long as the ground existed, the Lakheys would continue their disruptive behavior, but once it was filled with water, they would leave. Thus, the Lakheys, under the control of Gaya Baje, are said to have built the Pimbahal Pukhu.

• The Love of a Lakhey: Another legend tells a more heartwarming story. It is said that a Lakhey's wife had to travel long distances to fetch water during the winter because there were no ponds in Lalitpur at the time and the taps would run dry. Witnessing her struggles, the Lakhey, out of love and compassion, used his supernatural strength to build the Pimbahal Pond in a single night so that his wife wouldn't have to endure the arduous journey for water anymore. This version highlights the pond as a symbol of love and devotion.

Restoration and Resilience of Pimbahal Pukhu

The pond was damaged during the 1934 Nepal–India earthquake and the 2015 earthquake and subsequently restored by local heritage conservation groups.
In 1967, the government tried to redevelop the pond into a market, but strong local opposition prevented that from happening.

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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