Glaciers dot the Himalayan landscape. These glaciers are the source of some of the large rivers in Nepal. While the biggest glacier is located in Khumbu, the longest is in Langtang. Some of the other glaciers in eastern Nepal are Kanchenjunga, Yalung, Nupche and Langtang. While moving, these glaciers have acted as painters and sculptors cutting and chiseling mountains and adding uniqueness to the landscape like rock basins, hanging valleys and moraine ridges.
Nepal’s three major river systems of the Koshi, the Gandaki and the Karnali originate in glaciers and snow fed lakes. The Koshi system is also called “SAPTA KOSHI” (seven Koshis) when it enters the plains and then goes on to merge with the Ganga which is held sacred by both the Indians and the Nepalese.
The name saptakoshi is due to the fact that seven rivers- the Arun, the Dudhkoshi, Likku, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi, Bhote Koshi and Indravati – meet at the Triveni near Dharan in the Sagarmatha Zone. Of these seven, three- the Arun, Tamakoshi and Sunkoshi- start from Tibet.
The Gandaki river system also comprises of seven rivers. These are Kaligandaki, Budigandaki, Marsyangdi, Trishuli, Seti, Madi and Daraundi.
Except for Kaligandaki and Trishuli meeting at Devighat in Chitwan, the other five follow their own individual course. After the Kaligandaki and Trishuli converge and become one, they assume a new name of Narayani which too goes on to meet the Ganges in India.
The Karnali river system is the largest system in Nepal. This system consists of Humla Karnali, which arises in Tibet, Mugu Karnali, Seti and Bheri rivers. On entering India the Karnali becomes Ghaghra.
The Mahabharat range too is the source of some of the rivers like Mechi, Mahakali, Kamala, Rapti and Bagmati .The last named is the main river of the Kathmandu valley.
Lakes
There are around a dozen lakes which dot different places in Nepal. Some of these, like the Gosainkund, have religious significance and are places of pilgrimage for the Hindus. Located in the Mountains with unmatched beauty are Rara, Phoksundo and Phewa which are very large lakes.
Here again the landscape and the topography comes into place. The Rara Lake, which is the largest, in Mugu district of western Nepal, and Phewa Lake in Pokhara Valley in central Nepal, are well known because of their approachability compared to Phoksundo in Dolpa district.
Approach to Phoksundo is not that easy and hence it is less known. Rupa tal and Begnas tal in Pokhara are other two favorite lakes with the tourists. Apart from their picturesque surroundings, they are easily approachable from Kathmandu.
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