Lying twenty kilometres South-East of the city of Kathmandu, Phulchoki, with its peak standing at an altitude of 2758 metres, is the highest hill surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. The hill is named after the goddess Phulchoki and it is her temple at the peak, along with the Buddhist monastery and the temple of Astamatrika, that gives it its religious significance. The temple of Phulchoki is a fine Nepalese style construction ornamented with traditional artefacts and carvings, and it attracts many visitors throughout the year, particularly during the annual festival.
At the bottom of the hill, tentative nine kilometres East of Lagankhel, lies Godawari, which has been popular as a holy site since ancient times. Pilgrims come here to bathe in the sacred pond. The water in the pond is believed to come from the holy lake, Gosaikunda, and it is said that a bath here is as beneficial spiritually as a bath in Gosaikunda.
According to a legend, the pond has been popular since the days of the Kirat era. The same legend states that the first king of the Chandra dynasty took a bath in it after his victory over the last Kirat king. Another legend tells how a sage lost his bag and begging bowl in a flooded river only to find the same floating on the water of the pond.
A grand fair is organized at Godawari every twelve years. The fair lasts for a month and is attended by a large number of people from all over the country.
