Gorkha

Gorkha District  


Gorkha district, a part of Gandaki zone, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. The district, with Gorkha as its district headquarters, covers an area of 3,610 km² and has a population (2001) of 288,134.

The famous Manokamana temple is in the Gorkha district

A 25 kilometer road off the main highway connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu brings you to an ancient Gorkha - the untouched and captivating town of Nepal! Some 300 years ago, Nepal was divided into 50 tiny states, and Gorkha was one of them. King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the founder of `Shah Dynasty' which runs Nepal today, unified Nepal into one kingdom. His Gorkha palace resides on top of a hill at an altitude of 3281 feet (about 1000 meter) The King would watch-over his people as far as his eyes could see from the tallest palace in the very center of Nepal! Gorkha is also the home of Gurkhas - the legendary brave warriors who fought with knives against guns.

Gorkha is a picturesque hill- town that has a rich ancient history of its own. The palace is situated on a small mountain at the height of 3500 feet and offers a magnificent sightseeing of the Himalayan Peaks. King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who unified the Kingdom of Nepal during eighteenth century and got an upper hand over the Ranas, was born here. Actually king Drabya Shah founded this kingdom in the year 1560 and since then, the place has acted as the den for the Shah dynasty. In the war of throne with Ranas, the Gorkhas had the last laugh as the Gorkha soldiers succeeded in conquering the Kathmandu valley. The capital of the Nepal was shifted to Kathmandu since then. But this beautiful township has always remained as the center of attraction for many Nepalese as well as foreign visitors.

Among the sites to visit, Gorkha Durbar tops the list. This historical palace is a one-hour walk from the downtown Gorkha. The palace is strategically located over a fortified hillock. On the southwestern side of palace lies the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali. A cave that claims to shelter the statue of Gorakhnath, the Tantrik sage, adjoins it. The place is picture-perfect to have a view of Mansalu and Himalchuli peaks of Himalayas. Nevertheless, the best place to have a view of the palace and peaks is Upallokot, a viewpoint made on a pedestal over the hill at the height of some 5000 feet.


Places to Visit and Things to do in Gorkha

Gorkha Palace:

Visit the Gorkha palace here to begin your sightseeing of the region.Climb the palace steps from the bottom of the hill, all the way to the top, climbing about one thousand seven hundred steps (1700), in about two hours. That's some hiking to do! If you get tired sit down on a step or think how much easier the trip down will be! You will be glad you got to the top. On a clear sky day, you can view Himalayan range including spectacular view of Manaslu and Himalchuli Mountains, and panoramic views of the valleys.

Also view the palace building, one of Nepal's historical landmark, some buildings have interesting wood carvings portraying various romantic scenes. Also viwe the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali residing on the west side of the palace. To view sunrise from the palace, climb very early in the morning.

King Prithivi's Birthday Celebration



On King Prithivi's birthday, which is a national Nepali holiday known as Prithivi Jayanti , various celebrations are held throughout Nepal, one of which is held in Gorkha bazaar located at the foot of the hill. So if you happen to visit Gorkha on that day, observe that event as well. Prithivi Jayanti is on 27th of January 2005 (1st of Poush 2060, according to Nepalese Annual Calendar).

The King's statues are found in many places in Nepal which many visitors find of interest to observe. Many places are dedicated to his name, for example Prithivi Chok (Cross Road) in Kathmandu, Prithivi Chok in Pokhara, Prithivi Chok in Bharatpur, and the Highway connecting Kathmandu with Pokhara and then to Baglung is called Prithvi Highway. Photos and Portraits of the King have his right-hand's first finger pointing up, signifying that Nepal is one kingdom (or in Nepali, the meaning is `We all come together as one'). His statues have that characteristic.

Dashain Jamara Procession

During Nepal's popular festival Dashain, Jamaras are brought from the Gorkha palace to the modern Narayan Hiti Palace in Kathmandu. The King Prithivi Narayan Shah had moved the capital of Nepal from Gorkha to Kathmandu, and he is the founder of the Shah dynasty. Jamaras from Gorkha are used by the Royal family as a blessing from the King and above! On the Dashain Fulpati Day, there is a Royal Army parade, Fulpati procession to Gorkha Durbar and other activities of religious and cultural interests which visitors may find interesting to observe.





Popular Trekking from Gorkha

If you seek to trek from Gorkha, there is no where a better place to taste some of Nepal's hillside experience than from Gorkha. You can chose to trek from Gorkha to Kathmandu or Gorkha to Pokhara, However, the most popular trekking from Gorkha is from Gorkha to Pokhara, which is of 10 days. First day, arrive at Gorkha Bazaar, complete sightseeing of the Gorkha palace, then from the second day onwards start trekking from Gorkha - Luitel - Hirmantar - Tarughat - Besisahar - Ghattekhola - Gharpokhari - Rupatal - then arrive Pokhara on the 10th day, then extend a few days of trekking or sigtseeing in and around Pokhara.

It was said, that if anyone was seeking justice, no ruler was as fair and just as the King of Gorkha. The Gorkha kingdom was established in the year 1560, by the legendary King Drabya Shah. From the year 1604 to 1641, the Shah dynasty would become famous and rule over Gorkha. Today, the reminders of this era stand proudly in the form of the Gorkha Royal Palace, the Gorkha Bazaar and Gorkha Durbar.

The Gorkha Royal Palace was the birthplace of Prithvi Naraya, who was born in the central palace named Dhuni Pari. Prithvi Narayan Shah is known for gathering his Gorkha soldiers and battling to unify all of Nepal by taking control of the Kathmandu. After his amazing victory, in the 18th century, Kathmandu became the capital of Nepal.

To tell someone that the Gorkha Palace is located in the east side of the Gorkha Durbar would be deceiving. Most visitors are more than awestruck when they look up at the palace on the hill and the approximately one thousand seven hundred steps that lies between them and palace. The climb to the Gorkha Palace might be challenging, but the view is rewarding and the way down is a lot easier. Most of the palace remains the same as in the days of Ram Shah, but kings and rulers that followed did make a few minor changes during their reigns. Restoration work to this beautiful sight in Nepal has kept the palace in excellent condition, and although it is not always open to visitors, especially not the second floor, much can be seen through the latticed windows. The architectural style of the palace is known as Newari-style, and when peering through the windows visitors will be able to see the throne of Prithvi Narayan. Also visible is the “eternal flame” that has been burning for many years, as it was lit straight after the uniting of Nepal, at the hands of Prithvi Narayan. The detailed woodwork and spectacular carvings make the Gorkha Palace a treasured piece of history and a popular sight in Nepal.

On clear days or early mornings, the view from the palace is just short of a visual miracle of nature. The panoramic views of the rolling green landscapes, snow capped Himalayas and the town below is spectacular. From this vantage point visitors will be able to see the Goddess Gorakhkali Temple, the Himalchuli Mountain, Manaslu Mountain, Annapurna and Ganesh. It is a view and a moment in time that visitors are unlikely to forget.

Gorakhnath Cave :

Ten meters below the palace's southern side, is the sacred cave temple of Gorkhanath. The cave is is carved out of the solid rock and is among the most important religious sites for mainstream Brahmins and Chhetris of Nepal. Gorkha is also an alternate starting point for a few trekking routes in the region. Gorkha-Trisuli is an easy three day walk along unspoiled Nepali country side. One can also walk a long day's walk to Besishahar, which is the usual starting point for Annapurna and Manang area treks. One can also walk through Besishahar area to Pokhara in a four days.

Upallokot :

It is situated at a 20 minutes walking distance from Gorkha palace.There is a viewing platform at an altitude of 1520 meters in Upallokot from where the spectacular view of Gorkha palace and the sliver shining snow-fed peaks can be enjoyed.

Manakamana :

On a beautiful ridge south-east of the township of Gorkha lies the holy temple of Manakamana, the holy goddess of aspirations. It is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus. Manakamana is 4 hour's walk uphill from Anbu Khaireni on Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway.

The new democratic constitution of the kingdom was promulgated on November 9, 1990. Nepal is one of the founder members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC of which the third summit was held in Kathmandu in November 1987.


LAPRAK (The Snowland Gurung village)
"LAPRAK" village is the most wonderful, heavenly and exciting, remote area of the Gorkha district. It’s a thick houses inhabited by Gurung’s .The laprak village is 125 km northwest of Kathmandu and 65 km northwest of Gorkha headquarters . 

The Gurung village is situated in the hills at an altitude of 2,300 m above the sea level .The climate is little warm and cool during the march to September and start the winter season like very cold and snow falling during the October to January end of the month .

The laprak gurung village is own their Gurung languages and culture, traditional and the houses is made by whole stone and the roof tops is covered by wood. The villagers are mainly source of independent with their agriculture and farming the land field. There are all locally produced many food items such as grain, vegetable, potato, milk, maize, barley, wheat, millet, bean others things also in this village.

The young generation youth’s are to be recruitment, regiment on soldier like uk, Singapore police, Indian army, Nepalese army also and some body has to established the trekking agency’s here in Kathmandu .


In the same time the first person of the gurung caste from western Nepal Mt Everest: late Iman Singh Gurung including 8 youth’s of they buried in the avalanche in the kangaroo himal, which add laprakies.

There is to established one higher secondary school and health post in Laprak by France peoples welfare and to facility telephone, electricity etc. The life style of the lapraki gurung village truly meditative an


meditative an exotic, strange living ethnic tradition handed down since ages.

The social life is replete, completely with interesting risible of life cycle, birth wedding, death etc. There is to live inhabit and existence only gurung peoples and kamis in Laprak. They are celebrates many festival like Buddha Jayanti, Ghatu dance ,Lhosar, tihar, Dashain, Maghesakkranti, chewarar, Ahaun, Rodhi etc as the whole gurung castes are all Buddhist religious .

The visitors to Lapraki gurung village are welcomed and respectful with offering of garlands and tika while music and dance are performed and traditional farewell songs for the guests. The people of Laprakies keep goats and sheep and use wool from these animals to make attractive products .The make cloths and bags from nettle fiber and scrafs, towels and shawls from the wool of angora Rabbits and to make of different products from the bomboo.


The lapraki gurung village is major tourist area of the Manaslu Region. There is surrounding, satellite by green forest and National flower, blossom of a plant like rhododendron and other ever green shrub also… An easy walk above the village is a view point at “Gurung Hill” pusudanda at 3000m this is the highest point south of he Gorkha .We can see many view and panorama ,magic ,mysterious and spectacular ,sunrise at the morning and many Himalayas range like Manaslu (8163m) Bouddha himal (6672m) Himalchuli (7893m) Rupina pass (4643m) Shringi Himal (7187m) ,Ganesh Himal (7429m)and Langtang Himalayas range ,Lamjung himal, Annapurna Himalayas range etc. And many visitors tourist’s are to goes from this laprak village way around the Manaslu, Larkye La pass (5213m) high altitude and the ending point place is Besishar then afterwards to goes by bus Besishar to kahtmandu . So this is a must wonderful and majestic, exicting the picture square hill town place of western part Nepal .It’s a really Spiritualism dreamland and Snowland, heaveanly of laprak Gurung village and most important Rural Tourism Sector of this Manaslu Region.

We must to be Indispensable Advertises and Publicity on different place and country about the Tourism Sector .It’s my own attitude ,advice ,counsel Dear all Guests and Visitor’s .I hopefully feeling of expectation and optimistic it’s to be great development for the Tourism Sector Our Nepal .





How to reach Gorkha?

Gorkha, located midway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, can be reached from either cities by taxi or public bus. For accommodation and dining, there are hotels, guest houses and restaurants located in Gorkha to satisfy your preferences. Transporation Cost should not cost you $2 to $3 by bus, about $20 by Taxi from Pokhara, and about $30 by Taxi from Kathmandu, and accomodation is relatively inexpensive here.