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| Gorkha is a scenic hill- town with great historical significance. |
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| King
Prithvi Narayan
Shah, who unified the kingdom of Nepal during eighteenth century, was
born in the township of Gorkha. Situated on a small hillock at an attitude
of about 1000 m, Gorkha offers panoramic view of snow-fed mountain. |
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Then the small kingdom of Gorkha, founded by king Drabya Shah in 1560
A. D. became famous during the dynasty of Ram Shah (1604-1641 A.D.),
who earned the reputation of being just to his people. There was a famous
proverb in those days which said that one should go to Gorkha if he were
looking for justice. |
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In the middle of eighteenth century there were hundreds of small kingdoms
and principalities in what is today's Nepal. The great Prithvi Narayan
Shah took the mammoth task of unifying Nepal in the eighteenth century.
The Gorkha soldiers under his dynamic leadership eventually succeeded
in conquering the Kathmandu valley. The capital of greater 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. |
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| Gorkha Durbar : |
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| This historical palace is situated on the top of the fortified hill above
the township, about one hour's walk uphill from the bus station. On the
west side of palace is the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali. There is also a
famous cave sheltering the statue of Gorakhnath Baba (sage). It is believed
that the name of Gorkha was derived from the name of this sage, whose
blessings inspired King Prithvi Narayan Shah for the unification of Nepal.
From the top of the hill above Gorkha palace and from a saddle east of the
bazaar, the view of Manaslu and Himalchuli is spectacular. |
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| Gorkha Bazaar : |
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| It is primarily a cobbled street market place where by people from neighboring hill dwellings come to trade. There are a few temples near about, but not much. Yet, it is worth a visit as it provides a very good vista of the quiet charm that soaks a typical hill village of Nepal. |
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| Gorakhnath Cave : |
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| 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.
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| Upallokot : |
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| 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. |
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| Manakamana : |
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| 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.
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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. |
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Nepal Travel
