Gorkha

About 15 miles (24km) north of Abu Khaireni, Gorkha is famous for four things. It is the birthplace of Prithvi Narayan Shah, who unified the rival kingdoms of Nepal in 1769, commencing a dynasty that endured until 2008; it is the location of the Gorkha Durbar, the former palace of the Shahs, which looks over Gorkha from a lofty ridge; it is where the famous Gurkha Battalion in the British Army originated; and it is where the annual Dasain festival officially begins, with a procession to Kathmandu. The town remains an important pilgrimage destination for Newars, who regard the Shahs as living incarnations of Vishnu.

In 2015 Gorkha also became infamous as the epicentre of the worst earthquake to hit Nepal in almost a century, although many buildings avoided damage.

Explore Gorkha

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Gorkha.

  • Sights

  • Palace

    Gorkha Durbar

    Regarded by many as the crowning glory of Newari architecture, the 16th-century Gorkha Durbar is a fort, palace and temple all in one. Miraculously, the main structure survived the 2015 earthquake, but damage was extensive, and at the time of research, repairs were still under way. The temple-palace perches high above Gorkha on a knife-edge ridge, with superb views over the Trisuli Valley and magnificent panoramas of the soaring peaks of the Annapurna, Manaslu and Ganesh Himalaya.

  • Museum

    Gorkha Museum

    Housed inside the grand Tallo Durbar, a Newari-style palace built in 1835, this museum's collection is outshone by the building itself, which has a beautiful internal courtyard with carved windows and doors. While the collection is limited, it's a pleasure to wander the old hallways lined with arts and crafts and historical items, and to stroll the 3.5 hectares of garden. This is the natural first stop after the nearby tourist office.

  • Hindu Temple

    Bhimsen Temple

    Located in a small square, this miniature pagoda temple is dedicated to Bhimsen, the Newari god of Commerce. If you throw a coin inside, he will undoubtedly appreciate it.

  • Hindu Temple

    Mahadev Temple

    This squat white temple has an interesting statue of a bull. This is Nandi, the steed of Shiva, who guards Kailashagiri, Shiva's abode atop Mt Kailash in Tibet.

  • Hindu Temple

    Ganesh Temple

    This small, white shikhara (an Indian-style temple with a tall corn-cob spire) is dedicated to Ganesh. You'll find it next to a ceremonial tank.

  • Hindu Temple

    Vishnu Temple

    This two-tiered temple dedicated to Vishnu lies just north of the bus stand.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Gorkha.

  • Activities