Where is Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?

Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak is in Kathmandu district, Bagmati Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.

How much does it cost to visit Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?

Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak is in or right next to Kathmandu, so it is an easy day visit. Budget for a taxi there and back (about NPR 600–1,500, US$5–11) and meals (NPR 1,000–2,500, US$8–19 per person). If you stay in Kathmandu, rooms cost about NPR 1,500 / US$11–NPR 4,500 / US$33 a night.

How many days do I need for Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?

Half a day to a full day is enough; it is a short ride from central Kathmandu.

Do I need a permit or ticket for Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?

No special permit or ticket is normally needed.

How do I get to Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?

About 30 minutes south-west of Kathmandu, below Kirtipur. It is about 7 km (straight line) from Kathmandu.

Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak

Name: Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak
Address: Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, NP

River & gorge PahadHidden gem1 min readUpdated: October 2026

In Nepali: चोभार खोंच र जलविनायक

Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak, Kathmandu — Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The narrow gorge where, legend says, Manjushri cut the hill to drain the valley lake, with caves and a riverside Ganesh temple.

At Chobhar the Bagmati squeezes through a cleft in the hills as it leaves the Kathmandu Valley. Geologists agree the valley was once a lake; tradition says Manjushri drained it here with his sword. An iron suspension bridge from 1903 crosses the gorge.

On the bank stands the Jal Binayak temple, one of the valley's four main Ganesh shrines, and the Chobhar caves, a network of limestone passages, can be explored with a guide. The Adinath Lokeshwar temple crowns the hill above.

What to see and do

Cross the old iron suspension bridge for the view down into the gorge, visit the Jal Binayak Ganesh temple on the riverbank, and climb to the Adinath Lokeshwar temple, whose walls are hung with thousands of pots and pans offered by newly-weds. Adventurous visitors can explore the Chobhar caves with a guide and helmet.

Good to know

The river is polluted near the city; do not swim. The Manjushree Park nearby commemorates the legend of the valley's draining.

Quick answers

Where is Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?: Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak is in Kathmandu district, Bagmati Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.
How much does it cost to visit Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?: Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak is in or right next to Kathmandu, so it is an easy day visit. Budget for a taxi there and back (about NPR 600–1,500, US$5–11) and meals (NPR 1,000–2,500, US$8–19 per person). If you stay in Kathmandu, rooms cost about NPR 1,500 / US$11–NPR 4,500 / US$33 a night.
How many days do I need for Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?: Half a day to a full day is enough; it is a short ride from central Kathmandu.
Do I need a permit or ticket for Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?: No special permit or ticket is normally needed.
When is the best time to visit Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?: October–May
How do I get to Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak?: About 30 minutes south-west of Kathmandu, below Kirtipur. It is about 7 km (straight line) from Kathmandu.
What is Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak called in Nepali?: चोभार खोंच र जलविनायक