Gorkha Durbar
In Nepali: गोरखा दरबार
Gorkha was a small hill kingdom until Prithvi Narayan Shah, born here in 1723, set out to unite dozens of principalities into the kingdom of Nepal. The Gorkha Durbar, a palace, fort and temple complex on a ridge high above the town, is where it all began.
The climb up from Gorkha bazaar takes about an hour on stone steps. At the top are the Kalika temple, the palace with carved windows and the Gorakhnath cave, and on clear days the view spans Manaslu, Himalchuli and the Annapurnas. The Gorkha Museum in the town's Tallo Durbar tells the story of the Shah dynasty.
What to see and do
Climb the stone steps to the palace, see the Kalika temple (where only priests and the royal family traditionally entered the inner shrine), the Gorakhnath cave shrine, and the palace's carved windows and courtyards. In town, the Gorkha Museum in Tallo Durbar displays artefacts of the Shah dynasty and the unification era.
Good to know
Photography is restricted in some temple areas. Dashain brings large crowds and ritual sacrifices at the Kalika temple. Gorkha is also the road gateway to Manaslu, Barpak and Manakamana.
Quick answers
- Where is Gorkha Durbar?
- Gorkha Durbar is in Gorkha district, Gandaki Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Gorkha Durbar?
- About 1,500 m (4,922 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Gorkha Durbar?
- For a 3-day trip from Pokhara, about NPR 5,000 (≈ US$37) per person on a budget, or NPR 16,000 (≈ US$120) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 5,000 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Gorkha Durbar?
- Plan 1 night there; with travel from Pokhara and back, about 3 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Gorkha Durbar?
- No special permit or ticket is normally needed.
- When is the best time to visit Gorkha Durbar?
- October–April; Dashain
- How do I get to Gorkha Durbar?
- About 5 hours by road from Kathmandu; 1-hour climb from Gorkha bazaar. It is about 67 km (straight line) from Pokhara.
- What is Gorkha Durbar called in Nepali?
- गोरखा दरबार
Photo gallery
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