Makwanpur Gadhi
In Nepali: मकवानपुरगढी
Makwanpur was the seat of a Sen kingdom controlling the route between the valley and the plains. Prithvi Narayan Shah captured it in 1762, and when Mir Qasim, Nawab of Bengal, sent an army to retake it in 1763, the Gorkhalis defeated it in the hills nearby.
The ruins of the fort, a Bhagawati temple and old walls stand on a forested ridge west of Hetauda, reached by a short climb. It is a quiet, atmospheric place with views over the Rapti valley.
What to see and do
Climb through the forest to the fort ruins and the temple, and look out over the Rapti valley towards the Chure hills. Hetauda below has the Hetauda Botanical Garden, the old ropeway terminal and good local markets.
Good to know
There are few facilities at the site; bring water. Hetauda has a good range of hotels.
Quick answers
- Where is Makwanpur Gadhi?
- Makwanpur Gadhi is in Makwanpur district, Bagmati Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Makwanpur Gadhi?
- About 1,000 m (3,281 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Makwanpur Gadhi?
- For a 3-day trip from Kathmandu, about NPR 5,000 (≈ US$37) per person on a budget, or NPR 12,500 (≈ US$93) 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 Makwanpur Gadhi?
- Plan 1 night there; with travel from Kathmandu and back, about 3 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Makwanpur Gadhi?
- No special permit or ticket is normally needed.
- When is the best time to visit Makwanpur Gadhi?
- October–March
- How do I get to Makwanpur Gadhi?
- About 1 hour from Hetauda. It is about 38 km (straight line) from Kathmandu.
- What is Makwanpur Gadhi called in Nepali?
- मकवानपुरगढी
Photo gallery
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