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Gorkha
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| Gorkha
is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan
Shah the Great, the founder of modern Nepal . Situated
on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of
the Himalaya
is a beautiful old palace known as Gorkha
Durbar. There are two attractive Temples
of Gorakhnath and Kali inside the palace
precinct. Gorkha can be reached in about
six hours by road from
Kathmandu and four hours from
Pokhara. A side trip Manakamana temple on
the way to Gorkha is very enjoyable and
interesting. |
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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. |
| 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. |
Tourist Places
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| Gorakhnath
Cave |
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. |
| Gorkha
Durbar |
| 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. |
| Manakamana |
| 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. |
| Upallokot |
| 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. |
| Gorkha
Bazaar |
| 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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