Known as the land of brave warriors and the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah who unified Nepal, Gorkha is where the history of Nepal began. A part of the Gandaki Pradesh and one of the 77 districts of the country Gorkha is also world-famous for the Nepalese soldiers recruited by the British and India as Gurkhas. The name Gurkhas or Gorkhali is what represents Nepalese indicating the bravery of the soldiers who fought with great courage and honour. Gorkha has a lot to offer to the people who visit here. The unbelievable Gorkha Durbar of Shah Regime which survived many battles, the Gorkha Bazaar filled with local people and local items, the antique Gorkha museum, the beautiful view of Himalaya ranges, the heavenly Mount Manaslu and many trekking routes. The roots of Gorkha are very much connected to the past. So if you connect with history then this place will definitely take you to a different time interval.
Sadly, the devastating earthquake of 2015 brought lots of damage to this area as it was the epicenter. Lots of houses were wiped out and many were in critical stage. In spite of all these hurdles today many houses have been rebuilt with the help of funds and the tourist areas have been renovating. Gorkha has again leapt forward with its beauty to win over the tourists.
Gorkha durbar is the historical palace where the Shah dynasty began its regime. Being on top of a fortified hill, the palace is one hour walk from the bus station. As you start your walk you will come across many villages and the local people. After reaching the top, breathtaking views of Mount Annapurna, Manaslu and Ganesh range awaits for you. One can also see the Trishuli River glistening in the sunlight. The crafting of the palace is done by the best craftsmen of that time. The palace is a fort as well as a temple so leather shoes and belt are to be removed before entering. The western part of the palace is where the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali found.
Below the southern part of the palace approximately 10 meters is the sacred cave of sage Gorakhnath. It is believed that King Prithvi Narayan Shah valued and bowed to Gorakhnath baba. The cave is carved out by hand from a big rock and is said to have religious importance.
At the central part of the Gorkha Bazar in a grand Tallo Durbar, you will find the Gorkha Museum which has a collection of artifacts and achievements of Gurkhas during the war. Tickets are to be taken in order to enter the museum and photography permissions for those who want to click pictures. The museum also has a collection of weapons used during the war. The cannons highlight the museum.
Dedicated to the Newari God of commerce Bhimsen, the temple is a miniature pagoda. It is said that if you throw a coin inside then you will have a good fortune. Visitors visit the temple with great belief.