Heritage · Gorkha
Climb to Gorkha Durbar and the Gorakhnath cave
Walk up about 1,500 stone steps from Gorkha bazaar to the hilltop palace where Prithvi Narayan Shah was born, visit the Kalika temple and the cave of the yogi Gorakhnath, and look north to Manaslu and Himalchuli.
Start from the bazaar early. The stone staircase climbs through the old town, past houses and small shrines, then through forest to the ridge. It takes 45–60 minutes. Near the top, walls about a metre thick appear, built for defence as much as for show. This was a fortress palace, controlling the ridge and the valleys either side.
The palace is in Newar style, with brick, carved timber windows and struts showing gods and animals. Prithvi Narayan Shah was born in the section called Dhuni Pari in 1723. The Kalika temple, built in the 17th century with carved birds, animals and deities, is the most sacred part; its inner shrine is closed to most visitors, and leather and photography may be restricted nearby.
Below the palace lies the cave of Gorakhnath, the yogi after whom the town is named, a shelter in the rock still tended by priests, with a fair every Baisakh Purnima. From the ridge, on a clear morning, Manaslu, Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal fill the northern horizon. The 2015 earthquake damaged the palace; restoration work has been under way since 2017.
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Questions
How long does it take to climb to Gorkha Durbar?
From Gorkha bazaar, the stone staircase of around 1,500 steps takes 45–60 minutes up at a steady pace and about 30 minutes down. A road also reaches near the palace for those who cannot manage the climb. Allow about three hours in total including the palace, temples and views.
Is there an entrance fee for Gorkha Durbar?
The Gorakhnath shrine and Kalika temple have been open without entrance charges, according to local reports, while the museum in Tallo Durbar charges a fee. Charges and access to parts of the palace can change, especially during restoration work. Check locally on arrival, and carry small notes in Nepali rupees.
Was Gorkha Durbar damaged in the 2015 earthquake?
Yes. The April 2015 earthquake, centred in Gorkha district, partially damaged the palace. Reconstruction by the Department of Archaeology started on 15 November 2017 and continued for years afterwards. Parts may be under scaffolding or closed when you visit, though the temples and views remain accessible.
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