Gorkha District, located in Gandaki Province, is one of Nepal's 77 districts and the country's fourth-largest (by area). It is traditionally linked to the establishment of modern Nepal and bears the name of the mythical Gurkha soldiers.
According to the 2011 Nepal Census, the district spans 3,610 km2 (1,390 sq mi) and has a population of 271,061 people, with Gorkha Municipality (previously known as Prithivi Narayan Nagarpalika) as its district headquarters.
Gorkha Palace: Historical Citadel Beauty
Credit:Nepaltraveller.com
The Manakamana Temple is located in the Gorkha district. The district contains the Gorakh Nath and Gorakh Kali temples. The Chepe, Marsyangdi, Daraudi, Budi Gandaki, and Trishuli rivers all flow through the district.
How does Gorkha get its name?
There are two stories surrounding the name "Gorkha":
- 'Kharka' means 'grassland' in Nepali. Later, kharka became garkha, and then Gorkha.
- According to legend, Gorakhnath, a saint, first appeared in Nepal in Gorkha. A cave with his paduka ('footprint') and a likeness exist, proving the legend. Gorkha was the name given to the city because it was established in the location where Sage Gorakhnath appeared.
How can you reach Gorkha?
Regular bus services to and from Kathmandu (six hours) and Pokhara are available in Gorkha city (three hours). Daily buses depart from the Gongabhu bus station on Kathmandu's Ring Road for Gorkha.
History of Gorkha District
Gorkha is the term by which Nepali people first were known around the world (the British called the Nepali soldiers they recruited Gurkhas). Gorkha was the name of the kingdom where the Shah dynasty came from. Before King Prithvi Narayan Shah started his invasion of neighbouring states, Nepal was split into hundreds of small kingdoms.
In 1769, he conquered the valley kingdoms and relocated his capital to Kantipur (Kathmandu's last name). The Shah rulers persisted in their efforts to unite Nepal by bringing all of the smaller kingdoms under their control.
Climatic Zones of Gorkha District
Gorkha is divided into eight climatic zones. They are as follows:
- Lower Tropical
- Upper Tropical
- Subtropical
- Temperate
- Subalpine
- Alpine
- Nival
- Trans-Himalayan
Mountains in Gorkha District
There are several renown tall mountains in the district of Gorkha. They are:
- Manaslu (8,163 m)
- Himalchuli (7,895 m)
- Ganesh Himal (7,422 m)
- Ngadi Chuli (7,871 m)
- Ganesh VI (6,480 m)
- Nar Phu (5,748 m)
Manaslu
At 8,163 meters (26,781 feet) above sea level, Manaslu is the world's eighth highest peak. It is located in the Mansiri Himal, which is part of the Nepalese Himalayas in Nepal's west-central region. The term Manaslu is taken from the Sanskrit language Manasa, which means "intellect" or "soul" and means "mountain of the mind."
Beautiful view of Manaslu Peak
Manaslu is the highest point in Gorkha District, located 64 kilometres (40 miles) east of Annapurna. Long mountain ranges and valley glaciers provide entrance from all directions, culminating in a plateau that rises sharply above the surrounding ground and is a prominent feature as seen from afar.
There are numerous trekking options in the Manaslu area. The famous 177-kilometre (110-mile) Manaslu trekking route skirts the Manaslu massif, passing through the pass and down to Annapurna. Only in 1991 did the Nepalese government allow trekking on this circuit.
Along the Budhi Gandaki River, the trekking path parallels an ancient salt-trading road. Ten peaks above 6,500 meters (21,325 feet) are visible along the way, with a few above 7,000 meters (22,966 ft). The Larkya La, lying at the height of 5,106 meters, is the highest point reached along the trek path (16,752 ft).
Himalchuli
Himalchuli is the second highest peak in Nepal's Himalayas, located in the Mansiri Himal. It is located south of Manaslu, an Eight-thousander. East (7893 m), West (7540 m), and North (7893 m) are the three major peaks of Himalchuli (7371 m). It's also known as "Himal Chuli" when written in two sentences.
Himalchuli is the world's 18th highest peak (using a cutoff of 500m prominence, or re-ascent). Himalchuli is also known for its significant vertical relief over the surrounding terrain. For e.g., in about 27 km (17 mi) horizontal span, it rises 7000m over the Marsyangdi River to the southwest.
Ganesh Himal
Ganesh Himal is a Himalayan sub-range situated mainly in north-central Nepal, with some peaks bordering Tibet. It is separated from the Langtang Himal on the east by the Trisuli Gandaki valley. From the Sringi Himal and the Mansiri Himal on the west by the Budhi (Buri) Gandaki valley and the Shyar Khola valley (home of Manaslu, the nearest 8000m peak). The range is located about 70 kilometres north of Kathmandu.
Ganesh Himal: Sacred Mountain Majesty
Credit:Himkalaadventure.com
Ganesh Himal, mainly Ganesh NW, which is closest to the Shyar Khola, enjoys excellent vertical relief over nearby valleys. Ganesh Himal, mainly Ganesh NW, which is most relative to the Shyar Khola, enjoys great upright comfort over nearby valleys.
Ngadi Chuli
Ngadi Chuli, better known as Peak 29, Dakum, Dakura, or Dunapurna, is a high summit in Nepal's Mansiri Himal (or Manaslu Himal), also known as the Gurkha Massif. To the north, Manaslu is located, and to the south, Himalchuli.
Nar Phu
Nar Phu, also known as 'Narpa,' is a Sino-Tibetan dialect spoken in the two villages of Nar and Phu in the Nar Khola Valley in Nepal's Manang district. It has a dialect continuum with Manang and can be understandable with it; but, the Nar and Phu have a secret language that Gyasumdo and Manang would otherwise understand.
People of Gorkha District
Gurungs and Magars, the two largest ethnic groups in Gorkha, have a reputation for courage in both World Wars, receiving Victoria Crosses from the British government. But they only showed their ferocity on the battlefield; under normal conditions, they were polite people with a reputation for outstanding hospitality.
The famous documentary "The Honey Hunters of Nepal," directed by Eric Valli and Diane Summers, was filmed in Gorkha, where the locals still gather wild honey.
Gorkha Durbar
Gorkha's main attraction is the ancient old Durbar, the Shah dynasty's original palace, which has been well conserved and a renowned tourist destination. The castle, which is perched on a hilltop, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area.