Gorkha Durbar

Gorkha Durbar crowns a ridge high above the town of Gorkha, combining a royal palace, a fort and the temples of Gorakhnath and Kalika. It was from here that Prithvi Narayan Shah launched the campaign that unified the many principalities into the modern nation of Nepal in the 18th century.

Built in the early-to-mid 18th century, the durbar is the ancestral seat of the Shah dynasty. Prithvi Narayan Shah was born here in 1723. The complex blends Newar craftsmanship with the strategic needs of a hill fortress and remained a revered royal site throughout the Shah era.

Gorkha is a national symbol of unification and the origin of the 'Gorkha/Gurkha' name. The Kalika temple within is a powerful shakti shrine, while Gorakhnath cave-shrine gives the place its name.

The palace shows fine Newar woodcarving — struts, windows and gilded roofs — set within fortified walls that follow the ridge line. The Kalika temple's sanctum is restricted, and the views command the surrounding Himalaya including Manaslu.

Current condition: Restored after 2015 earthquake damage; active pilgrimage site

Restoration carried out by the Department of Archaeology following the 2015 earthquake, using traditional materials.