The town of Gorkha lies midway between Pokhara and Kathmandu. It is also the home of the legendary Gorkha warriors whose knives were bound to draw blood once they were unsheathed. The town was once the capital of Nepal, and housed the Palace of the great King Prithvi Shah, who united Nepal's scattered kingdoms. Apart from the Palace and temples, Gorkha's natural beauty also makes it a favorite with trekkers.
The Gorkha Palace lies on the top of a steep hill, and one must climb at least 1350 steps to reach it. But the view from the summit will be worth the climb. If the sky is cloudless and there is no fog, you can see the Himalayas. The palace is embellished with wooden carvings and engravings.
Trekkers can find many lovely trekking trails originating from Gorkha. You can trek along the beautiful Gorkha-Pokhara route, or go on daytrips to nearby Luitel and Ghatpokhari.
Gorkha celebrates the birth anniversary of Nepal's great King, Prithvi Narayan Shah, with great pomp and festivities. The king was the founder of the Gorkha regiment, and brought the fragmented kingdoms of Nepal under a central rule. On the birth anniversary of the king, the Gorkha Bazaar is decorated with silver festoons and colorful frescoes. If you are in Gorkha during the Dashain festival celebrations, you will see the colorful Dashain procession from the ancient capital of Gorkha to the present capital Kathmandu. The procession ends at the Narayanhiti Palace in Kathmandu, where the present monarch of Nepal resides.