Official Name: | Gorkha Municipality |
Native Name: | गोरखा |
Settlement Type: | Municipality |
Pushpin Map: | Nepal Gandaki Province#Nepal |
Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
Pushpin Mapsize: | 300 |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Nepal |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | ![]() |
Subdivision Type1: | Province |
Subdivision Name1: | Gandaki Province |
Subdivision Type2: | District |
Subdivision Name2: | Gorkha District |
Leader Title: | Mayor |
Leader Name: | Krishna Rana Magar |
Leader Title1: | Deputy Mayor |
Leader Name1: | Masali Maya Thokar |
Population As Of: | 2021 |
Population Total: | 53,285 |
Population Density Km2: | auto |
Population Blank1 Title: | Ethnicities |
Population Blank2 Title: | Religions |
Timezone: | NST |
Utc Offset: | +5:45 |
Coordinates: | 28°N 84.6333°W |
Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
Postal Code: | 34000 |
Area Code: | 064 |
Website: | gorkhamun.gov.np |
Gorkha | |
Native Name Lang: | ne |
Elevation Max M: | 1522 |
Elevation Min M: | 328 |
Seal Alt: | The seal features Prithvi Narayan Shah in the foreground with the outline Gorkha Palace in the background. There is also a balance scale near the outline of palace representing equality. The seal is surrounded by flag of Nepal in the top, two rhododendron flower on each side of the flag and a laurel on the left and right side. A red ribbon with the words Gorkha Municipality, Nepal in Nepali language is at the bottom. |
Gorkha (ne|गोरखा, formerly known as Prithvinarayan Municipality) is a municipality in Gorkha District in Gandaki Province of Nepal created in 1996. It was initially named "Prithvinarayan" (ne|पृथ्वीनारायण) after King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who was born in Gorkha and united and founded modern Nepal.[1] In 2009, the name was changed to "Gorkha" municipality after the end of the monarchy in Nepal. At the time of the 2021 Nepal census it had a population of 53,285 people living in 12,641 individual households.[2] In 2014, the neighboring Village development committees Nareshwar and Phinam were merged into the municipality.
The old royal palace (Gorkha Durbar), Gorakhnath and Kalika (temple of the goddess Kali) are the main attractions. The Royal Palace itself was destroyed in the 2015 earthquake. However the Gorakhnath shrine and Kalika temple are open with no entrance charges.[3] The lower palace (Tallo Durbar) and a modern park are other major attractions. It is also the starting point of the Manasalu Himal (Mount Manasalu) and Mount Ganesh trekking route. Gorkha Hospital is the hospital and Drabya Saha Multiple Campus and Gorkha Education Campus are the two campuses serving the population.
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Gorkha Municipality had a population of 51,684. Of these, 85.8% spoke Nepali, 3.4% Gurung, 2.9% Urdu, 2.0% Magar, 1.6% Kumhali, 1.5% Tamang, 0.8% Bhojpuri, 0.8% Newar, 0.3% Ghale, 0.2% Hindi, 0.1% Maithili, 0.1% Rai, 0.1% Tharu and 0.1% other languages as their first language.[4]
In terms of ethnicity/caste, 21.1% were Chhetri, 15.5% Magar, 12.8% Hill Brahmin, 10.1% Sarki, 8.8% Newar, 6.8% Gurung, 5.8% Kami, 4.7% Kumal, 3.2% Musalman, 2.7% Damai/Dholi, 2.4% Tamang, 1.4% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.8% Gharti/Bhujel, 0.7% Thakuri, 0.6% Darai, 0.5% Ghale, 0.3% Brahmu/Barahmo, 0.2% Badi, 0.2% Gaine, 0.2% Nuniya, 0.2% Tharu, 0.1% other Dalit, 0.1% Koiri/Kushwaha, 0.1% Limbu, 0.1% Majhi, 0.1% Rai, 0.1% Teli and 0.3% others.[5]
In terms of religion, 87.8% were Hindu, 4.5% Christian, 4.4% Buddhist, 3.1% Muslim and 0.1% others.[6]
In terms of literacy, 76.1% could both read and write, 1.9% could read but not write and 22.0% could neither read nor write.[7]
To promote local culture Gorkha has three Community radio stations, Radio Manaslu - 103.9 MHz, Radio Gorkha - 92.8 MHz and Radio Deurali F.M - 106.4 MHz.
Palungtar Airport, also known a Gorkha Airport, is an out of service airport that lies in the neighboring Palungtar Municipality. Gorkha is road accessible from all parts of Nepal. Gorkha has direct bus service from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan [8]