Gorkha District

Gorkha District (गोरखा जिल्ला ), a part of Gandaki Pradesh, is one of the seventy-Seven districts of Nepal and connected historically with the creation of the modern Nepal and the name of the legendary Gurkha soldiers. The district, with Gorkha Municipality (previously known as Prithivi Narayan Nagarpalika) as its district headquarters, covers an area of 3,610 km2 and has a population (2001) of 288,134. It is the location of the Manakamana Temple. Also, the temples of great sage Gorakh Nath and goddess Gorakh Kali temple is located in district, after which the district got its name. Four major rivers run within and along it - the Chepe, Daraudi, Marsyangdi, and Budhi Gandaki.

Origin
There are three major legends associated with naming of "Gorkha".


 * In Nepali,‘ Kharka’ means ‘Grass Land’. This land was believed to be like meadow in Ancient period. Thus it was named Kharka and later the term Kharka got modified to Garkha and Garkha changed to Gorkha.
 * In Sanskrit Scripture, ‘Gorakshaa’ means the protection of cow. Since Nepal is a country where killing a Cow is considered unholy and a very serious crime, the land was named Goraksha and later it became Gorkha.
 * Myth holds that a Saint named Gorakhnath appeared for the first in Nepal in Gorkha. There is still a cave with his paduka (feet) and idol of him in this place which supports the myth. Thus since the city was established in the place where Sage Gorakhnath appeared, it was named ‘Gorkha’.

Places to visit

 * River Daraundi Club masel.
 * Manakamana Temple: The Manakamana Temple situated in the Gorkha district of Nepal is the sacred place of the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati. The name Manakamana originates from two words, "mana" meaning heart and "kamana" meaning wish. Venerated since the 17th century, it is believed that Goddess Bhagawati grants the wishes of all those who make the pilgrimage to her shrine to worship her. Cable CAr.jpeg
 * Gorakhnath: It lies ten meters down the southern side of Gorkha Palace which is visited with great devotion by Brahmans and Chhetris considering it to be the holy pilgrimage Site. Great fare is organized each year on the day of Baisakh Purnima(the full moon Day of Baisakh) in Gorakhnath Cave.
 * Gorakhkali Temple: This Temple is located at the west side of the Gorkha Palace.
 * Chepe, Daraudi, Marsyangdi and Budhi Gandaki.
 * Gorkha Kingdom: Shree 5 Badah Maharajadhiraj Prithavi Narayan Shah Dev.jpg, last King of Gorkha Kingdom and first one of Kingdom of Nepal]] About 1700 steps leads you to the top of the hill at an altitude of 3281 ft. where Newar fashioned Gorkha Palace stands firm along with forts and temple boasting on its rich History. It is at 40–50 minutes of Walking Distance far from Gorkha Bazaar. One can view Manaslu(the 8th Highest Mountain of the World), Dhaulagiri and Ganesh Mountains from the Palace Complex.
 * Manaslu: Sunrise, Manaslu (2).jpg Eighth highest mountain in the world
 * Ligligkot and Lakhan Thapa Gaon are popular places in Gorkha for Hiking, Liglig has an interesting history.
 * Dhike Dada is a new attraction for public from Gorkha,Tanahun and Lamjung.

Transport
Gorkha town has daily bus services to and from Kathmandu (six hours) and Pokhara (three hours).

Demographics
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Gorkha District had a population of 271,061. Of these, 72.9% spoke Nepali, 13.3% Gurung, 4.7% Magar, 3.9% Tamang, 1.1% Ghale, 0.9% Urdu, 0.7% Newari, 0.6% Kumal, 0.6% Chepang, and 0.5% Bajjika as their first language. Chhetri are largest indigenous group in this region.

24.7% of the population in the district spoke Nepali, 0.8% Gurung and 0.5% Magar as their second language.

Health care
Following is the data obtained from the PHASE Nepal website: A district hospital is in Gorkha, the municipal hospital in Amppipal is supported by a German NGO.
 * Central/regional/zonal hospitals: 0
 * District hospitals: 2
 * Primary healthcare centres: 3
 * Health posts: 10
 * Sub-health post: 55
 * Number of doctors: 8

The small health centers in many village development committees (VDCs) are without Auxiliary Health Workers (AHWs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Community Health Workers (CHWs). So, people seeking emergency health assistance have to travel a long distance to the district headquarters or Kathmandu or end up dying because of lack of treatment. Many people still believe in Dhami and Jhakri and are against taking medicine or going to the hospital for the treatment. An NGO, PHASE Nepal provides many health care facilities and training programs to three VDCs: Sirdibas, Bihi/Prok and Chumchet. Many people residing in these VDCs have benefited from the program.

Educational status


As per the National Population and Housing Census of Nepal 2011, the literacy rate of Gorkha is 66.34%. The female literacy rate is 59.44% and the male literacy rate is 75.09%.


 * Drabya Saha Multiple Campus, Prithvi Narayan Muniplicity-8, Laxmi Bazar
 * Gorkha Campus, Prithvi Narayan Muniplicity, Gorkha
 * Bhawani Multiple Campus, Palungtar, Gorkha
 * Dullav Campus, Masel, Ghyampesal, Gorkha
 * Paropakar Adarsha Multiple Campus, Jaubari, Gorkha
 * Bheemodaya Multiple Campus, Aarughat, Gorkha

Administration
The district consists of 11 Municipalities, out of which two are urban municipalities and nine are rural municipalities. These are as follows:
 * Gorkha Municipality
 * Palungtar Municipality
 * Sulikot Rural Municipality
 * Siranchok Rural Municipality
 * Ajirkot Rural Municipality
 * Chum Nubri Rural Municipality
 * Dharche Rural Municipality
 * Bhimsen Rural Municipality
 * Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality
 * Aarughat Rural Municipality
 * Gandaki Rural Municipality

Former Village Development Committees
Prior to the restructuring of the district, Gorkha District consisted of the following municipalities and Village development committees:


 * Aanppipal
 * Aaru Arbang
 * Aaru Chanuate
 * Aarupokhari
 * Asrang
 * Baguwa
 * Bakrang
 * Bhirkot
 * Bhumlichok
 * Bihi
 * Borlang
 * Barpak
 * Bunkot
 * Chhaikampar
 * Chhoprak
 * Chumchet
 * Chyangli
 * Darbhung
 * Deurali
 * Dhawa
 * Dhuwakot
 * Gaikhur
 * Gakhu
 * Ghairung
 * Ghyachok
 * Ghyalchok
 * Gorakhkali
 * Gorkha Municipality
 * Gumda
 * Hansapur
 * Harmi
 * Jaubari
 * Kashigaun
 * Kerabari
 * Kerauja
 * Kharibot
 * Khoplang
 * Laprak
 * Lapu
 * Lho
 * Makaising
 * Manakamana
 * Manbu
 * Masel
 * Mirkot
 * Muchhok
 * Namjung
 * Nareshwar
 * Palungtar Municipality
 * Panchkhuwadeurali
 * Pandrung
 * Phinam
 * Phujel
 * Prok
 * Ranishwara
 * Samagaun
 * Saurpani
 * Srinathkot
 * Simjung
 * Sirdibas
 * Swara
 * Taklung
 * Takukot
 * Takumajhalakuribot
 * Tandrang
 * Tanglichok
 * Taple
 * Tara Nagar
 * Thalajung
 * Thumi
 * Uiya
 * Warpak

Mountains

 * Manaslu ( 8,516 m )
 * Himalchuli (7,895 m)
 * Shringi Himal (7,177 m)
 * Buddha Himal (6,674 m )
 * Ganesh Himal ( 7,422 m )
 * Ngadi Chuli (7,871 m)
 * Nar Phu	 : Peri Range 5748 m
 * Ganesh VI : Ganesh Himal range (6480 m)
 * Tobsar Peak	: Shringi Himal range (6100m)