Manakamana Temple, Gorkha

The Manakamana temple in Gorkha, Nepal, is a popular destination for Hindu devotees. The temple is located on top of a hill, but accessibility has been improved with the addition of a modern cable car system. This cable car ferries travelers from the base station on the major highway to the temple premises in just over 10 minutes. The temple itself is a two-tiered pagoda in a large courtyard, and it houses the enshrined form of the goddess Manakamana in the shape of a large boulder.

The temple lies in Gorkha from where the unification of Nepal started under King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Especially Saturdays and Tuesdays see maximum rush when it takes hours just to get a glimpse of the goddess in the temple. One can have panoramic views of the Manaslu and Annapurna peaks from the temple complex.There is the Bakreshwar Shiva Temple and Siddha Gufa (cave) at about an hour’s walk from the temple.   

Manakamana Temple – Fact 

• Location: Gorkha District, Gandaki Province, Nepal
• Altitude: Approx. 1,300 meters (4,265 ft) above sea level
• Distance from Kathmandu: About 104 km west via the Prithvi Highway
• Travel Time from Kathmandu:
• By private vehicle: 3.5 to 4.5 hours (depending on traffic)
• By tourist bus: 4.5 to 5.5 hours

How to Reach the Temple:

🚡 Cable Car Access:

Cable Car Station: Kurintar (258 m), near the Trishuli River

Ride Duration: Around 10–12 minutes

Cable Car Length: Approx. 2.8 km

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM (break from 12 to 1 PM)

Best Time to Visit:

• Peak Days: Tuesdays and Saturdays (most auspicious days for Hindu worship)
• Festivals: Dashain, Magh Sankranti, and Manakamana Mela attract thousands of devotees.
• Season: Autumn (Sept–Nov) and Spring (Mar–May) for clear skies and good mountain views