Gorkha, 1 March: A trekking tour has begun from Manakamana Temple, a famous religious site in Gorkha, to Gorakhkali Temple. The trekking tour has been organized by the Rotary Club of Gorkha with the support of Gorkha Municipality and Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality to promote tourism by connecting the two major religious tourist destinations of the district.
“If the trekking route from Manakamana to Gorakhkali can be established, it will create a situation where people visiting Manakamana Temple can reach Gorakhkali Temple,” said Binod Kumar Basnyat, president of the club. “This will also further contribute to the development of tourism in Gorkha.” It is also believed that the trek will help in identifying the trekking route.
Gorkha Municipality Mayor Krishna Bahadur Rana Magar said that the trekking route is important to take religious tourists visiting Manakamana Temple to Gorakhkali Temple. The trekking route includes Manakamana Temple, Bakreshwari Temple, Siddha Lakhan Thapa’s cave, the birthplace of Nepal’s first martyr Lakhan Thapa, Kaunle Bhangar, and Kuhire Bhir, and then Gorakhkali Temple.
“Citizens from all over the country should come to Gorkha once to understand the history of Nepal’s unification,” he said. “We have declared the Gorkha Visit Year and are also working on a plan to promote tourism in Gorkha.” Mayor Rana Magar said that despite the historical and religious ties between the Manakamana Temple and the Gorakhkali Temple, tourism has not been promoted by linking them.
The team that set out on the trek will reach the Gorakhkali Temple in the Gorkha district headquarters on Saturday. “There is a sisterly relationship between these two temples,” said Mayor Rana Magar. There is also a religious belief that if the devotees who visit the Manakamana Temple also visit the Gorakhkali Temple, all their wishes will be fulfilled.”
