The Kalika temple stands within the palace complex on the ridge. For centuries it was the private shrine of the Shah kings, and the goddess Kalika is believed to have guided the conquests of Prithvi Narayan Shah. The image is kept in an inner sanctum that only designated priests may enter, so pilgrims make their offerings in the courtyard: flowers, red powder, incense, coconut and sweets. Priests return prasad and tika.
Worship is busiest on Tuesdays and Saturdays and during Dashain, especially on the eighth and ninth days, when large numbers of animals are sacrificed and the palace fills with devotees. Pilgrims who prefer not to witness sacrifice should visit on other days and in the early morning. Leather is not allowed, and photography of the shrine is generally not permitted. Ask your guide which days are quietest during the week of your visit.
A short walk down the southern side of the ridge brings you to the Gorakhnath cave, a rock shelter shrine to Guru Gorakhnath, the Nath yogi revered by the Shah kings, attended by yogis with large earrings of the Kanphata order. It is quiet and cool, and devotees offer lamps and incense. Many pilgrims time this darshan after Manakamana, making it a two-goddess circuit in one or two days. Allow an hour for both shrines.
Good for
- Pilgrims
- Seniors
- Families
- Groups
Questions travellers ask
Can pilgrims see the Kalika idol in Gorkha?
No. The image of Kalika in Gorkha Durbar is kept in an inner sanctum that only designated priests enter, a long-standing tradition of the royal shrine. Pilgrims offer worship in the temple courtyard, and priests carry offerings inside and return prasad. This is normal practice and the darshan is still considered complete.
When is the best time for Gorkha Kalika darshan?
Weekday mornings outside festivals are calm and give time for prayers. Tuesdays and Saturdays are busier, and Dashain, which falls in September or October, draws very large crowds and many animal sacrifices. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year, so check current dates before you travel.
Who was Gorakhnath and why is Gorkha named after him?
Gorakhnath was a medieval yogi and founder of the Nath tradition, widely revered in Nepal and North India. Legend holds that he blessed the young Shah ruler, and the town of Gorkha, and later the word Gurkha, are traced to his name. The cave below Gorkha Durbar is his main shrine here.
