Gorkha Museum | Gorkha

Information

Landmark: Gorkha Museum
City: Gorkha
Country: Nepal
Continent: Asia

Gorkha Museum, Gorkha, Nepal, Asia

The Gorkha Museum is a historical and ethnographic museum located in the Gorkha Bazaar, at the foot of the hill leading to the Gorkha Durbar. It is housed in the Tallo Durbar (Lower Palace), a classic Newari-style palace built in the early 19th century.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in a grand brick-and-timber structure featuring exquisite wood carvings on its windows, doors, and cornices. It is surrounded by a well-maintained courtyard and traditional walled gardens. The interior retains its original palace layout with thick masonry walls and low-ceilinged rooms that now serve as exhibition galleries.

Location & Access Logistics

The museum is located on Rani Pokhari Maarga, Gorkha 34000, Nepal.

Access: It is easily accessible by vehicle from the Gorkha Bazaar main road. It serves as a natural starting point for visitors before they begin the climb to the Upper Durbar.

Operating Hours: Typically open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and Sunday, 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM. It is usually closed on Mondays.

Fees: A ticket is required for entry; separate fees apply for SAARC and foreign nationals. Photography inside the galleries may require an additional fee or be restricted.

Historical Origin

The building, the Tallo Durbar, was built in 1835 (B.S. 1892) by King Rajendra Bikram Shah's youngest son, Prince Upendra Bikram Shah. It was later converted into a district administrative office before being established as a museum to preserve the legacy of the Gorkhali unification and the Shah dynasty.

Key Highlights & Activities

Military Gallery: Displays a vast collection of traditional weapons, including khukuris, cannons, flintlock muskets, and shields used during the unification of Nepal.

Shah Dynasty Portraits: Features paintings and historical descriptions of the kings of the Shah dynasty, starting from King Drabya Shah.

Ethnographic Exhibits: Showcases the diverse culture of the Gorkha district through traditional costumes, jewelry, household tools, and musical instruments of various ethnic groups.

Royal Palanquin: Houses ceremonial items used by the royal family, including traditional palanquins.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The museum grounds feature stone-paved walkways and manicured gardens. Public restrooms are available within the complex. The ground floor of the museum is accessible, but the upper floors require navigating original, steep wooden stairs. 4G/LTE signals are strong throughout the site.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is best visited in the morning as part of a day-trip to Gorkha. This allows visitors to view the artifacts in natural light and leave enough time for the subsequent climb to the Citadel.

Facts & Legends

The building itself is considered one of the finest surviving examples of the late-Malla style of architecture outside of the Kathmandu Valley. Local historians note that the construction of the Tallo Durbar signaled the shift of the royal family's daily life from the fortified hilltop (Upper Durbar) to the more accessible bazaar area.