I have not revealed it to many people, probably not even to myself, but there is a history lover within this 5'10" lanky, skinny and (seemingly) "take-it-easy" kind of guy. I've always been fascinated by the story(ies) from the history. How things turned out to be now, the present....
hehe,, ल ल झकास शुरुवात भो ब्लग को । अब मूल विषयतिर लागौं ।
The thing is about the hike to Gorkha durbar on Sunday, 6th of July, 2008. It was one of those regular hike from the office, which has almost been like a culture at D2. Some new innovations from the boss, and now "the culture" has undergone social change.
Theme based hiking as now it is called where every hike has a theme. I wont go into the details of "theme based hiking". All that matters is next few series of hikes have a common theme of "revisiting history".
Gorkha durbar visit was the first of the "revisiting history". And boy was I excited to be a part of it. (The joy exponentiates esp. when you earlier get rejected for some cool places... i have to mention Jiri.... damn).
It's little surprising that this was my first hike from D2 after almost 4 months here. That'd be some 17 hikes... omg.
But it's never too late... might be the first hike was to be a special one like this.
Gorkha - place where idea of greater Nepal was concieved, probably the origin of our nationality sustained to this date, the origin of unification of the country (I feel like putting bullets on their head, when I hear people talking of dividing our country.)
Though the descendents of Shah are no more King of Nepal (for different reason, n he doesn't deserve to be either), but likes of Ram, Dravya, Narbhupal and PrithiNarayan has done lots for us,.. I believe.
Ram dai took us to the gorkha bazaar in 3.5 hours from the office premises. Gorkha though at high hilly region and mostly covered with clouds(that means no bright sunshine), was very hot. I guess humidity has a significant impact on weather.
Bazaar is a nice small place; typical small town with stone pavements.
It was about an hour's uphill to the ancient durbar. But on the way is a recently turned "prithvi national museum" and boy is it well maintained!!.
The wooden doors and windows appear like they are daily oiled, and the walls daily cleaned. The surrounding so beautiful and the location so perfect. We had no options but to spend hours there.
The inside of the museum houses ancient stuffs ranging from weaponry to musical instruments, to utensils and paintings depicting the famous activities of Shah Kings. The paintings are truly mesmerizing...
The main durbar was somewhat abandoned(I felt like) despite its engima, and the presence of gorakhkali temple and Gorakhnath temple(It is said that Gorakhnath baba came into the dream of PNShah and the unification idea started).
The building is majestic in view, and I have to admit the walls defend the fort very well. The 'top of the hill'location ease up the job of the wall as well. Surely, Shahs that time were great kings.
Nearby was another small hill(what i notioned as a 'local maxima' hehe..) with siddha paaile at the top. That place is awesome; the view of the durbar is really great, the bazaar, daraudi khola and the view of the mountain range is truly magical. (Though weather didn't fully support us).
Trip to gorkha was very enjoyable and it in fact fulfilled a childhood/hidden desire in me.
I'd love to go all the hikes of this historical themes, but its very unlikely to make it for the next time(most probably to Nuwakot). But then I'm eyeing for palpa; the one after that.
Now that the kinghood is a history now, but these ancient places are our asset and they should be well utilized. I don't know but museums/resorts are great justification for these national heritages.
More pictures can be found at my web album of Gorkha hike.
