न्याय खोज्न गोर्खा - Unite for Good, Rotarians Walk Towards Gorkha Durbar

The Ghosts of Last Night

From a dreamland where I danced with beauty, I returned to reality as my eyes opened. The room was dark, and I saw that even the outside was darker. I checked my mobile phone, which was charging. It was 3:30 a.m.

Chhongba, my friend, lay still in the other bed—perhaps wandering through Dreamland himself. Silently, I slipped into the bathroom and let the hot water wash over me. The echoes of yesterday’s hangover pulsed faintly, a familiar ghost, and I vowed once more to forsake drink from this day onward. Returning to my bed, I drowned in the endless scroll of social media.

“You’re awake already? What time is it?” Chhongba mumbled, urgent. 5 a.m.—he rushed to get ready. By 5:30, we walked in silence toward Gorkha Durbar, the city still asleep.

The Historic Heartbeat of Gorkha

Gorkha, a historically significant hill region, played a pivotal role in the formation of modern Nepal. Traditionally celebrated as the homeland of brave warriors, it is also revered as the birthplace of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier of Nepal.

Administratively, Gorkha constitutes part of Gandaki Province and ranks among Nepal’s 77 districts. The iconic Gorkha Durbar, where the Shah dynasty began its 240-year reign, crowns this historic landscape. Built in the 16th century by Ram Shah, this palace stands at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters atop a hill.

Located just an hour’s walk from Gorkha Bazaar (the district’s urban center), the Durbar remains a testament to Nepal’s rich heritage and the Shah kings’ legacy.

King Ram Shah introduced groundbreaking criminal codes, giving rise to a famous saying across the kingdom: “न्याय नपाए गोर्खा जानु” (“If you have not received justice, go to Gorkha”). He was known for being fair and always gave just rulings, making Gorkha famous as a place where everyone could get justice.

Two Walkers, One Call, and an Unexpected Reunion

On the darkened trail, two of us walked. In some places, we switched on the flashlight on our phones. We talked, proud to be the first two Rotarians walking so early in the morning.

While walking, I remembered that one of my old-time travel buddies was also in Gorkha, so I called him.

“Hey Sujan! Where are you?”

He replied that he was also walking up toward the Palace—about 100 meters ahead of us.

Finally, we met and continued our hike uphill together. Though we had hiked countless trails before, we had rarely crossed paths in Kathmandu Valley. Yet here we were—reunited in Gorkha!

He was with a beautiful girl. Who was she? My heart whispered yes, but my mind insisted no. So I didn’t ask.

Not the First, Not the Last

We had barely walked a few minutes when we noticed shadowy figures moving steadily ahead—a silent procession winding its way toward the palace. My chest tightened with a mix of surprise and disbelief. We weren’t the first.

Anil Thapaliya, my fellow Rotarian, confirmed it with a breathless laugh. “Some started as early as 3:30 a.m.,” he said. The revelation hit me like a cold splash of water. Here I was, proud of our pre-dawn determination, only to realize others had pushed themselves harder, sacrificing sleep and comfort long before us. But we weren’t the last either.

Two of Us Became All of Us

The Rotary Year 2025-26 theme is “Unite for Good”—and here we were, embodying it in every step. Jayendra Rimal, Anil Thapaliya, Robin Shrestha, Mahesh Bajracharya, Gyandra Bhari, Arjun Shrestha, Anish Bajracharya, Dinesh Manandhar, Chhongba Sherpa, myself, and countless other Rotarians from Rotary District 3292 (Nepal-Bhutan) had come together—united for the walk, united for heritage, united for health, and united for good.

What began as two had grown into a movement.

The Legacy of Gorkha Durbar

After an hour’s steady climb, we finally stood before the magnificent Gorkha Durbar, breathless in more ways than one. The palace rose before us like a storybook illustration come to life – its ornate wooden windows, doors and beams whispering tales of craftsmen.

The harmonious chorus of temple bells from Gorakhnath and Kalikadevi temples, their spiritual melodies weaving through the palace courtyards. If we stayed quiet enough, we might just hear the echoes of Shah kings plotting unification.

A View to Remember

Standing high on the hill, Gorkha Durbar gives amazing views of the green valleys below. On clear days, you can even see the snowy Himalayas in the distance – though when we visited, the mountains were hiding behind clouds.

But this place is much more than just great views. Gorkha Durbar is like a living history book of Nepal. You can feel the past all around you – in the beautiful old carvings, in the quiet temples, and in the stories these walls could tell. It’s not just an old palace; it’s where Nepal’s proud history comes alive.

Whether you come for the scenery, the history, or the spiritual feeling, Gorkha Durbar is truly special. It shows why Nepal’s heritage is worth protecting and sharing with the world.

A Glimpse of Forbidden Mysteries

Someone behind me whispered, “Can you see it?”

One unforgettable moment came when we crowded around a tiny wooden window, each of us jostling for a peek at the legendary Quartz Crystal hidden within Gorkha Durbar. This wasn’t just any stone – it was a confiscated treasure, seized by police from Chandman Shahi’s residence in Satipipal on June 14, 2024.

A Heavy Heart, But Moving On

My heart begged to stay longer in that sacred space, clinging to every whisper of history in the ancient stones. Yet reason gently reminded us – all journeys must turn homeward. Before returning to our hotel, we paused at a local tea shop. With cup of tea as we shared snacks, moments to digest all we’d experienced. This is the magic of travel: the destination gives you sights, but the journey gives you wisdom. From fellow travelers, you learn unexpected perspectives. From locals, you receive living history. And from places like Gorkha Durbar, you carry away not just memories, but pieces of yourself you didn’t know were missing.