Temple · Hindu
Manakamana Temple
मनकामना मन्दिर
Goddess Bhagwati (Manakamana)·17th century CE (current structure post-1934)·Gorkha
A hilltop temple dedicated to the wish-fulfilling goddess Bhagwati, accessible by one of Nepal's most scenic cable car rides.
Dedicated to
Goddess Bhagwati (Manakamana)
Period
17th century CE (current structure post-1934)
Hours
5:00 AM – 7:00 PM (cable car 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Admission
Free
Neighborhood
Manakamana Village
Manakamana Temple sits at 1,302 meters on a ridge in the Gorkha district, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Bhagwati (Manakamana), believed to fulfill the wishes of devotees. The temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Nepal.
The original temple dates to the 17th century, built where Queen Bhagwati Devi of King Ram Shah is said to have demonstrated her divine powers. The current pagoda-style temple was rebuilt after the 1934 earthquake.
Since 1998, an Austrian-built cable car (the Manakamana Cable Car) connects the temple to the highway at Kurintar, offering a 10-minute ride with spectacular views of the Trishuli River gorge, terraced hills, and on clear days, the Himalayan range including Manaslu and the Annapurnas. Before the cable car, pilgrims would trek for a full day uphill.
Animal sacrifice is practiced here by some devotees, particularly during Dashain. Saturday is the busiest day, with long queues for the cable car.
Best visited in autumn.autumn: best, 12°C to 27°C. Dashain brings enormous crowds for animal sacrifices and blessings. Book cable car tickets early. Mountain views spectacular. monsoon: possible, 20°C to 30°C. Cable car operates in light rain. Clouds swirl around the hilltop temple dramatically. Dashain pilgrimage starts in September. spring: good, 14°C to 30°C. Warm cable car ride with valley views. The wish-granting temple is popular with domestic pilgrims during festival season. winter: good, 5°C to 20°C. Cool hilltop breezes. Clear views of the Manaslu and Annapurna ranges from the temple. Shorter queues for the cable car.
The Almanac
| Season | Months | Rating | Temperature | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| spring | Mar–May | Good | 14° — 30°C | Warm cable car ride with valley views. The wish-granting temple is popular with domestic pilgrims during festival season. |
| monsoon | Jun–Sep | Possible | 20° — 30°C | Cable car operates in light rain. Clouds swirl around the hilltop temple dramatically. Dashain pilgrimage starts in September. |
| autumn | Oct–Nov | Best | 12° — 27°C | Dashain brings enormous crowds for animal sacrifices and blessings. Book cable car tickets early. Mountain views spectacular. |
| winter | Dec–Feb | Good | 5° — 20°C | Cool hilltop breezes. Clear views of the Manaslu and Annapurna ranges from the temple. Shorter queues for the cable car. |
- spring Mar–May
- Warm cable car ride with valley views. The wish-granting temple is popular with domestic pilgrims during festival season.
- monsoon Jun–Sep
- Cable car operates in light rain. Clouds swirl around the hilltop temple dramatically. Dashain pilgrimage starts in September.
- autumn Oct–Nov
- Dashain brings enormous crowds for animal sacrifices and blessings. Book cable car tickets early. Mountain views spectacular.
- winter Dec–Feb
- Cool hilltop breezes. Clear views of the Manaslu and Annapurna ranges from the temple. Shorter queues for the cable car.
Folio III
Situation
Coda