Manakamana Temple
Religious Site Hindu temple and pilgrimage site reached by cable car
Perched above the Gandaki Valley, Manakamana Temple is reached by a popular cable car from Kurintar. Pilgrims and tourists visit the Hindu shrine for worship, mountain views and local offerings.
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Manakamana Temple is a Hindu temple located on a hilltop in the Manakamana area of central Nepal, and it is an established pilgrimage site dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati. The temple is known for receiving large numbers of devotees who come to offer prayers and seek blessings.
Pilgrims reach the shrine either on foot via local trails or by using the cable car that transports visitors from the base station up to the temple complex. The hilltop position affords views over the surrounding valleys and hill country.
The site has long-standing local religious significance and has functioned as a focus for regional pilgrimage for many generations. The modern cable car was introduced to provide reliable and rapid access for worshippers and tourists.
The temple sits in Gorkha District in central Nepal; the cable car base is at Kurintar and the hilltop complex occupies a prominent ridge in the area.
- Pilgrimage site: A widely used pilgrimage destination dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati, attracting devotees who travel to make offerings and request blessings.
- Primary access: A cable car provides direct access from the base station at Kurintar to the hilltop temple, making the site accessible to large numbers of visitors without a mountain trek.
What to See #
- Manakamana Cable Car: A cable car that links the riverside village at the base station to the hilltop temple site, carrying pilgrims and tourists up the slope and providing panoramic views of the surrounding hills.
How to Get to Manakamana Temple #
Manakamana Temple is accessed by the Manakamana Cable Car from the Kurintar (Kurintar/Chores) terminal - the cable car ride to the hilltop temple takes around 10 minutes. The cable car terminal is reachable by road from nearby towns and by scheduled local buses or private vehicles; visitors normally travel to the terminal by road and then take the short cable-car ride to the temple.
Tips for Visiting Manakamana Temple #
- Use the Manakamana Cable Car from Kurintar and aim for the first ascent of the day to avoid long queues at the lower station and a crowded temple courtyard.
- Buy a return cable‑car ticket rather than queuing separately for the way down, and avoid major festivals when possible if you prefer a quieter visit.
- Bring small change for donations and offerings at the shrine and allow a short extra time to walk around the hilltop for panoramic views of the valley below that many visitors skip.
Best Time to Visit Manakamana Temple #
Visit in the post-monsoon autumn (Oct-Nov) or spring (Mar-May) for the clearest views and most reliable weather.
Weather & Climate near Manakamana Temple #
Manakamana Temple's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with hot summers (peaking in June) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1999 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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May
May is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (198 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (362 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (478 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (424 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (264 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 10 mm and clear sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
