| Prithvi Highway | |
|---|---|
| Route information | |
| Length: | 174 km (108 mi) |
| History: | Completed in 1974 |
| Major junctions | |
| East end: | Kathmandu |
| West end: | Pokhara |
| Location | |
| Primary destinations: |
Nagdhunga, Naubise, Galchhi, Gajuri, Malekhu, Kurintar, Mungling, Anbukhaireni, Dumre, Damauli, Pokhara |
| Highway system | |
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Roads in Nepal |
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The Prithvi Highway (Nepali: पृथ्वी राजमार्ग) is a 174 km (108 mi) long highway connecting Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and Pokhara, a tourist city in the western part of Nepal.[1]
The construction of the highway started from 1967 with the help from the Chinese Government. The construction was completed in 1974. The highway is named after the King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
This landslide-prone and heavily congested highway passes through five districts: Kathmandu, Dhading, Chitwan, Tanahu and Kaski.[1] This highway has a junction with Tribhuvan Highway at Naubise. The Narayanghat-Mugling section connects this highway to Mahendra Highway, the longest highway in Nepal. Until 2011 opening of the B.P. Koirala Highway, this highway was the only improved land route from Kathmandu Valley to all points south, and as such the main artery for heavy trucks into Kathmandu Valley and into Pokhara.
The hills that flank the 206 kilometres (128 mi) stretch of the Prithvi Highway from Kathmandu to Pokhara contain some of the most important religious sites in Nepal. Manakamana Mandir near Mugling, is one of the oldest temples in central Nepal and is an important destination for Hindu pilgrimage.[2]
A 25 kilometres (16 mi) road off the main highway connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu links to historical town of Gorkha. Some 300 years ago, Nepal was divided into 50 tiny states, and Gorkha was one of them. King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the founder of Shah Dynasty, unified Nepal into one kingdom. His Gorkha palace resides on top of a hill at an altitude of 3,281 feet (1,000 m). Gorkha is also the home of Gurkhas - the legendary brave warriors.[3] The nearby hill town of Bandipur is a living museum of Newari architecture and culture.[2] Apart from these historic points of interest, the highway is lined with modern townships that have sprung up around important road junctions and river crossings. The scenery along the highway is dramatic as it follows a series of deep river valleys. On clear days, most of the way to Pokhara there are views of Machapuchare and the Annapurna massif.[2]
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