Sightseeing · Kathmandu
Chobar Gorge & Jal Binayak Temple
The mythic gorge where Manjushri drained the valley lake — with the Jal Binayak Ganesh temple and an iron suspension bridge over the Bagmati.
- Address
- Chobar, Kirtipur, Kathmandu Valley
Chobar Gorge is one of the most mythologically important places in the Kathmandu Valley — the narrow cleft through which the Bagmati river finally escapes the bowl of hills. According to legend, the entire valley was once a lake, and the bodhisattva Manjushri cut this gorge with his sword to drain the waters and reveal the fertile land below. Beside the river stands the much-loved Jal Binayak Ganesh temple.
The short answer
Drive about 30 minutes southwest of central Kathmandu toward Kirtipur to reach Chobar. Cross the historic iron suspension bridge over the gorge, visit the 17th-century Jal Binayak temple, and climb the short hill to the Adinath Lokeshwar shrine, famous for the household pots and pans nailed to its walls as offerings. It makes an easy half-day, especially paired with nearby Taudaha Lake.
What to expect
The gorge itself is dramatic — sheer rock walls funneling the Bagmati into a churning channel. The Jal Binayak pagoda, raised in 1602, enshrines a large natural rock as its Ganesh image and is busy with pilgrims, particularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Scottish-made suspension bridge, assembled in the early 1900s, is among the oldest in Nepal. Above it all, Chobar hill offers quiet temples and valley views.
Good to know
- Getting there: About 30 minutes by taxi southwest of the city, near Kirtipur.
- Entry: Gorge, bridge and temples are free; donations welcome at shrines.
- Combine with: Taudaha Lake, a short drive further south.
- Best time: Morning, before the river haze and traffic build up.
- Respect the river: The Bagmati here is sacred; treat the shrines and water with care.
How it fits your trip
Chobar rewards travelers who want myth and quiet over crowds. Combine it with the placid waters of Taudaha Lake for a peaceful southern loop, or with the riverside Gokarna Mahadev Temple on the valley's eastern edge to compare two great Bagmati shrines. For a full menu of escapes beyond the temples, see the best Kathmandu Valley day trips and the wider hidden gems of the Kathmandu Valley. To place these sites in context, Nepal's UNESCO World Heritage Sites cover the valley's grandest monuments.
Featured in
More sights & attractions in Kathmandu
Frequently asked questions
What is Chobar Gorge?+
Chobar Gorge is a narrow rock cleft southwest of Kathmandu where the Bagmati river leaves the valley. Legend says the bodhisattva Manjushri cut the gorge with his sword to drain the great lake that once filled the Kathmandu Valley, making the land habitable.
What is the Jal Binayak temple?+
Jal Binayak is a 17th-century pagoda temple beside the gorge, dedicated to Ganesh as a protector of the waters. The shrine's image is a large natural rock, and it is one of the valley's most revered Ganesh temples, busy with worshippers on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Is there a suspension bridge at Chobar?+
Yes. A historic iron suspension bridge, manufactured in Scotland and assembled here in the early 1900s, crosses the Bagmati at the gorge. It is one of the oldest bridges of its kind in Nepal and a striking sight above the river.
Can you visit Chobar as a half-day trip?+
Yes. Chobar is about 30 minutes southwest of central Kathmandu, near Kirtipur. You can combine the gorge, Jal Binayak temple, the suspension bridge and the hilltop Adinath Lokeshwar shrine, and add nearby Taudaha Lake, into an easy half-day outing.
Is there an entry fee at Chobar?+
The gorge, bridge and temples are generally free to visit, though small donations are welcome at the shrines. The nearby Chobar cave system has a separate entry fee when open. Bring cash for any local charges and offerings.
