From Gorkha to Chitwan a Cultural Immersion in Nepal
From 18–20 March 2026, 19 Young Officers (YOs) from across the Brigade of Gurkhas visited Nepal on Exercise SHAISHIK BHRAMAN as part of the Survival Nepali Culture and Language Course. The visit reinforced practical Nepali skills and introduced Nepal’s history, social structures, and cultural practices to support effective leadership in Gurkha units.
The visit began in Gorkha, the ancestral heartland of modern Nepal. YOs toured the Gorkha Lower Palace (Tallo Durbar), now the Gorkha Museum, a 17th‑century fortress-palace that frames Nepal’s dynastic history. From here, King Prithvi Narayan Shah launched the mid‑18th‑century campaign that unified the principalities into the modern Nepali state.
The palace also showcased traditional Nepali architecture, with intricate woodwork throughout. The group discussed Nepal’s social composition, including caste structures and the Shah dynasty, before ascending to Gorkha Durbar and the Gorakhnath and Kalika temples. As an active place of worship, it offered a first-hand view of Nepali religious practice, with offerings and rituals set against sweeping Himalayan foothill views.
After a traditional Thakali set lunch and an introduction to eating bhat by hand, the group travelled to Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over two days, YOs explored the Terai lowlands, challenging the assumption that Nepal is defined only by mountains. Chitwan’s conservation success includes the protection of the one‑horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger.
The return to Pokhara included Bandipur, a preserved Newari trading town often described as a “living museum.” Its pedestrian bazaar, carved wooden facades, temples and Tundikhel square offered a vivid snapshot of everyday life. YOs also practised Nepali with local residents, building confidence beyond the classroom.
Exercise SHAISHIK BHRAMAN delivered more than familiarisation: it gave YOs practical insight into Nepal’s history, cultural diversity and social fabric, directly strengthening their effectiveness as junior leaders in the Brigade of Gurkhas.