Temple, monastery or heritage site
Jajarkot Durbar
The old palace of the former rulers of Jajarkot, in the district headquarters of Khalanga.
खलङ्गा, जाजरकोट
Khalanga (Jajarkot)
The hill bazaar headquarters of Jajarkot, above the Bheri river and home to the old Jajarkot palace.
This is Khalanga, the headquarters bazaar of Jajarkot district; several other district headquarters in Nepal are also called Khalanga.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Jajarkot, Karnali
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Khalanga is the headquarters town of Jajarkot district in Karnali Province, set on a hillside above the Bheri river. It lies in Bheri Municipality and is the district's main market and service centre, with government offices, a hospital, schools and shops. The old palace of the former rulers of Jajarkot stands in the town and is its main historical landmark.
Jajarkot is far off the usual tourist routes, and Khalanga is a place for travellers interested in the everyday life and history of the middle hills of Karnali rather than for sightseeing in the conventional sense. From the town there are views over the Bheri valley and the forested and terraced ridges around it, and paths lead down to the river and out to surrounding villages.
The town is reached by road from Surkhet, and it makes a natural stop for anyone travelling through the districts of the Bheri valley, including neighbouring Rukum West across the river. Facilities are simple, but there is enough food and lodging for a short stay.
History and culture
Jajarkot was one of the small hill kingdoms of western Nepal, ruled by a Shah dynasty. After the unification of Nepal it kept a degree of local autonomy as a rajya, a status that lasted until such principalities were abolished in the early 1960s. The palace in Khalanga is a reminder of this period, and members of the former ruling family remained influential in local life.
In November 2023 a strong earthquake centred in Jajarkot caused many deaths and widespread damage in the district and in neighbouring Rukum West, and reconstruction has continued since. The population is mainly Khas Hindu, including Thakuri, Chhetri, Brahmin and Dalit communities, with Magar villages in parts of the district.
Things to do in Khalanga (Jajarkot)
Jajarkot palace
See the old palace of the former rulers in the town; ask locally about access.
Bazaar walk
Walk through the market and lanes of Khalanga.
Bheri valley walks
Walk down towards the Bheri river and to nearby villages for views and village life.
Weather and the best time to visit Khalanga (Jajarkot)
Weather in Khalanga (Jajarkot)
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are dry and clear, the most comfortable months for travel in the middle hills.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and mostly dry, with cold nights and morning fog in the valleys.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April are pleasant with flowering trees; May turns hot and hazy in the lower valleys.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, and landslides frequently block the hill roads.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
A few simple hotels and lodges in the bazaar.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Travel by road from Birendranagar towards Jajarkot; buses and jeeps run on the hill road.
Nearest hub: Birendranagar (Surkhet)
- roadBuses and jeeps from Birendranagar to Khalanga on hill roads; the journey takes most of a day.
- flightFly to Surkhet or Nepalgunj and continue by road; flights to airstrips in the area are irregular.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Khalanga or Jajarkot district.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Khalanga (Jajarkot)
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Hill roads from Surkhet to Jajarkot are prone to landslides and washouts in the monsoon.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Bheri river runs high in the monsoon; keep away from riverbanks after heavy rain.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Carry cash from Surkhet; banking is limited.
- Be sensitive to communities still rebuilding after the 2023 earthquake.
- Start road journeys early, and allow extra time in the monsoon.
Questions about Khalanga (Jajarkot)
Where is Jajarkot Khalanga?
On a hillside above the Bheri river in Jajarkot district, Karnali Province.
How do I get to Jajarkot?
By road from Birendranagar in Surkhet; the trip takes most of a day.
Is Jajarkot safe to visit after the 2023 earthquake?
The district is open to travel, but reconstruction is ongoing; check current local conditions before going.
Nearby
Valley or region
Bheri Valley (Jajarkot)
The deep valley of the Bheri river through Jajarkot, with terraced hills, river villages and suspension bridges.
Town or village
Chaurjahari
A market town on a broad terrace above the Bheri river in Rukum West, with an airstrip and a regional hospital.
Town or village
Dailekh Bazaar
The hill bazaar headquarters of Dailekh district, close to the Shirsthan and Nabhisthan flame shrines.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Jajarkot District, Wikipedia, Bheri River, Wikipedia