Gulmi District Travel Guide: Resunga–Tamghas, Ruru Kshetra at Ridi, and Routes from Kathmandu and Pokhara

Gulmi District lies in western Lumbini Province, bordered by Arghakhanchi to the west, Palpa to the south, Syangja to the east, and Baglung across the Kali Gandaki to the north. The district climbs from the river valley up through the southern flanks of the Mahabharat range. Its administrative centre is Tamghas, a hill town reached via the feeder road F043 that branches off the Siddhartha Highway at Tansen. According to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) local‑level list (2023 edition), Gulmi comprises 12 local units.

Resunga–Tamghas

The Resunga hill rises directly above Tamghas bazaar. A stepped footpath starts beside the municipal office and leads to the Resunga Temple complex on the summit ridge — no entry fee, and a small parking area sits just below the main shrine (Resunga Municipality notice board, photographed 3 Oct 2026). The hill is also a community forest managed under a leasehold agreement renewed in 2023; the Division Forest Office Gulmi lists the permitted walking trails and their approximate lengths. The walk takes roughly 30‑40 minutes at a moderate pace and rewards you with panoramic views of the Kali Gandaki valley and the distant Dhaulagiri range on clear days.

Lodging in Tamghas ranges from basic guesthouses near the bus park to a handful of mid‑range hotels along the highway frontage. Meal options are Nepali dal‑bhat sets and tea shops; a few places serve simple snacks such as momos and fried noodles (observed early October 2026).

Ruru Kshetra at Ridi on the Kali Gandaki

Ridi sits on the right bank of the Kali Gandaki (the west side looking downstream), where the river cuts a gorge between the Mahabharat foothills. The Ruru Kshetra temple group centres on the Rishikesh Temple, a pagoda‑style structure recorded in the Department of Archaeology inventory (entry dated 2019). Outside the Maghe Sankranti fair the bazaar is a compact cluster of pilgrim rest houses, two modest lodges near the river crossing, and a line of tea stalls selling tea, biscuits and seasonal fruit.

The annual Maghe Sankranti fair draws pilgrims from across the region; the next occurrence falls on 14 January 2027 per the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Samiti calendar (published 15 Sep 2026). Road access: follow the Siddhartha Highway (H10) to Tansen, then take feeder road F043 west to the Ridi junction. From there a 7 km paved spur climbs to the temple precinct. The spur surface is generally good after the post‑monsoon clearance (late October), but can be muddy during the rainy season.

Routes from Kathmandu and Pokhara

From Kathmandu

Take the Prithvi Highway (H04) west to Narayangadh, then join the Mahendra Highway (H01) westbound to Butwal. From Butwal continue north on the Siddhartha Highway (H10) through Palpa to Tansen. At Tansen turn onto feeder road F043, which runs west to Ridi (about 30 km) and onward to Tamghas (a further 12 km).

From Pokhara

Leave Pokhara on the Siddhartha Highway (H10) heading south through Waling to Tansen. The remainder of the journey is the same F043 feeder described above.

Both corridors are paved national highways up to Tansen; F043 is a two‑lane hill road with paved sections interrupted by gravel stretches, especially between the Ridi junction and the Resunga turn‑off. For current bus counters, departure points and fare verification, see the transport‑verification guide linked at the end of this page.

Road reality and seasons

The Mahendra Highway (H01) and Siddhartha Highway (H10) are maintained by the Department of Roads. Feeder F043 is maintained by the Division Road Office (Department of Roads). Monsoon landslides typically affect F043 between June and September, with the Kali Gandaki gorge section near Ridi most prone to blockages. Post‑monsoon clearance usually restores full passage by late October. Winter fog on the Siddhartha Highway between Butwal and Tansen can reduce visibility from December through February. These are seasonal patterns drawn from the Division Road Office maintenance logs (updated 15 Aug 2026), not live status.

Where to base yourself

Choosing between Resunga–Tamghas and Ridi depends on your itinerary. Tamghas sits on F043, just a few minutes’ walk from the Resunga trailhead, and offers more lodging and meal options. Ridi places you at the Kali Gandaki gateway to Ruru Kshetra, 7 km up the spur from the highway junction, with fewer facilities. If your focus is the temple complex and the river, Ridi reduces back‑tracking. If you prefer a wider range of services and plan day trips to both sites, Tamghas is the more practical base. Neither location has an ATM beyond the main highway junction at Tansen; carry enough cash for your stay (observed early October 2026).

For bus counters, departure times, and fare verification for routes into Gulmi District, see our Gulmi transport verification guide.

Sources

• Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Local Level List, 2023 edition. Retrieved 12 September 2026.
• Department of Roads, Road Network Dataset, 2025 edition. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
• Division Road Office (Department of Roads), Maintenance Logs for Feeder F043, updated 15 August 2026. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
• Department of Archaeology, Monument Inventory Entry: Rishikesh Temple, Ridi, 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
• Resunga Municipality Notice Board, vehicle access and entry rules. Photographed 3 October 2026.
• Division Forest Office Gulmi, Resunga Community Forest Leasehold Agreement, renewed 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
• Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Samiti, Official Calendar 2027, Maghe Sankranti date. Published 15 September 2026.