Mahalaxmi Municipality Lalitpur

Mahalaxmi Municipality is a local government area in the north-eastern part of Lalitpur district under Bagmati Province, Nepal. The municipality was formed on 16 Mangsir 2071 BS by merging the former Village Development Committees of Imadol, Tikathali, Siddhipur, Lubhu, and Lamatar.

It has 10 wards, with the Municipal Executive Office located at Kamalpokhari in Ward No. 4. The municipality covers 26.5 square kilometers and includes old settlements, religious heritage sites, agricultural areas, health facilities, educational institutions, forests, rivers, ponds, and tourist sites.

Quick Highlights

• Name: Mahalaxmi Municipality, Lalitpur

• Province: Bagmati Province

• District: Lalitpur

• Federal Election Constituency: Lalitpur 2

• Provincial Election Constituency: Lalitpur 2 A

• Number of Wards: 10

• Municipal Executive Office: Kamalpokhari, Ward No. 4

• Area: 26.5 square kilometers

• Average Elevation: 1,574 meters

• Climate: Temperate

• Major Languages: Nepali, Newari, Tamang

• Neighboring Areas: Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Godawari Municipality, Panauti Municipality, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, and Suryabinayak Municipality

Introduction

Mahalaxmi Municipality (in Nepali: महालक्ष्मी नगरपालिका, ललितपुर) lies in the north-eastern part of Lalitpur district, one of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley. It is part of federal Nepal under Bagmati Province and includes areas with historical settlements, cultural sites, agricultural activity, and urban growth.

The municipality was established on 16 Mangsir 2071 BS. It was created by merging five former Village Development Committees: Imadol, Tikathali, Siddhipur, Lubhu, and Lamatar. Since 2073/11/26 BS, the municipality has had 10 wards.

Old towns such as Lubhu and Siddhipur are associated with Newar culture. The Ashoka Stupa in Imadol and the Mahalaxmi Temple in Lubhu are among the important heritage sites within the municipality.

Naming of Mahalaxmi Municipality

Mahalaxmi Municipality is named after the Mahalaxmi Temple located in Ward No. 8, Lubhu. The temple has historical, religious, and cultural importance.

Public belief connects the origin of Shri Mahalaxmi and Shri Bhairav with local religious traditions linked to Gaushring Tirtha, Gobhrateshwar Degah Mahadev, Sisneri cave, Devisthan, and Lubhu. Another local belief says that grass cutters saw gods and goddesses at Devisthan Chaur, and the deities later appeared as stone idols worshipped as Shri Mahalaxmi and the Akashbhairav group.

Mahalaxmi Temple is counted among the nine Shakti Peeths of the valley. A copper inscription placed inside the temple in Nepal Sambat 847 shows its religious importance from the Malla period.

Location and Boundary

Mahalaxmi Municipality is spread in an elongated east-west shape over 26.5 square kilometers. It lies between 27°37' to 27°40' north latitude and 85°20' to 85°26' east longitude.

The municipality borders Panauti Municipality of Kavrepalanchok district to the east. To the south and west, the Karmanasha River separates it from Lalitpur Metropolitan City and Godawari Municipality. To the north, it is connected with Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and Suryabinayak Municipality of Bhaktapur district.

The Gwarko-Lubhu-Lamatar-Manedobhan-Panauti road passes through the central part of the municipality. This route connects with Nepal Thok of the B.P. Highway and serves as an alternative entry route to the Kathmandu Valley.

Geographical Details

• Latitude: 27°37' to 27°40' north

• Longitude: 85°20' to 85°26' east

• Average Elevation: 1,574 meters

• Area: 26.5 square kilometers

• Average East-West Length: 12.2 kilometers

• Average North-South Width: 3.47 kilometers

Administrative Division

Mahalaxmi Municipality has 10 wards. The Municipal Executive Office is located at Kamalpokhari in Ward No. 4.

Ward Office Details

Population

According to the National Census 2068 BS, Mahalaxmi Municipality had a total population of 62,172. The population included 31,071 males and 31,101 females. The municipality had 14,930 households, an average family size of 4 persons, an annual population growth rate of 5.7 percent, and a population density of 2,346 people per square kilometer.

Ward-wise Population

Population Composition

The municipality includes different caste and ethnic communities. Population composition includes Newar 33.78 percent, Chhetri 28.69 percent, Brahmin 13.47 percent, Tamang 7.93 percent, Magar 4.67 percent, and other castes 11 percent.

Climate

Mahalaxmi Municipality has a temperate climate. The average relative humidity ranges from 50 to 80 percent. The average maximum temperature is 23.6°C, and the average minimum temperature is 10.7°C.

Agriculture

Agriculture remains part of the municipality’s land use and local economy. The total arable land is 1,724 hectares. Out of this, 1,035 hectares are cultivated. Irrigation is available throughout the year on 848 hectares, while 187 hectares have seasonal irrigation.

Agricultural Pocket Areas

Rivers, Streams, Ponds, and Waterfalls

Mahalaxmi Municipality has rivers, streams, ponds, and waterfalls across its area.

Rivers

The main rivers are Karmanasha, Godawari, and Manohara.

Streams

Streams include Gaumati, Shringmati, Vasuki, Dhungre Khola, Dharachaur, Kamere, Jungali Khola, Thulo Khola, Tilpu Khola, Phedi Khola, Manedobhan Khola, Kageshwari Khola, Chapakharka Khola, and Dhunge Khola.

Ponds

Ponds include Bojhepokhari, Kamalpokhari, Phonga: Pukhu, Shantipukhu:, Buddha Pokhari Nhu Pakha:, Panchpokhari, Bhairav Kund, Sinthalidanda Pokhari, and Lama Danda Pokhari.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls include Dhaden Waterfall, Kageshwari Waterfall, and Kajitol Waterfall.

Forests

Community forests are located mainly in Wards 9 and 10.

• Ward No. 9: Dhikasapakha, Kafle, Patle, Ganesh, Gaumati, Pandali, Chisapani, Shringeri

• Ward No. 10: Upper Patle Community Forest, Manedanda Community Forest, Sinthalidanda Community Forest, Goldanda Community Forest

Religious and Cultural Heritage

Mahalaxmi Municipality has religious sites across its wards. These sites reflect Hindu, Buddhist, and local Newar cultural traditions.

Major Religious Heritage Sites by Ward

Major Festivals and Jatras

Major festivals celebrated in the municipality include Dashain, Tihar, Lhosar, Mha Puja, Sithi Nakhah Kumar Shashthi, Yomari Punhi, Guni Punhi Rakshabandhan, Gathe Mangal, Fagu Purnima, Ram Navami, Chaitya Purnima, Maghe Sankranti, and Saune Sankranti.

Major jatras include Shri Mahalaxmi-Shri Mahabhairav Lubhu Jatra, Gobhrateshwar Mahadev Jatra, Khadga Jatra, Balkumari Jatra, Mataya:, Gai Jatra, Krishna Jatra, Kageshwari Jatra, and Phulchoki Jatra.

Tourism and Local Sites

The municipality includes several cultural and natural sites. Major tourist sites include Lubhu, Mahalaxmi Temple, Lakuri Bhanjyang, Kot Danda, Shringeri Danda, Shringeri Cave, Basuki Nagsthan and Kamadhenu Cave, Matabhwa Sangam, Gaushing Tirtha, Mane Chaitya Gumba, Bhimsen Danda sunrise site, Manmohan Park, Panch Pokhari Danda, and Shring Rishi Cave.

Industries

Major industries in Mahalaxmi Municipality include textile and garment industries, printing presses, paper factories, block industries, aluminum and other metal industries, furniture industries, idol-making industries, and brassware industries.

Health Institutions

Mahalaxmi Municipality has private hospitals, a primary health center, health posts, and basic health service centers.

Hospitals and Health Centers

Police Security

Police service points in Mahalaxmi Municipality include:

• Imadol Police Division, Ward No. 1, Imadol

• Tikathali Police Post, Ward No. 5, Tikathali

• Lubhu Police Division, Ward No. 8, Lubhu

• Lakuri Bhanjyang Police Post, Ward No. 10, Lakuri Bhanjyang

Educational Institutions

Mahalaxmi Municipality has 2 colleges and 103 schools. The colleges include 1 private college and 1 public college. The schools include 75 private schools, 2 private nonprofit schools, 19 public schools, 1 IB school, 1 TECS school, and 5 technical schools.

School Level Distribution

Secondary school count includes +2 schools.

Local Government Services

Mahalaxmi Municipality functions as the local government for its 10 wards. Ward offices provide public contact points across Imadol, Tikathali, Siddhipur, Changathali, Lubhu, Lamatar, and Lakuri Bhanjyang. For service-related information, readers may also refer to Mahalaxmi Municipality Lalitpur Local Government Services.

Nearby Local Governments

Mahalaxmi Municipality shares boundaries and functional connections with several local governments in and around Kathmandu Valley. Nearby local levels include Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Godawari Municipality, Panauti Municipality, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, and Suryabinayak Municipality.

The municipality is also linked with the Gwarko-Lubhu-Lamatar-Manedobhan-Panauti road corridor. This road connects the municipality with the Panauti side and the B.P. Highway route through Nepal Thok.

Schools in Mahalaxmi Municipality, Lalitpur

Colleges of Mahalaxmi Municipality