Overview
Shankharapur Municipality is located in the eastern part of Kathmandu district in Bagmati Province. The municipality was established on Mangsir 16, 2071 BS, and was initially divided into 15 wards. After local level restructuring in 2073 BS, it was formed by merging the former Indrayani, Pukhulachhi, Bajrayogini, Lapsephedi, Suntol, and Nanglebhare Village Development Committees.
Shankharapur Municipality now has 9 wards and covers 60.21 square kilometers. It is known for Sankhu, Bajrayogini, Shalinadi, rural settlements, cultural traditions, and historical links connected with the ancient town of Sankhu.
Quick Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Shankharapur Municipality (शंखरापुर नगरपालिका) |
| District | Kathmandu |
| Province | Bagmati Province |
| Established | Mangsir 16, 2071 BS |
| Current Wards | 9 |
| Area | 60.21 square kilometers |
| Population | 27,202 |
| Male Population | 13,633 |
| Female Population | 13,569 |
| Main Communities | Tamang, Newar, Brahmin, Chhetri, Gurung |
| Major Places | Sankhu, Bajrayogini, Shalinadi |
| Local Services | Shankharapur Municipality local government services |
Location and Administrative Formation
Shankharapur Municipality lies in the eastern part of Kathmandu district. It connects with Bhaktapur, Sindhupalchok, and Kavre districts, along with Kageshwori Manohara Municipality of Kathmandu district.
The municipality was first organized with 15 wards at the time of establishment. After the local level restructuring in 2073 BS, it was reorganized into 9 wards through the merger of six former Village Development Committees: Indrayani, Pukhulachhi, Bajrayogini, Lapsephedi, Suntol, and Nanglebhare.
Although it is part of the district of Nepal’s capital, the municipality includes rural settlements and difficult geographical terrain.
Historical Background of Sankhu and Shankharapur
The municipality takes its name from the ancient town of Sankhu. Around 3,300 years ago, Jogdev Bajracharya planned and designed Sankhu in the shape of a conch in Kaligat Sambat 1801. The name Shankharapur is connected with this conch-shaped settlement.
Sankhu was earlier known as “Sa Daya Kwe” or “Sau Daya Kya,” meaning “the country below Tibet.” The place was also called Sankwa, and the name Sankhu is associated with the way it was recorded on maps prepared during the British period.
Sankhu is also linked with Bajrayogini and Shalinadi. The Skanda Purana refers to Sankhu as “Lavanya Desh.” The Newari Manishail Mahavadan, connected with the origin history of Bajrayogini, also preserves traditions related to Shankharapur and Sankhu.
Sankhu’s Four Gates
Sankhu Bazaar has four historic gates, each with a distinct social and cultural function.
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Dev Dhwakha, the northwestern gate, is used for bringing and taking deities, especially during jatra festivals.
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Si Dhwakha or Singh Dhuwaka, the northeastern gate, is associated with carrying the dead.
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Bhau Dhwakha or Bhaun Dhwaka, the southwestern gate, is used to welcome a bride.
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Mhe Dhwakha or Mhai Dhwaka, the southeastern gate, is used when daughters are sent off after marriage.
The settlement within the four gates has about one thousand houses and is also known locally as the country of one thousand houses.
Cultural and Religious Identity
Shankharapur Municipality has a strong cultural identity linked with Sankhu, Bajrayogini, Shalinadi, and local jatras. Communities including Tamang, Newar, Brahmin, Chhetri, and Gurung live in the municipality.
Major cultural traditions include:
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Bajrayogini Jatra
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Shalinadi Fair
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Manichud Fair
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Madhav Narayan Swasthani Brata
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Dashain Jatra
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Indrayani Jatra
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Other local jatras
Major festivals celebrated in the municipality include Dashain, Tihar, Maghe Sankranti, Chaite Dashain, Saune Sankranti, Janai Purnima, Haritalika, Krishna Ashtami, Gai Jatra, Yomari Purnima, Lhosar, and Menang.
Shalinadi and Madhav Narayan Swasthani Brata
Shalinadi is one of the major religious and cultural places in Shankharapur Municipality. The Madhav Narayan Swasthani Brata is observed for one month at Shalinadi. The vow begins after Madhav Narayan is immersed in water, and the tradition holds that Madhav Narayan stays at Shalinadi for one month.
During Sankhu’s jatra traditions, local social rules are also observed. Debts are not collected, and quarrels are not allowed during jatra periods.
Nanglebhare Area
Nanglebhare lies within Shankharapur Municipality in Kathmandu district. Its boundaries include Melamchi Municipality of Sindhupalchok, parts of Shankharapur Municipality, and Mandandeupur Municipality of Kavre.
East: Melamchi Municipality Ward No. 13, Phatakshila, Sindhupalchok
West: Shankharapur Municipality Ward No. 2 and Ward No. 4, Chaukibhanjyang
North: Melamchi Municipality Ward No. 12, Kundeshwar Temple, Sindhupalchok
South: Shankharapur Municipality Ward No. 3 and Mandandeupur Municipality Ward No. 1, Kavre
Religious and Tourist Areas in Nanglebhare
The Nanglebhare area includes several religious, cultural, and local visitor sites.
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Mane Gahiro Shiva Temple
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Nangale Bazaar Ganesh Temple
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Pipalbot Shiva Temple
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Dhungana Gaun Shiva Temple
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Soti Khola Mahadev Temple
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Ishta Devi Temple
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Bhumidanda Bhume Temple
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Dangal Kulayan Temple
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Chhap Bajrayogini Temple
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Tulku Garap Dorje Lama Chenta Tashi Choiling Gumba
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Martyr Kiran Dangal Memorial Park
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Cave, Thulo Odar, Pokhari Dhunga, Hatti Dhunga, and Sita Paila
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Dhungana Gaun Kul Puja Building
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Dhakal Gaun Community Building and Kulayan Temple
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Manedanda Park
Education Profile
Shankharapur Municipality has schools, colleges, and a technical school. The municipality has 3 colleges and 40 schools.
Institution Statistics
| Institution Category | Type | Total |
|---|---|---|
| College | Community | 1 |
| College | Private | 1 |
| College | Technical School | 1 |
| College Total | 3 | |
| School | Public | 26 |
| School | Private | 11 |
| School | Private Nonprofit | 2 |
| School | Technical School | 1 |
| School Total | 40 |
School Level Distribution
| Level | Grade | Number of Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-school | ECD | 37 |
| Basic | Grades 1–8 | 37 |
| Secondary | Grades 9–12 | 16 |
| +2 | Grades 11–12 | 6 |
Schools in Shankharapur Municipality
| School Name and Address | Type | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Ever Green English Secondary School, Sankhu, Shankharapur-6, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–12 |
| Bhagawati Secondary School Sankhu, Sankhu, Ipatole, Shankharapur-6, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–12 |
| Shree Bajrayoginee Secondary English School, Salambutar, Shankharapur-6, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–10 |
| Sandipani Gyan Mandir, Sankhu, Shankharapur-7, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–10 |
| Bhagyodaya Secondary School, Sankhu Suparikhel, Shankharapur-6, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–12 |
| Serene Hill English School, Sankhu, Shankharapur-6, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–10 |
| Sankhu Palubari Community School, Palubari, Shankharapur-5, Kathmandu | Private Nonprofit | Nursery–10 |
| Kalika Sharan Secondary School, Jaharsing Pauwa, Shankharapur-3, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–12 |
| Splendid Valley English School, Palubari, Shankharapur-5, Kathmandu | Private Nonprofit | Nursery–10 |
| Chirayu Educational Academy, Indrayani, Shankharapur-9, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–10 |
| Hillside Academy, Shankharapur-3, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–10 |
| Shree Rastriya Secondary School, Indrayani, Shankharapur-9, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–12 |
| Ugratara Secondary School, Ghumarchowk, Shankharapur-8, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–10 |
| Sarada Secondary School, Patap, Shankharapur-2, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–10 |
| Mother’s Home Montessori Pre-School, Sankharapur-07, Shankharapur-6, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–4 |
| Bandevi Basic School, Manichud, Shankharapur-8, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–8 |
| Chapabot Secondary School, Chapabot, Naglebhare, Shankharapur-1, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–12 |
| Nabin Gram Shiksha Mandir Secondary School, Nanglebhir, Shankharapur-1, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–10 |
| Teen Kanya Academy, Shankharapur-1, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–8 |
| Shila Devi Basic School, Dhoksan, Shankharapur-3, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–8 |
| Sankhu Basic School, Salkha Tole Sankhu, Shankharapur-7, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–5 |
| Bal Jyoti Basic School, Nanglabhare, Shankharapur-1, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–8 |
| Baira Mahadev Basic School, Lapsephedi, Shankharapur-4, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–8 |
| Shankharapur Kinderworld Montessori Based School, Kolagal, Shankharapur, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–2 |
| Mahendra Bal Basic School, Palubari, Shankharapur-5, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–8 |
| Junkiri Public School, Shankharapur-7, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery–5 |
| Devi Basic School, Shankharapur-3, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–5 |
| Kshitiz Jana Jagriti Basic School, Palubari, Shankharapur-5, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–3 |
| Manichood Basic School, Vhulbu, Shankharapur-8, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–4 |
| Manhendra Rastriya Basic School, Sankharapur, Shankharapur-2, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–5 |
| Shree Bhubaneshwor Basic School, Shankharapur-4, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–5 |
| Sakwa Mahila Vidyalaya, Shankharapur, Kathmandu | Public | Grades 1–3 |
| Jagriti Basic School, Lapsafadi, Shankharapur-4, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–5 |
| Palanchowk Bhagawati Mahila Vidyalaya, Shankharapur, Kathmandu | Public | Grades 1–3 |
| Rato Mate Basic School, Panchapale, Shankharapur-1, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–4 |
| Pokharichaur Basic School, Chipebari, Shankharapur-1, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–4 |
| Shishupal Montessori Basic School, Shankharapur, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery |
| Surya Jyoti Basic School, Devisaura, Shankharapur-1, Kathmandu | Public | Nursery–3 |
| Gyanada Montessori Pre School, Shankharapur, Kathmandu | Private | Nursery |
| Shankharapur Polytechnic Institute, Shankharapur, Kathmandu | Technical School | Technical School |
Colleges in Shankharapur Municipality
| College Name and Address | Affiliation | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Bhagyodaya Campus, Sankhu, Shankharapur, Kathmandu | Tribhuvan University | Community |
| Sushma Koirala Memorial Nursing Campus, Sankhu, Shankharapur, Kathmandu | CTEVT, Purbanchal University | Technical School |
| Sushma Koirala Memorial College, Sankhu, Salambutar-6, Shankharapur, Kathmandu | Purbanchal University | Private |
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