Chandragiri is a municipality in Kathmandu District in Bagmati Province of Nepal that was declared as municipality on 2 December 2014 by merging the former Village Development Committees Baad Bhanjyang, Balambu, Dahachok, Mahadevsthan, Machhegaun, Matatirtha, Naikap Naya Bhanjyang, Naikap Purano Bhanjyang, Satungal, Thankot and Tinthana. The urban administration is located in Balambu. The city's main attractions include Chandragiri Hill, Nepal with its Cable Car and Matatirtha which is famous for the Matatirtha Aunsi festival, a day to honour mothers and motherhood.
Toponymy
Linguistic origin
Linguistic family: Indoeuropean Language: Sanskrit
Etymology “Chandra” means moon or brightness. “Giri” means hill or mountain. It is said that the place was named after a hill that shines like the moon or is symbolically related to the moon god Chandra.
Chandra (चन्द्र) means “moon, brightness” and comes from Sanskrit चन्द्र (candra) meaning “moon” and also symbolically “shining, luminous.” Giri (गिरी) means “hill, mountain” and comes from Sanskrit गिरि (giri), meaning “mountain, peak". The toponym is of classical Sanskrit origin, commonly used across South Asia to name sacred or visually prominent hills.
History The history of Chandragiri municipality, located on the southwestern rim of the Kathmandu Valley is a blend of ancient strategic importance, religious devotion and modern administrative evolution. For centuries it has served as a gateway for the Kathmandu Valley.
Ancient and Medieval Period The area encompassing Chandragiri has been inhabited since ancient times. In fact the Matatirtha area served as the capital of Gopala dynasty the very first known dynasty in Nepal's history.
During the Licchavi era the Thankot, Balambu areas transitioned into a sophisticated drangas (administrative and trade centre). The region's role extended beyond agriculture into industrial production ,specially cotton weaving, while its position at the valleys southern entrance made it a vital gateway for the lucrative trans-Himalayan trade route.
Geography
Education
Transportation
Population Chandragiri municipality has a total population of 85,195 according to 2011 Nepal census. The population grew to 136,860 at the 2021 Nepal census.
Socially, Chandragiri is multi-ethnic municipality.The Old settlements like Satungal, Balambu, Macchegaun and Thankot are predominantly inhabited by indigenous Newar people. Whereas the New settlement areas mostly consist of Brahman, Chettri, Tamang and Magar people alongside the indigenous Newar people. 99.3% of the residents are Nepali citizens and 87.3% are literate.
Gallery References
External links Chandragiri