Syangja District (; ) is a part of Gandaki Province, and is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. Its headquarter is Putalibazar with a diverse population including Brahmin, Magars, Chhetri, Sunar, Biswakarma, Pariyar, Nepali, Sarki and Gurung communities. Syangja is home to attractions like the ancient temples of Garaunsur and Akala, scenic viewpoints such as Panchase, and the historical town of Waling, making it a growing eco-tourism destination. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, with rice, maize, millet, and fruits like oranges being widely cultivated. Syangja is the leading orange producer in Nepal with 22,000 tons in 2023. The district has several educational institutions, and many residents pursue higher education in cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu. Connected by highways to major cities like Pokhara and Butwal, the district covers an area of and has a population of 254,965.

Etymology The name "Syangja" is derived from the surname of the Sinjali people, an ethnic group belonging to the Magar community who live in this area. There are various folklore surrounding the name.

History

Prehistoric Times The area that is now Syangja District has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological evidence suggesting human settlement dating back thousands of years.

Medieval Period

During the medieval period, the region was part of various small principalities and kingdoms. It was ruled by local chieftains and feudal lords, often referred to as the Barha Magarat. These small kingdoms were primarily inhabited by the Magar ethnic group, one of the indigenous peoples of Nepal. The petty kingdoms of Bhirkot, Nuwakot and Satahun of Chaubisi Rajya existed in present day territory of Syangja.

Unification of Nepal

In the 18th century, the Shah Dynasty, led by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, began the unification of Nepal. Syangja, like many other regions, came under the rule of the expanding Gorkha Kingdom. The unification campaign led to the consolidation of various small principalities into a single kingdom, which eventually became modern Nepal.

Historical Places The headquarters of Syangja District lies in Syangja Bazaar. Some places of historical interest in this district include Satahun Chandi, Manakamana, Bhirkot Durbar, Alamdevi, Akala Devi, Gahraukalika, Nuwakot Durbar, Chhangchhangdi, and Ridi Ruru Kshetra, located along the banks of the Kaligandaki River. Chhangchhangdi (Chaya-kshetra) is mentioned in the Swasthani Vrata-Katha, which is considered part of the Skanda Purana, as the place where the last organ of the deceased Satidevi fell while she was being carried by Lord Shiva.

Among the three municipalities, Putalibazar municipality is situated on the eastern side, while Waling municipality is located in western Syangja. The newly formed Chapakot municipality is in the east-south. Waling is a longitudinal valley along the banks of the Aandhikhola River. According to one folk legend, the Aandhikhola River is believed to have originated from the tears of Shravan from the Ramayana. The largest valley in Syangja is Ramkosh. There are hiking opportunities, including Chandithaan, which is a Devi temple, and Hunikot, a viewpoint overlooking Putalibazar.

Geography Syangja District lies in the hilly region, with altitudes ranging from approximately 300 meters along the banks of the Kaligandaki River to about 3520 metersPanchase above sea level. It is situated at a latitude of 28°4'60" North and a longitude of 83°52'0" East.

Climate Zone Elevation range % of Area Upper Tropical 300 to 1,000 meters1,000 to 3,300 ft. 53.6% Subtropical 1,000 to 2,000 meters3,300 to 6,600 ft. 45.3%

Government and politics

Syangja District has 11 local units, among which five are municipalities (Nagarpalika) and six are rural municipalities (Gaunpalika) established with the formulation of the new constitution and the provincial division of the country.

+ Local Units in Syangja District Type Name Headquarters Population (2021) Municipality Waling Municipality Waling 51,437 Municipality Putalibazar Municipality Putalibazar 45,510 Municipality Galyang Municipality Galyang 37,821 Municipality Bhirkot Municipality Bhirkot 25,584 Municipality Chapakot Municipality Chapakot 22,969 Rural Municipality Kaligandaki Rural Municipality Kaligandaki 17,955 Rural Municipality Biruwa Rural Municipality Biruwa 14,001 Rural Municipality Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality Arjun Chaupari 14,045 Rural Municipality Harinas Rural Municipality Harinas 16,300 Rural Municipality Phedikhola Rural Municipality Phedikhola 10,899 Rural Municipality Aandhikhola Rural Municipality Aandhikhola 13,094 Syangja District 253,024

Former Village Development Committees and Municipalities

Before the reorganization of administrative divisions, Syangja District was divided into several Village Development Committees (VDCs) and municipalities. The following table lists these VDCs and municipalities as they were prior to the restructuring. In total, there were 44 VDCs and 4 municipalities in Syangja District before the reorganization.

+ Former Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Municipalities in Syangja District Category Name VDC Alamdevi VDC Arjun Chaupari VDC Aruchaur VDC Arukharka VDC Bangephadke VDC Bahakot VDC Banethok Deurali VDC Bhatkhola Municipality Bhirkot Municipality VDC Bichari Chautara VDC Birgha Archale VDC Biruwa Archale VDC Chandi Bhanjyang Municipality Chapakot Municipality VDC Chhangchhangdi VDC Chilaunebas VDC Chinnebas VDC Chisapani VDC Chitre Bhanjyang VDC Darsing Dahathum VDC Dhapuk Simal Bhanjyang VDC Iladi VDC Jagat Bhanjyang VDC Jagatradevi VDC Kalikakot VDC Kolma Barahachaur VDC Keware Bhanjyang VDC Khilung Deurali VDC Kichnas VDC Kyakami VDC Majhakot Sivalaya VDC Malengkot VDC Malunga Tunibot VDC Manakamana VDC Nibuwakharka VDC Oraste VDC Pakbadi VDC Panchamul VDC Pauwegaude VDC Pelakot VDC Pelkachaur VDC Phaparthum VDC Phedikhola VDC Pindikhola Municipality Putalibazar Municipality VDC Rangvang VDC Rapakot VDC Ratnapur VDC Sankhar VDC Daraun VDC Sirsekot Kaule VDC Sekham VDC Setidobhan VDC Srikrishna Gandaki VDC Sirsekot VDC Sorek VDC Taksar VDC Thuladihi VDC Thumpokhara VDC Tindobate VDC Tulsibhanjyang Municipality Waling Municipality VDC Wangsing Deurali VDC Yaladi Total VDCs 44 Total Municipalities 4

Economy Putalibazar is the headquarters of the district, but Waling is the financial capital of Syangja. Syangja district is known for orange cultivation, and it is the largest producer of oranges in Nepal. Orange cultivation is an important part of the local economy, serving as the main cash crop of the district and contributing significantly to the livelihood of its residents. Syangja is one of Nepal’s emerging districts for coffee production, with locally grown coffee being supplied to national and export markets. Remittances play a vital role in the district’s economy, as a substantial portion of the working-age population is employed abroad or in urban centers of Nepal. Small-scale trade, local markets, and cottage industries such as agro-processing, handicrafts, and traditional weaving support the non-agricultural sector.

Hydropower projects and improved road connectivity have gradually expanded economic opportunities, while tourism related to religious sites, trekking routes, and rural homestays is developing at a modest pace.

Transportation Syangja is connected to Pokhara and Bhairahawa, two of the most prominent cities in Western Nepal, via the Siddhartha Highway. The highway enters this district from Kubhinde in the north and exits to Ramdi in Palpa District in the south.

Hydroelectricity

The Kaligandaki A Hydroelectric Power Station built on the Kali Gandaki River is the largest hydroelectric project in Nepal, with an installed capacity of 144 MW. Besides the Kaligandaki A, Aadhikhola hydroelectric and some other, smaller, hydroelectric projects have been started in this district.

Of all the districts in Nepal, Syangja was one of the fewest districts in the country that does not suffer from the problem of loadshedding, or scheduled electric outages, while the nation suffered hours of loadshedding each day during peak of loadshedding era in Nepal.

Demographics

At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Syangja District had a population of 253,024. 6.58% of the population is under 5 years of age. It has a literacy rate of 81.67% and a sex ratio of 1169 females per 1000 males. 168,879 (66.74%) lived in municipalities.

Khas people make up 60% of the population, of which Bahun and Chhetri are the largest groups. Khas Dalits are 17% of the population. Hill Janjatis are the second largest group, making up 35% of the population.

At the time of the 2021 census, 74.72% of the population spoke Nepali, 15.39% Magar, 7.66% Gurung and 1.07% Nepal Bhasha as their first language. In 2011, 74.4% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.NepalMap Language

Culture and society

References

External links

Nepal Population Report - 2011 A Digital Home for Syangja & Syangjali