Kirtipur

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Kirtipur Nagarpalika
किपू
Municipality
Coordinates: 27°40′41″N 85°16′37″E / 27.67806°N 85.27694°E / 27.67806; 85.27694Coordinates: 27°40′41″N 85°16′37″E / 27.67806°N 85.27694°E / 27.67806; 85.27694
Country    Nepal
Zone Bagmati Zone
District Kathmandu District
Population (2011)
 • Total 65,602
Post code 44618
Area code(s) 01
Website Official website
Kirtipur with the Himalaya in the background.
The 18th century former palace building in the central part of Kirtipur with newer building constructions to the left.
Shri Kirti Vihara, Kirtipur

Kirtipur (Nepali: कीर्तिपुर, Nepal Bhasa: किपू Kipu) is an ancient city in Nepal. It is located in the Kathmandu Valley 5 km south-west of the city of Kathmandu. It is one of the five municipalities in the valley, the others being Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Madhyapur Thimi.

Kirtipur is situated on a ridge with steep hillsides. The residents are reputed as being expert builders and weavers.

Etymology

The name Kirtipur comes from Kirti (glory) and pur (city). It is also said that once a queen named Kirti ruled over this place, so it might have been named after this queen.

Demographics

Originally a Newar foundation, Kirtipur is still a center of Newar culture. It has been merged with surrounding villages to form the municipality of Kirtipur with a population of 65,602.

It consists of many temples, gumbas (Buddhist monastery) and churches too. Due to the presence of Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur is also a popular area for out-of-town students and professors to rent houses and they are major contributors to the local economy.

History

Kirtipur's history dates from 1099 AD. It was part of the territory of Lalitpur at the time of the invasion of the Kathmandu Valley by the Gorkhali king Prithvi Narayan Shah in the 18th century.[1]

In 1767, Kirtipur was annexed to the Gorkhali kingdom by Prithvi Narayan following the Battle of Kirtipur. He took the town on his third attempt, after entering it by trickery. After this, he cut off the noses and lips of everybody in the city.[2][3]

This was the site of an inspirational peaceful demonstration of the people in the 2006 mass uprising that overthrew the powers of the king. It is considered to be an anti-monarchy city due to its bitter history against the Shah dynasty whose modern founder conquered the city insultingly, which was followed by negligence of the administration and development by subsequent rulers.

Places of interest

  • The temple of Bagh Bhairav situated at the center of town is the main religious and artistic edifice in Kirtipur. Weapons captured from ancient invaders are nailed to the upper windows.
  • Chilimcho Stupa, a Buddhist shrine, is situated on the southern hill.
  • Uma Maheshwar, a temple dedicated to Shiva and his consort, stands on the northern hill and soars over the skyline of Kirtipur.[4]
  • Shri Kirti Vihara, a Theravada Buddhist monastery built in traditional Thai architectural style, is situated near the entrance to the city.

Media

To Promote local culture Kirtipur has one FM radio station Radio Newa F.M. - 106.6 MHz Which is a Community radio Station.

References

  1. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Colonel (1811). An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul. London: William Miller. Retrieved 12 October 2012.  Page 164.
  2. ↑ Giuseppe, Father (1799). "Account of the Kingdom of Nepal". Asiatick Researches. London: Vernor and Hood. Retrieved 5 October 2012.  Page 319.
  3. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Colonel (1811). An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul. London: William Miller. Retrieved 5 October 2012.  Page 383.
  4. ↑ "Kirtipur". Travellers' Nepal. July–August 2000. Retrieved 12 October 2012. 

External links

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