Banepa

For the genus of moths, see Banepa (moth).
Banepa
बनेपा (भोंत)bandikapur
Municipality/ Town

Banepa including Araniko Highway
Banepa

Location in Nepal

Coordinates: 27°38′N 85°31′E / 27.633°N 85.517°ECoordinates: 27°38′N 85°31′E / 27.633°N 85.517°E
Country Nepal
Zone Bagmati Zone
District Kabhrepalanchok
Population (2011)
 • Total 24,764
Post code 45210
Area code(s) 011

Banepa (Nepal Bhasa: भोंत) is a municipality situated in a valley at about 4800 ft above sea level in central Nepal. Banepa, the historical town, is about 25 km east from Kathmandu. At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, it has a population of 24,764.[1] The main attraction of Banepa is the temple of Chandeshwari, located approximately 1 km northeast of the town along the Rudramati River. The Dhaneshwar Temple is 1 km south of the town. Also Banepa is well known for its eight different temples of Lord Ganesh, Narayanthan, the temple of lord Narayan, Bhimshenthan, the temple of Lord Bhimshen and eight different ponds.

History

"After having had the favours and directions of goddess Chandeshwari, king Anandadeva founded seven cities, viz,

Anandedeva united the scattered villages and made modern Banepa surrounded by eight gates with a Ganesh (the elephant - headed god of good omen) at each of the gates in eight different directions in kaligat year 4197 (around 1153 B.S.). He also built a temple of Chandeshwari and arranged a trust fund for the goddess. It is also believe that when entire Kathmandu Valley was covered with lake, there was a small kindgdom in Banepa.

Some of the ancient name of Banepa were Banepur, Baniyapur, Banipur . As it had trade relationship with Tibet from ancient period, Banepa is also known as "Bhont", "Bhonta", "Bhon dey(भों देय्)". Banepa is the combination of two words i.e. "Bane" means 'Business' and "Pa" means 'Place'. Therefore, "Banepa" means 'Place of Business'.[2]

Old town

The old newari town is located at the central part of the City. It is surrounded by 8 ganesh temples with 8 adjacent ponds and Phalchaa(फल्चा). The name of the Ganesh are:

These Ganesh temples are the boundaries of old Banepa.

Festivals

A lot of festivals are celebrated in Banepa as follows

Health services

Banepa has a Seventh-day Adventist hospital called Scheer Memorial Hospital, which was established in 1957. This hospital has been expanded as a medical college associated with Vanderbilt University in the USA and Kathmandu University. Many students enroll in the MBBS and B.Sc. Nursing programs at this hospital. Banepa is also the location of the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children and Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga Eye Hospital.

Transportation

Banepa is also a major trade route to Tibet, with the Arniko Rajmarg, the only highway that connects Nepal and China (Tibet), running through this town. Furthermore, another newly constructed highway, the B.P. Koirala Highway (named after great leader of Nepal Bishweswor Prasad Koirala), also passes through this town. Though it is a small town, Banepa is the major economic center east of Kathmandu.

Media

To promote local culture, Banepa has two FM radio stations: Radio ABC - 89.8 MHz which is a Community Radio Station and Prime Fm. This area also has a Television Channel named as Araniko Television.

Education

Banepa is also the best place for education in Kabhre district of Nepal. There are a number of high schools and colleges.

Some of the well-known private boarding schools are:

Among them the oldest private school is Pragati Prabhat School and the newest one is Kshitij English Boarding School which was established in 2006 A.D.

References

  1. ↑ "Nepal Census 2001". Nepal's Village Development Committees. Digital Himalaya. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  2. ↑ Banepa Stawan - Jnan Kaji Manandhar