In history, since the Gopal dynasty, this area has been named Navkot, Navkotya, Navquath, and Naukot and became Nuwakot during the Malla period.
Nuwakot district is of special importance in Nepal’s history. Its history, which is connected to the capital, is connected with the biography of the nation-builder Prithvi Narayan Shah in many ways. Nuwakot, which is the main road to Gosainkund in Rasuwa, which is recognized as a religious place for Hindus, is also a district consisting of nine knots, so Nuwakot is also a religious city.
Nuwakot district is a well-equipped district with religious and historical background located in the north-west direction of the capital Kathmandu under the Bagmati province of the central region on the map of Nepal.
The area of Nuwakot district is 1,121 square km. The population is around 2,88,478. There is a special population of Brahmin, Kshetri, Tamang, Newari, Magar, Sherpa, etc. castes here. Nuwakot district has 2 municipalities and 10 village municipalities in total 12 local bodies.
Before the expansion of the road network in Nuwakot district, the country’s capital city, Kakani ga. b. S. Transport facility was available till Ranipauwa. At present, there are 3 roads connecting Kathmandu and Nuwakot district headquarters Bidur – Trishuli-Ranipauwa-Kathmandu, Trishuli-Dhikure-Tokha to Kathmandu and Trishuli-Galchi to Kathmandu. Geographically and historically, Nuwakot district also has a distinct identity. Due to the large cracks and steep hills in Nuwakot, it is very suitable for agriculture and about 80% of the people in Nuwakot district are self-sufficient in agriculture.
Geographical structure and close distance from the capital Kathmandu, this district was also the capital of Nepal during the time of Shri 5 Bada Maharajadhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah and there is also Nuwakot Satate Palace which has archaeological importance and identity. The said palace was conquered by Shri 5 Bada Maharajdhiraj Prithbin Narayan Shah from Nuwakot at the beginning of the unification of the nation.
After unification, other states were also united and Nuwakot was made as the capital of Nepal, and the state was run from that palace. Even now, the materials used by Prithvi Narayan Shah in that palace (beds, dungeons, and other materials of archaeological importance) have been preserved until recently. Nuwakot, which is known as the confluence of nine knots or forts like Belkot, Bhairbakot, Kalikakot, Dhuwakot, Pyaskot, Simalkot, Malakot, Dhaibungkot and Salyankot, was named Nuwakot after the Gopal dynasty, after being gradually corrupted from Navakot, Nawakotya, Nawakot.
Naukot,At that time, Dhading district was also under its control. Nuwakot district, which is the main route to the famous religious area Gosaikund and the scenic Himalayan region Langtang region, was also the traditional hub of the Muldhoka, Nepal Bhot (Tibet) banjo trade in Western Nepal during the Malakal period. Nuwakot district is also known as the second capital because it was the capital during the reign of Shri 5 Badamaharajdhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah (1801-1825 B.S.) and was the capital during the reign of King Girbanyudgh Bikram Shah, the grandson of the Shah dynasty.
Debighat, the tomb of the great hero of Nepal’s unification Shri 5 Bada Maharajdhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah, nine storied (7 storied after the 90 years earthquake) Darbar, old Trishuli hydroelectric project of Nepal, Debighat hydroelectric project, Jalpa, Bhairabi temple, Dupcheswar Dham Barah area, etc. And it is called the place where Jung Bahadur performed his bravery It is found that there are areas that carry the identity of Nuwakot district with archaeological and cultural heritage.
Jalpa Debi and Bhairabi Debi, also known as Didi Bahini, are located in this district. Every year on the Baisakh Purnima day, the idol of Bhairabi is carried in a chariot to the Jalpa temple in Debighat and the priest of Bhairbi temple offers bhog after worship and again the idol of Bhairibi is carried to the Bhairabi temple in Nuwakot Darbar Parish and again the priest eats bhog.
In the parish, there is also a big fair called Sindure Jatra. Also, the temple of Dupcheshwar Mahadeb located in Dupcheshwar G.P. of Nuwakot also carries the identity of Nuwakot district. In the said temple, when Mahadeb carried the dead body of Satidevi while visiting the earth, Satidevi’s anus fell down and Mahadeb was born, it is also described in Shri Swasthani that a big fair is held in this temple on the day of Mansir Purnima. Also, the holy Ganga Trishuli river flowing from Gosaikund located in Rasuwa and the Tadi flowing from Suryakund are believed to be sisters.
Also, there are large smooth cracks in the arms of the said Tadi river such as Dhikure Phat, Choughda Phat, Thansin Phat Aprah Phat and Chaukhuda Phat etc. It is irrigated with Tadi water. Different types of vegetables, rice, and potatoes are grown here as the main crops in this field. In other words, agriculture is the main source of income here. Vegetables are cultivated through various vegetable and agricultural firms. The vegetables and potatoes grown here are consumed in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
It is found that tychin rice is mainly planted as chayote rice and the rice is exported for Chiura. In order to provide services for potato farmers, it has been found that the Prime Minister’s Agriculture and Modernization Center (Potato Zone) has been providing agricultural tools and seeds from time to time. Although there are different types of farming in different areas of Nuwakot, Kakanima kibbeh farming, trout fishing, strawberry farming, and mula produced in Ranipauwa are also famous in Kathmandu. In Mehang and Kispang, tea plantations have also been done commercially with personal investment.
Besides, there are separate storage centers in Debighat, Gangte and Muralitar for the storage of agricultural products produced in Nuwakot. In Nuwakot district, some factories have also been developed and started operating. There are factories operating here such as pipe factory in Pipaltar, grain industries, Tadi and small crusher industries operating in Trishul. In Nuwakot, there are 3 big power projects currently in operation and many other hydropower projects under construction, and solar panels are also under construction in Bidur municipality and it is possible that the solar power will reach Nuwakot district itself.
Although the capital of Nuwakot district is from Kathmandu, it seems that in order to have a proper market arrangement for the agricultural products produced by the farmers, it is necessary to modernize agriculture by arranging a proper market arrangement and proper training for the farmers from time to time. And because there are powerhouses under construction, there is a lot of potential for factories here. Trishuli, Tadi, Chhatrekhola, and other small streams have irrigated the cultivated land of Nuwakot.
The Trishuli river, which originates from Gosainkunda in Rasuwa district, has also produced electricity at three places in Nuwakot. Shikharbesi rice is considered famous in the Nuwakot district. Thansing, Jeeling, Khadkbhanjayang of Nuwakot district with fertile land like Samundratar, Kharanitar, Battar and Gerkhutar, Gyangswara of Panchakanya Rural Municipality, Love Hill in Bidur, Natang Park of Dupcheswar, etc. are considered to be scenic spots. Naming: Nuwakot district was under West 1 number until Nepal was divided into 14 zones and 75 districts. Historically, the name of this district has been corrupted from Navakot, Navakotya, Navakwath, and Naukot to the present-day Nuwakot since the reign of the Gopal dynasty.
Although Nuwakot district is named after nine kots, Salyankot and Dhuskot West. 1 no. When the district was divided in 2019, Dhading district and Kalikot were in Rasuwa district and the rest were in Nuwakot, Belkot, Malakot, Pashkot, Simalkot, Bhairamkot in Nuwakot district. Administratively divided into three parliamentary constituencies, 10 village constituencies, and 2 municipalities, there are more than 1,200 settlements in this district. In the past, the Nuwakot palace was located in Pasiras, and the district headquarters was located in Vidur. History: At that time, King Prithvi Narayan Shah expressed his great desire to unite the small kingdoms of Nepal Valley and Gandaki and across the Karnali called Baise-Chaubise and build a unified and advanced Nepal state. At the same time, the campaign was started from the main gateway to the west side of the valley and the main channel for trade with Tibet.
At that time Nuwakot under Kantipur was considered a strong strategic fort as a result the attack was made after extensive preparations for the third time only V. No. Gorkhali was conquered in 1801. After the victory of Nuwakot, it was easy to understand the news of Kantipur valley by taking it as the capital. As a result, on the day of Indrajatra in 1825, the city of Kantipur fell into the hands of the Gorkhali army. In this way, the integration campaign proceeded. Also V.No. Prithvi Narayan died on January 1, 1831, at Devighat in Nuwakot district. In addition to his successors, brave warriors like Balabhadra Kunwar, Bhimsen Thapa, and Amarsingh continued to expand this campaign.
The British rulers who were expanding their empire in India at that time became suspicious of this campaign in Nepal. From which V. no. Due to the Sugauli Treaty concluded in 1837, Nepal had to lose the Terai territories of Mechi in the east and Rapti in the west. Due to these various reasons, Nepal’s border expansion was blocked after the Sugauli Treaty. In AD 1857, the then prime minister Janga Bahadur Rana provided important military support to the British to suppress the Indian soldier rebellion, so the four districts of Banke, Bardia, Kailali, and Kanchanpur, which are now known as the new country of western Nepal, were returned to Nepal.
Therefore, many courageous and brave rulers as well as brave soldiers have played an important role in building the current form of Nepal. Nuwakot’s victory was a sign of success in this unification campaign. King Prithvi Narayan Shah’s V.S. From 1801 to 1825 there is a history of significant time spent in Nuwakot. Prithvi Narayan Shah built a grand palace at Kaligad Jhikai in Lalitpur in 1819. Later, due to the great earthquake of the 1990s, two floors collapsed and became only seven floors. According to archeologist Dr. Safalya Amatya, at that time, Malla kings used to build houses with five floors and common people with three floors. But in order to break the pride of the Malla kings of the valley, Prithvi Narayan Shah ordered to build a temple-style palace. It was used as a summer palace and another winter palace was built in 1822.
Attackers could be seen from a distance from the bardli of the palace built in this way, and a cage for prisoners of war was also built in the palace. There is also a Tilinga Ghar (which later came to be called ‘Garad Ghar’) in front of this palace. Also, Ran Bahadur Shah’s meeting house in the northeast corner was also built during the Shah period. Cultural Aspects: Nuwakot is considered to be a culturally rich district. Malla period cultural fairs, festivals, and fairs, which are popular in the valley, also take place in Nuwakot. Many monasteries were built in Nuwakot during Prithvi Narayan’s time.
The famous Bhairavi Temple and Sindure Jatra, including the famous Malla period religious and cultural heritage, Taleju Temple, Narayan and Vishnu Temple, Narayan Jatra, Sipahi Jatra, Ropai Jatra, Taktuke Jatra, and Lakhe Jatra are considered to be the major cultural achievements of Nuwakot district. V.No. With the transfer of the headquarters from Nuwakot to Vidur in 2020, some cultural traditions are disappearing.
In Nuwakot, the Newar community, who migrated from the valley during the Malla period, named their toll market Indrachok, Brahmatol, etc., like Kathmandu, which has been maintained till now. It can be assumed that some of these Newar tribes may have come for the construction of the seven-story Nuwakot Palace. Geographical Location: According to the geographical division, this district is located in a hilly area and is spread east-west in an almost semi-circular shape.
In this district, one can find diverse geographical features such as the Samthar Bensi and Tars scattered here and there between the southern slopes of the Himalayas and the beautiful hilly areas of the highlands. According to the geographical structure, Nuwakot district has 71 percent hilly terrain, 18 percent Lekali terrain, and 11 percent Tar, Bensi, and Samathar terrain. The total area of Nuwakot district is 1121 square kilometers. Historic Seven Storey Palace:
The seven-storied palace of Nuwakot, which has contributed significantly to the shape of modern Nepal, is four kilometers away from Vidur. This palace, spread north-south on a hill at a height of about 970 meters, has historical and political importance. After Prithvi Narayan conquered Nuwakot, he made Nuwakot the second capital to further the expansion of the state. After Prithvi Narayan Shah’s conquest of Nuwakot, the State Palace remained the main center of activity. Prithvi declared Nuwakot as the capital. It remained as the capital for about 25 years. During the time of Ran Bahadur Shah, due to family conflict, Kantipur was ruled by Ran Bahadur from Patan and his son Girwan from Nuwakot.
Prithvi’s youngest son Bahadur Shah was born in Nuwakot and was kept in Nuwakot when he was imprisoned after a conspiracy against him. Similarly, in March 1793, a delegation led by the British ambassador William Kirkpatrick visited Nuwakot when King Ran Bahadur and Mukhtiar Bahadur Shah came to Nuwakot for Devi Puja. King Girwanyuddha Vikram received the certificate of status of E. Gardner, the first resident representative of Britain for Nepal in 1816-1873 in this palace.
During the unification campaign, King Trivikram of Tanahun and Balansingh of Kirtipur were also imprisoned in that palace. The Sattale Palace in Nuwakot is famous for its eye windows. It has windows on several floors. All of them are artistically carved and carved. Compared to other windows, the third floor is more artistic and eye-catching. The wooden patterns used in the windows of the second and fourth floors are also attractive. On the fourth floor, there are window frames used all around Bardali which are spectacular.
The small windows used on the fifth and sixth floors seem to be made in an artistic style. If you can see far from this window, nothing can be seen from outside. The dark dungeon on the sixth floor of the palace is famous. Enemies were imprisoned there. From the seventh floor, you can see all the surrounding scenery – Hariya Pahad, Trishuli Bazaar, confluence of Tadi and Trishuli rivers, Sera Phat.
Bhairavi Temple, Taleju Temple, Dupcheswar Mahadev, Devighat Jalpadevi Temple, Natyeshwar Mahadev Temple in Kavilas, etc. are the major religious places of the district. Currently, the Chinese government is starting the reconstruction of this palace complex.
Jalpadevi and Bhairavi Didibahini: Sindure Jatra is held every year on the day of Chaitra Shukla Purnima at Jalpadevi temple in Devighat and Bhairavi temple in Nuwakot, which are considered to be major religious places of pilgrimage in the district. On the day of Chaturdashi, the fair starts after ritually hanging the Salla lingo in front of the Bhairavi temple. During the fair, there is a tradition of animal sacrifice along with worship at the Jalpadevi temple at Devighat. According to religious beliefs, it is believed that Bhairavi Devi in the Nuwakot temple complex is sister and Jalpadevi Didi in Devighat, the confluence of the Tadi and Trishuli rivers. Bhairavi Devi is brought to Devighat along with Bajagaza and Sindoor Jatra to meet these two sisters once a year. In this fair, a large number of visitors come from the surrounding districts of Nuwakot as well as from other places and it is considered famous as Devighat Jatra.
Dupcheshwor Mahadev
Another big festival of the district is the Jatra held every year on Dhanya Purnima at Dupcheswar Mahadev Temple located in the middle of Vishal Pahra. This temple is located in Dupcheswar Ward No. 6, 35 km east of the headquarters Vidur, and has been developed not only as a religious site but also as a tourist site.
The Jatra, which begins on the Ekadashi day of November, ends only after the full moon. People from outside the district also come here during fairs and other times. Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Gorkha and other districts are crowded with domestic tourists. Especially the local Jhanki dance, Halmo song and Sherpa dance are another specialty here. At Betravati, the confluence of the Salakhu and Malakhu rivers on the border of Rasuwa and Nuwakot, known as Uttargaya, a special fair is held on Puseyaunshi and Kusheaunshi days. On these days, especially those who do not have parents, go to the shrine and perform bathing and worship.
Apart from these, fairs are held at different times in religious and tourist places such as Natayeshwar Temple in Kavilas, Kapileshwar Temple and Sagar Kund located in the northern part. The bullfighting festival held every year on the day of Maghesankranti in Taruka of Nuwakot is also of special importance. According to the legend, when Bajhangi king Jai Prithvi Bahadur Singh came to his maternal uncle’s house, the uncle fought a bull to welcome his nephew and it is said that the tradition has continued since then. The bullfighting procession, which started to welcome the king, has now started to be seen as a tourist attraction. Visitors from Dhading, Rasuwa, Chitwan, Kaski, Kathmandu and other places around Nuwakot also come to the procession.
Nuwakot with tourist potential:
Nuwakot is not only a matter of historical importance, but in the present situation, Nuwakot has started to develop as a tourist spot. Vidur Bazar, the headquarters of Nuwakot district, which is 70 km away from Kathmandu, has become a place of study for internal and external tourists. Ranipauwa on the way from Kathmandu to Nuwakot attracts the hearts of tourists. From Ranipauwa, you can see not only Lamtang mountain in Rasuwa district but also dozens of villages and hill ranges like Ramche, Kalikasthan, Jivjiwe, Dhaivung, Laharepauwa in the southern part of Rasuwa district. Not only this, most of the geography of Nuwakot district and dozens of villages including Budhsing and Taruka of Dhading district can be seen from Ranipauwa. Similarly, the 17 km motorway from Vaireni to Vidur in Dhading district on Prithvi Highway has become a short route for people going to Nuwakot from Terai.
The main tourist spots like Kakani Chirkeshwar Danda, Bagmara Sagar Kund Valcheko Sheep Farm Chisapani Mala Bhanjyang Kala Bhanjyang, and Golfu Bhanjyang have become a center of attraction for people who reach Nuwakot today. Recently, Pasang Lhamu highway connecting Nuwakot Kathmandu has been developed as ‘Rainbow Trout Highway’. For the promotion of tourist places in the district, the search for different footpaths has started recently.
From Shivpuri in Kathmandu to Satatle Darbar in Nuwakot, the nine-day trail ends at Shivpuri Alche-Purnkukhure-Manebhanjyang Mangkedanda-Samudratar Sundaradevi-Bagmara, Gyangswara of Panchakanya Rural Municipality, Love Hill in Bidur, Natang Park of Dupcheswar Malabhanjang and is considered good for nature lovers in Nuwakot district for nature lovers to see the lifestyle of local residents, local costumes and scenic views. Sagarkund and Rahuchuli near Bagmara are another attractive natural heritage for nature lovers. From Rahuchuli, one can see most of the Kathmandu Valley as well as the entire part of Nuwakot.
