Dhading District

Dhading District
धादिङ जिल्ला
District
Location of District in Bagmati Pradesh
Country Nepal
ProvinceBagmati
Admin HQ.Dhading Besi, Nilkantha Municipality
Government
 • TypeCoordination committee
 • BodyDCC, Dhading
Area
 • Total
1,926 km2 (744 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
336,067
 • Density174.5/km2 (451.9/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+05:45 (NPT)
Websitewww.ddcdhading.gov.np

Dhading District (Nepali: धादिङ जिल्ला Listenⓘ), a part of Bagmati Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Dhading Besi (Nilkantha Municipality) as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,926 square kilometres (744 sq mi), had a population of 338,658 in 2001[2] and 336,067 in 2011.[1]


Etymology

According to local tradition, the name Dhading is believed to have originated from the language of the indigenous Chepang (Praja) people. In the Chepang language, “Dha” means deity and “Ding” means flame of fire. Since the Chepang people have inhabited this region since ancient times and the temple of Jwalamukhi Devi, a deity worshipped in the form of a flame, is also located in the district, it is widely believed that the district name Dhading was derived from the Chepang language.[3]

History

Parts of present‑day Dhading District, particularly the territory across the Trishuli River, historically lay within the sphere of influence of the Gorkha Kingdom prior to the unification of Nepal.[4]

The region is mentioned in the political counsel and recollections of Prithvi Narayan Shah in Divyopadesh. The text recounts that during his campaigns he crossed Kalleri Ghat and ascended the hills of the Dhading region while travelling toward the capital of Gorkha.[5]

The work also records that Prithvi Narayan Shah summoned his commanders Mansingh Rokaya and Ranjit Basnyat to Maidi, located in present‑day Dhading.[6]

According to Divyopadesh, Prithvi Narayan Shah visited Salyankot to worship the local goddess Salyankot Devi, where he reportedly experienced a dream in which the deity blessed his campaign. Following the ritual sacrifice of a goat, he granted lands at Borlang Ghat and nearby Tar to the temple as a religious endowment.[7]

The text further refers to the administrative organization of the hill regions and praises officials working effectively in Sallyani(Present day Dhading), Liglig, and Dhading, indicating the importance of the Dhading district within the Gorkhali state during the period of expansion.[8]

Remains of gardens, resting houses (pauwa), and temples constructed by the nationalist prime minister Bhimsen Thapa can still be found at Bungkotghat, although most now survive only in ruined condition.[9]

Geography and climate

Dhading District spreads from 27'40" E to 28'17" E and 80'17"N to 84'35"N.[10] The mountain range Ganesh Himal is the predominant mountain range located within Dhading. Some of the peaks are over 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The highest point in the district is 7,104-metre Pabil.[11] The 8,000-metre (26,000 ft) and the mountain Manaslu is clearly visible from much of Dhading, although it is located within the bounds of Gorkha. The transnational Prithivi Highway connecting Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara runs through the southern portion of the district, making for easy access to the Kathmandu Valley. The road parallels the Trishuli River. The western border with Gorkha is bisected by the Budigandaki River.

The district is bounded by

Dhading is the only district of Nepal which ranges from the mountain Ganesh Himal to the Churevawar pradesh of Terai (Chitwan). The district, with Dhading Besi as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,926 square kilometres (744 sq mi) and has a population (2001) of 338,658.[2] Dhading is the district with the most rural municipalities in Nepal i.e. 11. Dhading is 80% farmland and 20% forest. The western border with Gorkha is bisected by the Budhi gandaki River.

Climate Zone[12] Elevation Range % of Area
Upper Tropical 300 to 1,000 meters
1,000 to 3,300 ft. 		39.7%
Subtropical 1,000 to 2,000 meters
3,300 to 6,600 ft. 		35.1%
Temperate 2,000 to 3,000 meters
6,400 to 9,800 ft. 		10.8%
Subalpine 3,000 to 4,000 meters
9,800 to 13,100 ft. 		 7.7%
Alpine 4,000 to 5,000 meters
13,100 to 16,400 ft. 		 3.2%
Nival above 5,000 meters  2.5%

The people of the district are primarily Bhramin and Chetri in the south and Tamang and Gurung in the north, with much of the center Newari. Gurkha route, the birthplace of founder of Nepal King Prithivi Naryan Shah crosses through Dhading.

Rivers

The main river of the Dhading district is Budi Gandaki which comes from Ganesh Himal and passes through Arughat Bazaar and Salyantar and meets Ankhu khola at Narsingha Dhamm. Budhi Gandaki separates the district from Gorkha district. The Trisuli River, which comes from Nuwakot, also passes through Dhading. There are 25 small rivers, the main being Charoudi, Malekhu, Galtukhola, Belkhukhola, Chiraudikhola, Maheshkhola, Aansi, Thopal, Manukhola, Kastekhola, and Mastekhola. Besides these, there are over 1743 smaller rivers, springs and seasonal streams.[13]

Demographics

Historical population
Census yearPop.±% p.a.
1981 243,401—    
1991 278,068+1.34%
2001 338,658+1.99%
2011 336,067−0.08%
2021 322,751−0.40%
Source: Citypopulation[14]

At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Dhading District had a population of 325,710. 7.38% of the population is under 5 years of age. It has a literacy rate of 72.40% and a sex ratio of 1048 females per 1000 males. 87,977 (27.01%) lived in municipalities.[15]

Castes/ethnic groups in Dhading District (2021)[16]
  1. Tamang (22.2%)
  2. Chhetri (14.1%)
  3. Bahun (13.6%)
  4. Newar (9.13%)
  5. Magar (8.24%)
  6. Gurung (5.67%)
  7. Chepang (5.27%)
  8. Sarki (4.92%)
  9. Kami (4.25%)
  10. Damai (2.60%)
  11. Ghale (2.26%)
  12. Kumal (1.67%)
  13. Thakuri (1.11%)
  14. Rai (1.05%)
  15. Dasnami (1.03%)
  16. Other Hill Janjati (1.81%)
  17. Others (1.16%)

Ethnicity wise: Hill Janjatis made up the largest population, being nearly 49% of the population. Tamangs were the largest Hill Janjatis (22%), with Magars being 8% of the population. Chhetri and Bahun made up 20% of the population.[16]

Languages of Dhading district (2021)[17]
  1. Nepali (67.0%)
  2. Tamang (20.1%)
  3. Chepang (2.95%)
  4. Magar (2.74%)
  5. Gurung (2.66%)
  6. Ghale (1.52%)
  7. Nepal Bhasha (1.30%)
  8. Others (1.67%)

As their first language, 67.05% of the population spoke Nepali, 20.11% Tamang, 2.95% Chepang, 2.74% Magar, 2.66% Gurung, 1.59% Ghale and 1.30% Nepal Bhasha as their first language.[17] In 2011, 70.7% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.[18]

Religion in Dhading District (2021)[19]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 70.71%
Buddhism
 
 20.26%
Christianity
 
 7.55%
Kirat Mundhum
 
 0.43%
Islam
 
 0.41%
Other or not stated
 
 0.64%

Religion: 70.71% was Hindu, 20.26% Buddhist, 7.55% Christian, 0.43% Kirat and 0.41% Islam.[19]

Religious temples

Dhading District has many religious temples. Among them is Tripurasundari Mai which lies in the northern part of the district. Siddha Than in Siddhalekh Rural Municipality is a Hindu religious site. Others include the Bhairabi Temple in Sunaula Bazar. Sri Nrsimha Dham Kshetra in Salyantar is a historical religious site for the Vedic Sanatan Hindu people, where Jagannath Foundation – Sri Rupanuga Para Vidyapeeth, Bimala Devi Temple, Shesa Temple, Sada Shiva and ancient Nrsimha Deva temple, and Ganga Jamuna temple are attractions. Kot Devi is a religious site in Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality, Maidi. Kalidevi Temple is also one of the popular religious temples (Devi Mandir) located in Dhunibeshi Municipality ward no. 6. Amleshwor Mahadev Temple in Mahesdovan, Jwalamukhi, is also one of the main religious temples of Dhading. Pasupatipati and Krishna mandir covers the district headquarter, Dhading Bensi. Madevthan of Palpa Bensi is also one of the religious sites of Dhading. Dhola Mandali temple of Dhola is a popular Hindu temple. Every Tuesday people used to cut she-goats in Mandali Thaan. Girls and women are not allowed to go there. The origin of the Muktinath temple of Mustang is Dhading. In Dhading, Muktinath Temple is located at Siddhalek Rular Municipality, nearly Kalupanda Marg.

Administration

Dhanding district consists of two municipalities and 11 rural municipals.

Municipalities

Rural municipals

Notable people

The following is a list of notable people born in, associated with, or who ruled Dhading District:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "National Population and Housing Census 2011(National Report)" (PDF). Central Bureau of Statistics. Government of Nepal. November 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-04-18.
  2. ^ a b "Nepal Census 2001". Nepal's Village Development Committees. Digital Himalaya. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
  3. ^ "District Profile: Dhading". Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, Government of Nepal. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  4. ^ Kirkpatrick, William (1811). An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul. London: William Miller. p. 123.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  5. ^ Shah, Prithvi Narayan (1952). Naraharinath, Yogi; Acharya, Baburam (eds.). Rashtrapita Shree 5 Maharaja Prithvi Narayan Shah Devko Divya Upadesh. Kathmandu. p. 4.
  6. ^ Shah, Prithvi Narayan. Naraharinath, Yogi; Acharya, Baburam (eds.). Divya Upadesh. p. 4.
  7. ^ Shah, Prithvi Narayan. Naraharinath, Yogi; Acharya, Baburam (eds.). Divya Upadesh. p. 10-12.
  8. ^ Shah, Prithvi Narayan. Naraharinath, Yogi; Acharya, Baburam (eds.). Divya Upadesh. p. 25.
  9. ^ Regmi, Mahesh Chandra. Landownership in Nepal. University of California Press.
  10. ^ "District Development Committee, Dhading".
  11. ^ "Pabil, Peakvisor.com". Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  12. ^ The Map of Potential Vegetation of Nepal - a forestry/agroecological/biodiversity classification system (PDF), Forest & Landscape Development and Environment Series 2-2005 and CFC-TIS Document Series No.110., 2005, ISBN 87-7903-210-9, archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2013, retrieved Nov 22, 2013
  13. ^ Book:Jilla Bastugat Biwaran:Dhading-2064, Page 3, Language: Nepali, Nepal Government Publication
  14. ^ "NEPAL: Administrative Division". www.citypopulation.de.
  15. ^ "Provincial/District/Local reports: Bagmati Province" (PDF). Census Nepal 2021. Central Bureau of Statistics.
  16. ^ a b "Table 1: Caste/Ethnicity and sex". Census Nepal 2021. Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  17. ^ a b "Table 5: Mother tongue and sex". Census Nepal 2021. Central Bureau of Statistics.
  18. ^ "Social characteristics tables" (PDF). Central Bureau of Statistics.
  19. ^ a b "Table 5: Religion and sex". Census Nepal 2021. Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  20. ^ Aashika Tamang
  21. ^ Ayush Rijal
  22. ^ Bhumi Tripathi
  23. ^ Bimala Tamang
  24. ^ Biraj Maharjan
  25. ^ Dol Prasad Aryal
  26. ^ Naba Raj Lamsal
  27. ^ "About Us". Central Department of Physics. Tribhuvan University. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  28. ^ Amrit-Souvenir (PDF). Amrit Science Campus. p. 1.
  29. ^ Prem Pariyar
  30. ^ Prithvi Narayan Shah
  31. ^ Rabindra Pratap Shah
  32. ^ Rajendra Prasad Pandey
  33. ^ Ram Nath Adhikari
  34. ^ Rishi Dhamala
  35. ^ Rudra Pandey
  36. ^ Santoshi Shrestha
  37. ^ Surendra Pandey
  38. ^ Sushma Shimkhada
  39. ^ "Israeli Ambassador Bass visits model farm in Dhading". Radio Nepal. 17 February 2025.

27°52′0″N 84°55′0″E / 27.86667°N 84.91667°E / 27.86667; 84.91667

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