Bhimeshwor भिमेश्वर
Municipality
Landscape near Charikot; from North of the town
Bhimeshwor Location in Nepal
Coordinates: 27°40′0″N 86°2′0″E / 27.66667°N 86.03333°E / 27.66667; 86.03333
Country	Nepal
Province	Bagmati Province
District	Dolakha District
Government
• Type	Mayor–council government
• Mayor	Mr. Ishwor Narayan Manandhar
• Deputy Mayor	Kamala Basnet
Population  (2021)
• Total	40,000
Time zone	UTC+5:45 (Nepal Time)
Postal code	45500
Area code	049
Website	http://bhimeshwormun.gov.np/en

Bhimeshwar, (formerly Charikot), is a municipality in north-eastern Nepal and the headquarters of Dolakha District in Bagmati Province that was established in 1997 by merging the former Village development committees Charikot, Dolakha Town, Makaibari and Mati.^[1] At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, it had a population of 32,486 people living in 8,639 individual households.^[2] The town is located at an altitude of 1,554 metres (5,101 feet).^[3] The name of the district Dolakha came from Dolakha Town situated north-east of the headquarters Charikot Bazaar.

Boundaries

The region is bordered by the Sun Kosi River on the west and the Khimti Khola River on the east. It is divided unequally by the River Tama Koshi, proportionately two-thirds to the west of the river and one-third to the east.

To the north east lies the impressive Rolwaling Himal to the western edge of which are such peaks as Gauri Shankar and Melungtse. Gauri Shankar is synonymous with the god Shiva and his consort Parvati.

Geography

To the northwest the mountains slope gently downwards towards the ancient pass of Kuti that starts above the Tibetan town of Khasa and follows the waters of the Bhote Kosi from Tibet. The river flows past Kodari and Tatopani (Hot Springs) on the Nepalese side and gradually rushes down into an ever-widening stream of water that becomes the Sun Kosi.

The Gaurishankar Himalaya

The Khimti Khola drains down from a region of five lakes called Panch Pokhari. They have a specific place in legend and go by the names of Mohi (buttermilk), Jata (hair), Dudh (milk), Bahula (insane), and Bhut (ghost). People believe that if one bathes in Bahula Pokhari one will become insane, whereas the Ghost Lake cannot bear the smell of human perspiration and will pull one inside its murky waters to a certain death if you as much as venture near it. The Khimti Khola joins the Tama Koshi, as do the Khare Khola and Rolwaling Khola to the northeast and the Sangawati, Dolti and Charnewati Kholas to the west.

The riverine valleys open out into massive volcanic folds. Sub-tropical settlements on the banks of rivers boast banana trees, guava, and an abundance of fish. Above the banks hover the terraced fields of paddy, make, wheat, and millet.

Between Bhimeshwar and Jiri the road descends to 845 metres and is bordered by plantations of sugar-cane. Above these slopes are forests of dark oak, fir and pine, interspersed with tangles of bracken and fem all in the embrace of clinging orchids and coloured in the springtime by the rhododendrons, the national flower of Nepal.

Mosses cling to the shaded rocks and in the forests are wild strawberries, loganberries, red berries and thyme.

Destination

Dolakha is approximately 139 km from the Capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. Regular-Local and Express bus services are available from the Old Bus Station. All the Bus services are operated by Araniko Transportation Authority as per Syndicate System. Old Bus Park is situated opposite Play Ground-Tundekhel.

Dolakha bazar

Students can get 45% discount in regular bus fare. Anyone can get a ride from virtually any spot in the route. Previously, one could ride in the hood but recently the law was passed not to allow anyone to ride over the hood.

The popular destination from Old Bus Park en route to Dolakha are many. Banepa, Dhulikhel, Dolal-Ghat, Lamo-Sangu (Long Bridge), Khadi Chaur (Middle Eastern Ground), and Mude. Tourists and local enjoy the travel and scenic views, foods on the route equally. Dolal-Ghat and Khadi Chaur are major destination for fish, Dolal-Ghat for vegetables (esp. tomatoes), Dhulikhel for restaurants and resorts.

Rafting in the Sunkoshi (Gold River) and Tamba koshi is also a major attraction.

Climate

Schools and colleges

Government offices, Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Government offices

• Bhimeshwar Municipality Office
• District Public Health Office
• Road and construction Office

Demographics

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Bhimeshwar Municipality had a population of 33,324. Of these, 67.0% spoke Nepali, 13.7% Tamang, 10.4% Thangmi, 5.9% Newar, 1.2% Sherpa, 0.6% Maithili, 0.4% Bengali, 0.1% Bhojpuri, 0.1% Bhujel, 0.1% Gurung, 0.1% Hindi, 0.1% Jirel, 0.1% Magar, 0.1% Sunwar and 0.1% other languages as their first language.^[7]

In terms of ethnicity/caste, 29.7% were Chhetri, 18.1% Newar, 15.6% Tamang, 12.6% Thami, 11.1% Hill Brahmin, 3.4% Kami, 2.0% Gharti/Bhujel, 1.8% Sarki, 1.3% Damai/Dholi, 1.3% Sherpa, 0.5% Magar, 0.3% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.3% Thakuri, 0.2% Badi, 0.2% Gurung, 0.1% Terai Brahmin, 0.1% Hajjam/Thakur, 0.1% Halwai, 0.1% Jirel, 0.1% Kathabaniyan, 0.1% Koiri/Kushwaha, 0.1% Musalman, 0.1% Rai, 0.1% Sunuwar and 0.5% others.^[8]

In terms of religion, 76.4% were Hindu, 16.6% Buddhist, 5.6% Prakriti, 1.1% Christian, 0.1% Muslim and 0.1% others.^[9]

In terms of literacy, 68.9% could read and write, 4.2% could only read and 26.8% could neither read nor write.^[10]

Ethnic groups

Newars are mostly involved in small local business, Nepali in clothing stores.

Traditional Newari Dolakhali House

Brahmins-Indo-Aryan; Referred to twice-born. They have been the dominant priestly cast of Nepal since Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha unified the states of Nepal into a single Kingdom.

Jirel-Tibeto-Mongoloid; It is believed that they may be descendants of original inhabitants of Tibet and Tibetan tribes with whom they inter-married. Broadly speaking, Jirels have retained a Buddhist tradition. However, they employ Hindu Brahmins for many rituals. This behavior may date back to the Rana rule, a Hindu dynasty. They live in Jiri and the village nearby. They believe they originated as a result of trade between this region and the adjoining regions in Tibet. At death ceremonies, a Buddhist tradition prevails. However, for many domestic ceremonies they call a Brahmin priest and adhere to the Brahmanical tradition. This strange mixture can be explained by their mixed ethnic origins and that sometimes amongst certain of the middle-hill peoples there is no hard, dividing line.

Other- Ksehtri, Magar, Newar, Sherpa, Tamang, Thami

Media

To promote local culture Bhimeshwar has two community radio stations – Sailung (104 MHz) and Radio Kalinchowk (106.4 MHz).

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charikot.

• UN map of the municipalities of Dolakha District
• Web site about Dolakha

Accommodation

• Charikot Panorama Resort