Sunakothi

Sunakothi
सुनाकोठी
Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan Municipality
Sunakothi

Location in Nepal

Coordinates: 27°38′N 85°19′E / 27.64°N 85.32°E / 27.64; 85.32Coordinates: 27°38′N 85°19′E / 27.64°N 85.32°E / 27.64; 85.32
Country    Nepal
Zone Bagmati Zone
District Lalitpur District
Population (1991)
 • Total 6,199
Time zone Nepal Time (UTC+5:45)

Sunakothi is a small town located about 4 km (2.5 mi) south of the main Lalitpur town in Lalitpur District. According to 2011 Nepal census, Sunakothi has a population of 10,092 living in 2397 individual households. Most ofthe people living in Sunakothi are Newar. The offshoot road near the Satdobato segment of the Ring Road leads to Sunakothi. This road ultimately leads to Lele and is referred to as Laxmi Prasad Devkota Marga (Satdobato - Tika Bahirab).Thecho is situated on the southern part of Sunakothi, Bungamati and Bhaisipati on west, Dhapakhel on east and Khumaltar and Nakhipot on North.

Geography

The town is spread over an area of 3.08 km2 (1.19 sq mi). On the north of Sunakothi lies Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City. On the west, Nakhu River separates Sunakothi from Sainbu and Bungamati. Sunakothi is bounded by Dhapakhel on the east and Thecho on the south and sampang chowk in the north.

Etymology

The old name of Sunakothi was Bhringar Grama named after the temple of Bhringareshwor Mahadev. There are two myths regarding how the name ‘Sunakothi’ came into being

‘Sana’ refers to funeral procession in Newari. The village is said to have been inhabited by people who helped in funeral works. They hence had a social group of families or Guthi called Sanaguthi. According to popular saying, the ‘Sunakothi’ word evolved from ‘Sanaguthi’

According to another myth, when the local temple of Swornapur Mandir [Bhringareshwor Mahadev] was worshipped wearing a Kush Ring (a ring made out of Hay), it turned into a gold ring which translates to Sunko Authi in Nepali. A greedy Brahmin (higher caste in nepali) in order to achieve more gold had hit the shiva linga with an axe. The damages in the linga can still be seen. Thus the name of the place is said to have gradually changed into Sunakothi from Sunko Authi.

History

The stone inscription around the Bhringareshwor temple indicates that it was built during Lichhavi period. The 5th century stone describes about Managriha and Kailashkut Bhawan and the location was then called Bhringar Grama. Proper settlement however is said to have be established by King Ratna Malla.[1] He is said to have established a settlement of 300 houses with families and also started the Chaitra Purnima Jatra. The boundary of old settlement was marked by Marker stones on north and south road.

Major Attractions

Bhringareshwor Mahadev:http://www.bhringareshwor.info.np/ Bhringeshwor Mahadev is the main temple of Sunakothi. The temple is believed to have been established by King Bishnu Singha in memory of his father King Kusum Singha in 1554 AD [674NS]. Initial form of the temple is believed to be 3 storied pagoda whose huge artistic struts are still present in the complex. It was rebuilt in present-day domed style after the earthquake of 1934AD.

Balkumari Temple: It is a two storeyed temple dedicated to goddess Balkumari located in the middle of the Balkumari forest. A large empty ground, about 100 by 100 m2 (1,100 by 1,100 sq ft), lies nearby the temple which is also the major attraction for the football players. We can see the tundals of shree mahakali, rakta kaali, ganesha, nilo kaali, mahalaxmi, barahi, bahirav,etc. carved in the wooden tundals. The temple in the residential area is of the daughter of Shree Balkumari called "Pancha Kumari". The idol of the goddess is taken down from the temple and placed in the chariots to observe the local jatras which falls twice in a year.

Boudha Jana Bihar: one can see a huge jana bihar (buddhist gumba) on the way to Balkumari forest.

Administrative Division

The Sunakothi town is divided into 2 wards of Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan Municipality. The wards and locality [toles] they contains are:

Ward No. → Name of toles

26 →Kulaphal,Jainkhel, Pukhusi, Lanko, kalpata:, Chibahal, Pambha, Pancho, Nani chi bahal,Chokhel, Choyavinayak, Dholahiti

27→ Enabhacha, Chhansa tole, Chokiba, Dampa ta, Hitiphusa, Dhokashi,Khashijole, Daracha, Bhramhatole, Utujhol,Dhalanga, Tegacha, Chokiba, Dhathutole, Chapaphal, Dewal, Dekiba and Okhat.

Culture

Festivals and culture observed here are similar to those celebrated in Kathmandu. However, the highlights are the Gojamari Punhi celebrated during Yomari Punhi in Mangshir [Full moon of December] and Bal kumari Jatra also called "Pekha Jatra" celebrated on the full moon day of Chaitra.

The festival in Yomari Purnima is celebrated for 3 days. In the festival, Balkumari goddess is carried on a chariot throughout the inner settlement to the mother temple located in the isolated forest of the area.

Other such festival is the one in Chaitra. During this festival, Yonsi(believed to be a divine serpentine) or a high wooden pole is erected in chowk, in front of Balkumari temple and other along the main street. Also, during this festival four chariots (Shree Ganesha, Goddess Balkumari, Lord shiva with Parvati and lord Kumar) are taken around the core town.

References

  1. ↑ Shri Bhringareshwor Mahadev Ko Itihash Tatha mahimako Adhyyan - S. Joshi

External links

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