# Syangja District

Syangja District (Nepali: स्याङ्जा जिल्ला; Listen) is a part of Gandaki Province, and is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. Its headquarter is Putalibazar with a diverse population including Brahmin, Magar, Chhetri, Dalit and Gurung communities. Syangja is home to attractions like the ancient temples of Garaunsur and Akala , scenic viewpoints such as Panchase, and the historical town of Waling, making it a growing eco-tourism destination. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, with rice, maize, millet, and fruits like oranges being widely cultivated. Syangja is the leading Orange producer in nepal with 22,000 tons in 2023. The district has several educational institutions, and many residents pursue higher education in cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu. Well-connected by highways to major cities like Pokhara and Butwal, Syangja offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and historical importance. The district covers an area of 1,164 km$^2$ (449 sq mi) and has a population of 254,965.

## Etymology

The name "Syangja" is derived from the surname of the Sinjali people, an ethnic group belonging to the Magar community who live in this area. There are various folklore surrounding the name.

## History
### Prehistoric Times

The area that is now Syangja District has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological evidence suggesting human settlement dating back thousands of years.

### Medieval Period

During the medieval period, the region was part of various small principalities and kingdoms. It was ruled by local chieftains and feudal lords, often referred to as the Barha Magarat. These small kingdoms were primarily inhabited by the Magar ethnic group, one of the indigenous peoples of Nepal. The petty kingdoms of Bhirkot, Nuwakot and Satahun of Chaubisi Rajya existed in present day territory of Syangja.

### Unification of Nepal

In the 18th century, the Shah Dynasty, led by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, began the unification of Nepal. Syangja, like many other regions, came under the rule of the expanding Gorkha Kingdom. The unification campaign led to the consolidation of various small principalities into a single kingdom, which eventually became modern Nepal.

### Historical Places

The headquarters of Syangja District lies in Syangja Bazaar. Some places of historical interest in this district include Satahun Chandi, Manakamana, Bhirkot Durbar, Alamdevi, Akala Devi, Gahraukalika, Nuwakot Durbar, Chhangchhangdi, and Ridi Ruru Kshetra, located along the banks of the Kaligandaki River. Chhangchhangdi (Chaya-kshetra) is mentioned in the Swasthani Vrata-Katha, which is considered part of the Skanda Purana, as the place where the last organ of the deceased Satidevi fell while she was being carried by Lord Shiva.
Among the three municipalities, Putalibazar municipality is situated on the eastern side, while Waling municipality is located in western Syangja. The newly formed Chapakot municipality is in the east-south. Waling is a longitudinal valley along the banks of the Aandhikhola River. According to one folk legend, the Aandhikhola River is believed to have originated from the tears of Shravan from the Ramayana. The largest valley in Syangja is Ramkosh. There are hiking opportunities, including Chandithaan, which is a Devi temple, and Hunikot, a viewpoint overlooking Putalibazar.

## Geography

Syangja District lies in the hilly region, with altitudes ranging from approximately 300 meters along the banks of the Kaligandaki River to several thousand meters above sea level. It is situated at a latitude of 28°4'60" North and a longitude of 83°52'0" East.
| Climate Zone | Elevation range | % of Area |
| Upper Tropical | 300 to 1,000 meters 1,000 to 3,300 ft. | 53.6% |
| Subtropical | 1,000 to 2,000 meters 3,300 to 6,600 ft. | 45.3% |

## Government and politics

Syangja District has 11 local units, among which five are municipalities (Nagarpalika) and six are rural municipalities (Gaunpalika) established with the formulation of the new constitution and the provincial division of the country.
Local Units in Syangja District :
| Type | Name | Headquarters | Population (2021) |
| Municipality | Waling Municipality | Waling | 51,437 |
| Municipality | Putalibazar Municipality | Putalibazar | 45,510 |
| Municipality | Galyang Municipality | Galyang | 37,821 |
| Municipality | Bhirkot Municipality | Bheerkot | 25,584 |
| Municipality | Chapakot Municipality | Chapakot | 22,969 |
| Rural Municipality | Kaligandaki Rural Municipality | Kaligandaki | 17,955 |
| Rural Municipality | Biruwa Rural Municipality | Biruwa | 14,001 |
| Rural Municipality | Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality | Arjun Chaupari | 14,045 |
| Rural Municipality | Harinas Rural Municipality | Harinas | 16,300 |
| Rural Municipality | Phedikhola Rural Municipality | Phedikhola | 10,899 |
| Rural Municipality | Aandhikhola Rural Municipality | Aandhikhola | 13,094 |
| Syangja District | | | 253,024 |

### Former Village Development Committees and Municipalities

Before the reorganization of administrative divisions, Syangja District was divided into several Village Development Committees (VDCs) and municipalities. The following table lists these VDCs and municipalities as they were prior to the restructuring. In total, there were 44 VDCs and 4 municipalities in Syangja District before the reorganization.
Former Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Municipalities in Syangja District :
| Category | Name |
| VDC | Alamdevi |
| VDC | Arjun Chaupari |
| VDC | Aruchaur |
| VDC | Arukharka |
| VDC | Bangephadke |
| VDC | Bahakot |
| VDC | Banethok Deurali |
| VDC | Bhatkhola |
| Municipality | Bhirkot Municipality |
| VDC | Bichari Chautara |
| VDC | Birgha Archale |
| VDC | Biruwa Archale |
| VDC | Chandi Bhanjyang |
| Municipality | Chapakot Municipality |
| VDC | Chhangchhangdi |
| VDC | Chilaunebas |
| VDC | Chinnebas |
| VDC | Chisapani |
| VDC | Chitre Bhanjyang |
| VDC | Darsing Dahathum |
| VDC | Dhapuk Simal Bhanjyang |
| VDC | Iladi |
| VDC | Jagat Bhanjyang |
| VDC | Jagatradevi |
| VDC | Kalikakot |
| VDC | Kolma Barahachaur |
| VDC | Keware Bhanjyang |
| VDC | Khilung Deurali |
| VDC | Kichnas |
| VDC | Kyakami |
| VDC | Majhakot Sivalaya |
| VDC | Malengkot |
| VDC | Malunga Tunibot |
| VDC | Manakamana |
| VDC | Nibuwakharka |
| VDC | Oraste |
| VDC | Pakbadi |
| VDC | Panchamul |
| VDC | Pauwegaude |
| VDC | Pelakot |
| VDC | Pelkachaur |
| VDC | Phaparthum |
| VDC | Phedikhola |
| VDC | Pindikhola |
| Municipality | Putalibazar Municipality |
| VDC | Rangvang |
| VDC | Rapakot |
| VDC | Ratnapur |
| VDC | Sankhar |
| VDC | Daraun |
| VDC | Sirsekot Kaule |
| VDC | Sekham |
| VDC | Setidobhan |
| VDC | Srikrishna Gandaki |
| VDC | Sirsekot |
| VDC | Sorek |
| VDC | Taksar |
| VDC | Thuladihi |
| VDC | Thumpokhara |
| VDC | Tindobate |
| VDC | Tulsibhanjyang |
| Municipality | Waling Municipality |
| VDC | Wangsing Deurali |
| VDC | Yaladi |
| Total VDCs | 44 |
| Total Municipalities | 4 |

## Economy

Putalibazar is Headquarter of the district but Waling Is The Financial Capital of Syangja. Syangja district is famous for orange cultivation, making it the largest producer of oranges in Nepal. Orange cultivation is an important part of the local economy, serving as the main cash crop of the district and contributing significantly to the livelihood of its residents.

### Transportation

Syangja is connected to Pokhara and Bhairahawa, two of the most prominent cities in Western Nepal, via the Siddhartha Highway. The highway enters this district from Kubhinde in the north and exits to Ramdi in Palpa District in the south.

### Hydroelectricity

The Kaligandaki A Hydroelectric Power Station built on the Kali Gandaki River is the largest hydroelectric project in Nepal, with an installed capacity of 144 MW. Besides the Kaligandaki A, Aadhikhola hydroelectric and some other, smaller, hydroelectric projects have been started in this district.
Of all the districts in Nepal, Syangja is one of the few districts in the country that does not suffer from the problem of loadshedding, or scheduled electric outages, while the nation suffers hours of loadshedding each day.

## Demographics
### Language

The table below shows the distribution of first languages spoken in Syangja District.
Distribution of first languages spoken in Syangja District

### Ethnicity

The following bar box illustrates the distribution of various ethnicities and castes in Syangja District. The majority of the population belongs to Bahun and Magar ethnic groups, with notable proportions of Chhetri, Gurung, and other groups. Smaller proportions of the population belong to various other ethnicities and castes like Damai, Kami, Sarki etc.
Distribution of ethnicities and castes in Syangja District

### Religion

The following bar box shows the distribution of religions in Syangja District. The majority of the population practices Hinduism, with significant percentages of Buddhists and followers of other religions.
Distribution of religions in Syangja District

### Literacy

The following bar box illustrates the literacy distribution in Syangja District. The majority of the population is literate, with a significant percentage being able to read and write, while a smaller portion can only read or are illiterate.
Distribution of literacy in Syangja District