# Shreekhandapur

Shreekhandapur (Nepal Bhasa: खम्पू) is a city situated in the Dhulikhel municipality in Kavrepalanchowk district in Nepal.This historical town is about 28 km east from Kathmandu. The city is located roughly at 1400m above sea level. The main attraction of Shreekhandapur is the temple of Swet Bhairav, located approximately 1 km northeast of the town. The name Shreekhandapur was originally given due to the presence of the tree Shreekhand. Its name during the Licchavi period was खम्पू which is still used predominantly by the Newar community living in this town.

## History

Shreekhandapur is recognized as one of the historic towns within the Banepa Seven Towns. According to historical accounts, the name "Shreekhandapur" is derived from the abundance of sandalwood (Shreekhand) trees that once covered the area. Over time, as people from various places migrated to this location, the sandalwood trees were cut down to establish settlements. This deforestation for settlement led to the town being named Shreekhandapur.
There is a popular belief that the remnants of a sandalwood tree stump in the center of the town were covered to construct a chaitya (stupa), which still exists today. It is also said that the Dipankar Buddha statue was carved from the sandalwood of this region. Religious Significance
According to the Himvat Khanda, six of the sixty-four sacred Shiva Lingas mentioned in ancient texts are located in Kavre district. One of these, the Dhaneshwar Shiva Linga, is situated west of Shreekhandapur. This location, considered a Ugra Tirtha (sacred site), is referred to as Raudragiri Parvat. As per the Nepal Mahatmya, the linga was established by Dhanesh (Kubera). It is believed that those who worship the Dhaneshwar Maha Linga will attain wealth and prosperity. Similar descriptions of Dhaneshwar can be found in the texts mentioning Gaikhureshwar of Dhulikhel:
Kamadhenu tato lingam sarvakama phalapradam.
Namna sansthapyamas khureshwaram-anuttamam.
(Chapter 5, Verse 7)
Dhanesh sthapyamas dhaneshwaramiti dhruvam.
(Chapter 5, Verse 5)
Historical Timeline
While it is difficult to determine the exact period when settlements in Shreekhandapur began, inscriptions suggest that the area was inhabited even before the Lichchhavi era. However, it was during the Malla period that Shreekhandapur developed into an organized town. Evidence of its existence dates back approximately 923 years, but its origins likely trace back to the Kirat era, preceding the Lichchhavi period.
During the Kirat period, Banepa was called Bhujung, Sanga was Sangha, Khopasi was Kurpasi, and Shreekhandapur was known as Khanpu. In some records, it is also referred to as Khampur. Archaeological evidence found in surrounding areas like Sanga, Nala, Banepa, Panauti, and Khopasi suggests that Shreekhandapur existed during the Kirat era. Development During the Malla Period
The settlement expanded significantly during the Malla period and developed into a structured town. According to Bhasha Vamsavali, King Ananda Dev organized the Banepa Seven Towns, including Shreekhandapur, around Kaligat Year 4197 (1153 AD). Scattered settlements were consolidated, and towns like Banepa (near Chandeshwari Temple), Panauti (near Prayag Tirtha), Nala (near Bhagwati Temple), Dhulikhel (near Narayan Sthan), and Shreekhandapur (near Dhaneshwar Temple) were established.
In Shreekhandapur, four gates and four ponds were constructed. King Ananda Dev also established temples, introduced religious rituals, and set up guthis (trusts) for their maintenance. Roads were paved with bricks and stones, and markets were organized. The eastern side of Shreekhandapur housed the Layaku Palace, which originally had three stories but now serves as the Ward Office in a two-story reconstructed building. Role in the Malla and Post-Malla Eras
During the reign of Yaksha Malla, the Bhaktapur kingdom controlled the seven towns of Banepa, including Shreekhandapur, Sanga, Nala, Panauti, Khopasi, and Dhulikhel. After Yaksha Malla, his second son, Ran Malla, ruled the region from Banepa as his capital. Following Ran Malla’s death and until Nepal's unification by Prithvi Narayan Shah, Shreekhandapur and other towns remained under the Bhaktapur kingdom.
Prithvi Narayan Shah's forces captured Dhulikhel on Kartik 10, 1820 BS (1764 AD), and the next day, they took control of Panauti and Shreekhandapur. This marked the beginning of Shreekhandapur’s integration into the unified Nepal under Shah’s rule.

## Festivals

Bisket Jatra is a major festival which is celebrated during the new year period based on the Bikram Sambat calendar. It is as important as the Dashain festival for the locals here in the city. A tree is brought from Bhaktapur and raised in the city for seven days to celebrate the festival. They carry the statue of Ganesh, Kumar, and Bhairav in specially made Chariot and take it around all parts of the town to celebrate the festival.
Gai Jatra is celebrated yearly by the locals to honor their late family members.

## Transportation

The city is connected to the capital city Kathmandu through the Arniko Rajmarg.

## Education

In Banepa, around the year 2003 BS (1946 AD), educational initiatives saw a surge with the establishment of Ganesh School and Japanese School, which operated for a short period. As part of these enthusiastic efforts in education, other schools were also established around the same time, including Indreshwar School in Panauti, Shri Krishna School in Dapcha, Bhagyodaya School in Nala, and Shri Shwet Bhairav School in Shreekhandapur. These schools received official recognition from the government in Chaitra 2007 BS (1951 AD).
In Shreekhandapur, significant contributions to educational development were made by Bharat Raj Shrestha and local philanthropist Krishna Gopal Dhunju. Shri Shwet Bhairav School was officially approved by the government on Chaitra 16, 2007 BS, and it began operations with the active involvement of education enthusiasts from Banepa, including social workers like Hansraj Shrestha and Bharat Raj Shrestha. Initially, the school was conducted in the Shwet Bhairav Temple’s resthouse and later moved to the Layaku Durbar. Bharat Raj Shrestha served as the founding teacher of the school for some time, followed by Pandit Homanath Upadhyay.
In Shreekhandapur, Krishna Gopal Dhunju played a pivotal role in operating and supporting educational initiatives. In 2027 BS (1970 AD), Shri Janajagriti School was established under the leadership of Damodar Sharma Adhikari, with Dhunju also contributing actively to the construction of the school building. To enhance the educational infrastructure in the area, Shri Shwet Bhairav School and Shri Janajagriti School were merged into one institution, named Shreekhandapur Secondary School, which continued to advance educational development in the region.
Currently, Shreekhandapur has one government-operated higher secondary school and one primary school, along with private institutions such as SOS Hermann School, Golden Siddhartha School, and Santalam School. The secondary school, which was upgraded to the secondary level in 2035 BS (1978 AD), is now operating as a higher secondary school.