page_title: Bandipur
section_title: Ethnicity
hierarchical_section_title: Bandipur / Ethnicity
caption_attribution_description: English: Temple on the top hill of Thani Mai Danda, dedicated for goddess durga as a thani mai.
context_page_description: Bandipur is a hilltop settlement and a municipality in Tanahun District, of Nepal. This municipality was established on 18 May 2014 by merging with existing Dharampani and Bandipur VDCs. Because of its preserved, old time cultural atmosphere, Bandipur has increasingly been coming to the attention of tourism. At the time of the 2011 Nepal census it had a population of total 15,591 people living in 3750 individual households. It is one of the best tourist destinations of Nepal. Bandipur is famous for Newari people and their cultures.
context_section_description: Formerly a Magar village, Bandipur today is settled by a variety of Nepali ethnicities with different beliefs: the Bahuns, the Chhetris, the Newars, the Damais, Kamis, Sarkis, Kasais, the Magars and Gurungs.
  Its medium elevation, excellent view of the Himalayas (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang Himal, the Marsyangdi Valley, Mount Manakamana and Gorkha with its high perching palace), relatively easy accessibility and, of course, old Newari town flair, make Bandipur an interesting tourist site from which a few guesthouses and a hotel at the northern end of the Tundikhel try to benefit. It may well be that the seclusion of Bandipur saved the Newari architecture of its buildings which otherwise would have been replaced by faceless modern types found in many other towns of Nepal.
  The various Newari and Magar festivals, which until recently have been held for their own purposes several times a year, can be of interest to tourists too. Sorathi and Chutka dances are very popular.
  Due to the distance and poor accessibility of many of the home villages of pupils at Bandipur schools a number of houses have been turned into boarding houses. Many Magar and Gurung men serve as Gurkha soldiers.
  Other attractions include the Bindyabashini temple and the library in the village centre, Thani Mai, Tindhara (“Three Taps” washing place at the southeastern outskirts), Raniban (Queen's Forest), the downhill trek to the Siddha Cave and a hike to Ramkot village. On Mukundeswari, the elevation at the western end of the saddle is a little shrine and one has a view of Bandipur itself.
  Some villagers have picked up growing oranges, which do quite well in the climate of that area. An hour's walk to the west of Bandipur is a silk farm.
caption: Thani Mai
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