About Sankhu | About Sankhu | | Print | |
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Sankhu is in the Kathmandu Valley. In the Valley, there are several historical settlements, such as Kirtipur, Handigaon, Gokarna, Lele, Nagadesh, Khokana, Deopatan, Sankhu, etc. Sankhu is one of the oldest settlements of the Valley.
Sankhu, a Newari town, is rich in social and cultural, as well as religious values. The town has been planned in a gridiron pattern, in the shape of Shankha (conch shell). Sankhu is an old town, started predominantly as a Newar community, and even today, almost all people in Sankhu are Newars. Sankhu (‘sakwo’ called by the locals) was established in the kaligat era in 1801. The legend tells that it was formed based on the ideas of goddess Bajrayogini. Bajrayogini is a tantric goddess and one of the four yoginis of Kathmandu Valley. There are a total of 64 yoginis, 4 of which are in Kathmandu valley. These four yoginis are Bajrayogini of Pharping, Khadgayogini of Pulchowk, Akasyogini of Bijeshwari and Bajrayogini of Sankhu. According to the ancient book (Bansabali), Sankhu was made in the shape of a holy right conch-hell under the direction of Jog Dev Bajracharya, (a priest), whose pious permission to do so was given by Goddess Bajrayogini.
Bajrayogini Temple Sankhu is an important town, lying about 16 km northeast of the capital. Sankhu, the eastern-most settlement in the Kathmandu Valley, is located at the end of a small valley, which is drained by the Salinadi River. Nagarkot hill and Thugun hill surround it on the east, on the north by the Gubhagun (Bajrayogini) hill, and on the south by the Itagun hill, which opens towards the valley. The settlement is built on a high, mostly level plateau. Sankhu is also known as Shankharapur. There are altogether 8 toles (community areas) in Sankhu. They are Ipa Tole, Inla Tole, Pukhulachhi Tole, Dhunlla Tole, Salkha Tole, Chalakhu Tole, Dugahiti Tole and Suntole.
Gate of Sankhu Sankhu is an economically poor town. The people of Sankhu mainly work in trading, farming, organizing and business. Co-operative business is also in practice in Sankhu and is quite successful. There are many cultural fests and festivals in Sankhu. Sankhu is surrounded by beautiful hills with evergreen jungles. People like to visit Sankhu because of the following: It is a historically and archeologically important city. The holy Bajrayogini Temple, which is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus alike. It is close to the Changunarayan Temple. The holy Salinadi River, the most respected river for all Hindus, runs near the city. It is near many hills, including Nagarkot and Manichood hill. It is full of natural beauty.
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