Last Stop
to Everest
Okhaldhunga
Okhaldhunga a hilly district is filled with diverse
enchanting natural, historical and cultural features;
a rare case to be found in a single district of
the country. Having an elevation of around 309 to
409 metres from the sea level, the district provides
an enchanting vjsi9n of the Sun set and Sun rise.
Stretched over an area of around 1062 square kilometres,
the Solukhumbu mountain range borders the district
in the north while Khotang district lies in the
east, Ramechhap and. Sindhli in the west, Udayapur,
and Sindhuli in the South.
The district gets its name from Okhal, meaning
a grinding stone. As if in evidence of the same,
a big grinding stone still lies at the district
headquarters, which is also named as Okhaldhuga.
The district bears significant historical value
and still posses ancient forts like Okhaldhunga
Gadhi, Taluwagadhi, Chisankhukot, Bhaluithumkagadhi,
Chyanmakotgadhi and others that find mention in
books as being important in :the history of Nepal.
The birthplace of the famous Nepalese poet, Siddhicharan
Shrestha, Okhaldhunga is also known as the 'District
of Martyrs'. It is believed that more than 56 citizens
of the area had sacrificed their lives in the struggle
for democracy in the country.
The district provides breathtaking views of snow-capped
mountains Sagaramatha, Kanchanjanga, Gaurishankar,
Tholedemba, Taklung, Rawadelu and many others. It
also possesses many sparkling springs like Pokali,
Lipu, Patle, Sepli, Dhikure and more, which descend
along the hills from heights of around 300 metres.
The district houses many places of religious significance
like Dechhen Chhokur Chholing and Chhermading including
other monasteries, which are the cehtres of faith
for the many Buddhists of the district. Among the
many Hindu religious sites the Kakani Devi temple,
Narmadeshwor Mahadev and Kuntadevi temples in the
west are the important, while still others are the
Laglage Kakani temple in the south and Tin Kanaya
temple to the north.
Even the features around the district headquarters
like the temple of Raghubirshwor Mahadev, Saraswathisthan,
Sahid Pillar, Siddhicharan Pillar, Birendra Park,
Ramailo Danda and Bukunde community forest are sure
to be of interest to visitors. Vast fields like
Rumjatar, Rampur, Rampuftar, Hilep Sokamtar and
Gamnatar, coupled with the invigorating atmosphere,
provide refreshment to the mind and body.
Weekly fairs and markets are another unique features
of the district. Manebhanjyang, Khanibhanjyang,
Sisneribhyang and Nisankhebhgyang are some of the
places where important weekly fair and markets occur.
These fairs and weekly markets are not only places
where different people from the many ethnic groups
gather but also places where many celebrations take
place. Weekly fairs are not only venues for buying
and selling of commodities but a place to engage
in romance for young hill. couples.
The district is known. as a good source of slate,
especially on the cliffs like Khiji, Ragani and
Dandapakha. The proper development of the slate
industry, with procurement, processing and transporting
to .lucrative markets could be a boon not just for
Okhaldhunga but the entire nation. Other industries
that could be developed are copper mining and iron
ore mining as the district is said to be rich in
these metals.
In the agricultural sector the district is well
known for various cash crops such as like tea, coffee,
cardamom etc. The climate is most suitable for these
crops as well as for many different citrus fruits.
The district has a total of 2,048 primary schools,
45 lower secondary schools, 3 higher secondary schools
and a campus. It has a mission hospital and other
primary and sub-primary health centres. Latest statistics
show that the district has a total population of
1 ,45,000 with the people from almost every caste
and creed of Nepal represented here.
Having access to electricity, the district is slowly
being modernised and latest means of communication
like the Internet, fax, e-mail and the telephone
are making their presence felt.
Siddhicharan Highway and the Rumjatar airstrip provide
access to the district while a new airport may be
coming up soon. |
