Bandipur is a semi-urban town in the Nepalese Himalayas. It is a medieval town lying on the stretch of the mountain and situated halfway between Kathmandu, the capital city and Pokhara, another famous tourist attraction of kingdom of Nepal. Bandipur is a modern day town with its old antique cultural atmosphere still intact. Bandipur is situated at 27.93 N, 84.42 E, some 1030 m (3500 ft) above sea level, and overlooks the Marsyangdi River Valley.

Location

Bandipur lies in Tanahu District, Gandaki Zone in the Mahabharat range at an altitude of 1030 m. It is 143 k.m to the west from Kathmandu and 80 k.m to the south of Pokhara, 62 k.m to the north of Narayanghat and 8 k.m from Prithivi Highway's Dumre Bazaar.

History

Bandipur was established as a funnelling point of trade by Newar traders fanned out from the Kathmandu valley after Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered his would-be capital.

The town was once a prosperous trading centre. Its substantial buildings, with their neoclassical facades and shuttered windows, bespeak past glories. Originally a simple Magar Village, it was settled in the early nineteenth century by Newars from Bhaktapur, who took advantage of its malaria free location to develop it into an important stop along the India-Tibet trade route. With them they brought their rich cultural heritage and architecture and which, still today, defines the look and feel of the modern day Bandipur.

Bandipur had its heyday in the Rana times (1846-1951), when, as a measure of its power and prestige, it was granted special permission to have its own library (which is still going). However the town began to lose its edge in the 1950s, when the eradication of malaria in the Terai made travel easier there. In the 1960s, the district headquarters was moved from Bandipur to Damauli, and the completion of the Prithvi Highway in 1973 shifted commerce to Dumre, leaving Bandipur a semi-ghost town.

Ethnicity

Bandipur was earlier settled on by the Magars. But Bandipur today is the cultural mix of different ethnicities and beliefs. The town now is a concoction of various ethnicities like the Bahuns, the Chettris, the Newars, the Damais, Kamis, Sarkis, Kasais, Magars and Gurungs.

Tourist Attractions

Bandipur draws lots of tourists round the year. It is accessible easily from Kathmandu and Pokhara. This hill-station provides breath-taking view of the Himalaya mountain range. October to January is the best time to visit.

Bandipur Bazaar is the market of the town with stone paved street, lined with the traditional houses. It hosts the historic Bandipur library and Bindyabashini temple at its center. Various Newari and Magar festivals are held in the town many times in a year. Cultural shows are arranged several times during tourist seasons and festivals. Sorathi and Chutka dances are very popular.

Tundikhel is a field on the north of the town that provides an excellent view of some of the highest mountains in the world, including Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Langtang, Manaslu and Ganesh. It also provides excellent view of the Marsyangdi valley below, the Manakamana hill and the legendary Gorkha palace.

Other tourist attractions include Thani Mai, Teendhara, Raniban, downhill trek to the Siddha Cave and hike to Ramkot village.