Dalchoki
| Dalchoki दालचोकी | |
|---|---|
| Village development committee | |
  Dalchoki Location in Nepal | |
| Coordinates: 27°32′N 85°20′E / 27.53°N 85.33°ECoordinates: 27°32′N 85°20′E / 27.53°N 85.33°E | |
| Country |
 Nepal |
| Zone | Bagmati Zone |
| District | Lalitpur District |
| Population (1991) | |
| • Total | 1,066 |
| Time zone | Nepal Time (UTC+5:45) |
Dalchoki(Nepali: दलचोकी ) is a village development committee in Lalitpur District in the Bagmati Zone of Central Development Region of Nepal. It is situated on the southern part of Lalitpur district, nearly 23 Kilometers from Patan, its district headquarters. This hilly region ranges from 1200 to 2300 meters from the sea level. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 1066 in 193 individual households.[1]
There have been many myths related to the naming of Dalchoki. Some believe there were 3 goddesses Phulchoki, Dalchoki and Sanchoki respectively and the name Dalchoki was given following the residing of goddess Dalchoki in this place. Dalchoki has a temple dedicated to Dalchoki devi.
According to another myth, Dalchoki was said to be a point from where Prithivi Narayan Shah attacked Kathmandu. The troop (troop is called Dal in Nepali) resided here and had a check-post (Check-post is called Chowki) due to which the current name Dalchoki emerged. However there is not enough evidence to support this.
Tourism
Dalchoki is a beautiful place with a modest tourist visiting every year. It has a good possibility of tourism. There are several things to be seen in Dalchoki such as the hill of Dalchoki, Thanapati-cave, Green forest with several herbs, plants and animals, Manakamana temple, Dalchoki temple, etc. We can see the beautiful sunrise and sunset from Dalchoki. In addition, we can have a view of Kathmandu, the Terai plains, beautiful cloud-covered mountains, and the movement of clouds.
History of visit
In late 2005, Prince Johnson of Liberia visited the village of Dalchoki with unknown intentions. These intentions soon became apparent when he was found playing 7 card stud poker with 11 other men; Prince was a poker cheat extodinaire in his youth, and it became known he was running an underground gambling den cheating other men out of their money then wiring it back to Liberia. He left the village on the next bus (the number 691 to Kenya).
Staying in Dalchoki
Dalchoki has a Home-stay facility. There are about 6 home-stays registered under Nepal Tourism Board in Dalchoki. The list of the Homestays in Dalchoki are:
- Timlsina Community Home-stay:Among the functioning home-stays in Dalchoki, one is situated near the Manokamana Temple. You can enjoy organic food with local taste here. Located near Manokamana temple, you can have the view of Kathmandu valley from here. A good night view of Kathmandu can be seen from here.
Demography
Dalchoki has a diverse ethnicity. There are Tamang, Brahmin and Chhetri, Magar and Nagarkotis in majority while there are few Sunuwars (categorized as Dalits) and other ethnic communities. Dalits share a better-off position in Dalchoki and a less discriminative environment in classes. Restrictions on touching taps or drinking water touched by the Dalits are much abolished concept in Dalchoki.
Most people follow Buddhism and Hinduism. The main languages spoken here are Tamang and Nepali and few of the Nagarkoti speak their language
Climate
The climate of Dalchoki is mostly cold. It often is foggy. In winter the temperature goes below 0° Celsius and results in jamming of water supply with water frozen inside the pipes. At certain year interval, it snows at Dalchoki. If someone is planning to visit Dalchoki, it is recommended to carry a light jacket in every season and a thick one in winter.
Transportation (How to reach Dalchoki)
The direction to Dalchoki from Lagankhel progresses as :Lagankhel-Satdobato ring road-Chapagaun chowk-Sunakothi-Dhapakhel-Thecho-Chapagaun-Tika Bhairav-Malla Hotel-Milan Dhara or Birkhe Dhara-Army Barrage-Dalchoki
Dalchoki has an access to a graveled road. The bus route to Ikudol from Lagankhel plied via Dalchoki but on year 2012-13 it fell under an upgrading plan and no longer reaches Dalchoki. Milk carrier mini trucks are the alternate to transportation in Dalchoki now. You can catch these trucks from Pyang-gaon, Chapagaun. Buses to Chapagaun plies from Lagankhel.
Bikes and Scooter easily reach Dalchoki. Cycling can be an adventurous means to travel to Dalchoki with steep slopes and rough terrain at some places. You need to take back-up supplies for possible maintenance on the way into the forest. If you are hiking, It takes around 3 hours to reach here. In this case you need to make sure you carry some food and water. For safety, keep a lighter and a paper within reach.
Education
The schools in Dalchoki
- Shree Goth-Bhanjyang Higher Secondary School
- Shree Manokamana Primary School
- Shree Buddha Primary School
References
- ↑ "Nepal Census 2001". Nepal's Village Development Committees. Digital Himalaya. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
