Okhaldhunga District

Okhaldhunga District (ओखलढुङ्गा जिल्ला) is one of 14 districts of Koshi Province in eastern Nepal. The district, with Okhaldhunga as its district headquarters, covers an area of and had a population of 156,702 in 2001 and 147,984 in 2011. Okhaldhunga is the place where Siddhicharan Shrestha was born. Siddhicharan Shrestha is known as the 'Yug Kawi' (Poet of the era) of Nepal. He is a famous poet of Nepal and is popular for his song and poem ‘Mero Pyaro Okhaldhunga’ (My dearly Okhaldhunga). At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Okhaldhunga District had a population of 147,984. As their first language, 58.1% spoke Nepali, 9.2% Tamang, 9.0% Magar, 6.8% Sherpa, 4.8% Wambule, 3.8% Bahing, 2.1% Sunuwar, 1.9% Rai, 1.0% Jerung, 1.0% Newar, 0.5% Bhojpuri, 0.3% Thulung, 0.2% Gurung, 0.2% Maithili, 0.1% Bhujel, 0.1% Majhi and 0.2% others. Ethnicity/caste: 22.9% were Chhetri, 11.3% Magar, 10.6% Hill Brahmin, 10.0% Rai, 9.8% Tamang, 7.0% Sherpa, 6.6% Newar, 4.1% Kami, 3.3% Damai/Dholi, 3.0% Sunuwar, 2.9% Sarki, 2.1% Gharti/Bhujel, 1.6% Gurung, 1.5% Bahing, 0.7% Majhi, 0.7% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.5% Kanu, 0.3% Bin, 0.1% Badi, 0.1% Hajam/Thakur, 0.1% Thulung and 0.4% others. Religion: 70.8% were Hindu, 17.7% Buddhist, 10.2% Kirati, 0.9% Christian, 0.1% Prakriti and 0.3% others. Literacy: 64.1% could read and write, 2.8% could only read and 33.0% could neither read nor write. The district contains the following VDCs from 2017: Andheri Narayansthan, Baksa, Balakhu, Barnalu, Baruneshwor, Betinee, Bhadaure, Bhussinga, Bigutar, Bilandu, Chyanam, Diyale, Fediguth, Fulbari, Gamnangtar, Harkapur, Jantarkhani, Jyamire, Kalikadevi, Khijikati, Katunje, Ketuke, Khiji Chandeshwori, Khijifalate, Kuibhir, Kuntadevi, Madhavpur, Mamkha, Manebhanjyang, Moli, Mulkharka, Narmedeshwor, Okhaldhunga, Palapu, Patle, Pokali, Pokhare, Prapcha, Ragadip, Ragani, Raniban, Ratmate, Rawadolu, Rumjatar, Salleri, Serna, Shreechaur, Singhadevi, Sisneri, Taluwa, Tarkerabari, Thakle, Thoksela, Thulachhap, Ubu, Yasam Siddhicharan Municipality Champadevi Rural Municipality Sunkoshi Rural Municipality Likhu Rural Municipality Chisankhugadhi Rural Municipality Molung Rural Municipality Khijidemba Rural Municipality Manebhanjyang Rural Municipality Tourists are attracted to the beauty of Khiji Okhaldhunga and Betinee Thuldhunga Okhaldhunga.