Okhaldhunga District is one of 14 districts of Koshi Province in eastern Nepal. The district, with the municipality of Okhaldhunga as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,074.5 km2 and had a population of 156,702 in 2001 and 147,984 in 2011. Okhaldhunga is the birthplace of Siddhicharan Shrestha. Shrestha, known as the Yug Kawi of Nepal (poet of the era), is a famous Nepali poet and is primarily known for his poem and song Mero Pyāro Okhalḍhungā (My dear Okhaldhunga).

Geography and climate

Demographics

At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Okhaldhunga District had a population of 140,914. It has a literacy rate of 73.9% and a sex ratio of 1050 females per 1000 males. 27,351 (19.41%) lived in municipalities. Ethnicity/caste: 21.04% were Chhetri, 11.50% Magar, 10.48% Tamang, 9.94% Rai, 9.19% Hill Brahmin, 8.47% Sherpa, 6.26% Newar, 4.26% Kami, 3.68% Sunuwar, 3.39% Damai and 3.17% Sarki. Religion: 64.95% were Hindu, 20.01% Buddhist, 13.46% Kirat, 1.52% Christian and 0.06% others. Mother tongue: Nepali was the majority language, spoken by 52.62% as their first language. Other languages were Tamang (10.23%), Magar Dhut (9.70%), Sherpa (8.36%), Wambule (4.91%), Bahing (4.74%), Sunuwar (2.92%), Newar (2.09%) and Jerung (1.74%). In 2011, 58.1% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.

Village Development Committees

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

Municipality

Tourist area

Tourists are attracted to the beauty of Khiji Okhaldhunga and Betinee Thuldhunga Okhaldhunga.