{{short description|District in Gandaki Pradesh, Nepal}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox settlement | type = [[Districts of Nepal|District]] | name = Syangja District | native_name = स्याङ्जा | nickname = | native_name_lang = ne | motto = | image_skyline = Biruwa, Gabudanda.jpg | image_alt = | imagesize = 300px | image_caption = Aerial view of a village | image_map = | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of Syangja (dark yellow) in Gandaki Province | image_map1 = {{Syangja district local levels labelled map}} | mapsize1 = | map_alt1 = | map_caption1 = Division of Syangja | coordinates = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{NPL}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Nepal|Province]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Gandaki Province|Gandaki]] | parts_type = [[Local self-government in Nepal|Municipality]] | parts_style = coll | p1 = | p2 = | established_title = Established | established_date = | seat_type = [[Capital city|Capital]] | seat = [[Putalibazar]] | seat1_type = [[Largest City]] | seat1 = [[Waling]] | leader_title = Head | leader_name = | leader_party = | leader_title1 = Deputy-Head | leader_name1 = | leader_title2 = [[House of Representatives (Nepal)|Parliamentary constituencies]] | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = [[Provincial Assembly (Nepal)|Provincial constituencies]] | leader_name3 = | government_footnotes = | government_type = [[District Coordination Committee|Coordination committee]] | governing_body = [[District Coordination Committee|DCC]], Syangja | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 1164 | area_note = | area_rank = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_min_m = | elevation_max_m = | population_footnotes = <ref name="National Population and Housing Census 2011(National Report)">{{cite news |title=National Population and Housing Census 2011(National Report) |url=http://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/National%20Report.pdf |agency=Government of Nepal |publisher=[[Central Bureau of Statistics (Nepal)|Central Bureau of Statistics]] |date=November 2012 |ref=Central Bureau of Statistics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418041642/http://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/National%20Report.pdf |archive-date=18 April 2013 |access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref> | population_total = 254,965 | population_as_of = 2021 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_note = | population_rank = | blank_name_sec1 = [[Languages of Nepal|Main Language(s)]] | blank_info_sec1 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[Magar language|Magar]], [[Gurung]] | blank_name_sec2 = [[Roads in Nepal|Major highways]] | blank_info_sec2 = | timezone1 = [[Nepal Time|NPT]] | utc_offset1 = +05:45 | postal_code_type = Postal Codes | postal_code = 33800 | area_code_type = Telephone Code | area_code = 063 | website = | footnotes = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 8 | mapframe-wikidata = yes }}
'''Syangja District''' ({{langx|ne|[[:ne:स्याङ्जा जिल्ला|स्याङ्जा जिल्ला]]}}; {{Audio|Syangja district.ogg|Listen}}) is a part of [[Gandaki Province]], and is one of the [[List of districts of Nepal|seventy-seven districts of Nepal]]. Its headquarter is [[Putalibazar]] with a diverse population including [[Brahmin]], [[Magars]], [[Chhetri]], Sunar, Biswakarma, Pariyar, Nepali, Sarki and [[Gurung]] communities. Syangja is home to attractions like the ancient [[Temple|temples]] of Garaunsur and Akala, scenic viewpoints such as Panchase, and the historical town of Waling, making it a growing [[Ecotourism|eco-tourism]] destination. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, with rice, maize, millet, and fruits like [[Orange (fruit)|oranges]] being widely cultivated. Syangja is the leading orange producer in Nepal with 22,000 tons in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orange production declines in Syangja |url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/35381 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=GorakhaPatra}}</ref> The district has several educational institutions, and many residents pursue higher education in cities like [[Pokhara]] and [[Kathmandu]]. Connected by highways to major cities like [[Pokhara]] and Butwal, the [[district]] covers an area of {{cvt|1,164|km²}} and has a population of 254,965.<ref name="National Population and Housing Census 2011(National Report)"/>
==Etymology== The name "Syangja" is derived from the surname of the Sinjali people, an ethnic group belonging to the Magar community who live in this area. There are various folklore surrounding the name.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}
== History ==
=== Prehistoric Times === The area that is now Syangja District has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological evidence suggesting human settlement dating back thousands of years.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}
=== Medieval Period === {{further|Magarat|Chaubisi Rajya}} During the medieval period, the region was part of various small principalities and kingdoms. It was ruled by local chieftains and feudal lords, often referred to as the [[Magarat|Barha Magarat]]. These small kingdoms were primarily inhabited by the Magar ethnic group, one of the indigenous peoples of Nepal. The petty kingdoms of [[Kingdom of Bhirkot|Bhirkot]], [[Kingdom of Nuwakot|Nuwakot]] and [[Kingdom of Satahun|Satahun]] of [[Chaubisi Rajya]] existed in present day territory of Syangja.
===Unification of Nepal=== {{See also|Unification of Nepal}} In the 18th century, the Shah Dynasty, led by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, began the unification of Nepal. Syangja, like many other regions, came under the rule of the expanding [[Gorkha Kingdom]]. The unification campaign led to the consolidation of various small principalities into a single kingdom, which eventually became modern Nepal.
===Historical Places=== The headquarters of Syangja District lies in Syangja Bazaar. Some places of historical interest in this district include Satahun Chandi, [[Manakamana]], Bhirkot Durbar, Alamdevi, Akala Devi, Gahraukalika, Nuwakot Durbar, [[Chhangchhangdi]], and Ridi Ruru Kshetra, located along the banks of the [[Gandaki River|Kaligandaki]] River. [[Chhangchhangdi]] (Chaya-kshetra) is mentioned in the Swasthani Vrata-Katha, which is considered part of the [[Skanda Purana]], as the place where the last organ of the deceased Satidevi fell while she was being carried by Lord Shiva.
Among the three municipalities, [[Putalibazar]] municipality is situated on the eastern side, while [[Waling]] municipality is located in western Syangja. The newly formed [[Chapakot Municipality|Chapakot]] municipality is in the east-south. Waling is a [[longitudinal valley]] along the banks of the [[Aandhikhola]] River. According to one folk legend, the Aandhikhola River is believed to have originated from the tears of [[Shravana Kumara|Shravan]] from the [[Ramayana]]. The largest valley in Syangja is Ramkosh. There are hiking opportunities, including Chandithaan, which is a Devi temple, and Hunikot, a viewpoint overlooking Putalibazar.
==Geography== Syangja District lies in the hilly region, with altitudes ranging from approximately 300 meters along the banks of the [[Kali Gandaki|Kaligandaki]] River to about 3520 meters[[Panchase]] above sea level. It is situated at a latitude of 28°4'60" North and a longitude of 83°52'0" East.
{| class="wikitable" |- ! [[Geography of Nepal#Climate|Climate Zone]]<ref> {{cite book | title = The Map of Potential Vegetation of Nepal - a forestry/agroecological/biodiversity classification system | series = Forest & Landscape Development and Environment Series 2-2005 and CFC-TIS Document Series No.110 | year = 2005 | url = http://curis.ku.dk/ws/files/20497354/de2_001.pdf | isbn = 87-7903-210-9 | access-date = 22 November 2013}} </ref> ! Elevation range ! % of Area |- | Upper [[Tropical climate|Tropical]] | 300 to 1,000 meters<br/>1,000 to 3,300 ft. | 53.6% |- | [[Subtropics|Subtropical]] | 1,000 to 2,000 meters<br/>3,300 to 6,600 ft. | 45.3% |}
== Government and politics==
Syangja District has 11 local units, among which five are municipalities ([[Nagarpalika]]) and six are rural municipalities ([[Gaunpalika]]) established with the formulation of the new constitution and the provincial division of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nepal.gov.np|title=Government of Nepal|access-date=2023-12-01}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |+ Local Units in Syangja District |- ! Type !! Name !! Headquarters !! Population (2021) |- | Municipality || [[Waling|Waling Municipality]] || Waling || 51,437 |- | Municipality || [[Putalibazar|Putalibazar Municipality]] || Putalibazar || 45,510 |- | Municipality || [[Galyang Municipality]] || Galyang || 37,821 |- | Municipality || [[Bhirkot Municipality]] || Bhirkot || 25,584 |- | Municipality || [[Chapakot Municipality]] || Chapakot || 22,969 |- | Rural Municipality || [[Kaligandaki, Syangja|Kaligandaki Rural Municipality]] || Kaligandaki || 17,955 |- | Rural Municipality || [[Biruwa|Biruwa Rural Municipality]] || Biruwa || 14,001 |- | Rural Municipality || [[Arjun Chaupari|Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality]] || Arjun Chaupari || 14,045 |- | Rural Municipality || [[Harinas|Harinas Rural Municipality]] || Harinas || 16,300 |- | Rural Municipality || [[Phedikhola|Phedikhola Rural Municipality]] || Phedikhola || 10,899 |- | Rural Municipality || [[Aandhikhola|Aandhikhola Rural Municipality]] || Aandhikhola || 13,094 |- | Syangja District || || || 253,024 |}
=== Former Village Development Committees and Municipalities === [[File:NepalSyangjaDistrictmap.png|thumb|Map of the VDCs in Syangja District]] [[File:Syangja_district_vdc_level.jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|alt=स्याङ्जा|Syangja]] Before the reorganization of administrative divisions, Syangja District was divided into several Village Development Committees (VDCs) and municipalities. The following table lists these VDCs and municipalities as they were prior to the restructuring. In total, there were 44 VDCs and 4 municipalities in Syangja District before the reorganization.<ref>{{cite book |title=Cities, Towns and Villages in Syangja District |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7_CYSQAACAAJ |publisher=General Books LLC |access-date=8 March 2024 |language=en |date=May 2010| isbn=978-1-155-84252-3 }}</ref>
<div style="text-align: center;"> {| class="wikitable" |+ Former Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Municipalities in Syangja District |- ! Category !! Name |- | VDC || [[Alamdevi]] |- | VDC || [[Arjun Chaupari]] |- | VDC || [[Aruchaur]] |- | VDC || [[Arukharka]] |- | VDC || [[Bangephadke]] |- | VDC || [[Bahakot]] |- | VDC || [[Banethok Deurali]] |- | VDC || [[Bhatkhola]] |- | Municipality || [[Bhirkot Municipality]] |- | VDC || [[Bichari Chautara]] |- | VDC || [[Birgha Archale]] |- | VDC || [[Biruwa Archale]] |- | VDC || [[Chandi Bhanjyang, Gandaki|Chandi Bhanjyang]] |- | Municipality || [[Chapakot, Syangja|Chapakot Municipality]] |- | VDC || [[Chhangchhangdi]] |- | VDC || [[Chilaunebas]] |- | VDC || [[Chinnebas]] |- | VDC || [[Chisapani, Gandaki|Chisapani]] |- | VDC || [[Chitre Bhanjyang]] |- | VDC || [[Darsing Dahathum]] |- | VDC || [[Dhapuk Simal Bhanjyang]] |- | VDC || [[Iladi]] |- | VDC || [[Jagat Bhanjyang]] |- | VDC || [[Jagatradevi]] |- | VDC || [[Kalikakot]] |- | VDC || [[Kolma Barahachaur]] |- | VDC || [[Keware Bhanjyang]] |- | VDC || [[Khilung Deurali]] |- | VDC || [[Kichnas]] |- | VDC || [[Kyakami]] |- | VDC || [[Majhakot Sivalaya]] |- | VDC || [[Malengkot]] |- | VDC || [[Malunga Tunibot]] |- | VDC || [[Manakamana, Syangja|Manakamana]] |- | VDC || [[Nibuwakharka]] |- | VDC || [[Oraste]] |- | VDC || [[Pakbadi]] |- | VDC || [[Panchamul]] |- | VDC || [[Pauwegaude]] |- | VDC || [[Pelakot]] |- | VDC || [[Pelkachaur]] |- | VDC || [[Phaparthum]] |- | VDC || [[Phedikhola]] |- | VDC || [[Pindikhola]] |- | Municipality || [[Putalibazar|Putalibazar Municipality]] |- | VDC || [[Rangvang]] |- | VDC || [[Rapakot]] |- | VDC || [[Ratnapur, Gandaki|Ratnapur]] |- | VDC || [[Sankhar]] |- | VDC || [[Daraun]] |- | VDC || [[Sirsekot Kaule]] |- | VDC || [[Sekham]] |- | VDC || [[Setidobhan]] |- | VDC || [[Srikrishna Gandaki]] |- | VDC || [[Sirsekot]] |- | VDC || [[Sorek, Nepal|Sorek]] |- | VDC || [[Taksar, Gandaki|Taksar]] |- | VDC || [[Thuladihi]] |- | VDC || [[Thumpokhara]] |- | VDC || [[Tindobate]] |- | VDC || [[Tulsibhanjyang]] |- | Municipality || [[Waling|Waling Municipality]] |- | VDC || [[Wangsing Deurali]] |- | VDC || [[Yaladi]] |- | Total VDCs || 44 |- | Total Municipalities || 4 |} </div>
==Economy== Putalibazar is the headquarters of the district, but Waling is the financial capital of Syangja.{{fact|date=September 2025}} Syangja district is known for orange cultivation, and it is the largest producer of oranges in Nepal. Orange cultivation is an important part of the local economy, serving as the main cash crop of the district and contributing significantly to the livelihood of its residents. Syangja is one of Nepal’s emerging districts for '''[[Coffee|coffee production]]''', with locally grown coffee being supplied to national and export markets. [[Remittances to Nepal|Remittances]] play a vital role in the district’s economy, as a substantial portion of the working-age population is employed abroad or in urban centers of Nepal. Small-scale trade, local markets, and cottage industries such as agro-processing, handicrafts, and traditional weaving support the non-agricultural sector.
Hydropower projects and improved road connectivity have gradually expanded economic opportunities, while tourism related to religious sites, trekking routes, and rural homestays is developing at a modest pace.
===Transportation=== Syangja is connected to [[Pokhara]] and [[Bhairahawa]], two of the most prominent cities in Western Nepal, via the [[Siddhartha Highway]]. The highway enters this district from Kubhinde in the north and exits to Ramdi in [[Palpa District]] in the south.
===Hydroelectricity=== [[File:Kaligandaki Hydro.jpg|thumb|[[Kaligandaki A Hydroelectric Power Station]], producing 144 MW.]]
The [[Kaligandaki A Hydroelectric Power Station]] built on the [[Kali Gandaki]] River is the largest hydroelectric project in Nepal, with an installed capacity of 144 MW. Besides the Kaligandaki A, Aadhikhola hydroelectric and some other, smaller, hydroelectric projects have been started in this district.
Of all the districts in Nepal, Syangja was one of the fewest districts in the country that does not suffer from the problem of [[loadshedding]], or scheduled electric outages, while the nation suffered hours of loadshedding each day during peak of loadshedding era in Nepal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Syangja village freed of load shedding|url=http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Syangja+village+freed+of+load+shedding&NewsID=321772|access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>
==Demographics== {{Historical populations |title = |align = center |clear = |direction = |percentages = pagr |state = |type = |shading = off |width = |subbox = |pop_name = |year_name = Census year |percent_name = |footnote = |source = Citypopulation<ref>{{cite web |title=NEPAL: Administrative Division |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/nepal/admin/ |website=www.citypopulation.de |language=en}}</ref> |graph-pos = bottom |graph-width = |graph-height = |percol = |cols = |perrow = |rows = |1981 |271,824 |1991 |293,526 |2001 |317,320 |2011 |289,148 |2021 |254,965 }}
At the time of the [[2021 Nepal census]], Syangja District had a population of 253,024. 6.58% of the population is under 5 years of age. It has a literacy rate of 81.67% and a sex ratio of 1169 females per 1000 males. 168,879 (66.74%) lived in municipalities.<ref name="provincialreport">{{Cite web |title=Provincial/District/Local reports: Gandaki Province |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/files/result-folder/province/Gandaki_Province_census_report.pdf |access-date= |website=Census Nepal 2021 |publisher=[[Central Bureau of Statistics (Nepal)|Central Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>
{{Pie chart |thumb = left |caption=Castes/ethnic groups in Syangja district (2021)<ref name="caste"/> |label1 = [[Bahun]] |value1 = 28.14 |color1 = orange |label2 = [[Magars|Magar]] |value2 = 21.97 |color2 = darkturquoise |label3 = [[Chhetri]] |value3 = 11.93 |color3 = red |label4 = [[Gurung people|Gurung]] |value4 = 8.87 |color4 = darkorchid |label5 = [[Kami (caste)|Kami]] |value5 = 8.28 |color5 = salmon |label6 = [[Sarki (caste)|Sarki]] |value6 = 4.69 |color6 = lightsalmon |label7 = [[Damai]] |value7 = 4.09 |color7 = darksalmon |label8 = [[Newar people|Newar]] |value8 = 3.42 |color8 = pink |label9 = [[Thakuri]] |value9 = 2.68 |color9 = crimson |label10 = [[Bhujel]] |value10 = 2.25 |color10 = cornsilk |label11 = Other Hill Janjati |value11 = 1.79 |color11 = teal |label12 = Others |value12 = 1.89 |color12 = grey }}
Khas people make up 60% of the population, of which Bahun and Chhetri are the largest groups. Khas Dalits are 17% of the population. Hill Janjatis are the second largest group, making up 35% of the population.<ref name="caste">{{Cite web |title=Table 1: Caste/Ethnicity and sex |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/downloads/caste-ethnicity |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Census Nepal 2021 |publisher=[[Central Bureau of Statistics (Nepal)|Central Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>
{{Pie chart | caption = Languages of Baglung district (2021)<ref name="mothertongue"/> | thumb = right | label1 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]] | value1 = 74.72 | color1 = orange | label2 = [[Magar language|Magar]] | value2 = 15.39 | color2 = orchid | label3 = [[Gurung]] | value3 = 7.66 | color3 = aqua | label4 = [[Newar language|Nepal Bhasha]] | value4 = 1.07 | color4 = mediumvioletred | label5 = Others | value5 = 1.16 | color5 = grey }}
At the time of the 2021 census, 74.72% of the population spoke [[Nepali language|Nepali]], 15.39% [[Magar language|Magar]], 7.66% [[Gurung language|Gurung]] and 1.07% [[Newar language|Nepal Bhasha]] as their first language.<ref name="mothertongue">{{Cite web |title=Table 5: Mother tongue and sex |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/downloads/caste-ethnicity |access-date= |website=Census Nepal 2021 |publisher=[[Central Bureau of Statistics (Nepal)|Central Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref> In 2011, 74.4% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.<ref> NepalMap Language [https://nepalmap.org/data/table/?table=LANGUAGE&primary_geo_id=district-34&geo_ids=district-34,province-4,country-NP]</ref>
{{bar box | title = Religion in Syangja District (2021)<ref name="religion">{{Cite web |title=Table 5: Religion and sex |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/downloads/caste-ethnicity |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Census Nepal 2021 |publisher=[[Central Bureau of Statistics (Nepal)|Central Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref> | titlebar = #Fcd116 | left1 = Religion | right1 = Percent | float = left | bars = {{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Nepal|Hinduism]]|darkorange|86.35}} {{bar percent|[[Buddhism in Nepal|Buddhism]]|Yellow|7.92}} {{bar percent|[[Bon]]|teal|3.32}} {{bar percent|[[Animism|Prakriti]]|limegreen|1.16}} {{bar percent|[[Islam in Nepal|Islam]]|green|0.90}} {{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.35}} }}
==Culture and society== [[File:Keladighat Temple.jpg|thumb|Keladighat Temple|300px]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Syangja District}} *[http://www.statoids.com/ynp.html Nepal Population Report - 2011] *[http://www.merosyangja.com A Digital Home for Syangja & Syangjali]
{{Coord|28|05|49|N|83|49|19|E|region:NP-GA_type:adm2nd_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title}}
{{Syangja District}} {{Districts of Nepal}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Syangja District| ]] [[Category:Districts of Nepal established in 1962]] [[Category:Districts of Gandaki Province]]