Besishahar () is a

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...

and the district headquarters of

Lamjung District Lamjung District ( ), a part of Gandaki Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Besisahar as its district headquarters, covers an area of and had a population of 167,724. lies in the mid-hills of Nepal spa ...

Gandaki Province Gandaki Province ( ) ), is one of the seven federal provinces established by the current constitution of Nepal which was promulgated on 20 September 2015. Pokhara is the province's capital city. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region in Southw ...

Nepal Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mainly situated in the Himalayas, but also includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China Ch ...

. The Besishahar Municipality was formed by merging the existing Village Development Committees i.e. Besishahar, Gaunshahar,

Udipur Udipur () is a town and market place at Besishahar Municipality in Lamjung District in the Gandaki Zone of northern-central Nepal. The Besishahar Municipality was formed by merging the existing Village Development Committees i.e. Besishahar, ...

, Puranakot,

Nalma The North American land mammal ages (NALMA) establishes a geologic timescale for North American fauna beginning during the Late Cretaceous and continuing through to the present. These periods are referred to as ages or intervals (or stages when ref ...

Chandisthan Chandisthan () is a town and market place at Besisahar, Besishahar Municipality in Lamjung District in Gandaki Province of northern-central Nepal. The Besisahar, Besishahar Municipality was formed by merging the existing Village development com ...

, Baglungpani (wards no. 3, 4, 7, 8 & 9),

Bajhakhet Bajhakhet is a village development committee in Lamjung District in the Gandaki Zone of northern-central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 3177 people living in 625 individual households.. Media To Promote local ...

Hiletaksar Hiletaksar is a village development committee in Lamjung District in the Gandaki Zone of northern-central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census The 1991 Nepal census was a widespread national census conducted by the Nepal Central Bureau ...

(wards no. 9) and Chiti and have 11 wards. This

has a sub-tropical climate with deciduous forests.

Annapurna II Annapurna II is the second-highest mountain of the Annapurna range located in Nepal, and the eastern anchor of the range. In terms of elevation, isolation (distance to a higher summit, namely Annapurna I East Peak, ) and prominence (), Annapurn ...

Machhapuchhre Machapuchare, Machhapuchchhre or Machhapuchhre (, Tamu: कतासुँ क्लिको), is a mountain situated in the Annapurna massif of Gandaki Province, north-central Nepal. Its highest peak has never been officially climbed due to t ...

Lamjung Himal Lamjung Himal also known as Lamjing Kailas is a mountain located in Gandaki Province, Nepal at an elevation of . A subpeak of Annapurna II Annapurna II is the second-highest mountain of the Annapurna range located in Nepal, and the eastern a ...

can be viewed from north of Besishahar Municipality.

Population

At the time of the 2024 Annual Municipal Development Plan 2081/82 it had a population of 44,598 including Besishahar, Gaunshahar,

, Chiti, Baglungpani,

and

. The population of the municipality declined to 38,232 at the

2021 Nepal census The 2021 Nepal Census was the twelfth nationwide census of Nepal conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics. The census was originally scheduled from 8 June to 22 June 2021, but was postponed to November 2021 due to a surge in COVID-19 case ...

. 99.5% of the residents were Nepali citizens and 81.2% were

literate Literacy is the ability to read and write, while illiteracy refers to an inability to read and write. Some researchers suggest that the study of "literacy" as a concept can be divided into two periods: the period before 1950, when literacy was ...

in 2021.

Transportation and communications

Dumre–Besishahar–Chame Highway connects the city to various parts of

. The proximity of this city from

Kathmandu Kathmandu () is the capital and largest city of Nepal, situated in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley. As per the 2021 Nepal census, it has a population of 845,767 residing in 105,649 households, with approximately 4 mi ...

(178.8 km),

Pokhara Pokhara ( ) is a metropolis, metropolitan city located in central Nepal, which serves as the capital of Gandaki Province. Named the country's "capital of tourism" it is the List of cities in Nepal, second largest city after Kathmandu, with 599,5 ...

(108.9 km), Bharatpur (104 km),

Birganj Birgunj () is a metropolitan city in Parsa District in Madhes Pradesh in southern Nepal. It lies south of the capital Kathmandu, attached in the north to Raxaul on the border of the Indian state of Bihar. As an entry point to Nepal from Patna, ...

(234 km), Damauli (59 km) and

Prithbinarayan Gorkha (, formerly known as Prithvinarayan Municipality) is a List of cities in Nepal, municipality in Gorkha District in Gandaki Province of Nepal created in 1996. It was initially named "Prithvinarayan" () after King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who wa ...

(Gorkha) (76 km).

Bus A bus (contracted from omnibus, with variants multibus, motorbus, autobus, etc.) is a motor vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van, but fewer than the average rail transport. It is most commonly used ...

, Micro Bus,

Taxi A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a Driving, driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of thei ...

and other land transportation are available to go out of the city, for internal transportation

Minibus A minibus, microbus, or minicoach is a passenger-carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is us ...

and

Car A car, or an automobile, is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of cars state that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people rather than cargo. There are around one billio ...

Jeep Jeep is an American automobile brand, now owned by multi-national corporation Stellantis. Jeep has been part of Chrysler since 1987, when Chrysler acquired the Jeep brand, along with other assets, from its previous owner, American Motors Co ...

hiring is available. * ''Communication'' – One Television Channel "Lamjung Television" Conducted By Lamjung Media Network Pvt Ltd and three major local FM radio stations broadcast from Besishahar Municipality. They are "Radio Marsyangdi" – 95.0 MHz, "Radio Lamjung" – 88.4 MHz and "Radio Chautari" – 91.4 MHz. Which are

Community Radio Community radio is a radio service offering a third model of radio broadcasting in addition to commercial broadcasting, commercial and public broadcasting. Community broadcasting, Community stations serve geographic communities and communities o ...

stations. Land line telephone services and mobile telephone services are available to the majority of areas. There are multiple private Internet service providers available within the

Municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...

. Besishahar Municipality has print medias Lamjung Highlights, Antarang, Lamjung Aawaz etc. * ''Banks'' – There are more than 25 banks (Global IME Bank Ltd, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nepal Bank Limited, Agricultural Development Bank Limited, Sunrise Bank Limited, Everest Bank, Nabil Bank Limited, Nepal SBI Bank Limited, Triveni Bikas Bank Limited, Grameen Bikas Bank Ltd, Reliable Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Limited, Chhimek Bikash Bank, Reliable Development Bank, Gandaki Bikas Bank Ltd Etc.) and financial institution in Besishahar Municipality. Motor Bridge

Attractions

Annapurna Circuit The Annapurna Circuit is a trekking, trek within the mountain ranges of central Nepal. The total length of the route varies between 160–230 km (100-145 mi), depending on where motor transportation is used and where the trek is ende ...

– It is the starting point of the

tourist route. * Marshyandi River – The Marshyandi River flows north to south in the east of Besishahar Municipality. It is one of the branches of

Gandaki River The Gandaki River, also known as the Narayani and Gandak, is one of the major rivers in Nepal and a left-bank tributary of the Ganges in India. Its total catchment area is , most of it in Nepal. In the Nepal Himalayas, the Gandaki is notable f ...

. The Marshyandi Bridge over the river connects eastern Lamjung. It is located in Besishahar Municipality – 2 –

, Lamjung. * The First Royal Palace Of Lamjung – It is also called

Lamjung Durbar Lamjung Durbar () is a remaining part of the palace of the then King Yahobrahma Shah of Lamjung principality in 1494, at present in Lamjung District, Gandaki Province of Nepal. It was built in the 16th century by King Yashobrahma Shah of Lamju ...

. It is the birthplace of the royal family of Lamjung in 1663 AD. Kalu Shah was the first king. It is also the place where King Yesho Bramha Shah, the founder of the Shah dynasty in Nepal, ruled the small principality of Lamjung. This palace was the capital of Lamjung. This palace stands in Gaunshahar. लमजुङ दरबारको पेन्टिङ.jpg, Painting of

at Gaunshahar * Gaikhure Jharana – It is located in Besishahar Municipality – 2 –

. Gaikhure Jharana.jpg, Gaikhure Jharana at Gaikhure,

* Purankot Fort – Used to protect the kingdom of Lamjung. Located near the ruins of Third Royal Palace of Lamjung (the summer home for the royalty). * Royal Bath – "Tindhara" meaning three taps, is the mineral spring where the royalty bathed. * Hadkhode Dada – The "Bone Hill", was considered a very dangerous place many cattle have died there. Still a place frequented by many eagles. * Sutkeri Dunga – The strongest woman in Gaunshahar was said to have placed this very large stone here while pregnant. * Dare Gauda – A cliff that the Gorkha's army scaled, using long ladders to attack Gaunshahar, burning many houses in the village. * Middle Marshyandi Hydro Electricity – 70-Megawatt Mid-Marshyangdi Hydroelectricity Project (MMHEP), the second largest hydropower project in the country has started operation from 14 December 2008. PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal (

Prachanda Pushpa Kamal Dahal (; born Ghanashyam Dahal, 11 December 1954), alias ''Prachanda'' (, , "fierce"), is a Nepalese politician, currently serving as the Leader of the Opposition, since July 2024. He has served as the Prime Minister of Nepal ...

) had inaugurated the project. The project was started in June 2001 with joint investments of the

Government of Nepal The Government of Nepal () is the central executive authority of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The government is led by the Prime Minister of Nepal, prime minister (K. P. Sharma Oli, K.P. Oli since 15 July 2024) who selects all the o ...

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

and

Nepal Electricity Authority Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), founded on 16 August 1985, is the parent generator, transmittor and retail distributor of electric power under the supervision of the government of Nepal. NEA has its own power plants. In addition it also buys ...

. It is located in Besishahar Municipality – 2 – Phaliyasanghu,

. * Karpureshwar Mandir – A religious place for the Hindus. It is the place where people go to worship lord Mahadeva. Middle Marshyandi Hydro Electricity Dam Udipur.jpg, Middle Marshyandi Hydro Electricity Dam at Phaliyasanghu,

Religious and cultural landmarks

* Lamjung Kalika Temple – It is a historical Hindu goddess temple of

located in Gaunshahar. The big sister of the Gorkha Kalika. Open four times a year during festivals (Badha Dashain, Chaitre Dashin, Shree Panchami and Nuwai). Lamjung Kalika.jpg, Lamjung Kalika at Gaunshahar *Tilanagi Shivlaya Temple – Holy place to celebrate Shivaratri. Its the centre to perform Eastern Civilization Rituals of Puranakot and Duradanda Area. Located at the bank of Kirenche and Tilanagi rivers.* Udipur Kalika Temple – It is a Hindu goddess temple of

located in Besishahar Municipality – 1 –

, Lamjung. Udipur Kalika is a picnic spot in Lamjung. उदिपुर कालिका.jpg, Udipur Kalika Temple at

* Chandimai Temple – On the seventh day of Bada Dashain, two priest from Gaunshahar travel to Besisahar to steal fruits and flowers and carry back up to this temple. While a parade of villagers and priests carrying a statue of Phulpati go down from the Royal Palace to meet the "thief priests". * Bhimsen Temple – It is located in Besishahar Municipality – 10 – Besishahar

Lamjung Lamjung District ( ), a part of Gandaki Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Besisahar as its district headquarters, covers an area of and had a population of 167,724. lies in the mid-hills of Nepal spa ...

भिमसेन मन्दिर भिमसेनस्थान, बेशिसहर लमजुङ.jpg, Bhimsen Temple at Besishahar

Educational and institutions

* Marsyangdi Multiple Campus – Marshyangdi Multiple Campus (MMC), established in 1990 (2047 B.S.) * Lamjung Skill Development Foundation (LSDF) Campus – A vast number of adolescents and youth of Nepal are out of the school system as they have been left-out or pushed-out of the school for various reasons and often found to be at the center of the vicious cycle as being either the cause or effect of the decade long armed-conflict. As a strategy to work in economic peace building a group of committed professionals with the support from Swiss-Nepal Society (SNS) and DIGA foundation of Switzerland, has established the Lamjung Skill Development Foundation (LSDF) Campus at Besishahar Municipality-4 Gairi, Lamjung. LSDF in its effort to provide a new life to marginalized youth is committed to provide market based practical oriented high-quality vocational/technical skills to the out-of-school youth so that they can be employed or self-employed after completion of their training. The Campus also aims at being a vehicle for rural reconstruction in the region. The campus opened its doors in summer 2008 with the two first long-term courses in civil construction and carpentry. Additional trades (electronic and mechanical) will be implemented step by step. Additional to the regular long-term courses, the campus regularly hosts short-term trainings according to the local needs. Among others, SNS-supported trainings for goat rearing, off-season vegetable and citrus fruits were carried out in close co-operation with local partners. * Lamjung Higher Secondary School * Marsyangdi Higher Secondary School * Jana Vikas Higher Secondary School * Ex-Army Boarding Higher Secondary School * Vidhya Bikas Higher Secondary School * Earthly Paradise Higher Secondary School * Shree Jana Kalyan Secondary School * Land Star English School * New Vision Montessori School जन कल्यान मा.बि उदिपुर.jpg, Shree Jana Kalyan Secondary School

Hospitals

* Lamjung District Community Hospital (LDCH) – Since 2001 LDCH has been running under the management of Human Development Community Services (HDCS) with the support of the

. From a 15-bed hospital, LDCH now has 60 beds as well as a range of services, a study from the World Bank quoted Lamjung Hospital as being a "model hospital in

." * Besishahar Hospital & Research Center – It is located in Besishahar Bazar. * Besishahar Dental hospital – It is located in Besishahar Bazar. * Lamjung Polyclinic – It is located in Besishahar Bazar. * Lamjung Eye Clinic – It is located in Besishahar Bazar. * Lamjung Model Hospital – It is located in Besishahar Bazar.

2015 earthquake

The town shook during earthquake on 25 April 2015. Houses made of mud collapsed, while those made of concrete survived. There were no visible cracks on buildings. There was little damage. The town largely escaped the devastation suffered in other places in Nepal.

Gallery

File:Besishahar.jpg, View of Besishahar from Gaunshahar. File:Besishahar from hile.jpg, View of Besishahar from Hiletaksar. File:Besi Sahar 2.jpg, View of Besishahar File:Aakase Vhir.jpg, View of Aakase Vhir File:CDO Office.jpg, C.D.O Office File:MMHE View.jpg, MMHE view from

File:Tree MMHE Dam.jpg, MMHE Dam File:Udipur Bazar.jpg,

File:Boat In MMHE Dam.jpg, Boating in MMHE Dam File:Besisahar.jpg, View of Besishahar from Helicopter

References

{{Lamjung District

External links

*http://www.radiomarsyangdi.org *http://www.radiolamjung.org *http://www.radiochautari.org *http://www.lamjungnews.com *https://web.archive.org/web/20180906224422/http://marshyangdimultiplecampus.edu.np/ Lamjung District Municipalities in Gandaki Province Populated places in Lamjung District Nepal municipalities established in 2014