Geographical Overview
Bhaktapur District, located in the central part of the Kathmandu Valley within Bagmati Province, is home to the beautiful and small Madhyapur Thimi Municipality. Established on March 27, 1997 (Chaitra 14, 2053 B.S.), this municipality was formed by merging five then Village Development Committees (VDCs) — Bode, Nagadesh, Chapacho, Balkumari, and Dibyeshwori. Spread over an area of 11.47 square kilometers, the municipality’s core region is situated at an altitude of 1,326 meters above sea level. Initially divided into 17 wards, the municipality was restructured into 9 wards during the local government restructuring. According to the 2021 National Census, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality has a population of 119,756 (60,746 males and 59,010 females), with 17,639 households and 31,966 families, yielding a population density of 10,440 per square kilometer. Including temporary residents who live in the area for business, employment, or education, the population is estimated at around 150,000.
Among the 18 municipalities in the Kathmandu Valley, Madhyapur Thimi is the second smallest by area and has the second-highest population density after Bhaktapur Municipality. Primarily demarcated by the Manohara and Hanumante rivers, the municipality is bordered by Bhaktapur Municipality and Changunarayan Municipality to the east, Kathmandu Metropolitan City to the west, Kageshwori Manohara Municipality to the north, and Suryabinayak Municipality and Mahalaxmi Municipality to the south. Located less than 1 kilometer in a straight line from Tribhuvan International Airport, the municipality can be reached within 10 minutes by road. Situated between Kathmandu and Bhaktapur at an equal distance from the valley’s three main cities, Madhyapur Thimi’s historical settlements like Tigani, Bode, Nagadesh, Thimi, and Dibyeshwori date back to the Licchavi period, with further development and expansion during the Malla era. These areas remain the town’s ancient neighborhoods and marketplaces.
Cultural Overview
Madhyapur Thimi Municipality is rich in cultural heritage, serving as a key identity of the area. Embracing the motto, “Our Art, Our Culture, Madhyapur Thimi, Our Treasure,” the municipality is home to both tangible and intangible cultural assets. Numerous historic monasteries, temples, rest houses, shrines, and viharas, along with annual festivals and cultural celebrations, make Madhyapur Thimi notable not only nationally but internationally. Key religious and historical sites in the municipality include Nilbarahi Temple (one of the four Barahis of the valley), Mahalaxmi Temple, Kumari Temple, Siddhiganesh Temple, Bode Layaku Palace, Nagadesh Layaku Palace, Thimi Layaku Palace, Siddhikali Temple, Digu Bhairav, Lokeshwar Temple, Balkumari Temple, Tahanarayan Temple, Bakachhen Mahadev Temple, Vishnuvihar Temple, Nagadesh Buddha Vihar, Gunakirtimahavihar, Dharmachakra Stupa, Bappa Bishweshwor Mahadev Temple, Dibyeshwori Temple, Natyeshwori Temple, Shyamashyama Dham, and Radhe Radhe Temple.
Reconstructed and newly developed parks like Shankhadhar Park, Bandevi Park, Nigu Pokhu (Dui Pokhari), Paleswan Pokhu (Kamal Pokhari), and Kumari Park have turned into prominent tourist destinations. Major festivals celebrated here include Biska Jatra, Tongue Piercing Jatra, Gai Jatra, Indra Jatra, Khadga Jatra, Dipankar Jatra, and Pulukisi Jatra. Traditional dances like Mahakali Dance, Bhairav Dance, Nilbarahi Dance, Indra Apsara Dance, Hanuman Dance, Ashta Matrika Dance, and Peacock Dance are integral to the cultural fabric. The municipality actively works to preserve and promote these cultural assets and historical names of local areas to prevent distortion or loss, ensuring the historical and cultural identity of Madhyapur Thimi remains intact.
Socio-Economic Activities and Traditional Occupations
Historically, the indigenous Newar community in Kathmandu Valley built compact settlements on hilltops while cultivating fertile plains. At one point, Madhyapur Thimi supplied almost half of Kathmandu’s daily vegetable needs, earning it the title of the valley’s “Kitchen Garden.” Renowned crops like chamsur, spinach, mustard greens, garlic greens, and cauliflower were locally grown. The area also gained fame for traditional earthenware produced in Wards 5 and 6. This craft, along with mask-making, fabric weaving, and the locally made chiura (beaten rice) in Tigani, has created both identity and employment for locals. The municipality prioritizes these traditional occupations by offering skills development training, awareness programs, infrastructure support, marketing opportunities, and organizing fairs and exhibitions.
Development in Education, Health, Sports, and Tourism
Although Newars predominantly inhabit Madhyapur Thimi, other ethnic groups such as Brahmins, Chhetris, Rais, and Magars also reside here. The shrinking agricultural land and rapid urbanization in recent decades have transformed this region. Notably, Sanothimi has become a hub for educational institutions of national and international repute. The municipality is also evolving as a residential area due to its proximity to central locations, physical infrastructure, and increasing urbanization. Commercial activities such as supermarkets, business complexes, restaurants, banks, and showrooms are growing in the region.
Located along the Arniko Highway, a key trade route connecting Nepal and China via the Tatopani border, Madhyapur Thimi is developing as a commercial and industrial corridor. The municipality hosts leading health institutions like Nepal-Korea Friendship Municipal Hospital, BP Eye Foundation, Madhyapur Hospital, and Citizen Hospital, among others. The local government provides affordable healthcare services, including dialysis, ICU facilities, and free health insurance for senior citizens, single women, and marginalized communities. Blood banks are also being established in collaboration with Lions Clubs.
Educational institutions like the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), National Examination Board, and SOS Children’s Village operate here. In partnership with the World Food Program, the municipality has launched a centralized kitchen to provide nutritious meals to students in public schools. In sports, the municipality collaborates with various organizations to organize regular training programs and competitions, such as the Presidential Running Shield and the Madhyapur Thimi Municipal Football League.
Through collective efforts, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality is committed to transforming into a beautiful cultural and tourist destination.
