 Pharping is an ancient renowned city situated in Southern Region of Kathmandu. It was popular with the name "Shikharapuri Mahanagari (Metropolitan City)" which was recognized as an independent state with 48000 people in ancient time. So "Shikharapur" is an ancient name of Pharping village. Shikharapur was independent Newari State when Gopaleshowr Temple was in the middle of Pharping. It was an established state at that time when Kathmandu Valley was a lake. It is said there was no existence of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. Later Goddess Manjushree cut the Chovar gorge and the water of valley flowed outside then after valley became suitable to stay. Hence, Pharping has its own ancient history, so, it is considered as a History of Village. It's also said that Great Gurus of Hinduism and Buddhism get enlightened at Pharping. It's also famous as a religious place. For example; Great Guru Padmasambhava got enlightened at Asura Cave, Gorakhanath and Sheshnarayan Cave at Pharping. It's important religious place for Buddhist pilgrimages as well.
Pharping village was included in Lalitpur District up to 2017 BS. Now Pharping is in Kathmandu District. It's recognized as area no. 15 of Kathmandu District Development Committee and 10 no. election area.
Pharping is situated at the border of Kathmandu District. Lalitpur District lies to east, Makawanpur at South and West and Kirtipur Municipality lies to North.
It's a growing city. It consists of 6 VDCs namely Sheshnarayan, Chalnakhel, Setidevi, Dakshinkali, Talku Dundechaur and Chhaimale. The population of Pharping is approximately 40000.
Pharping has mixed demography which includes Newar, Brahmin, Chhetri, Tamang, Magar, Rai, Gurung, so called Dalit etc. Pharping consist of typical Newari village. Newari Language, culture, history are model for this whole village.
Pharping has very suitable environment for residence. Pharping has green forest at upland, resident area in middle and agriculture land in lowland. So it's an Adarsha Basti by nature. It has neither hot nor cold environment.
Being a part of capital city all VDCs are not well facilitated. We can experience all environments of city, village and rural/remote areas in Pharping at a glance. We can give examples of Kerabari village, some villages of Talku like Dandikhel, Napu are in such critical condition that people can't imagine. But when we see Pharping it’s a growing city.
Religious temples like Goddess Dakshinkali, Asura Cave, Gorakhanath, Sheshnayan Temple, Hyanglashi, Gopaleshwor, Bajrayogini, numerous Monasteries (Gumba) etc are established in Pharping, so, it's famous for tourism as well.
The economy of Pharping depends on agriculture, service, business and more or less in tourism. Pharping has local market. It is like headquarter of surrounding VDCs and some VDCs of Makawanpur and Lalitpur District. Because of increment in Buddhist and Hindu tourists, economy of Pharping has drastically uplifted in recent years. Moreover, modernization in agriculture also played a vital role in economy.
Pharping is now being facilitated day by day. We have more than 1000 PSTN telephone lines, 2000 household water taps, adequate community and private boarding schools, 10+2 and bachelor level college. It's also facilitated with market place, cable television and cyber cafes. Pharping has Residential lodges, Hotels, Cafeterias, restaurants and resorts for national and international tourists.
Pharping is famous for 1st Hydropower Station, Chandra Jyoti Griha. It was the Nepal's First and Asia's 2nd Hydropower Station. Nepal's 1st Boarding school Tribhuwan Adarsha Boarding School is also located at Pharping. It's also famous as Summer Palace at Rana regime.
Pharping is recognized for Naspati fruit. Another rare fruit Lapsi (sour fruit) is also found in remarkable quantity in Pharping because the environment suits for these two fruits especially.
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