Tourism Info Nepal

Sankhu Heritage Festival Aims to Revive and Preserve Ancient Culture

Sankhu Heritage Festival Aims to Revive and Preserve Ancient Culture

Over 3,325 years ago, King Shankhdev of the then-Sankhu region built a city incorporating seven villages with architectural features. The city was named Sankhu, and in the Newar language, it was called “Sakwu.” For a long time, Sankhu became a place for architecture students to study. This city, rich in historical, cultural, archaeological, and religious significance, has become a major tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors.

Gradually, modern concrete houses began replacing traditional buildings. After the earthquake of 2015, which caused significant damage on April 25, the construction of modern houses in place of the original ones increased. As a result, the uniqueness of Sankhu started to fade. Out of the eight gates that King Shankhdev had built, only five remain today.

Several ponds have disappeared, and many other cultural heritage sites have been lost. As a result, the number of tourists visiting the area to see the original features has begun to decline. Every year, from the full moon of Poush (December-January) to the full moon of Magh (January-February), millions of religious tourists come to the Shree Swasthani Madhav Narayan festival held at the Sali River in Sankhu. However, as the city’s original heritage began to disappear, local authorities felt the need to revitalize the heritage and started organizing the Shankharapur Sakwu Festival.

At a press conference organized by the Narapali Municipality to inform the public about the festival, Mayor Ramesh Napit explained that the festival was organized to promote Sankhu, a city full of indigenous cultural heritage, to the world, especially when the Kathmandu Valley is submerged. He mentioned that 30 to 40 lakh tourists visit the Shalin River annually, and the goal of the festival was to introduce them to the ancient settlements of the original city. The festival will be held from magh 16 – magh 19.

Mayor Napit also mentioned that the municipality is working to get Sankhu, a city enriched with Bajrayogini, Shalin River, and ancient settlements, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pokte Thing, the Ward Chairperson of Ward No. 8, shared plans to organize another festival in the month of Baishakh (April-May) focusing on Bajrayogini and Manichud. He noted that a Bajrayogini Manichud festival had already been held in fiscal year 2073/74 (2016/17) to promote tourism in the region and that preparations are underway for another festival. He believes that the festival will be an effective way to introduce domestic and foreign tourists to the ancient monasteries and temples in Shankharapur.

Bishnu Prasad Shrestha, Ward Chairperson of Ward No. 7, mentioned that the festival would be a blessing for those who visit the Sali River during the full moon of Poush and Magh but are unaware of the ancient heritage of Sankhu. Radhakrishna Shrestha, Ward Chairperson of Ward No. 6 and also the spokesperson for the municipality, explained that the festival aims to end the situation where religious tourists come every year to the Salinadi River but do not visit the ancient city of Sankhu.

Press + K to search