Tanahun District, a part of Gandaki Zone, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. The district, with Damauli as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,546 km² and has a population 326,127 people. Previously the town of Bandipur was its district headquarters.
Coordinates & Location type
• Latitude: 27.91667
• Longitude:84.25
• Latitude (DMS):27° 55' 0 N
• Longitude (DMS):84° 15' 0 E
Village Development Committees (VDC's)
Ambukhaireni, Arunodaya, Baidi, Bandipur, Barbhanjyang, Basantapur, Bhanu, Bhanumati , Bhimad , Bhirkot , Byas , Chhang , Chhimkeswori , Chhipchhipe , Chok , Chisapani , Damauli , Deurali , Devghat , Dharampani , Dhorphirdi , Dulegaunda , Firfire , Gajarkot , Ghansikuwa , Jamune Bhanjyang , Kabilas , Kahu Shivapur , Keshavtar , Khairenitar , Kihun , Kota , Kotdarbar , Kyamin , Majhakot , Manpang , Pokhari Bhanjyang , Purkot, Raipur , Ramjakot , Ranipokhari , Risti , Rupakot , Samungbhagawati , Satiswara , Sundhara , Syamgha , Tanahunsur , Thaprek , Virlung.
Demography
1 Total Population 326,127
2 Male 146,644
3 Female 179,483
4 Number of Colleges 6
5 Number of Higher Secondary School 12
6 Number of Secondary School 85
7 Number of lower School 55
8 Number of Primary School 429
9 Literacy Status 70%
10 Economically Active Population 158,309
Source: - National Census 2058 & District Information Centre
Border Districts
East Gorkha & Chitwan
West Kaski & Syangja
North Lamjung & Kaski
South Chitwan, Nawalparasi & Palpa
Byas Gufa, a historical place is situated in west of Tanahun district, Gandaki. It takes about half a kilometer miles from Damauli Bazaar to reach there. Seti and Madhi River also assemble in the same place where the famous Panchayan temple is also situated right in the middle of the junction. There is a religious river called Mahendri River right in front of it. Every year, in festival "Teez" people organize a mela where devotees can be seen in large number. Kesari Dharma Raj Thapa has even written a book named "Tanahun Ko Fulbari" where he has mentioned about the contribution of present vice chairman Mr. Badhri Bikram Thapa(caretaker) of the Gufa.
Mr. Thapa had formed an organization named "Shree BedhByas Janmastal Bikas Guthi Sahayog Samitee" whose main aim is to conserve the ancient religious place (Gufa). Currently, an elderly home is being initiated at that place for the homeless old people and this was possible by the donation collected from the devotees and the committee of Shree Shivpanchayan temple. According to Omnath baba, the caretaker of that Gufa, they were able to collect funds from the devotees which range from Rs.20 to Rs.51, 000 since 4th bhadra, 2040.
Before there were three babas'(Badri Neupane, Naramadi Ditha and Khanaya Baba) who used to look after the Gufa but later they left that place. It was hard at that time to find other babas'(caretakers) who could take care of the gufa so in absence of the baba; the gufa had to remain close for at least two years. Lately, Omnath Baba (Raate baba) and Damodar Baba took the responsibility to look after the Gufa. There is a historical story relating to Byas Gufa which goes like this:
Once a rishi named 'Parasar' started his religious voyage. On his expedition, he came across a beautiful lady who was playing with a boat besides a yamuna river. Nobody dared to go near her as a peculiar smell of fish came from her body and she was named as 'Matshyagandha.' Seeing such a beauty, the rishi couldn't stop himself from going near to her due to her attraction. He went close to her and showed his desire to unite. Seeing the crowd, she got frightened and denied so the rishi covered the whole area with cloud. Then, Matshyagandha gave her justification that she was still in care of her parents and if she got united with him, she would lose her virginity and the society wouldn't accept it. After hearing all her fears, he gave her the word that she wouldn't lose her virginity and promised that he would keep his word. Then she asked him to grant her a wish that she would get rid of the awful odor of fish that came from her body and it was granted. They then united and a sweet odor started to come from her body and then she was named 'Gandhawati'. Eventually, she gave birth to a child and that child was named as God Bedhbyas.
The Gufa isn't that big and there is just a strange stone which represents God Bedhbyas. The peculiar thing about that place is that there is a well just at the bottom of the stone and water flows continuously there. There is an old story that during Dwapar yugh, a cowherd was looking after the cows grazing in that place where all of the sudden the cows disappeared from there. There is a white stone that resembles the shape of breast of the cow where water remains continuously. There is a hole, just above it and there is a belief that whoever succeeds to go through the hole gets his gate opened for heaven.
Currently they are in need of some donation for establishing a bhawan named “Shree BedhByas Aanachetra shantikunj” and dedicate it in the name of shree Dhamodar baba .
Bhupal grg, Richa grg
