Chitlang


Chitlang is a village located in Thaha Municipality of Makwanpur District, Bagmati Province, Nepal.

Geography

Chitlang sits southwest of Kathmandu valley in the Mahabharat range.
The Chitlang is bounded by

History

Chitlang is located in the ancient Newar settlement. Inscriptions dating to the Lichchavi era were found there. Confusion among Nepali historians surrounds whether Licchavi King Udaydev was enthroned, but the inscriptions at Ganeshthan of Chilang Village indicate that he was king.
An inscription found in Toukhel, former Ward 6 of Chitlang VDC, established by King Amshubarma stated that Amshubarma had given the land to shepherds and established a shepherd settlement in Toukhel, Nhulgaun and Kunchhal of Chitlang. Some historians claimed that these people, called Gopalis, were the descendants of rulers from the Gopal era.
Chitlang hosts multiple cultures: the Tamang culture is in former ward 1. In ward 2, Khas mix culture. In former wards 3, 4, 5, and 6 Newari culture is found; wards 8, 7 and 9 have a mixed culture. Chitlang celebrates many jatra and festivals throughout the year. It carries cultures of patan as once it was under the rule of Lalitpur Patan principalities in Malla era and of Kathmanud. During Red Machhendra Nath Jatra at Lalitpur, Puja was collected from Chitlang village. A small temple of Karunamaya or Machhindra Nata still stands at north to Tahaphale of Chitlang.
Similarly, showing its connection to Kathmandu, it celebrates yemba thanegu festival similar to small scale indra jatra of Kathmandu.

Demographics

According to the 2013 census of Nepal, Chitlang has an approximate population of 7,680 people. The main populations are Newar, Tamang, Khas and Brahmins.

Culture

Chitlang has a rich Newar culture. The Chitlang dialect of Nepali Bhasa is spoken almost exclusively. The Balami language is one such language.