Fri, 27 Dec, 2024

Know Your Neighborhood: Koteshwor

By Sneha Parajuli

Koteshwor, Kathmandu is situated around 6.4 kilometers away from the location of Deerwalk Institute of Technology, Siphal. Originally, the neighborhood was not so much crowded. There was not much residency. But in quite a few years there has been increased settlement of people because of urbanization. Nowadays, we can rarely see vacant lands in Koteshwor area as they have been occupied by houses and buildings. Previously at the time of the 1991 Nepal census, it had a population of 5787 and had 1154 households in it, but in 2001, its population increased to about 35,184. There are many places in Koteshwor which are important for people one way or another. Among many places, here are some of them with a brief description:- 1. SOS Youth village: SOS Youth Village, Koteshwor is the oldest Youth Village in Nepal established in 1983 AD. Currently, SOS Youth Village consists of 4 family houses each with the capacity of holding 10 youths, 2 houses for residential Youth. An exercise hall is being used by youths for playing indoor games along with a Basketball court and a big ground for outdoor sports. Here, the youths live like a family and are provided with all sorts of facilities they require. 2. Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket: Bhat-Bhateni is the name of that supermarket which has grown from a small shop or “single shutter” since 1984 A.D to a leading supermarket chain in Nepal.  It is also the highest tax payer in the sector since 2008 A.D. There are currently six stores conveniently located in central Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Pokhara among which one of the store lies in Koteshwor too. 2 Establishment of this supermarket has become the most convenient facility for the people living in and around Koteshwor area. People are very happy having a supermarket where they can buy all their necessities whenever they require. 3. Mahadev Sthan Mandir: There lies a temple of lord Mahadev in the heart of Koteshwor area. It is a temple worshipped by all. The temple usually remains crowded, but during special occasions the temple is overcrowded by people and worshippers coming from different places. Every day, especially Saturday, people line up in a queue to get inside the temple and pray for Lord Shiva. This temple is regarded as a very important temple according to the religious point of view. Getting there: You can take a bus / micro from Jaya Bageswori Bus stand to reach to Koteshwor. It will take you to Koteshwor in, at most 20 minutes, given that you won’t face a fierce traffic jam.