Kirtipur municipality, is situated on the bank of Bagmati River in the southwest corner of Kathmandu valley almost 7km far from the main city of Kathmandu. It covers 25248 ropanies. Its boundary is, in east -Bagmati river, west- Machhegoun VDC, north -kathmandu metropolitant and south- Chalnakhel VDC.

This kirtipur site is announced as municipality in 2053 chaitra 18th. Before announced as municipality there is 8 VCDs. Combination of these 8 VCDs made kirtipur municipality. These VDCs are Palifal, Chithu Bihar, Panga Bishnu Devi, Panga Balkumari, Layaku, Bahirigoun, Chovar and Champadevi VCDs respectively. Within kirtipur municipality there are 19 wards.

According to 1991 census, there are 31338 population where male constitutes 16080 and female constitute 15258 respectively. The following table shows the situation of population. In this municipality, the settlement is dominated by the Newars. Non-newars as Bhramin, KCS(Khatri-Chhetries), Kami, Damain, Sarki, Tamang are also settled. Most of the people used to speak Newari language.

The main occupation of dewellers of this area is agriculture. But the establishment of Tribhuvan University and Horticulture Research station captured large plot of agricultural land from the dwellers. So the people have now become either landless or having a small size of farming land. Therefore agriculture alone cannot meet the minimum needs of the household.To the members of the family especially male started to work for wages in jobs that are not directly obtained through the inheritance of older generation such as in governmental service, in private sectors or to sell their physical labour in the labour market as a dakarmi (masons) and Sikarmo (carpenters). The female member of the family are busy in household chores and work in their farming land mostly. Some are engaged in income generation activities such as handloom industry, knitting, tailoring, carpet industry etc and marginal females are engaged in governmental service.

Social And Culture in Kirtipur

Newari society is a culturally dominant community and has some of the silent features that distinguish their society. They have their own rich cultural traditions and rituals, which is able to get continuity in present time. They feel really proud to perform traditional tasks such as celebrating different feast and festivals related to certain god and goddess as well as arrangement of Bhoj regularly on different occasions. Among the silent features of Newari community, Guthi institution is most famous. Guthi institution controlled and regulated ritual and social life of people of their society. It is noticed that each and every newars are member of at least in one Guthi. Everyone enrolled his or her name in certain Guthis. According to G.S Nepali “the manifest function of such Guthis is the fulfillment of some secular or religious interests, they have the latent function of preserving the norms and values of the community.” (The Newars, 191)

The Guthi institution plays vital role in society as well as binds the newar together. Each and everyone must follow all it’s rules and regulations of their respective guthi. If any imposed it’s sanctions, defaulting person or household results in complete social boycott, through the denial of participation in the group events and feasts and services to be rendered by there respective institution which becomes quite miserable social life of defaulted person or household.

There is especially one ritual function called Burha-Junko (Ratharohan) was practices in Newar community which is however, not to be found among other ethnic groups of nepal. This ritual function is performed to give honor to old people of certain age. It is held thrice in the lifetime of an individual called Bhima-Ratha Rohan, Ashwa-Ratha Rohan and Swarga-Ratha Rohan respectively. After the completion of first Burha-Junko ceremony a person is believed to enter upon the first stage of divinity and he gives up taking active interest in family affairs. People look upon him with the utmost awe and his blessings are much sought before a new project is to be stated. After completion of third Burha-Junko he is worshipped as a semi-divine being. In this research area, people celebrate many festivals. Among them Dashain, Tihar, Gai Jatra, Sat Gounley Jatra (Jatra of seven villages), Mageh Sangranti, Chaitya Dashain and Siddhinakha are famous festivals. Hindu and Buddhist both religions are in practices. In newar social organization both religions groups exist and have mutual toleration and respect between the two religious groups. Bagh Bhairab, Uma Maheswor, Bishnu Devi, Bal Kumari, Chilancho Buddha Stupa, Champa Devi, Jal Binayak, Loknath (Chovar) and Kirti Bihar are the most religiously important spots where Newars and non-Newars both are permitted to exist

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