How the Streets are named in CAT-MAN-DO
Daya R. Shakya, Portland, Oregon
How the Streets are named in CAT-MAN-DO
Daya R. Shakya, Portland, Oregon
When I went back to Nepal after living in the US for 5 years, I saw a big change. Lots of new buildings appeared. In many places new markets were run from naanglo pasal to super markets. I saw many waalaas of Indian origin selling fruits and vegetables on unridable bikes. I also noticed that some clubs (Maybe Rotary Club) have put street signs almost every where in the city. One of the most eye catching names for me was "Chab Hill" a place located on the way to Boudha. To my knowledge, I never recall this name being used in the history of Kathmandu Valley. Was it a mistake or did a new name appeared in Kathmandu ? I could not figure it out right away. I asked myself how many streets had been renamed and how many localities had disappeared from Kathmandu in the process of developmental activities undertaken by the Kathmandu Nagar Vikash Yojana (An urban development project for Kathmandu Valley). I realized how many names had disappeared from the Valley. Definitely, the Chakra Path or Ring Road is new for old folks. However, the new generation may not have heard about some of the original names for many localities. In order to locate many places within the ancient boundary of the Kathmandu city, one has to participate in the Upaaku Wonegu Ceremony (a festival similar to Mati yaa in Patan) that takes place on the first day of Indra Jaatraa. On this day, family members of a deceased person go around the boundary of ancient Kathmandu city offering the Palchaa Lamp ( a small offering lamp made of earthen pot with oil and wick ) in every shrine they come across on the way. (For detail see Mary Slusser's ' Nepal Mandala' ).
My focus in this article is to draw your attention to how the streets and localities were originally named in Kathmandu city. At this time many of the original names have almost faded away from our memories. Many of the local names of streets and localities are based on Newar names that have been changed into new forms. The impact of change is gradually leading towards the disappearance of the legitimate and original names of many localities.
Historical evidence shows that the name KATHMANDU has been linked with a phrase "KASTHA MANDAPA". It refers to a mandapa or pavilion, built with wood of a single tree in the 17th century, and named Maru Satala. It is located near the Kathmandu Ganesh shrine ( The Gaju maru Ganesh/ a shrine without Gajur or pointed part of roof ). Before this the present Kathmandu Valley was known as the Nepal Valley. The same name KASTHA MANDAPA became KATHMADAUN and KATMANDU or CAT-MAN-DO in Westerner's tongue.
On the one hand the tri-cities of ancient Nepal Valley Kantipur, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are also known as 'Yen', 'Yala' and 'Khwopa' in Newar Language. They have been called Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaadgaaon in Nepali. In addition, the towns located in suburban area of the valley Banepa, Dhulikhel, and Kirtipur are also known as Bhota, Dhaukhyah and Kepu in Newar language. The civilization of the Kathmandu valley is credited to the original inhabitants, the Newars. They have decorated the entire city with beautiful arts and artifacts that reflects the unique culture in the valley.
As time passes by people adopt new life styles, and give up the old ones. Similarly, many of us prefer to use new names for the streets and localities. However, we are not aware of many original names. Each street and locality carries a back ground story for their existing names. In search of forgotten names of streets and localities, I realized that many of them are disappearing and our descendants may not know the stories related to them .The old names seem odd for them.
At present, there are many key places in KATHMANDU. One time the street NEWROAD was popular and eye catching for many people living in Kathmandu. People went over there to buy newspaper, gather for political chats and get their shoes polished. The original name of New Road was Juddha SaDak. It was also known as the Nhu SaDak in Newar language which means Naya SaDak. Later it became "New Road". Similarly there are many places that carry a name linked with a meaningful Newar word. However, at present some of those places have been renamed or changed into different forms. You may have noticed that many of streets and localities carry following suffixes:
Gah Place of production; old name for city or Nagara, Ghah Vessel Hiti Spout Twaa Local Community Baha Buddhist Monastary Galli Lane/ Alley Mati Mother of Water Source Keba Garden Pukhuh Pond Bazar Market Cho Hill top Paakhaa Slope Nani Block Laachhi Off the house area Chuka Court yard Dhwaakhaa Gate / Entrance
Each of these suffixes hold a meaning, and a prefix is added to it depending upon a back ground story on the naming of the location. Many of these locations are also mentioned in several Newar folk songs such as Rajamatikumati, Wa chhu galli Thwochhu galli, Siloo Tirtha etc.
It is interesting to know that a personal name is not used to name the street or locality in the ancient and medieval periods of Nepal Valley. However, in modern times with an influence of Rana and Shaha people, the streets and localities have been named after people such as Juddha SaDak, Ratna Park, Ram Shaha Path, Sukra Path, Dharma Path, Gangaa Path, Lekh Nath Marga, Bhimshen Stambha, Singha Darwar, Mahendra Nagar, Birendra Nagar, Prithvi Raj Marga, Mahendra Raj Marga etc. With this concept, some of the old streets have been renamed. Since this article is focused on original names, a discussion of modern names is not intended here.
The street names and localities with above mentioned suffixes and their historical meaning have been listed below. The name with the suffixes not listed above are placed into different category. The meaning of street names which are not attested with reference materials and unable to be analyzed at this time are placed in a category of (?). The streets which are still called by the same name are listed with (=) sign. It would be appreciated if any one who has information on the unanalyzed word, contact the writer.
To conclude, the historical importance of each name of every corner of Kathmandu valley is undeniable. Before it is too late it is the time to teach our descendants about the localities of the Valley and keep them aware of original names. By doing this they get a special pleasure of knowing and understanding the ancient civilization of our ancestors. It would be an interesting topic for research on ancient cities in the Valley.
Original Names Current Historical Names Gah (Place of Production) Kilaga: Kilagal Kisi gah - Elephant Barn Cikanmuga: Chikanmugal Place of oil production Tengah Tengal Sheep Wool production Gha: (Water Vessel) Wangha:/Hwongha: Indrachok Silver Vessel/Junction Nhugha: Jaisi Dewal New Water vessel Nagha: Naghal Iron water vessel Si:gha Srigha: Vihar Copper vessal Hiti (Stone Spout) Bhotahiti = A spout built by a merchant from Bhota (Banepa) Maruhitu = A spout near by Middle town (Maru Ganesh ) Thahiti = A Spout installed in North side of town Kohiti = A Spout installed in South side of town Naranhiti = A spout installed near Narayan shrine Twaa (Locality) Kel twaa Kel Tol An ancient town of shakyas from Koliya Bhindya twaa Bhimsen Than Bhimsen Shrine Khiu twaa Khiul Tol An area of Dark street Nhaayekan twaa = Nhaekan Talla = A temple decorated with mirrors Naayetwaa = Kasai Tole= Animal Slathering Area (Butcher Residence) Pore twaa = Pore Tole = Street sweepers residential area Lagan twaa = Lagan = Place of dried water source ( La: Gan) Bramhutwaa = Bhramha Tole = Brahmans living place Guchaa twaa = Guchchaa Tole = Marble playing place Baha (Buddhist Monastry) Jana Baha Jana Bahal Jana Maa Dyo is located khA baha Khabaahal Early roosters singing area Chusya Baha = Chhusya Bahal = where wheat is grown Te baha = Tebahal/ Sankata = south east region of the Ancient city Itumbaahaa = Itum bahal = Clear water well area (Yechu tun) Jyaabaahaa Jyaabahal ? Om Baha Om Bahal ? Bhagawan Bahaa Bhagawan bahal ? Sabal Baha Sabal Bahal ? Bahi (Buddhist Sub-Monastary) Khusi bahi = Khushi bahil = river side monatry Naka bahi = Nabahil = A monastery established around Black smith (Nakarmi) Chaa bahi= Chaa Bahil = A Monastery built in the name of Princess Charumati the Daughter of Emperor Ashoka Than Bahi = Thamel = A sub monastery located in Thane( North) area Galli (Lane / Allay) Tamo Galli = Coppersmiths allay Namuga: galli = A place where one can buy hammers Tunchhen galli = Place where a house is build above a well Sikanmu galli = A lane where Carpenters live Taa galli = ? = A lane which is longest in length Pun Chen Galli = A lane where paintes live Chokhaache Galli = ? Gwaachhimo galli = ? Mati (River Name) Kalmati Kalimati A place where one never wants to go. Only dead people are taken there Bishnumati = A River that come out of Bishnu Paduka source Baghmati = A river that came out of Tiger dwelling forest Keba (Garden) Khya Keba = Khya keba = Large size garden Phasi keba = Phasi Keba = pumpkin garden Bhaukeba = Bhau keba = A garden dedicated to Bhagavati shrine Paacho (Sloppy Area) Nyatapaacho = A sloppy area near Nyeta (Naradevi) Naaye pacho = A area near by butchers' residence Pukhu (Pond) Khichaa Pukhu: = Khichaa Pokhari = baby waste washing area Ikhaa Pukhu: = Ikhaa Pokhari = spitting Pond Paleswan Pukhu = Kamal Pokhri = lotus flower Pond Kwaapukhuu = Kwaapokhu = warm spring water pond Pakopukudyaan = Paako = A pond near the sloppy area Bazar (Market) Dilli Bazar = A market run by Muslims from Delhi Bagh Bazar = A market established near by Bagh Darwar Naya Bazar = A market newly established Raki Bazar = ? A market run by Iraqi people near Indra Chowk Cho (Hill Top) Jaamaacho = ? Phuchwo Phulchoki ? Dhilachwo = ? Sipu:chwo = ? Khyah (Field) Itun khyaa = Tundikhel =A field belong to Itum baha people Burn khyaa: = Bhurun khel = A field fermented heap of rice Gwonga: bu = gwongabu = Wild rooster field Lachhi (Off the house area) Ka:mi lachi = Kamalakchi Carpenters area Kamalachhi = Kamaladi ? Kusum biyaa laachhi = ? Nani (Block) Taanani = Longest block in town Haepun nani = A block where a painter who sells ducks Piga: nani = A block with four ways of exit Chhen (House) Jhoh chhen = Nicely built row of houses Dalaachhen = Houses with Dalan (New kind of doors) Ta:khaa chhen = A house with huge door lock Chuka (A courtyard Sorrounded by houses) Dambo: chuka = ? Asan chuka = A chuka located in Ason tole baidya Chuka = The Vaidya court yard. Dhwaakhaa (Gate / Entranace) Hanuman Dhokaa = A gate near by the Hanuman Shrine Kishi DhwAkhaaa = A house with elephant carvings Tinkha: dhwaakhaa = Tundikhel Dhokaa = The entrance gate to Tundikhel Iswor (Shrine) Tankeswor = Pith (Shrine) Kankeswor = Pith (Shrine) Gyaaneswor = Mahadev Shrine Baaneswor = Mahadev Shrine Bijyaasa: = Vijeswori = Yogini Devi Shrine Nhya:khaa = Nhyakhaa tole = Roosters wake up early Hyumata = Hyumata tole = Where a swinging lamps is taken outduring the Indra Jatra Festival DhokAdha: = Dhokaa Tole = A sewarage linked with river and old palace Yangaa = Yangaal = lowest area of 'Yen' (Kathmandu) Tamsingpaaakhaa = slopy area of taega simaa (a kind of tree) Maji paa: = Majipaata = Modified form of Manju Pattana lhuti= Balaju lon hiti > stone tap place Desaye maru jhyaa= A unique window/no duplicate Taahachal =A place where long landslide takes place Tekhu = Teng khu > ancient river bank (?)Masu Sata: Marusatal A rest house near by Maru Ganesh shrineTeku duwaa Teku dobhaan Junction of two rivers Bagmati & Bishnumati Jyathaa = Where elderly people work as potters Jorganesh =A shrine with a Pair of Ganesh images. Poka nhaaye dya:= Paaknajol = A shrine of liquor god Thaaemadu Bange Mudha = Very crowded area Bhyaachaa dya = Bheda Singh = Where a sacrifice sheep Lumari dya = Bhadrakali = Pieces of bread turned into gold Dwon chasaana = Animal waste used as fertilizer for Penga: Thaan = A shrine erected with four stone pillers Nyeta NaradeviNyakuu tan = Place of animal horn stack Sunta gaan Sunaar gaau Non Newar goldsmiths village Hati saar = Off the City Elephant Barn Naksaa= Naksal = A town near Naksagar Bhagawati Shrine Tripureswor = A place with Tripura Sundari Shrine Thaapaa thu: = Thapaa Thali = A hill top of Thapa people Pulan bhansaa:= Puraano Bhansaar = A old custom clearance Pyaa pha: = Pyaaphal = Animal resting place (usually wet) Balkumaari = A place where a shrine Bal Kumari is located Lainchour = Radish field Dhobichour = Washermen's laundary drying area Bhata Bhateni = Shrine name Battish Putali= 32 angles came down in the form of butterflies
