Tokha Chandeshwari is a village and former Village Development Committee that is now part of Tokha Municipality in Kathmandu District in Province No. 3 of central Nepal. At the time of the 2011 Nepal census it had a population of 3,961. Tokha Chandeshwari now is part of Tokha municipality.
Location
Tokha lies in Kathmandu district of Bagnmati zone of central development region. It consist of two VDCs: northern- Chandeshwari VDC and Southern-Sarshwati VDC. It is situated at an altitude of 130 m, longitude of and latitude of . As per category in geographical region, this village is situated in mountain region.
The area is surrounded by: East - Khadka Bhadrakali VDC West - Phutung VDC North - Jhor VDC South - Dhapasi and Gongabu VDC
The village is 4 km northern from Kathmandu MPC or Samakhusi ring road.
Geology and topography
This area lies in Mahabharat Range, there is flat land on top and surround by slopes in all direction except North side, elevated part of jhor VDC and shivapuri national Park. As the study site lies within Kathmandu valley, the soil is lacustrine type.
Population
The present population of this village is about 15,000 as per census of 2058 B.S. Occupation of people here is agricultural based and most adults are abroad in Gulf countries in search of work.
Sanitation
The village is now in a rapid phase of modernization and urbanization. Tokha Municipality has been regulating and maintaining proper sewerage system. Plenty of clean drinking water is available in the locality. Therefore, the sanitary condition of the village is fine.
Education
Most people are illiterate; very few people (only 5) had achieved master's degree in their related field. But number of students for higher education is being increasing past 3-4 year. As per education institution in this area, there are:
1 Higher secondary School - Saraswoti Higher Secondary School. 5 Secondary schools Amar English Boarding Secondary School Bindhya Basini English Secondary School Ganesh English Secondary School Laxmipur English Secondary School Sri Saraswati Secondary School Oasis Public Academy 1 Lower secondary School - Chandeshwari Lower Secondary School
Altogether 7 educational institutions.
Festivals
Nepal is not only the land of mountains; it is also the land of festivals. There are more than 50 festivals celebrated in Nepal every year. While the national festivals have fixed dates, religious festivals are set by astrologers following the lunar calendar. The best part about the festivals in Nepal is that all the events are celebrated with the same enthusiasm and galore the way it used to be hundreds of years ago when people had no other means of entertainment.
New Year It is known as “Navavarsha” in Nepal. Nepal has its official calendar that begins from the first day of the first month Baisakh. This very first day is observed as Nepali New Year which usually falls in the second week of April. People go for picnics, have get-togethers and celebrate the day socializing in various ways as this day is also a national holiday. In Tokha, New Year begins with new Festival i.e. Bisket Jatra of Tokha . It Begins from Baisakh 1st to Baisakh 5th. People of Tokha celebrate this festival very happily.
Sarashwati Puja Saraswati Puja or Sri Panchami is a day to celebrate the birthday of Saraswati – the Goddess of Learning. This is a day when people from school students to scholars worship their pens and books to please the Goddess and expect her favor in their studies so they become wise and knowledgeable. People also throng around the idol of Goddess Sarashwati, especially in Swayambhunath and offer flowers, sweets, fruits, etc. On this day, small children are taught to read and write and people write on the stones and slabs with chalks and pencils. This day which falls between January/February is regarded as a very auspicious day for marriages too as it is believed that Goddess Saraswati herself blesses the couples. Normally it is the astrologers who fix the marriage date and time in Nepal.