pathibhara

Pathibhara is a Village Development Committee in Sankhuwasabha District in the Kosi Zone of north-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2905 people residing in 607 individual households. [1]The population are predominantly of Limbu descent.
Contents


* 1 Geography
* 2 Religion
* 3 Education
* 4 References
* 5 External links

Geography


Pathibhara is located in the Himilayas in the northeast of the country. Pathibhara borders Pawakhola to the east, Num to the south, Makalu to the west and Hatiya to the north. It lies in proximity to Kanchanjunga (8586 m), the world's third highest peak. The area has an abundance of flora and fauna, with the landscape ranging from Alpine grassland, to subtropical forests.[2]

Religion

The major attraction of note is the Pathibhara Devi temple, commonly a site attended by Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims seeking spiritual fulfilment and to celebrate special occasions. [2] The Pathibhara Festival is held in this respect annually at the end of March and generally lasts a week. [2] Pilgrims flock from all over Nepal and India, often sacrificing animals and bringing gold and silver as offerings. [3] The mountain Pathibhara Devi (3794 m), also takes the name of the temple.

The temple, according to local legend which has passed down from one generation to the next, was founded by shepherds who had led their flock to where the temple lies today. [3] Hundreds of sheep disappeared as they were grazing, and later the shepherds had a prominent dream in which they were instructed by the Goddess of Trust and Faith, Devi, to make a ritualistic sacrifice. [3] When the sacrifice was offered and the temple and the statue of Devi were constructed, the lost sheep were said to have returned. [3]
As of 2001 there were 1824 out of 2905 people which practised the Kirant Mundhum faith.

According to the 2001 census in Nepal, accounting for the permanent population in Pathibhara, 660 people were Hindu, 664 Buddhist and 1824 people were of the Kirant Mundhum faith. [1]

Education

In 2001, there were reportedly 939 people attending school, 545 were male, 394 were female. [1]In total there were 409 children not attending school.[1]In total, 2646 out of the population of 2905 were literate, 1389 were male and 1257 female.[1]However 360 people could read only and not write.[1]