| Hetauda | |
| Native Name: | Nepali: हेटौंडा |
| Settlement Type: | Sub-Metropolitan City |
| Mapsize: | 340px |
| Pushpin Map: | Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal |
| Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Nepal |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Nepal |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Bagmati |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Makwanpur |
| Government Type: | Mayor–council |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Mina Kumari Lama (Unified Socialist) |
| Leader Title1: | Deputy Mayor |
| Leader Name1: | Rajesh Baniya (NC) |
| Area Total Km2: | 261.59 |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Total: | 195,951 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Rank: | 10th (Nepal) 4th (Bagmati Province) |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Ethnicities |
| Population Blank1: | Bahun, Chhetri, Tamang, Newars, Rais, Magars |
| Timezone: | NST |
| Utc Offset: | +5:45 |
| Coordinates: | 27.4167°N 87°W |
| Elevation M: | 345 |
| Postal Code Type: | Post code |
| Postal Code: | 44100, 44107 |
| Area Code: | 057 |
| Seal Alt: | Seal of Hetauda sub-metropolitan city |
Hetauda (Nepali: हेटौडा, in Nepali pronounced as /heˈʈʌu̯ɽa/) is a sub-metropolitan city in Makwanpur district of Bagmati Province in central Nepal. It is the administrative headquarters of the Makwanpur district and the capital of Bagmati Province as declared by a majority (105 out of 110) of the Provincial Assembly Members on 12 January 2020.[1] Hetauda is one of the largest cities in Nepal. At the 2015 Nepal census, it had a population of 153,875 people.[2] The city's population grew to 195,951 in 2021.[3]
It is believed that Hetauda got its name from Hidimba, a demonic queen who ended up marrying Bhimsen as per a story in Mahabharat. The fact that there is a place called Bhimphedi just as the plains of Hetauda meets the mountains can be considered a manifestation of this belief. During the Rana regime in Nepal, there was a history of cars being carried by porters to Kathmandu through Bhimphedi.[4]
The Hetauda Industrial District (HID) is one of the biggest industrial districts in Nepal,[5] housing large, medium-scale, and cottage industry. It was established in 1963 under technical and financial assistance of the government of the United States of America.
At the 2011 Nepal census, Hetauda Submetropolitan City had a population of 154,660. Of these, 61.9% spoke Nepali, 26.4% Tamang, 4.8% Newar, 2.2% Bhojpuri, 1.4% Maithili, 1.0% Magar, 0.4% Chepang, 0.3% Gurung, 0.3% Hindi, 0.2% Tharu, 0.2% Urdu, 0.1% Bhujel, 0.1% Lepcha, 0.1% Rai, 0.1% Rajasthani and 0.2% other languages as their first language.[6]
In terms of ethnicity/caste, 31.1% were Tamang, 26.6% Hill Brahmin, 13.8% Chhetri, 8.8% Newar, 4.3% Magar, 3.1% Kami, 2.0% Rai, 1.0% Musalman, 0.9% Damai/Dholi, 0.9% Kathabaniyan, 0.8% Gurung, 0.7% Chepang/Praja, 0.7% Sarki, 0.6% Danuwar, 0.5% Tharu, 0.3% Gharti/Bhujel, 0.3% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.3% Thakuri, 0.2% Kalwar, 0.2% Kanu, 0.2% Marwadi, 0.2% Teli, 0.2% other Terai, 0.2% Yadav, 0.1% Terai Brahmin, 0.1% other Dalit, 0.1% Dhanuk, 0.1% Ghale, 0.1% Hajjam/Thakur, 0.1% Kayastha, 0.1% Koiri/Kushwaha, 0.1% Kumal, 0.1% Kurmi, 0.1% Limbu, 0.1% Majhi, 0.1% Rajput, 0.1% Sonar, 0.1% Sudhi, 0.1% Sunuwar and 0.1% others.[7]
In terms of religion, 67.3% were Hindu, 27.9% Buddhist, 3.5% Christian, 1.0% Muslim, 0.1% Kirati, 0.1% Prakriti and 0.1% others.[8]
In terms of literacy, 78.7% could read and write, 2.2% could only read and 19.0% could neither read nor write.[9]
| Broad Ethnic Category | Sub Category[11] | Linguistic Family | Population Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khas (Hill/Pahari Caste Groups) | 45.3% | |||
| Janajati (Hill Tribal Groups) | Magar,Tamang,Gurung, Sherpa,Rai,Limbu etc. | 38.6% | ||
| Newar (Kathmandu Valley Caste Groups) | Newari Brahmin, Shrestha, Tamrakar, Newar Buddhist, Maharjan, Rajkarnikar etc. | 8.8% | ||
| Madeshi (Terai Caste Groups) | Yadav, Maithil Brahmins, Chamar, Kushwaha, Musahar, Kurmi, Dhanuk etc. | 2.9% | ||
| Muslim | - | 1% | ||
| Adibasi (Terai Indigenous Groups) | Tharu, Rajbanshi, etc. | 0.8% | ||
| Others | - | 2.6% |
One of the most popular attractions of Hetauda is Martyr Memorial Park,[12] or Sahid Smarak (Nepali: शहीद स्मारक), which was completed in 1994. The park honors Nepalese martyrs, from those who died in the British colonial wars to those who overthrew the autocratic Panchayat system in 1989. A series of sculptures of these martyrs sit on a large boulder; their faces were sculpted by student volunteers from Lalit Kala Campus. The park is also popular as a picnic spot and as an escape from the busy city life. It has a swimming pool and a zoo that houses some endangered and some common wild animals, from monkeys to leopards.
There are other attractions in Hetauda such as Makanpur Gadhi, Gumba Danda, Bhutandevi Mandir, Hatiya Jurethum Tourism Park, Banaskhandi Devi Mandir, Churia Mai Temple, Puspalal Smriti Peace Park, Kushmanda Sarowar Triveni Dham.
Education in Hetauda started with the establishment of Shree Bhutan Devi Secondary School (now Shree Bhutan Devi Higher Secondary School). Some notable education institutions include: