| Mahananda Sapkota | |
| Native Name: | महानन्द सापकोटा |
| Native Name Lang: | ne |
| Birth Name: | Yagyanidhi Sapkota |
| Birth Date: | 10 May 1896 |
| Birth Place: | Illam, Nepal |
| Nationality: | Nepalese |
| Occupation: | Social worker, Linguist |
Mahananda Sapkota (1896–1977) was a Nepalese social worker, etymologist, linguist, and poet. He received several national awards for his contributions to poetry.[1] His social work focused on education and social awareness particularly in eastern Nepal. A statue of him stands in Inaruwa of Sunsari District.
His original name was Yagyanidhi Sapkota and his name was registered as Mahananda when he enrolled in a school in Tezpur in Assam, India. As his mother moved to Tezpur in Assam, she took him along with her. He studied till 7th grade in a government school there. From Dharanidhar Koirala he learnt about Nepali literature and was inspired to write poems.[2]
When Mahananda Sapkota returned to Nepal. He established schools in many places and persuaded people to educate their children.
He received Madan Puraskar for his book Nepali Nirbachan ko Ruprekha.[3]