नेपाली

History

From the Licchavi kings to the 2015 earthquake — every dated event on this site, in order. Tap an entry to read more.

  1. PrehistoryThe Kathmandu Valley is a lake; legend says Manjushri cut the Chobhar gorge to drain it.Kathmandu Valley
  2. c. 563 BCESiddhartha Gautama is born in Lumbini, in present-day Nepal (dates debated by scholars).Buddha Jayanti →
  3. c. 300–879The Licchavi kings rule the valley, leaving inscriptions, sculptures and early temples.Kathmandu Valley
  4. 4th centuryTradition places the first temple here in the Licchavi period.Changu Narayan →
  5. 464King Manadeva I erects the pillar inscription — the oldest dated inscription in Nepal.Changu Narayan →
  6. 464Manadeva I's pillar inscription at Changu Narayan.A short history of Sanothimi, Thimi and Bhaktapur →
  7. 594The earliest Licchavi inscription found in the Bhaktapur area.Kathmandu Valley
  8. 7th centuryMasterpiece sculptures including Vishnu Vikranta, Narasimha and Vishwarupa are carved.Changu Narayan →
  9. 879Nepal Sambat, the Newar calendar, begins.Kathmandu Valley
  10. 879Nepal Sambat, the Newar calendar, begins — traditionally credited to the merchant Shankhadhar Sakhwal.Tihar, Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat New Year →
  11. 928The earliest inscription mentioning Bhaktapur by name.Kathmandu Valley
  12. 10th centuryThe festival is traditionally said to have begun under King Gunakamadeva, founder of Kathmandu.Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra →
  13. 1146–1167Reign of Ananda Deva, traditionally credited with founding Bhaktapur as a planned city.Bhaktapur Durbar Square →
  14. 12th–15th centuryThe pond (Ta Pukhu) is among Bhaktapur's oldest; some historians date it to the 12th century, tradition credits Yaksha Malla.Siddha Pokhari →
  15. 1200The Malla dynasty begins its rule over the valley.Kathmandu Valley
  16. 1382–1395Jayasthiti Malla unifies the Nepal Mandala and organises society; the Gopalraj Vamshavali chronicle is written.Kathmandu Valley
  17. 1427Dattatreya temple built during Yaksha Malla's reign, traditionally from a single tree.Dattatreya Square and the Peacock Window →
  18. 1428–1482Yaksha Malla rules the whole valley from Bhaktapur, fortifying the city with walls, moats and gates.Bhaktapur Durbar Square →
  19. 15th centuryA royal palace stands here under Yaksha Malla.Palace of Fifty-Five Windows →
  20. 15th centuryThe Malla kings, devotees of the tantric goddess, establish the Nava Durga cult in Bhaktapur; shrines to each goddess ring the city like a yantra.Nava Durga Dyochhen, the house of the goddesses →
  21. 15th centuryThe Nava Durga tradition is formalised in Bhaktapur under the Malla kings.Nava Durga masked dances of Bhaktapur →
  22. 1482After Yaksha Malla's death, the valley divides into the kingdoms of Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Patan.Kathmandu Valley
  23. 1482After Yaksha Malla, the valley splits into Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Patan.A short history of Sanothimi, Thimi and Bhaktapur →
  24. 1484Queen Karpura Devi consecrates the Yaksheshwar (Pashupatinath) temple in memory of Yaksha Malla.Bhaktapur Durbar Square →
  25. 1637King Siddhi Narasimha Malla completes the stone Krishna Mandir in Patan.Krishna Janmashtami →
  26. 1646King Jagajjyoti Malla first plans a golden gate for the palace.The Golden Gate (Sun Dhoka) →
  27. 17th centuryThe Balkumari temple, the town's guardian shrine, takes its present form.Old Thimi: the town of capable people →
  28. 17th centuryThe present three-roofed pagoda of Balkumari is built (it is described locally as about 300 years old).Balkumari Temple, Thimi →
  29. 17th centuryThe present temple is built, probably in the late Malla period.Suryabinayak →
  30. 17th centuryThe present main temple is built, associated with King Pratap Malla of Kathmandu.Sankhu and the Vajrayogini temple →
  31. 17th centuryKing Pratap Malla of Kathmandu is said to have encouraged the procession and humour to console his grieving queen.Gai Jatra in Bhaktapur →
  32. 1672Traditional date for the Vatsala Durga temple, attributed to Jagat Prakash Malla.Vatsala Durga Temple and the Taleju Bell →
  33. 1695King Jitamitra Malla consecrates the Siddhi Lakshmi temple.Bhaktapur Durbar Square →
  34. 1696–1722Reign of Bhupatindra Malla, Bhaktapur's greatest builder.Kathmandu Valley
  35. Early 1700sOriginally a one-storey shrine; Bhupatindra Malla rebuilds it as a large three-roofed temple (traditionally 1717).Bhairavnath Temple →
  36. Dec 1701Bhupatindra Malla begins construction; tradition says he carried bricks himself.Nyatapola: the five-storey temple →
  37. 15 Jul 1702The temple is completed in about six months, using over a million bricks, 1,528 stones and sal timber.Nyatapola: the five-storey temple →
  38. 1702The temple is rebuilt after a fire in its present two-roofed form.Changu Narayan →
  39. 1706Bhupatindra Malla installs the statues of Ugrachandi and Ugrabhairava at the palace gate.Bhaktapur Durbar Square →
  40. 1708Bhupatindra Malla completes the Palace of Fifty-Five Windows.Palace of Fifty-Five Windows →
  41. 1737Ranajit Malla offers the great Taleju Bell (cast 1732–1736) on 6 January.Vatsala Durga Temple and the Taleju Bell →
  42. 1751–1754Under Ranajit Malla, craftsmen Subhakara, Karunakara and Ratikara make the gilded gate.The Golden Gate (Sun Dhoka) →
  43. 1754The Golden Gate is completed in the palace facade.Palace of Fifty-Five Windows →
  44. 1756King Jaya Prakash Malla introduces the Kumari chariot procession.Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra →
  45. 1763Pujari Math is rebuilt in its present form (a monastery existed here since the 15th century).Dattatreya Square and the Peacock Window →
  46. 1768Prithvi Narayan Shah captures Kathmandu during Indra Jatra; Patan follows.Kathmandu Valley
  47. 1768Prithvi Narayan Shah captures Kathmandu during Indra Jatra, while the city is celebrating.Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra →
  48. 1769Bhaktapur falls in November; the Malla era ends and the valley becomes the heart of the Kingdom of Nepal.Kathmandu Valley
  49. 1769Thimi passes to the Gorkha kingdom with the fall of Bhaktapur.Old Thimi: the town of capable people →
  50. 1769Prithvi Narayan Shah conquers Bhaktapur; Ranajit Malla goes into exile.Bhaktapur Durbar Square →
  51. 1769Fifteen years later, Bhaktapur falls to Gorkha — the gate becomes the last great work of Malla Bhaktapur.The Golden Gate (Sun Dhoka) →
  52. 1769Gorkha conquest of Bhaktapur.A short history of Sanothimi, Thimi and Bhaktapur →
  53. 1833A major earthquake kills over 200 people in Bhaktapur and damages much of the city.Kathmandu Valley
  54. 1833A major earthquake hits Bhaktapur; Nyatapola survives.Nyatapola: the five-storey temple →
  55. 1846–1951The Rana regime; Nagarkot becomes a summer retreat for the elite.Kathmandu Valley
  56. 1885Scholar Georg Bühler first publishes the pillar inscription.Changu Narayan →
  57. Early 1900sRana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher builds Bhangeri Durbar as a summer retreat.Nagarkot: sunrise over the Himalaya →
  58. 1934On 15 January (Magh 2, 1990 BS) a magnitude 8.0 earthquake destroys 6,224 buildings and 177 heritage monuments in Bhaktapur.Kathmandu Valley
  59. 1934The great Nepal–Bihar earthquake damages many old houses.Old Thimi: the town of capable people →
  60. 1934The Nepal–Bihar earthquake destroys many temples; several platforms remain empty to this day.Bhaktapur Durbar Square →
  61. 1934The earthquake destroys the top floor; the palace is later rebuilt.Palace of Fifty-Five Windows →
  62. 1934The Nepal–Bihar earthquake levels much of Bhaktapur; Nyatapola loses only its upper roofs and is restored.Nyatapola: the five-storey temple →
  63. 1934Badly damaged in the earthquake and rebuilt afterwards.Bhairavnath Temple →
  64. 1934The earthquake permanently damages the rajkulo canal system.Siddha Pokhari →
  65. 1934The Nepal–Bihar earthquake destroys 6,224 buildings in Bhaktapur.A short history of Sanothimi, Thimi and Bhaktapur →
  66. 1951Democracy is established and Nepal opens to the outside world.Kathmandu Valley
  67. 1965The motorable road to the Tibetan border (later the Araniko Highway) reaches the area, changing trade forever.Dhulikhel: old Newar town with Himalayan views →
  68. 1967The Araniko Highway, built with Chinese assistance, opens between Kathmandu and the Tibetan border, passing through Sanothimi.Sanothimi: the small Thimi →
  69. 1968A National Vocational Training Centre opens in Sanothimi with US aid — the seed of today's Sanothimi Campus.Sanothimi: the small Thimi →
  70. 1968National Vocational Training Centre founded in Sanothimi with US support.The education hub of Nepal →
  71. 1970s–80sTourism opens a new market for Thimi's papier-mâché masks and decorative pottery.Potters and mask makers of Thimi →
  72. 1970s–80sNagarkot grows into a hill resort for sunrise and mountain views.Nagarkot: sunrise over the Himalaya →
  73. 1971The Curriculum, Textbook and Supervision Centre (today's CDC) is established.Sanothimi: the small Thimi →
  74. 1971Curriculum, Textbook and Supervision Centre established; renamed Curriculum Development Centre in 1997.The education hub of Nepal →
  75. 1971–1972Pujari Math is restored with German help — the start of the Bhaktapur Development Project era.Dattatreya Square and the Peacock Window →
  76. 1972–1973The centre becomes part of the Faculty of Education and a constituent campus of Tribhuvan University.The education hub of Nepal →
  77. 1974–1986The German-funded Bhaktapur Development Project restores monuments, paves streets and builds drains.Kathmandu Valley
  78. 1975–2001Several idols are stolen, a painful loss that led to tighter protection.Changu Narayan →
  79. 1978Janak Education Materials Centre is founded (Ashwin 8, 2035 BS) to print school textbooks.Sanothimi: the small Thimi →
  80. 1978Janak Education Materials Centre founded to print and distribute textbooks.The education hub of Nepal →
  81. 1979The Kathmandu Valley, with Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu Narayan, joins the UNESCO World Heritage List.Kathmandu Valley
  82. 1979Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Kathmandu Valley.Bhaktapur Durbar Square →
  83. 1979Listed as one of seven monument zones of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site.Changu Narayan →
  84. 1985/86Sanothimi Campus adds general education programmes alongside vocational ones.The education hub of Nepal →
  85. 1987The Chyasilin Mandap beside the temple is rebuilt by the Bhaktapur Development Project.Vatsala Durga Temple and the Taleju Bell →
  86. 1990s–2000sThrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery is built on the ridge above the stupa.Namo Buddha: the prince and the tigress →
  87. 1991Kathmandu University is founded at Dhulikhel.Kathmandu Valley
  88. 1991Kathmandu University is founded; its campus is in Dhulikhel.Dhulikhel: old Newar town with Himalayan views →
  89. 1997Madhyapur Thimi Municipality is formed (Chaitra 18, 2053 BS), bringing Sanothimi, Thimi, Bode, Nagadesh and neighbouring villages together.Sanothimi: the small Thimi →
  90. 1997Thimi becomes the core of the new Madhyapur Thimi Municipality.Old Thimi: the town of capable people →
  91. 1997Bode becomes part of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality.Bode and the tongue-piercing festival →
  92. 1997Lumbini is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Buddha Jayanti →
  93. 2003Construction begins, led by Kamal Jain and the Hilltake Group.Kailashnath Mahadev, Sanga →
  94. 2006/07Master's programmes in education begin at Sanothimi Campus.The education hub of Nepal →
  95. 2006The palace undergoes major renovation.Palace of Fifty-Five Windows →
  96. 2008Nepal becomes a federal democratic republic.Kathmandu Valley
  97. 22 Aug 2009Jagadguru Bhimashankar Linga Shivacharya of Kedarnath declares Doleshwor the head of Kedarnath.Doleshwor Mahadev →
  98. 2010Information and Communication Technology Education programme launched.The education hub of Nepal →
  99. 2010The temple is renovated by the community.Kamal Binayak and the lotus pond →
  100. 2010The 143-foot statue of steel, concrete, zinc and copper is completed; its foundation reaches about 100 feet deep.Kailashnath Mahadev, Sanga →
  101. 2010sPilgrim numbers grow rapidly; roads and facilities are improved.Doleshwor Mahadev →
  102. Before 2010sJuju Bhai Basah Shrestha performs the ritual eight years in a row.Jibro Chhedne Jatra, Bode →
  103. 2010s–2020sBuddha Krishna Bagh Shrestha pierces his tongue nine times; his brother Krishna Chandra did it 12 times.Jibro Chhedne Jatra, Bode →
  104. 21 Jun 2011The statue is formally opened to the public.Kailashnath Mahadev, Sanga →
  105. 2011The Kailashnath Mahadev statue at Sanga is unveiled around Teej and becomes a new Teej destination.Haritalika Teej →
  106. 2014Suryabinayak Municipality is formed and named after the temple.Suryabinayak →
  107. 2015On 25 April the Gorkha earthquake (magnitude 7.8) kills nearly 9,000 people in Nepal and damages 116 heritage sites in Bhaktapur.Kathmandu Valley
  108. 2015The Gorkha earthquake damages houses across the municipality.Sanothimi: the small Thimi →
  109. 2015The Gorkha earthquake damages traditional houses; years of rebuilding follow.Old Thimi: the town of capable people →
  110. 2015The temple and its surroundings are affected by the earthquake and later repaired.Balkumari Temple, Thimi →
  111. 2015The earthquake destroys many workshops and kilns; families rebuild over the following years.Potters and mask makers of Thimi →
  112. 2015The Gorkha earthquake damages 116 heritage structures in Bhaktapur; reconstruction follows.Bhaktapur Durbar Square →
  113. 2015Vatsala Durga collapses completely in the 25 April earthquake.Vatsala Durga Temple and the Taleju Bell →
  114. 2015Survives the Gorkha earthquake with minor damage.Nyatapola: the five-storey temple →
  115. 2015Damaged again in the Gorkha earthquake and repaired.Bhairavnath Temple →
  116. 2015Houses around the square are badly damaged by the earthquake.Pottery Square (Talako) →
  117. 2015The god-house survives the earthquake and remains in daily use.Nava Durga Dyochhen, the house of the goddesses →
  118. 2015–2020Damaged in the earthquake; restored over about five years.Changu Narayan →
  119. 2015The earthquake damages many buildings; hotels rebuild within a few years.Nagarkot: sunrise over the Himalaya →
  120. 2015Sankhu is one of the worst-hit towns in the valley; much of the old town is rebuilt over the following decade.Sankhu and the Vajrayogini temple →
  121. 2015The Gorkha earthquake damages 116 heritage sites in Bhaktapur.A short history of Sanothimi, Thimi and Bhaktapur →
  122. 25 Apr 2015Magnitude 7.8 earthquake at 11:56 am; epicentre in Gorkha.After the earthquake: how Bhaktapur and Thimi rebuilt →
  123. 12 May 2015A second major earthquake (magnitude 7.3) strikes.After the earthquake: how Bhaktapur and Thimi rebuilt →
  124. 2017–2021Reconstruction using traditional masonry; the temple stands again in 2021.Vatsala Durga Temple and the Taleju Bell →
  125. 2017Reconstruction of Vatsala Durga begins using traditional masonry.After the earthquake: how Bhaktapur and Thimi rebuilt →
  126. 2020sBuddha Krishna Bagh Shrestha pierces his tongue nine times; his son Sujan continues the tradition.Bode and the tongue-piercing festival →
  127. 2021Census: Bhaktapur city 79,136 people; Madhyapur Thimi 119,955.Kathmandu Valley
  128. 2021The national census counts 119,955 people in Madhyapur Thimi — up from 83,036 in 2011.Sanothimi: the small Thimi →
  129. 2021Vatsala Durga is complete; most major monuments are rebuilt by the early 2020s.After the earthquake: how Bhaktapur and Thimi rebuilt →
  130. 2026Ghatasthapana around 11 October; Vijaya Dashami tika around 20–21 October (approx.).Dashain (Bada Dashain) →
  131. 2026Laxmi Puja around 8 November (approx.).Tihar, Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat New Year →
  132. 2027Expected around 10–18 April (approx.).Bisket Jatra (Biska) →