Kamalamai

The occupation of the Kuti Pass in about 1756 stopped the valley's trade with Tibet. Finally, King Prithvi Narayan Shah entered the valley after the victory of Kirtipur. King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kathmandu sought help from the British and so the East India Company sent a contingent of soldiers under Captain Kinloch in 1767. The British force was defeated at Sindhuli by Prithvi Narayan Shah's army. It was the first time a British force was defeated in Asia. The British soldiers were completely taken aback by the geography of the place. They were equipped with modern arms and ammunition like guns and cannons but the Gorkha army was brave and they had a better understanding of the terrain. The place where the army of the British Empire was defeated has widely gained popularity. It is called "Sindhuli Gadhi" and is of great historic significance to Nepal.

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Kamalamai Municipality had a population of 66,391. Of these, 65.4% spoke Nepali, 20.3% Tamang, 4.8% Magar, 2.8% Newar, 2.0% Danwar, 1.7% Maithili, 0.9% Vayu, 0.7% Majhi, 0.7% Sunwar, 0.1% Bhojpuri, 0.1% Gurung, 0.1% Rai, 0.1% Thangmi and 0.1% other languages.[2]

In terms of ethnicity/caste, 21.9% were Tamang, 19.9% Chhetri, 11.5% Magar, 10.3% Newar, 10.1% Hill Brahmin, 4.7% Kami, 3.8% Sarki, 3.5% Majhi, 3.2% Damai/Dholi, 2.2% Gharti/Bhujel, 2.1% Danuwar, 1.4% Hayu, 1.1% Sunuwar, 0.8% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.5% Thakuri, 0.3% Bhote, 0.3% Kalwar, 0.3% Rai, 0.2% Gurung, 0.2% Kathabaniyan, 0.2% Sonar, 0.2% Sudhi, 0.1% Hajjam/Thakur, 0.1% Halwai, 0.1% Kanu, 0.1% Kayastha, 0.1% Musalman, 0.1% Pahari, 0.1% Teli, 0.1% Thami, 0.1% Tharu and 0.2% others.[3]

In terms of religion, 73.8% were Hindu, 22.0% Buddhist, 1.9% Christian, 1.6% Prakriti, 0.1% Muslim, 0.1% Kirati and 0.5% others.[4]

In terms of literacy, 68.5% could read and write, 2.0% could only read and 29.5% could neither read nor write.[5]

Rice and maize are the major crops in this area.

Kamalamai Temple in 2023

Kalimai Temple

• Kamalamai (कमलामाई)
• Siddhababa (सिद्धबाबा)
• Rameshwar Dham (रामेश्वर धाम)
• Ganesh Than (गणेश थान)
• Maisthaan
• Kalimaithaan
• Rakta Mala
• Sibalaya
• Gayadevi
• Krishna Mandir
• Bakeshwor Mahadev
• Bhimsen Mandir
• Ganesh Mandir
• Bhadrakaali Mandir

Kamalamai municipality has a good facility of education up to SLC levels. Suryodaya, Bhagwati, Siddhasthali, Swiss are one of the best boarding in Sindhuli district and Janakpur zone. The quality of +2 levels too is fine here. Many private colleges run +2 commerce affiliated to HSEB. However, the number of +2 science colleges are very few. Science college like Kamala Higher Secondary School is providing good practical based education to students of Sindhuli. This college has been serving as the central of excellence for all science students throughout Sindhuli valley. There are also colleges to teach technical educations. The technical subjects affiliated with CTEVT are also taught here.

There are many colleges which facilitate higher education. There are a large number of colleges running courses with affiliation to universities of Nepal. Colleges like Sindhuli Multiple Campus fall under this category. Kamala Science Campus enables students to acquire Bachelor of Science courses (BSc.) BBA, BBS and Diploma Courses of CTEVT and Pharmacy.

To promote local culture Kamalamai Municipality has three FM radio stations - Sindhuligadhi FM - 92 MHz, Radio Siddhababa - 98.4 MHz and Radio Sahara - 104.2 MHz.

The KM Club holds various events in colleges of Sindhuli.