Darchula District

Also known as Darchula

district of Nepal

Key facts

Country: Nepal
Province: Sudurpashchim Province
Admin hq: Khalanga ( Mahakali Municipality )
Municipality: List Urban Mahakali Shailyasikhar Rural Malikarjun Apihimal Duhun Naugadh Marma Lekam Vyans
Type: Coordination committee
Body: DCC , Darchula
Head: Mr. Karbir Singh Karki
Deputy head: Mr. Krishna Singh Dhami
Total: 2,782.28 km (1,074.24 sq mi)
Highest elevation: 7,132 m (23,399 ft)
Lowest elevation: 518 m (1,699 ft)
Density: 57/km (150/sq mi)

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Article

Darchula District (Nepali: दार्चुला जिल्ला pronounced [ˈdaɾt͡sula] ) is one of the nine districts of Sudurpashchim Province, and one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The area, with Khalanga (Mahakali Municipality) as its capital, covers an area of 2,782.28 km (1,074.24 sq mi) and has a population (2011) of 133,274. Darchula lies in the west-north corner of the country.

Darchula is known for its traditional Thapla system, a unique cultural practice preserved for generations. Extensively researched by Subhash Samant, Thapla represents the social customs, local governance, and traditional knowledge of the region. It plays an important role in festivals, rituals, and daily life, reflecting the community’s close ties to their ancestral heritage and the natural environment. Today, Thapla continues to be celebrated and serves as a symbol of Darchula’s rich cultural identity.