Far-Western Region, Nepal
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सुदुर पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र Sudur Pashchimānchal Bikās Kshetra |
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| Regions | |
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| Country |
 Nepal
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| Region | Far-Western Development Region |
| Headquarters | Dipayal Silgadhi, Doti District, Seti Zone |
| Area | |
| • Total | 19,539 km2 (7,544 sq mi) |
| Population (2011 Census) | |
| • Total | 2,552,517 |
| pop. note | |
| Time zone | NPT (UTC+5:45) |
The Far-Western Development Region (Nepali: सुदुर पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र, Sudur Pashchimānchal Bikās Kshetra) is one of Nepal's five development regions. It is located at the western end of the country and has its headquarters in Dipayal.
The Far-Western Region covers 19,539 square kilometers. It has nine districts with the regional headquarters at Dipayal, Doti District. The Far-Western Region is remote and developmentally challenged. Some 44% of people in the Far West Hills and 49% in the Himalayan districts live below the poverty line. The region has limited basic services. The difficult topography complicates development. The region has complex socio-economic structures along with widespread gender- and caste-based discrimination. Traditional systems associated with religion, culture and customs have limited overall development.
The Far-Western Region comprises two zones, Mahakali and Seti.
The region is sometimes called the Doti region, which some believe originates from 'Dovati' meaning land between two rivers. Others believe it originated from the Hindu god Dev and Aatavi, meaning the place of re-creation. History goes back to the 13th century when Niranjan Malldeo founded the Doti Kingdom following the fall of the Katyuri Kings. Dotiyali and Kumauni are spoken there. Deuda, Jhoda, Chhpeli, Chhaliya, Bhada etc. are traditional regional dances and Gaura/Gamara is the biggest festival.
Doti was an ancient kingdom of the Far-Western region of Nepal which was formed after disintegration of the Katyuri kingdom of Uttarakhand and the Far-Western region during the 13th century. Doti was one of eight princely states formed after the kingdom broke up. The others were Baijnath-Katyuri, Dwarahat, Doti, Baramandal, Askot, Sira, Sora and Sui (Kali kumaon). The kingdom broke up because of the invasion of Khas kings Ashoka challa and Krachalla from Karnali Zone (Dullu) of Nepal in 1191 and 1223 respectively. Later on, the land between Ramganga on the west (Uttarakhand) and the Karnali on the east (which divides the Far-Western region from the rest of Nepal) came under Raikas after the origin of Raikas of Katyuris in Doti. "Brahma Dev Mandi" at Kanchanpur District of Mahakali Zone was established by Katyuri king Brahma Dev.
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Wikipedia