Dhobi Khola

Dhobi Khola
Dhobi Khola River flowing under the Bijuli Bazar Arch Bridge, 2023 - note the rubbish-dumping lorries
Mouth of Dhobi Khola River
Native name	धोबीखोला (Nepali)
Location
Country	Nepal
Province	Bagmati Province
District	Kathmandu District
Physical characteristics
Source	Muhanpokhari
• location	Nagarkot
• coordinates	27°42′17″N 85°28′57″E / 27.70480242820259°N 85.48250150808195°E / 27.70480242820259; 85.48250150808195
2nd source	Dhobidhunga
• location	Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Mouth	Bagmati River
• location	Bijuli Bazar, Kathmandu
• coordinates	27°40′44″N 85°20′02″E / 27.67894373060504°N 85.3339635541958°E / 27.67894373060504; 85.3339635541958
Length	18.2 kilometres (11.3 mi)[1]
Width
• minimum	10 metres (33 ft)
• average	15 metres (49 ft)
• maximum	20 metres (66 ft)

The Dhobi Khola (Nepali: धोबीखोला; sometimes known as Rudramati) is a tributary of the Bagmati River which is almost entirely in Kathmandu District of Nepal.^[2] The river originates in Shivapuri Hill and Muhanpokhari, north of Kathmandu Valley, and is mostly fed by springs and rainfall.^[2][3] The Dhobi Khola's mouth is located at Bijuli Bazar (sometimes called Buddhanagar) where it merges with the Bagmati River.^[2]

Dhobi Khola's banks have been used as a dumping ground by private organizations and municipalities.^[3] In 2018, volunteers had removed about 30 metric tonnes of solid waste from the river, as part of the Mega Bagmati Clean-up campaign.^[4] The same year, a 5 ft in length and 1 ½ ft in width carving described as a "headless, armless figure has been dubbed simply as a ‘nari murti’ or female figure" was found dating back to the Licchavi-era.^[5] About 4 ropani (0.5 acres) of land belonging to the river was "illegally registered in the names of individuals under the pretext of updating the land survey map".^[6]