Dhakal

Dhakal (Nepali: ढकाल pronounced [ɖʱʌkal]) is a बाहुन surname found mainly in Nepal and in some parts of India (Sikkim).

The Dhakals are believed to be the direct descendants of Rishi or sage Upamanyu, who is in turn believed to be descended from Rishi Vasishta. They are believed to have originated from a place called Dhapuk in the Achham Districts and Gorkha Districts. The Sikkimese Dhakals have been in Sikkim and the Dhakals from mid-western Nepal migrated towards the east including Syanja, Gorkha, and all the way to eastern Nepal. Dhakals were engaged in priestly and astrological works done by Bahun priests in the Kingdom of Gorkha. Astrologer Kulananda Dhakal used to counsel King Prithvi Narayan Shah before war.[1] Yaku {Bhojpur and Gorkha} is known as the Birta of Dhakal; Syanja, Gorkha, Terathum, Bhojpur and Gorkha are famous places from which many Dhakals have emerged. Today, many Dhakals are also found in India and Nepal, especially in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and in Bhutan.