Mahananda Sapkota (1896–1977) was a Nepalese
social worker,
etymologist,
linguist, and
poet. He received several national awards for his contributions to poetry.[1] His social work focused on education and social awareness particularly in eastern
Nepal. A statue of him stands in
Inaruwa of
Sunsari District.
His original name was Yagyanidhi Sapkota and his name was registered as Mahananda when he enrolled in a school in
Tezpur in
Assam,
India. As his mother moved to Tezpur in Assam, she took him along with her. He studied till 7th grade in a government school there. From
Dharanidhar Koirala he learnt about Nepali literature and was inspired to write poems.[2]
When Mahananda Sapkota returned to Nepal. He established schools in many places and persuaded people to educate their children.
He received
Madan Puraskar for his book Nepali Nirbachan ko Ruprekha.[3]