Biratnagar

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Biratnagar (बिराटनगर), Nepal's second largest city (municipality), is known for producing more political leaders in Nepal than any other part of the country. It equally is known for being the industry power-house of the counry. Biratnagar is located in Koshi Zone on the southern Terai belt of Nepal, near the south-eastern border with India. The population of the municipality according to the 2001 census was 166,674. Biratnagar is located at 26°28'60"N 87°16'60"E.^[1] It is the administrative centre of Morang district.

Fortunate to boast immense fertile areas of land, Biratnagar is also reputed for being an agro- and commerce hub. Being located at Nepal's southern border, the city actually abuts and Indian town, called Jogbani, where many locals go for shopping, or cross through to travel some other parts of India.

Biratnagar is linked with Kathmandu by road and air. Biratnagar Airport is the regional hub for vital air services serving the remote Eastern Hills, and there are regular flights to Kathmandu.

Climate

The weather in Biratnagar is mostly hot. Biratnagar experiences 6 seasons,

Industry

In 1936 Nepal's first large scale industry, the Biratnagar Jute Mills, was set up in Biratnagar at cost of 160,000 Indian rupees^[2], it is the largest jute mill in the country.^[3] Today, the city has some of the largest industrial undertakings in the country. While taking a bus travel to Biratnagar from any other places, one can see a large number of industries on both sides of highway. Hundreds of small and medium sized industries operates freely including chemical, edible oil, steel, rice mill, liquor, soaps factories, among others, covering large portion of area that links Biratnagar with Itahari, a central transit point of eastern Nepal.

Lately, these medium and large sized factories are facing a hard time as a result of constant political upheaval in the country. Also it has been affected by "Madhesi movement", an uprising that the minority ethnic people in the Tarai have started against the regression and humiliation that they claim to have suffered for a long time, from the state, and " Pahades", people belonging to majority ethnic group.

Demography

Biratnagar, with a population of 696,636, (According to 2009A.D) is Nepal's second biggest city it also lies in area where most of nation's Muslim minority live. In March 2008 two people were killed at the Choti(jama) mosque during evening prayers - a political group supporting monarchy in Nepal. Nepal Defence Army carried out the attack, the attack lead to a curfew being imposed on the district. In Biratnagar there are seven political regions and reelection has happened in 5 & 7 Regional Area which is full of Madeshi belt region. The election was on 28 Chaitar 2065 (10 April 2009) ^[4]

Transport

In 2008, a survey for a railway extension from India is underway.^[5].

Tourism

The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (90-minute drive) is a bird-watching spot. The Koshi Barrage on the Koshi river (two-hour drive) is an impressive sight. Biratnagar is the hub of air routes in eastern Nepal.

Tourists discover Biratnagar on their way to the Himalayan states of India, Sikkim and Darjeeling. Visitors also arrive in Biratnagar by air to begin treks to mountains such as Kanchenjunga. More recently, tourists adventuring into Nepal's tea growing regions like Ilam and Dhankuta often spend a day or two in Biratnagar.

Religious fare

Biratnagar equally is famous for its high-spirit during festive seasons. In Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival, large number of people, including youths do queue up in Kali Mandir, that is located in the city's downtown. Also famous is Biratnagar's Tihar, second biggest festival, as the city is lighted full with candles and lot of sweets. More fireworks are done in this place than any other major cities of Nepal in Tihar.

Political heartland

Biratnagar, being land of B P Koirala, the first elected Prime Minister of Nepal, has always been fertile place for emerging politicians. High-flying leaders like Mahesh Acharya, Sailaja Acharya of Nepali Congress and communist leaders like Manmohan and Bharatmohan Adhikari have their residences in this city. The man who has been elected prime minister most number of times in Nepal, Girija Prasad Koirala, also hails from Biratnagar. His residence lies opposite the Koshi Zonal Hospital.

Places

• Bagalamukhi Mandir (): It is famous temple in biratnagar. Special day for worshipping in this temple is Thursday. Myth about this temple is that demon Bagala was torturing people and people worshipped for goddess and goddess came to rescue people and she killed that demon. People made this temple to tribute to that goddess which they called Bagala. Later this name changed into Bagalmukhi.

• Baraha Kshetra (बराह क्षेत्र): It is an important Hindu pilgrimage site located at the confluence of Koka and Sapta Koshi rivers. According to Hindu legend, Lord Vishnu as His fourth avatar Lord Nrsimhadeva came down to earth and destroyed Hiranyakashipu, an evil demon at this very spot.

• Pitchara: It is in the west of Bus Park of Biratnagar. There is a BKVM school and a Durga Mandir. A monastery is being constructed there.

• Biratnagar Haat Bazaar: a weekly open-air market (हाट बजार/hāṭ bajār) basically for selling and buying of vegetables, meat and other essentials, take place every sunday, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturday in different parts of Biratnagar.

• Madhumara, Hamro Chowk: It is the most beautiful place in Biratnagar. The atmosphere of this place is quite hygienic and fresh, with plenty of green plants, it is a residential area.

• Koshi Project Chowk: It is an important government and residential area of Biratnagar, located near Mahendra Morang Campus - a public campus of Tribhuvan University. The area is mainly popular for the offices of the biggest project of Irrigation of Sunsari district and Morang district.

• Biratnagar Eye Hospital Chowk: Newly developed chowk after the establishment of Biratnagar Eye Hospital. Previously this chowk was famous with the name 'old airport chowk'. It is near by Road Cess chowk to the north and Koshi Project to the west. PG Campus, a public post graduate campus is its neighbor.

• The Koshi Tappu: A wet wonderland in Nepal famous for bird-watching expeditions. It rests along the flood plains of Sapta Koshi river in the Terai belt of Saptari and Sunsari districts of eastern Nepal. It is believed to be one of the best wildlife-rich wetlands of Asia. Two hours drive from Biratnagar is all it takes to discover a hidden wetland in Asia.

• Jogbani: Jogbani is a city serving border between Nepal and India. It is a major shopping destination for people of Biratnagar as well as nearby cities like Dharan and Dhankuta. From Jogbani any one can travel towards innerpart of INDIA by Train or by Roadways. Also Jogbani has got huge market for the Nepalese society people to get GOODS in low price than in NEPAL.

• Aqua Park: It's situated in the corner of Biratnagar and usually couples come on around in the place for dates. You can often see couples hanging around this place.

• Budhnagar gram: It is situated southern east of Biratnagar city and known as a capital of pre historic king Birateswar. It is nearly endangered heritage of Nepal. King Birat ruled over this region in historic period and even there we can find the palace of king Birat.........

• Jamun Gachhi: This place lies in the western boundary of Biratnagar i.e. near Keshalya River and near airport. This place is on of the faster developing places in Biratnagar. Recently, it's been declared as 'No Alcohol' zones. People of this place are cooperative and they have recently build a highway linking to Sunsari District of Nepal.There is high unity between jamungachhies people. There is a club name jamuneshwor yuba club which organises many programmes throughout the year.Recently water tank is also under construction. There is also a temple of lord shiva in the heart of jamungachhi. Women have taken initiative to reduce the poverty level of that place and to develop it as the model place not only in Biratnagar but in the whole district.youth are the one who have taken jamungachhi to its developing phase.

• Bargachhi: This place is mainly known for Gograha School. It falls on the way as you travel from the airport to Jogbani. It is also known as the hub of the "Monkey Gang" which was notorious in the 1990s.

• Pokharia: It is a heart of samrat sporting club it is in the northern direction of Biratnagar and this place was named after the public school called "Pokharia School " established in 1959.

• Pushpalal Chowk Located in the suburbs of city this place is known for its peaceful location and close access to Airport, Fire Station and Birat Housing.

• Teentoliya Located in the suburbs of city this place is also known for its peaceful location and is right near the highway to Indian border, Jogbani.

Culture

The Culture of Biratnagar is the blend of Indian and Nepalese cultures. A lot of festivals are the same but only the manner in which they are celebrated differs among Nepalese and Indians living in Biratnagar. Some of the popular festivals are listed below.

• Ashar Pandhra: A festival celebrated among Nepalese farmers. It is celebrated around June, which is also time when the rice plantations start. Farmers celebrate this festival as a joy of start of rainy season, as most of agriculture depends on natural rainfall. Although Biratnagar doesn't have lot of land people still celebrate it. People eat food such as yogurt and beaten rice (Dahi Chyura) with banana and mangoes on the day. Villages near to Biratnagar like Katahari, Rangeli, Amtola, Ramailo, Hoklabari, where much of farming is done, celebrate this festival actively.
• Krishna Janma Asthami: Krishna Janma Asthami or the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated actively and together by both Nepalese and Indian communities. People tend to open small stalls everywhere where they keep a statue of lord krishna. Anyone visiting the stall gets little bit of prashad (some fruits). Also there is a culture of Jagram (staying awake all night) on Janma Asthami night. On the day there is also a tradition of Rath Yatra (Chariot pulling). It's basically like a parade, where a chariot is pulled by people and basically whole of Biratnagar turns up to witness the event. The next day is a bit gloomy as all the statues of Lord Krishna are taken to the river nearby called Singya and given away to the river. The process is called "Murti Selaune".
• Dashain: Dashain is celebrated mainly by the Nepalese communities. Generally there are ceremonies in the Kali Temple on the main street. The event lasts for 15 days.
• Tihar and Diwali: Tihar is celebrated by Nepalese community which lasts 5 days, among the days is a day called Laxmi Puja which coincides with Diwali. Diwali is a Hindu festival but these days it has become everyone's festival. People light up their house with little lamps called diyo generally fuelled with mustard oil or ghee (saturated fat).

See also

• Railway stations in Nepal

References

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External links

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