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Biratnagar

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Biratnagar is a major metropolitan city located in eastern Nepal.

Biratnagar By Thulung Photo
Biratnagar By Thulung Photo

It serves as the capital of the Koshi Province. The city also acts as the headquarters for the Morang district. It is situated east of the national capital, Kathmandu.

Biratnagar12
Biratnagar12

Geographically, Biratnagar sits north of Jogbani, a town on the Indian border in Bihar. Because it connects Nepal to north-eastern India, many call it the "Gateway to Eastern Nepal." The city is part of a large, densely populated urban corridor. This corridor includes nearby towns like Itahari, Gothgau, Biratchowk, and Dharan. This combined area has an estimated total population of 804,300 people living in 159,332 households.

The city functions as a vital transport and trade hub.

Biratnagar Airport 2
Biratnagar Airport 2

Biratnagar Airport is a regional hub for eastern Nepal. It is the busiest domestic airport in the country after Pokhara. Approximately ten flights operate to Kathmandu every day. The city is also connected to India through the Koshi Highway. This highway is one of three crucial north-south corridors. These corridors are designed to link India and China by land. For travel to Jogbani, people use the Rani Path or the Koshi Path. There is also a proposed rail link between Jogbani and Biratnagar.

Biratnagar Jaljala Chowk
Biratnagar Jaljala Chowk

Inside the city, people use many different types of transport. These include cycles, taxis, and motor vehicles. Electric rickshaws, known as city safaris, are very popular. They are cheap to use and environmentally friendly.

Biratnagar has a deep and complex history.

Shiva Pratap Thapa
Shiva Pratap Thapa

Recorded history in this region dates back to the 7th century. A leader named King Mung Mawrong Hang once ruled the terai lands of Limbuwan. He cleared forests near present-day Rangeli to build a town. He named his kingdom Morang after his own name. The original name for Biratnagar was Gograha Bazaar. In 1914, Colonel Jit Bahadur Khatri changed the area's future. He was the district governor at the time. He moved the hospital, post office, and customs offices from Rangeli to Gograha Bazaar. This move helped establish the foundations of the modern city.

The name "Biratnagar" was given to the town in 1919 by Keshar Shamsher Rana. This name came after historical ruins were discovered. These ruins included a palace thought to belong to King Virat.

Biratnagar Main Gate-1035
Biratnagar Main Gate-1035

In Nepali, "Birat" refers to King Virat of the Matsya Kingdom. "Nagar" means city, so the name literally means "King Virata's City." To the south of the current city, ruins of temples, palaces, and ponds still exist. These are located in areas called Vedhyari and Buddhanagar. However, preserving these sites is difficult because newcomers are encroaching on the land.

Economically, Biratnagar is known as the industrial capital of Nepal.

Chamber Gate Morang Vyapar Sangh-2174
Chamber Gate Morang Vyapar Sangh-2174

This title comes from the Biratnagar Jute Mills. This was the first large-scale industry in the country. The city also has a strong startup culture. For example, the large Golchha Organisation began as a small startup here. The city is a major center for trade due to its proximity to India. It contains the second-largest land port in Nepal. The city's population has grown steadily. This is partly due to the low cost of living near the Indian border. According to the 2021 census, the metropolitan population reached 244,750 people.

Biratnagar also played a major role in Nepalese politics. The city was a birthplace for five democratically elected prime ministers. It was also the birthplace of an interim prime minister. The city was a center for the anti-Rana movement. The first labor strike leading to this movement started at the jute mills in 1947.

Brtrathyatra
Brtrathyatra

This event helped spark demonstrations across the entire country. These movements eventually led to the end of Rana rule in Nepal. The city's diverse population reflects its importance. In 2021, 39.4% of residents spoke Maithili and 38.3% spoke Nepali. Other languages spoken include Urdu, Rajasthani, and Tharu.

There are many interesting places for visitors to explore.

Brtrathyatra2
Brtrathyatra2

Weekly markets called haat bazaars allow farmers to sell spices and handicrafts. Nature lovers can visit the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. It is a 90-minute drive from the city. This reserve is famous for the "Arna," an endangered wild buffalo. Visitors can also see beautiful gardens like Gopal Garden. For mountain views, people can travel to nearby towns to see Mt. Makalu or Kanchenjunga. The city serves as a perfect starting point for these many adventures.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:Biratnagar By Thulung Photo.png
Biratnagar By Thulung Photo.png
File:Biratnagar12.jpg
Biratnagar12.jpg
File:Biratnagar Jaljala Chowk.jpg
Biratnagar Jaljala Chowk.jpg
File:Brtrathyatra.jpg
Brtrathyatra.jpg
File:Brtrathyatra2.jpg
Brtrathyatra2.jpg
File:Biratnagar Airport 2.jpg
Biratnagar Airport 2.jpg
File:Biratnagar Main Gate-1035.jpg
Biratnagar Main Gate-1035.jpg
File:The Delivery guy.jpg
The Delivery guy.jpg
File:Chamber Gate Morang Vyapar Sangh-2174.jpg
Chamber Gate Morang Vyapar Sangh-2174.jpg
File:Biratnagar metropolitan office.jpg
Biratnagar metropolitan office.jpg
File:Shiva Pratap Thapa.jpg
Shiva Pratap Thapa.jpg
File:Sahid Rangasala-.jpg
Sahid Rangasala-.jpg
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