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Birgunj

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Birgunj is a large and busy metropolitan city in southern Nepal.

Birganj Chamber of Commerce
Birganj Chamber of Commerce

It sits in the flat Terai plains within the Parsa District. The city is located in the Madhesh Province, south of the capital city, Kathmandu. It is very close to the Indian border and the town of Raxaul. Because so many people and goods pass through here, it is called the "Gateway of Nepal."

Tanga near Shankharacharya Gate, Birgunj
Tanga near Shankharacharya Gate, Birgunj

It is also known as the "Commercial Capital of Nepal."

This city is a vital hub for trade and industry. Most of the trade between Nepal and India moves through Birgunj and Raxaul. The city has many factories along a busy industrial corridor. These factories make many different things like steel, plastic, and textiles. They also produce medicines and vegetable ghee.

Birganj Chamber of Commerce
Birganj Chamber of Commerce

About 56% of the products made here are sent to the Indian state of Bihar. A special dry port also helps handle the huge amount of goods.

History tells us that people have lived in this area for a long time. Archaeologists believe there was human activity near the Bhiswa stupa. This Buddhist shrine might be around 1,500 years old. The town was once a group of villages around the Gahawa Mai Temple. In 1897, the name was changed to Birgunj. It was named after the Rana Prime Minister, Bir Shamsher.

Ghadiarwa-Park-Birgunj-04
Ghadiarwa-Park-Birgunj-04

Later, in 2017, it was officially named a Metropolitan City.

Many different types of people live in Birgunj today. According to the 2021 Census, the population is 268,273 people. Most people there speak a language called Bhojpuri. About 81.1% of the people follow the Hindu religion. Many others follow Islam or Buddhism.

Narayani Rangasala
Narayani Rangasala

The city is the fifth most populated metropolis in the whole country. It is also the largest city in the Madhesh Province.

Visitors can find many interesting things to see and do. You can visit the Vishwa Buddha Vihar, which is a quiet place shaped like a stupa. It is a peaceful spot for people to rest.

Ghadiarwa-Park-Birgunj-04
Ghadiarwa-Park-Birgunj-04

If you like nature, you can drive one hour to Parsa National Park. The park is home to Royal Bengal Tigers and Asian elephants. You might even see a one-horned rhinoceros there. The city is also connected to the capital by the Tribhuvan Highway.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Wards of Birgunj Metropolitan City 2017.svg
Wards of Birgunj Metropolitan City 2017.svg
File:Birganj Chamber of Commerce.jpg
Birganj Chamber of Commerce.jpg
File:Ghadiarwa-Park-Birgunj-04.jpg
Ghadiarwa-Park-Birgunj-04.jpg
File:Tanga near Shankharacharya Gate, Birgunj.jpg
Tanga near Shankharacharya Gate, Birgunj.jpg
File:Narayani Rangasala.jpg
Narayani Rangasala.jpg
File:National Medical College, Birgunj.jpg
National Medical College, Birgunj.jpg
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