Birgunj

Birgunj is a major metropolitan city located in the Parsa District of Madhesh Province. It sits in southern Nepal within the Terai plain. This area is part of the larger Indo-Gangetic plain. The city is positioned south of the capital, Kathmandu. It is connected to the Indian state of Bihar by the border town of Raxaul. Because it serves as a primary entry point for goods entering Nepal, it is known as the "Gateway of Nepal."

It is also widely recognized as the "Commercial Capital of Nepal."

The geography of Birgunj is defined by its low-lying, flat landscape. The city has an elongated shape and sits about 90 meters above sea level. The altitude varies slightly from 78 meters to 95 meters as you move from south to north. The ground is made of quaternary sediments. This results in very fertile soil containing mixtures of clay, silt, and sand. The climate is sub-tropical monsoon. This means the summers are very hot and humid. Most rainfall occurs during the months of June, July, August, and September.

Water plays a significant role in the local environment. Two major rivers, the Sirsiya in the west and the Singaha in the east, flow through the region. Both rivers flow from north to south. During the monsoon season, these rivers often flood. This can cause river bank cutting at the bends of the rivers. In the winter, the water levels in these rivers become very low. The groundwater table fluctuates depending on whether it is the wet or dry season.

The history of the area reaches back many centuries. Archaeologists believe early human activity occurred around the Bhiswa stupa. This Buddhist shrine is estimated to be approximately 1,500 years old. Before Birgunj was established, the main center of the Parsa district was Alau. The settlement originally grew as a group of villages around the Gahawa Mai Temple. In 1897, the 11th Rana Prime Minister, Bir Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, renamed the area Birgunj.

He appointed two brothers, Siddhvir and Dhadjavir Mathema, to rule the areas of Mal Ada and Kath Mal Ada to help establish the market.

Economic activity is the heartbeat of the city. Birgunj is a massive hub for trade between Nepal and India. Most of this trade passes through the Birgunj-Raxaul route. The city features a large industrial corridor. Many industries are located here to produce textiles, steel, plastic, and pharmaceuticals.

Approximately 56% of the products manufactured in Birgunj are exported to the Indian state of Bihar. To manage the high volume of goods, the Birgunj Inland Dry Port began operations on July 16, 2004. Additionally, an oil pipeline connects the two countries via the Birgunj-Pathlaiya commercial highway.

Birgunj is a diverse and populous metropolis. According to the 2021 Census, the population reached 268,273 people. This makes it the fifth most populated metropolis in Nepal. It is the largest city in Madhesh Province and the second largest in the Terai region. The population is linguistically diverse, though 78.6% speak Bhojpuri. Most residents, about 81.1%, are Hindu, while 17.9% are Muslim.

The city is also a center for many different ethnic groups and castes.

There are several notable sites for visitors and pilgrims. The Vishwa Buddha Vihar is a peaceful religious site located on the outskirts. It is shaped like a stupa and features engravings of the Buddha. In ancient times, pilgrims traveling between Lumbini and Bodh Gaya would stop here. For nature lovers, Parsa National Park is only a one-hour drive away. The park is home to Royal Bengal Tigers, Asian elephants, and one-horned rhinoceroses.

The city is well-connected to the rest of the country by the Tribhuvan Highway and Simara Airport.