Siddharthanagar
This article is on the Nepali town. For the district in Uttar Pradesh, see Siddharthnagar District.
| Siddhārthanagar (Bhairahawā) सिद्धार्थनगर (भैरहवा) |
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| — Municipality and District Administrative Center — | |
 Siddhārthanagar (Bhairahawā)
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| Coordinates: 27°30′N 83°27′E / 27.5°N 83.45°ECoordinates: 27°30′N 83°27′E / 27.5°N 83.45°E | |
| Country |  Nepal |
| Development Region | Western |
| Zone | Lumbini Zone |
| District | Rupandehi District |
| Municipality | Siddharthanagar |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 52,569 |
| Time zone | Nepal Time (UTC+5:45) |
| Website | www.siddharthanagar.org.np |
Siddharthanagar (formerly called Bhairahawa)is a municipality near the Indian border on the Outer Terai plains of Nepal, 265 km (165 mi) west of Kathmandu Nepal's capital. Siddharthanagar is the administrative seat of Rupandehi District although Butwal to the north is the district's largest city. It is also known as "Gateway of Lumbini". Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha is 25 km away to the west of Siddharthanagar.
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[edit] Etymology
Bhairahawa was derived from the deity Bhairava a manifestation of Shiva. Siddharthanagar is from The Buddha's given name Siddhartha. The name Siddhartanagar was given by Komal Dutta Tiwari.
[edit] History
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[edit] Geography
[edit] Climate
Winter temperatures in range 9-23 celsius (48-73 fahrenheit). Up to 40 celsius (104 fahrenheit) in summer. Monsoon rains usually begin in June and end in September.
[edit] Places of interest
- Lumbini Garden around Lord Buddha's birthplace with numerous monasteries representing different nations. Approximately 22 klometers from Siddharthanagar.
- Devedaha, an archeological site 15 km. northeast near Khairhani village. The site is associated with the Koliyas, tribe of Lord Buddha's mother and one of eight tribes receiving corporeal relics after his death at Kushinagar.
- Ramagrama 20 kilometers east of Siddharthanagar and 4 km south of Parasi in Nawalparasi District. Remains of stupa and monastery on banks of Jahari River near Kerwani village. The stupa mound is approximately 10 meters (30 ft) high and 20 metere (70 ft) diameter. Some suggest this was the center of the Koliya Kingdom.
- Kapilvastu was the kingdom of the Shakyas, Lord Buddha's (paternal) royal family. The administrative center of modern Kapilvastu District at Taulihawa is 40 kilometers west of Siddharthanagar or 18 kilometers beyond Lumbini. Many archaeological sites are within 10 km. of Taulihawa. Local roads are in good condition.
- Tribeni Ghat on the Narayani River (known as Gandak in India) is an auspicious site for bathing. It attracts hundred thousands of pilgrims on Maghe Sankranti (Hindi: Makar Sankranti, approximately 15 January).
- Valmiki Ashram near Tribeni Ghat, believed to be the place where Prince Siddhartha got down from his horse Kantaka and strode off on foot and into the jungles in his search for answers.
- Chitwan National Park east of the Narayani River, a preserve larger than 900 km2 protecting some 700 native animal species—including gaur, tiger, rhioceros, gharial and crocodile -- and flora native to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands.
[edit] Demographics
The population of Siddarthanagar in 2001 was 52,569.[1] There is a large population speaking Awadhi and Bhojpuri variants. Nepali is the national language, natively spoken by substantial numbers of who have moved down from the hill districts.The population of Siddharthanagar in 2009 was 95,000.
[edit] Economy
Siddharthnagar is a major trading town of Nepal. It has stores stocked with consumer goods that may be unavailable or more expensive in India, such as goods made in China.
[edit] Transport
Gautam Buddha Airport -- 3 kilometers from the center—has daily flights to Kathmandu.
A narrow gauge branch of Indian Railways from Gorakhpur approaches the international border at Nautanwa, but passenger trains are infrequent on this line. The alternative of taxi travel from the border crossing at Sunauli to Gorakhpur takes about two hours. From Sunauli, Siddharthanagar is only 3.5 kilometers. Total travel time is 12 – 18 hours from Dehli and 10 – 12 hours from Kolkata (Calcutta).
Siddhartha Rajmarg extends south to the Indian border at Sunauli and north through Butwal then into the hills through Tansen to Pokhara. In Butwal this highway connects with the east-west Mahendra Rajmarg across the full expanse of the Nepalese Terai. There is regular long-distance bus and truck service to Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Birganj, Nepalganj, Pokhara and other cities in Nepal; also to Dehli, India via Gorakhpur and Sunauli taking 24–30 hours.
Transit options around the city and into surrounding areas include bus, minibus, unmetered taxicab and cycle rickshaw.
[edit] Border crossing
While India and Nepal have an open border with no restrictions on the movement of people on either side, there are 22 agreed transit and customs posts along the Nepal-India border for the purposes of trade. These are: 1. Pashupatinagar / Sukhiapokhari 2.Kakarbhitta / Naxalbari (Panitanki) 3. Bhadrapur / Galgalia 4. Biratnagar / Jogbani 5. Setobandha / Bhimnagar 6. Rajbiraj / Kunauli 7. Siraha, Janakpur / Jayanagar 8. Jaleswar / Bhitamore, Sursand 9. Malangawa / Sonbarsa 10. Gaur / Bairgania 11. Birganj / Raxaul 12. Bhairahawa / Nautanwa 13.Taulihawa / Khunwa 14. Krishnanagar / Barhni 15. Koilabas / Jarwa 16. Nepalgunj / Rupaidiha (Nepalgunj Road) 17. Rajapur / Katerniyaghat 18. Prithivipur / Sati (Kailali) / Tikonia 19. Dhangadhi / Gauriphanta 20. Mahendranagar / Banbasa 21. Mahakali / Jhulaghat (Pithoragarh) 22. Darchula/Dharchula. [2]
There are six immigration points along the Indo Nepal border for the entry and exit of nationals from third countries. These are: Banbasa, Dhangadhi, Nepalganj, Bhairahawa (Sunauli), Birganj and Kakarbhita.[2]
[edit] Culture
Hindus are in the majority, with a significant minority of Muslims and Buddhists associated with sites commemorating Gautama Buddha's life and relics.
[edit] Cuisine
Fulki-Tikiya is one of the favorite delicacies served in thelas (mobile stalls).
[edit] Health
- Bhim hospital (District Government Hospital) -Bank Road
- UCMS Hospital(Universal College of Medical Science Hospital)
- Bhairahawa hospital - naya sadak
- Lumbini Eye Institute
