Biratnagar

Biratnagar बिराटनगर
Sub-metropolitan
Country	Nepal
Development Region	Eastern
Zone	Kosi Zone
District	Morang District
Elevation	72 m (236 ft)
Population  (2009)
• Total	189,000
	est.
Time zone	UTC+5:45 (Nepal Time)

Biratnagar (Nepali: बिराटनगर) is a sub-metropolitan city in southeast Nepal. In Nepali "birat" means huge and "nagar" means city. In the past, the region had a king whose name was Birat and the ruins of whose palace can be seen. The name "Biratnagar" for the city comes from the name of King Birat.

Biratnagar is the hometown of many influential leaders in Nepalese politics including Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, Girija Prasad Koirala, Manmohan Adhikari and Kirtinidhi Bista. Biratnagar is an industrial powerhouse of Nepal with many industries located in and around its suburbs. It is in Koshi Zone - one of the fourteen administrative zones of Nepal and is also the headquarter of Morang district. Its geographical location is 26°28'60"N 87°16'60"E.

It is located in the fertile Gangetic plains and the land is very fertile. Hence Biratnagar has traditionally been an agricultural hub and is home to many industries based on agriculture. It is located at the border with India and is therefore a major centre for trade and commerce with India. Biratnagar is linked with Kathmandu by roads and air. Biratnagar Airport is the regional hub for vital air services serving the Eastern part of the country.

sunrise in Biratnagar

Demography

According to 2009 census, Biratnagar's population was 196,636.It is the second largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu and is the headquarter of Morang District. Biratnagar's demography chiefly consists of groups like Brahman, Kshtriya, Marwari, Madhesis, Tharus. It consists a significantly large Muslim population in Nepal. Most people follow Hinduism followed by Islam, Buddhism, Jainism and Christianity.

Transport

• Road: The major mode of transport to the city is road transport. It is well connected to other parts of the country through buses.

• Air: Biratnagar is also well connected to Kathmandu and some hilly places by air transport. Biratnagar Airport is one of the busiest airports in Nepal with most flights to Kathmandu. air viva is operating nearly 25 direct flights linking Biratnagar with the capital.

• Train: It is also easy to travel to and from India by trains from Jogbani railway station, just across the border in India. There are direct trains to Kolkata and the Indian capital New Delhi from Jogbani. A survey for an extension of the railway track from Jogbani to Biratnagar has been done.

• Intercity: The best way of getting around the city is by using cycle rickshaws and taxi. There are also auto rickshaws running short distances but they don't operate in the main market area. For easy roundabout of the city there are tempos and rickshaws.

Tourism

Biratnagar is not a typical tourist city but is a great hub to explore the interesting places in eastern Nepal like Ilam. However, there are many things to do in the city. One can stroll along the unique market that is along a straight road and branches out and savour the street food.

For the food lovers, don't miss the tasty barbecues (called "sekuwa" in Nepali) and other local delicacies or satisfy your sweet tooth with tasty sweets in one of many sweet shops in the main market. Some famous restaurants in Biratnagar are Aangan, Sagar, Bikaner Sweet House, Unique Sweets. Also, don't forget to taste the Veg Momos near Chandni Chowk.

Biratnagar is ideal as a hub for travel plans in Eastern Nepal. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve famous for its wildlife, especially for bird-watching enthusiasts, is a mere 90-minute drive from the city. It is also home to the endangered wild buffaloes called "Arna" in Nepali.

The largest rhododendron forests of Tinjure, Milke and Jaljale can be reached in about 3–4 hours. Scenic treks with views of Mt. Makalu and Kanchenjunga can be started from the small towns of Basantapur or Tumlingtar.

The beautiful tea gardens of Ilam are just 4 hours' drive away. Another place of interest is the hilly district of Dhankuta with its orange orchards.

Another beautiful location near Biratnagar is Dharan (50Km from north of Biratnagar)which is 1.5 hours' journey by bus. The place is famous for Dantakali temple, Pindeshwar temple, Budha Subbha temple and Panch Kanya and is surrounded with hills and Bhedetar is famous hill point.

Religious fare

Biratnagar is equally famous for its high-spirited festival celebration. In Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival, large number of people including young persons visit the Kali Mandir, a temple that lies in the heart of the town. Also famous is Tihar, festival of lights, when the residents line their homes with diyo (an earthen oil lamp), candles and decorative electrical lamps during the two days of celebration and there is decoration in main road which includes use of Banana tree and Bamboo in all shops.Crackers are band in Biratnagar. Krishna Astami (birthday of Krishna) is a festival that is heavily celebrated in Biratnagar. Thousands of people gather on that day to pull the Holy Cart (Rath) which goes around the city. This event is termed as the Rath Yatra (the Cart Journey). Traffic will be halted for one to two hours on that day. It is believed that the Holy Cart (Rath) was driven by Lord Krishna. So, people keep a young child in the Holy Cart as a symbol of Krishna and pull the Cart with joy to celebrate the Lord Krishna's birthday. The Rath is very big and heavy and needs hundreds of persons to move it. It has an engine to run if required to move fast. It has brakes to stop it as it has to stop at many places to allow people to worship the Lord. Some people will be in the Rath to distribute prasad (fruits) to people. The Holy Cart will be followed by many smaller carts which are pulled by oxen. People in the smaller carts play the music and sing hymns with joy and happiness. It is the most important festival for the people of Biratnagr. So, almost all the schools and offices close after 1 p.m. to let the believers and spectators attend the Rath Yatra (the Cart Journey).

Politics

Biratnagar, being the home and a political turf of Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Nepal, has always been a fertile ground for emerging as well as established politicians. Leaders like Man Mohan Adhikari, Sailaja Acharya, Bharatmohan Adhikari and Mahesh Acharya all come from this city. Girija Prasad Koirala, the man who has been elected prime minister the most number of times in Nepal, and in the world, also hails from Biratnagar. He was Prime Minister of Nepal four times, serving from 1991 to 1994, 1998 to 1999, 2000 to 2001, and from 2006 to 2008; he was also Acting Head of State from January 2007 to July 2008. Biratnagar is the politically most active city in the modern history of Nepal. The first and the historical aeroplane hijack which was to fund the political revolution also took place at the Biratnagar Airport. The hijack plan masterminded by Girija Prasad Koirala was executed by Durga Subedi, *"Nagen Dingel" and *"Basant Bhattarai". *"Operation Ganesh out, place hijack plan in".

Biratnagar also had a king in the past whose name was Birat. There is a historical place near the border with India where the remains of the palace of Birat king can be seen. That place lacks the protection as it is in remote area and lacks proper transportation. The name "Biratnagar" for the city came after the name of King Birat.

Education

Biratnagar is the centre of education in the eastern Development Region of Nepal. People in Biratnagar are more inclined to education followed by business, industry and politics although Biratnagar was politically very active in the past. The teaching medium of education is English in all the private schools, colleges and universities whereas Nepali is the medium of instruction in government schools up to secondary level.

Universities and Colleges:

• Purbanchal University
• Mahendra Morang Multiple Campus, (affiliated to the Tribhuvan University)
• Tribhuvan University Post Graduate College

Medical Colleges:

• Nepal Homeopathic Medical College (Affiliated to Purbanchal University)
• Nobel Medical College (Affiliated to Kathmandu University) http://www.nobelmedicalcollege.com/

Engineering Colleges:

• Purbanchal university school of Engineering and Technology (PUSET)
• Eastern College of Engineering

Higher Secondary Schools and Colleges:

• Arniko Higher Secondary School
• Bal Kalyan Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School
• Bhanu Memorial English Boarding School
• Birat Science Campus
• Budhanilakantha Boarding School
• Birat College of Management
• Collage of Business and Social Studies
• City College
• DAV College
• Devkota Memorial Higher Secondary School
• Koshi College
• Kritika Education and Health Foundation
• Lord Buddha College
• Manokamana Higher Secondary School
• Mahendra Secondary High School
• Merryland Higher Secondary School
• Model College
• National Academy of Science and Commerce
• Orchid College
• Shree Gograha Higher Secondary School
• Shree Janta Model Higher Secondary School
• Shree Satya Narayan Higher Secondary School
• Sikshayadip College
• South Asian School of Tourism and Hotel Management
• St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School
• Zenith International collage
• Management campus

Secondary Schools:

• Godavari Secondary English School, Brt-7
• Namuna Vidya Mandir Secondary School
• Aadarsha Vidya Mandir
• Arniko Boarding School
• Azalea Boarding School
• Balmiki Secondary English Medium School
• Lord Buddha English School
• Birat co-operative
• Bright Angels'Secondary School
• Budhanilkantha English Boarding School
• DAV School
• Deokota Memorial School
• Don Bosco School(nilgiri)
• DPS Biratnagar
• Eden National Secondary Boarding School
• Everest English Borading School
• Koshi Vidya Mandir
• Shree Annapurna Academy

*Shree Bishab Dahal

• Shree Sagarmatha Secondary Boarding School
• Shree Saraswati Madhyamik Vidyalya
• Siddhartha Sishu Sadan
• St. Joseph's Boarding School
• Crescent Public School
• Jamia Islamia Secondary School
• Bal Kalyan Vidhya Mandhir
• Malabika English Boarding School
• Graded English Medium Secondary School

Economy, Trade and Commerce

The main economy of Biratnagar comes from business and industry. Biratnagar exports instant noodles, biscuits and garments to India and some other cities of Nepal. It also exports some garments to USA and some Europen countries. Biratnagar imports machinery, vehicles, computers, iron, steel, etc. from India and clothes, slippers, shoes, etc. from China. Biratnagr Sugar Mill and Biratnagar Jute Mill are the biggest industries of Biratnagar. Biratnagar has always been the center of business and commerce in Nepal. Biratnagar is also known as the industrial capital city of Nepal.

Border crossing

India and Nepal have an open border with no restrictions on the movement of people on either side; Indians and Nepalis do not need a passport or visa for crossing the border. Therefore an Indian or a Nepali can cross the border between Jogbani and Biratnagar without carrying any document.

There are six immigration points along the Indo-Nepal border for the entry and exit of nationals of third countries who must carry necessary travel or identity documents such as passport and visa. These are: Banbasa, Dhangadhi, Nepalganj, Bhairahawa (Sunauli), Birganj and Kakarbhita.

For purpose of trade there are 22 agreed transit and customs posts along the Nepal-India border. 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.

Recreation and entertainment

There are many places in Biratnagar to hang out. For example, Dhadhiram complex where you can swim and workout. Especially during Dashain and Tihar people make lingey Pings (a swing made up of three bamboo poles and jute rope). A lot of melas (fairs) are organized at various times of the year where people from all factions of society come to enjoy the rides and swings. Although very few national tournaments are organized here, many regional soccer tournaments can be observed in the Shahid Maidan (stadium grounds). You can watch latest English and Hindi movies in Himalaya Talkies. You can hang out in casinos and dance bars in city central near the traffic Chowk (round about) and jana-andolan Chowk areas. You can just stroll in the local pavement bazars that take place almost every day of the week. The city also has a theatre named Gurukul that regularly stages various dramas and is a major hub for theatrical artists from across the country and nearby places in India. There are many recreational parks and libraries dotted around the city. Recently various Yoga Shivir or centres have been built by public bodies.

Religion and culture

The major religions of the city are Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. The main culture deeply rooted in the city people comes from Hinduism. Hindus have 4 castes and 36 sub-castes system with upper, medium, lower and lowest caste people. There are several temples of Hindu, the famous is "Kali Mandir"; and not-definite meeting place of Christians and Buddhists.

Banking

See also

• Railway stations in Nepal

References

External links

• Biratnagar
• Homepage
• Template:Wikitravel

• News