Butwal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Butwal is a large town in southern Nepal, approximately 240 kilometres west of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu and 22 kilometers from district headquarter Bhairahawa. Its population in 2001 was 75,384.[1]
Lying at the very foot of Chure Pahad (Fragile Hills), Butwal is famous not only from cultural, business and nature viewpoints, but also for its strategic geographical position. This is where the hills meet the plains: the Mahabharat Hills are just a few kilometers away and the Indogangetic plains start from Butwal. The Tinau (Tilottama) River flows between the starting point of two chure ranges; one goes east and the other goes west.
Butwal is the main gateway to western Nepal because it is the intersection of north-south and east-west highways. Since archaeologist Dr. Munthe and a group of American archaeologists excavated 10.1 million year old teeth of Ramapithecus, a primate closely related to humans, on the bank of the Tinau River, Butwal has also been proved to be a significant site for the study of prehistoric ages.
Before the highways, Butwal was a trade centre and gateway to the western hills. It is suggested that the first of the Shah Kings who fled from South India went to Ridi by way of Butwal. It was and continues to be a trade route for the western hilly region of Nepal.
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[edit] Phulbari (Manimukunda Park)
Phulbari, the palace of Palpali Sen clan for the winter season, is known for its natural and archaeological values. There are ruins and antiquities of the majestic palace of Manimukunda Sen, an ancient Palpali King, containing 6 large rooms as well as the royal residence. The fascinating scenic grandeur of Butwal, Siddharthanagar and other neighbouring villages of Rupandehi district can be vividly seen from here at night also. Nepal Government, archaeological department, attempted to maintain it in 1991. Now Butwal municipality has formed a council for the conservation of Manimukunda Sen Park to conduct the Phulbari Development Programme and has attempted to make it a tourist resort.
[edit] Jitgadhi
Jitgadhi, a fortress during Angol Nepal war, Narayan temple built by (1864 B.S.) Hanuman temple and Shivalaya of Hanumagngadhi, Jalabinayak Mehadev temple, Siddababa temple, Nuwakot etc. are famous centres of attraction in Butwal. Jitgadhi, means victory fortress. It was here the Nepali troops defeated East Indian troops under Major-General Woods. They say Nepalis beat them twice. It is believed that there used to tunnels running from Jitgadhi, all the way up to Nuwakot fort.
It is believed Butwal got its name during the Anglo-Nepal war. When the East Indian troops came to Butwal, they were taken aback by the rocks and cliffs in that area. The commanding officer told his troops not be afraid, as he said "It's nothing BUT WALL."
[edit] Siddhababa Temple
Siddhababa Temple lies 3 kilometers north of Butwal on the way to Pokhara in Palpa district. It is perhaps the most sacred temple in the vicinity of Butwal and Palpa. It lies near "Kuire Bhir" (meaning foggy cliff). Lord Shiva is worshipped in this temple. No one exactly knows who Siddhababa was, but, whoever he was, he was a follower of Lord Shiva and had attained "Siddhi".
Legend has it that the temple used to be a few hundred metres from where it is now. When they decided to build a highway to link Sunauli and Pokhara, the engineers decided to take the highway through Kuire Bhir, which was deemed sacred. Furthermore, a hermit had challenged the engineer that he would not be able to construct the highway in that sacred terrain. They could never construct the road on that stretch until they shifted the temple of Siddhababa from near the large waterfall to where it is now. Even today the 1 km stretch of Kuire Bhir is supposed to be the most dangerous road in all of Nepal with numerous deaths each year mostly due to boulders falling down from Kuire Bhir. A few years ago, a massive rock came down and crushed a passenger bus killing everyone aboard. Most passengers pray to Siddhababa while crossing this stretch of Kuire Bhir.
[edit] Sainamaina
Located about 12 km. west from Butwal and to North from Banakatti, Sainamaina as an open museum is a very famous and fascinating resort from historical, archaeological culture and natural points of view. Among the different Gramas villages of Shakya King, it was in the samgrama site. An Indian queen (Begam), because of the revolution of the soldiers, came to this area with her soldiers and porters (‘Sena’ and Mena’) and finally this area came to be known as Saina Maina. It is an exquisite treasure trove of ancient ruins and antiquities statues of dancing saints, ruins of palace, well etc. The statue of Buddha (Jogidanda) was very significant. Different having the values of classical art are scattered here and there. This famous archaeological site is being occupied by homeless and landless people. Some of the antiquities of this site are seen thrown around the Lumbini museum.
[edit] Hill Park
Hill Park is a beautiful park located at the east of the center of Butwal. The park is roughly one kilometre in area and consists of two hills, Gurung Dada (hill) and Anup Hill. Buddhists are buried in Gurung Dada. Anup Hill provides a clear view of all of Butwal.
[edit] Manigram
Manigram is such a beautiful little town and Everyone can go there and enjoy there, it's like a home and you can make a home yourself right there, and especially you can afford a 3 star hotel as low as $50 per week. you should know shivalaya temple located west of manigram chowk. Most decent and expensive is located at the eastside of the chowk. and Lumbini F.M. is at the same spot and one can easily see as soon as one gets out of the bus. Manigram is considered as "Gram of Money" where rich people come enjoy and spend a lot of money and Manigram was once considered as "Red Light District", usually one can see happening the sight at night time after 11 O'clock and visitors can also see business people walking here and there for economic business.
[edit] Ramesh Cave
Ramesh Cave is located in the western part of Butwal. It is named for the famous explorer who discovered it in the late 12th century, and there is a small sculpture of Ramesh inside. The cave is roughly 500 meters long and 20 meters wide, and is famous for its beauty.
