Biratnagar
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Biratnagar (बिराटनगर), Nepal’s second largest city, is located in Koshi Zone on the southern Terai belt of Nepal, near the south-eastern border with India. The population of the municipality according to the 2001 census was 166,674. Biratnagar is located at 26°28'60"N 87°16'60"E.[1] It is the administrative centre of Morang district.
Biratnagar is known for agriculture, commerce and industry. It performs as an important transit point for goods leaving and entering India through the nearby border crossing, and serves as a trading centre for the farming communities in what is one of the most densely populated areas of the country. The countryside around the city is taken up mostly by rice and jute cultivation.
Biratnagar is linked with Kathmandu by road and air. Biratnagar Airport is the regional hub for vital air services serving the remote Eastern Hills, and there are regular flights to Kathmandu.
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[edit] Climate
The weather in Biratnagar is mostly hot. Temperature ranges from 8 to 39 degrees Celsius. Most Biratnagarites like to call their city a place that exhibit every season with its extreme prowess. Biratnagar experiences 6 seasons,
| Season | Span (Hindu calendar) | Span (Georgian calendar) | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basanta (Spring) | Chaitra-Baisakh | March-April | Around 25-30 degrees, marriage season |
| Grishma (Summer) | Jestha-Ashad | May-June | Very hot, Up to 40 degrees temperature, farmers gear up for rice planting |
| Barsha (Monsoon) | Shrawn-Bhadra | July-August | Very hot, very humid and heavy monsoon rains, Krishna Janma Asthami (Birth of Lord Krishna) celebrations |
| Sharad (Autumn) | Ashwin-Kartik | September-October | Mild temperatures, festive season of Dashain and Tihar |
| Hemanta (Pre winter) | Mangshir-Pausha | November-December | Very pleasant temperatures (20-25 degrees), farmers reap the rice |
| Sishir (Winter) | Magh-Falgun | January-February | Quite cold, But very pleasant during occasional sunshine. Temperatures can go below 5 degrees. |
[edit] Industry
In 1936 Nepal's first large scale industry, the Biratnagar Jute Mills, was set up in Biratnagar at cost of 160,000 Indian rupees [2], it is the largest jute mill in the country.[3] Today, the city has some of the largest industrial undertakings in the country. While taking a bus travel to Biratnagar from any other places, one can see a large number of industries on both sides of highway. Hundreds of small and medium sized industries operates freely including chemical, edible oil, steel,rice mill, liquor, soaps factories, among others, covering large portion of area that links Biratnagar with Itahari, a central transit point of eastern Nepal.
Lately, these medium and large sized factories are facing a hard time as a result of constant political upheaval in the country. Also it has been affected by "Madhesi movement", an uprising that the minority ethnic people in the Tarai have started against the regression and humiliation that they claim to have suffered for a long time, from the state, and " Mahades", people belonging to majority ethnic group.
[edit] Demography
Biratnagar, with a population of 166,674, is Nepal's second biggest city it also lies in area where most of nation's Muslim minority live. In March 2008 two people were killed at the Choti mosque during evening prayers - an extremist Hindu group the Nepal Defence Army carried out the attack, the attack lead to a curfew being imposed on the district.[4]
[edit] Tourism
The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (90-minute drive) is a bird-watching spot. The Koshi Barrage on the Koshi river (two-hour drive) is an impressive sight. Biratnagar is the hub of air routes in eastern Nepal.
Tourists discover Biratnagar on their way to the Himalayan states of India, Sikkim and Darjeeling. Visitors also arrive Biratnagar by air to begin their trekking to mountains such as Kanchenjunga. In recent days, tourists adventuring into Nepal’s tea growing regions like Ilam and Dhankuta often spend a day or two in Biratnagar.
[edit] Religious fare
Biratnagar equally is famous for its high-spirit during festive seasons. In Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival, large number of people, including youths do queue up in Kali Mandir, that is located in the city's downtown. Also famous is Biratnagar's Tihar, second biggest festival, as the city is lighted full with candles and lot of sweets. More fireworks are done in this place than any other major cities of Nepal in Tihar.
[edit] Political heartland
Biratnagar, being land of B P Koirala,the first elected Prime Minister of Nepal, has always been fertile place for emerging politicians. High-flying leaders like Mahesh Acharya, Sailaja Acharya of Nepali Congress and communist leaders like Manmohan and Bharatmohan Adhikari have their residences in this city.
[edit] Places
- Baraha Kshetra (बराह क्षेत्र): It is an important Hindu pilgrimage site located at the confluence of Koka and Sapta Koshi rivers. According to Hindu legend, Lord Vishnu as His fourth avatar Lord Nrsimhadeva came down to earth and destroyed Hiranyakashipu, an evil demon at this very spot.
- Pitchara: It is in the west of Bus Park of Biratnagar. There is a BKVM school and a Durga Mandir. A monastry is being constructed there.
- Biratnagar Haat Bazaar: a weekly open-air market (हाट बजार/hāṭ bajār) basically for selling and buying of vegetables, meat and other essentials, take place every Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday in different parts of Biratnagar.
- Madhumara, Hamro Chowk: It is the most beautiful place in Biratnagar. The atmosphere of this place is quite hygienic and fresh, with plenty of green plants, it is a residential area: Choodamani.
- Koshi Project Chowk: It is a important government and residential area of Biratnagar, located near Mahendra Morang Campus - a public campus of Tribhuvan University. The area is mainly popular for the offices of the biggest project of Irrigation of Sunsari district and Morang district.
- The Koshi Tappu: A wet wonderland in Nepal famous for bird-watching expeditions. It rests along the flood plains of Sapta Koshi river in the Terai belt of Saptari and Sunsari districts of eastern Nepal. It is believed to be one of the best wildlife-rich wetlands of Asia. Two hours drive from Biratnagar is all it takes to discover a hidden wetland in Asia.
- Jogbani: Jogbani is a city serving border between Nepal and India. It is a major shopping destination for people of Biratnagar as well as nearby cities like Dharan and Dhankuta.From Jogbani any one can travel towards innerpart of INDIA by Train or by Roadways.Also Jogbani has got huge market for the Nepalese society people to get GOODS in low price than in NEPAL.
- Dhadiram Complex: It is situated near Hathkhola, well known for recreation purpose, picnics, swimming pool and many more.
- Aqua Park: It's situated in the corner of Biratnagar and usually couples come on around in the place for dates. You can often see one kissing, hugging in the place.
- Budhnagar gram: It is situated southern east of Biratnagar city and known as a capital of pre historic king Birateswar. It is nearly endangered heritage of Nepal. King Birat ruled over this region in historic period and even there we can find the palace of king Birat.........
- Pokhariya: Pokhariya is also known as the centre of Biratnagar which is the second largest city of the Himalayan country, Nepal.Samrat Club being one of the most voluntarily active club organizing and helping different social events in town. Shamrat Field is one of the popular playing ground in Pokhariya where the different events are organized. Thulo mill or the Chandra Shiva Rice mills is also located in this part of Biratnagar. It lies in the centre of the town.Main road of the Biratnagar runs across it.
- Jamun Gachhi: This place lies in the western boundary of Biratnagar i.e. near Keshalya River. This place is on of the faster developing places in Biratnagar. There's a big Grossary shop and A mini departmental store. Recently, it's been declared as 'No Alcohol' zones. People of this place are cooperative and they have recently build a highway linking to Sunsari District of Nepal.
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[edit] Culture
The Culture of Biratnagar is the blend of Indian and Nepalese cultures. A lot of festivals are the same but only the manner in which they are celebrated differs among Nepalese and Indians living in Biratnagar. Some of the popular festivals are listed below.
- Ashar Pandhra: A festival celebrated among Nepalese farmers. It is celebrated around June, which is also time when the rice plantations start. Farmers celebrate this festival as a joy of start of rainy season, as most of agriculture depends on natural rainfall. Although Biratnagar doesn't have lot of land people still celebrate it. People eat food such as yogurt and beaten rice (Dahi Chyura) with banana and mangoes on the day. Villages near to Biratnagar like Katahari, Rangeli, Amtola, Ramailo, Hoklabari, where much of farming is done, celebrate this festival actively.
- Krishna Janma Asthami: Krishna Janma Asthami or the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated actively and together by both Nepalese and Indian communities. People tend to open small stalls everywhere where they keep a statue of lord krishna. Anyone visiting the stall gets little bit of prashad(some fruits). Also there is a culture of Jagram (staying awake all night) on Janma Asthami night. On the day there is also a tradition of Rath Yatra (Chariot pulling). It's basically like a parade, where a chariot is pulled by people and basically whole of Biratnagar turns up to witness the event. The next day is a bit gloomy as all the statues of Lord Krishna are taken to the river nearby called Singya and given away to the river. The process is called "Murti Selaune".
- Dashain: Dashain is celebrated mainly by the Nepalese communities. Generally there are ceremonies in the Kali Temple on the main street. The event lasts for 15 days.
- Tihar and Diwali: Tihar is celebrated by Nepalese community which lasts 5 days, among the days is a day called Laxmi Puja which coincides with Diwali. Diwali is a Hindu festival but these days it has become everyone's festival. People light up their house with little lamps called diyo generally fuelled with mustard oil or ghee (saturated fat).
[edit] References
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