| Nepalgunj नेपालगञ्ज |
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| — Municipality — | |
| Nepalgunj skyline, with Bageshowri pond and statue of Mahadev in the foreground and New Road houses in the background. | |
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Nepalgunj
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Nepal |
| Development Region | Mid-Western |
| Zone | Bheri |
| District | Banke |
| Municipality | Nepalgunj |
| Government | |
| • Mayor of Nepalgunj | |
| Elevation | 150 m (492 ft) |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 64,400 |
| Time zone | GMT+5:45 |
Nepalgunj (Nepali: नेपालगञ्ज or नेपालगन्ज [nepaːlɡəndʒ]), also spelled Nepalganj, is a municipality in Banke District, Nepal on the Terai plains near the southern border with Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh state of India. It is 16 km south of Kohalpur and the east-west Mahendra Highway.
Nepalgunj is the administrative center of Banke District as well as Bheri Zone. It's also the main transport hub for Nepal's Mid-Western and Far-Western regions. The nearest Indian border is about 8 km south and Bahraich city is about 55 km south of the city center.
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Nepalgunj is an important business centre for at least 5 zones of Nepal: Bheri, Rapti, Mahakali, Karnali and Seti. The heart of the city- Dhumboji, where lies the center and perhaps the most important traffic junction of the town referred to as Birendra Chowk, is the main business hub with several banks,book shops,lodges, motor-parts and hardware dealears, and other general home appliance distributors. The 24 km long Surkhet Road, starting from Mahendra Chowk in Kohalpur and terminating at the Nepal-India Border, runs through the middle of the city passing through Birendra Chowk and two other important junctions- Pushpalal Chowk and BP Chowk, creating a network of roads that cover the major portion of city's industrial and residential areas.
Tribhuvan Chowk is famous for its commodity and fancy shops along Sadar Line and Ek-Laineeh, and for its garment stores. The zonal hospital of Bheri Zone- Bheri Hospital is located a few hundred meters south, and most of the important government offices like Chief District Office, Telecommunication Office, Post office, etc. are located within a radius of a few kilometers around it. Another famous area called New Road, while still under development, is emerging as a major attraction for its modern fashion retail shops, hotels and restaurants.
Restaurants in Nepalgunj are famous for its samosas, chaat, golgappas,dahibada, momos(Nepalese-style Dumplings), sekuwa (fry dried-meat), biryani and chilled beer. Samosas, chaat, golgappas and sekuwa from Nepaljung are considered to be the most delicious in all Nepal.Its famous for ravadi(milk item) allover Nepal.
The city is also popular for its religious significance. Bageshwori temple is renowned temple for hindu devotees. Hinduism and Islam are two major religions in Nepalgunj with Hindus comprising larger percentage of the population.
There are a lot of other areas in Nepalgunj that are developing rapidly and attracting new residents and industries. The city is developing fast due to relocation of mid-hill migrants. It is also a center for business for vicinity zones and their districts. The is a high possibility of Nepalgunj being developed into a major IT city in Nepal since a large population of young generation are showing keen interest and motivation towards new computer technology and internet-world. Adoption of new technologies and marketing into new sectors have shown a promising future for this city.
Nepalgunj is considered the hottest place in Nepal, with temperature rising well above 40°C in summer.
The 2001 census[1] counted 57,535 inhabitants, with 20% growth since 1991. Nepali is spoken natively by Paharis as well as by virtually everyone as the national language and lingua franca.
Nepalgunj has a diverse culture. muslims, hindu(sanatan)s, Buddhists, Christians and Atheists all live here. Similarly people of different ethnicity have traditionally lived harmoniously together.
This tradition was badly disturbed by a riot in the last week of December 2006 causing violence between Nepal origin (people mainly from the hills) and Madhesi people of ganga river origin. At least one person was killed and dozens injured. A mob destroyed the statue of late King Tribhuvan and attempted to rename the chowk (intersection) as Kamal Madheshi Chowk after a person killed in the violence. The local administration had to impose a curfew and later formed a commission to investigate the causes of the riot.
The climate is sub-tropical. Temperatures sometimes exceed 40°C (104°F) from April to June. During the rainy season—arriving in June and lasting into September—it is less hot but sometimes very humid. Winter is usually pleasant while the sun is out. It sometimes is foggy and overcast; then it can be chilly with temperatures below 10°C (41°F) but no frost.
With the opening of the tourist industry after the change over in the political scenario of Nepal in 1950, hotel industry got a boost. Now, Nepalgunj boasts of several good hotels such as Sneha, Batika, Traveller's Village, Siddhartha, etc. According to the tourists survey in 2010, among all, Traveller's Village was regarded the best in the town. According to Heather, an American Jounalist, "Traveller's Village is a Nepalgunj 5-star. Now, "Nepalgunj 5-star" is a denomination by itself... At least among the four best hotels, in town, if I may say so, stars probably not ready for awarding yet, but simply the best, still.... And in terms of ease, Traveller's Village is the best. They have good accommodation, good food, good air con, good mosquito protection, good just about everything. Quiet location away from minarets, hollering military personnel, dusty roads and screaming buses. There is a very nice and peaceful garden with chairs, tables - good for breakfast or evening beer. Price is also affordable. When I visited last time in June 2010 the kitchen was up for renovation. So it may get even better".
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