Biratnagar
Biratnagar (बिराटनगर), a sub-metropolitan and 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 is 166,674 (2001 census). 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 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.
Climate
The weather in Biratnagar is mostly hot. Temperature ranges from 8 to 39 degrees Celsius. But still this city is great, and yes you have to have good light clothes, and that is not all year long,(for about 1 month is too chilly).
Industry
Nepal's first large scale industry was set up in Biratnagar: the Biratnagar Jute Mills in 1936. Today, the city has some of the largest industrial undertakings in the country.
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.
Places to Visit in Biratnagar
- Baraha Kshetra: 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.
- 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 (added by Ariyana).
- 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 the border of Nepal and India, a major shopping destination for Biratnagar as well as cities like Dharan, Dhankuta or any Eastern Nepal. (added by Ariyana).