Biratnagar

Introducing Biratnagar

Biratnagar is the second-largest city in Nepal, but it still feels like a small provincial town. There's lots of heavy industry on the road leading south to Biratnagar from the Mahendra Hwy but the centre of town is surprisingly calm and manageable. Most of the goods produced here go straight across the border to India - the nearest border crossing open to travellers is Kakarbhitta.

Biratnagar doesn't have any must-see sights, but the town is a major air hub for flights to the eastern hills and there are daily air connections to Kathmandu. Jute used to be grown around here in large quantities, but the Tharu and Danuwar villagers who produced the fibres have lost out to mechanised industry. If you find yourself killing time here, drop into the gaily-painted Hanuman Mandirand Kali Mandirnear the public market.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009