Siddharthanagar

Siddhārthanagar सिद्धार्थनगर
Municipality
Lumbini Gate, Bhairahawa
Nickname(s):  Bhairahawa
Siddhārthanagar Location in Nepal
Coordinates: 27°30′N 83°27′E / 27.500°N 83.450°E / 27.500; 83.450Coordinates: 27°30′N 83°27′E / 27.500°N 83.450°E / 27.500; 83.450
Country	Nepal
Province	Lumbini Province
District	Rupandehi District
Incorporated	1967
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
• Mayor	Hari Adhikari (NCP)
• Deputy Mayor	Uma Kafle (NCP)
Area
• Total	36.03 km2 (13.91 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	63,483
• Density	1,800/km2 (4,600/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+5:45 (NST)
Postal code	32900
Area code(s)	071
Website	[3]

Siddharthanagar (Nepali: सिद्धार्थनगर), formerly and colloquially still called Bhairahawa (Nepali: भैरहवा), is a municipality and the administrative headquarter of Rupandehi District in Lumbini Province of Nepal, 265 km (165 mi) west of Nepal's capital Kathmandu. It is the closest city to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, which is located 25 km (16 mi) to the west. The city borders the Indian city of Sonauli in Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh. The city is among the major industrial power house in the country impacting major economic aspects of Nepal.^{[citation needed]} It has the second largest rate of border trade with India after Birgunj border in the country.^{[citation needed]} Although the current name was first used in 1977,^[1] many still refer to it as Bhairahawa.^[2]

History and etymology[]

The city was founded as Bhairahawa in 1967. The name was derived from the deity Bhairava a manifestation of Shiva.^{[citation needed]} The city's current name Siddharthanagar derives from Buddha's given name Siddhartha, as the birthplace of Buddha is located only 25 km (16 mi) to the west. The name was changed to Siddhartanagar in 1977^[1] by poet .^{[citation needed]}

Climate[]

The highest temperature ever recorded in Siddharthanagar was 44.8 °C (112.6 °F) on 7 June 1998, while the lowest temperature ever recorded was −1.1 °C (30.0 °F) on 20 January 1971.^[3]

Demographics[]

The population of Siddarthanagar in 2001 was 63,528.^[5] According to the 2011 census it was 63,483.

Economy[]

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Siddharthnagar is a major trading city of Nepal.

There is a custom check point 5 km south near Indian border for the goods transport between India and Nepal.

Around Siddharthanagar, there are several small and large scale industries.

In west towards lumbini there cement and textile industries while there are many steel and block industries in east.

Bhairahawa Special Economic Zone was proposed to increase trade between Nepal and India. Government of Nepal has been encouraging different industries to establish their plant in the SEZ.

Transportation[]

Under construction Gautam Buddha International Airport, Bhairahawa

Siddharthanagar is located at Siddhartha Highway, which extends southwards to the Indian border at Sunauli and north through Butwal and Pokhara.

Gautam Buddha Airport is located 3 kilometers from the center and offers daily flights to Kathmandu. It is being upgraded to a regional international airport.

Transportation options around the city and into surrounding areas include bus, minibus, unmetered taxicab and cycle rickshaw. There is regular bus service to Lumbini and Butwal.^{[citation needed]}

Border crossing and immigration office[]

Nepal has an open border for movement of Indian and Nepalese nationals, and there is a customs checkpoint for goods and third-country nationals.

Railway[]

The city is close to Nautanwa railway station.

Non-profit organizations[]

SOS Children’s Village Building, Bhairahawa

SOS Children’s Village, Siddharthanagar, Nepal

There are several NGOs are working in Siddharthanagar. Terai Development Forum is one working for healthy, social and economic status of female, children and poor community by using local resources and increasing capability for their services and justifiable accession to the resources. (Farmers Service Committee, Rupandehi) is the only a Non-profit organisation working for Development in Rupandehi and also supporting to others district by developing Non-profit organisation. Actually, more than 75% of total population are depending on Agro occupation In Siddharthanagar municipality also. is one which is working in education and health sectors.Lilaram Kuntidevi Neupane Foundation is an NGO mainly focusing it's activities at Siddarthanagar.

Education[]

Bhairahawa Multiple Campus, Shantinagar

Rupandehi Lilaram Ma Vi, Bhairahawa Ma Vi, Paklihawa Ma Vi are old higher secondary schools. There are several higher education facilities in Siddharthanagar including ,^[6][7] , and .

Media[]

Siddharthanagar has three FM radio stations:

• - 102 MHz, a community radio station
• - 98.8 MHz.
• Bhairahawa FM

All major Nepali Newspapers are circulated in Siddharthanagar, while several local ones including , , , and .^{[citation needed]}

Culture[]

Hindus are in the majority, with a significant minority of Muslims and Buddhists associated with sites commemorating Gautama Buddha's life and relics. There is diversity in the culture as people from several part of country live here. Awadhi and Bhojpuri culture is native identity.^{[citation needed]}

Cuisine[]

Panipuri locally known as Fulki street food

The local cuisine is influenced by the Awadhi cuisine.^{[citation needed]}

Health[]

Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa

Siddharthanagar has a highly developed healthcare system with several famous hospitals including (District Government Hospital), Universal College of Medical Science Hospital (UCMS Hospital) and .^{[citation needed]}

Places of interest[]

Mayadevi Temple, Lumbini

• Lumbini Garden around Buddha's birthplace with monasteries representing nations. It is approximately 22 km (14 mi) from Siddharthanagar.
• Devadaha, an archeological site 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast near Khairhani village. The site is associated with the Koliyas, tribe of Lord Buddha's mother and one of eight tribes receiving corporeal relics after his death at Kushinagar.
• Ramagrama stupa, 20 km (12 mi) east of Siddharthanagar and 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Parasi in Nawalparasi District. There are remains of stupa and monastery on banks of Jahari River near Kerwani village. The stupa mound is approximately 10 m (33 ft) high and 20 m (66 ft) in diameter. Some suggest this was the center of the Koliya kingdom.
• Kapilvastu was the kingdom of the Shakyas, Buddha's (paternal) royal family. The administrative center of modern Kapilvastu District at Taulihawa is 40 km (25 mi) west of Siddharthanagar or 18 km (11 mi) beyond Lumbini. Many archaeological sites are within 10 km (6.2 mi) of Taulihawa. Local roads are in good condition.
• Tribeni Ghat on the Narayani River (known as Gandak in India) is an auspicious site for bathing. It attracts hundred thousands of pilgrims on Maghe Sankranti (Hindi: Makar Sankranti), approximately 15 January.
• Valmiki Ashram near Tribeni Ghat, believed to be the place where Prince Siddhartha got down from his horse Kantaka and strode off on foot and into the jungles in his search for answers.
• Chitwan National Park east of the Narayani River, a preserve larger than 900 km2 protecting some 700 native animal species—including gaur, tiger, rhinoceros, gharial and crocodile—and flora native to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands.
• village which is situated on the southern part of Bhairahawa.^[8]

See also[]

• Butwal

References[]

External links[]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Bhairahawa.