# Bardibas

Bardibas (Maithili: बर्दिबास) is a municipal area and a town located in Mahottari District of Nepal that connects the Kathmandu Valley with Madhesh Province and extends the connection to Koshi Province. It is located at latitude: 26°54'6.84" to 27°08'46.90" and longitude: 85°47'42.67" to 85°56'42.97" along the East West Highway, at the foothills of the Chure Range. The municipality is surrounded by Dhalkebar of Mithila Municipality, Dhanusha District in the East and Ishworpur municipality of Sarlahi District in the West, Kamalamai municipality of Sindhuli District, Bagmati Province falls in the North and Bhangaha, Aurahi and Gaushala municipalities are located in the South.

## Etymology

The municipality named "Bardibas" after Bardibas VDC. According to the Bardibas municipality website: Longtime ago people of surrounding villages used to take rest near Bardibas area with their cattle cart, when they used to bring wooden logs from the forest of Chure foothills. "Bardibas is derived from the word 'Bardiwa' which means cattles in Maithili language and bas which means shelter in Tharu language. The foremost settlers of Maithil and Tharu groups of Bhangaha named the place.

## Geography

Bardibas is located at the foothills of the Chure range at a location of 26.98°N 85.90°E. It comprises Chure region and Outer Terai. Bardibas Municipality straddles the Chure hill range in the Mahottari district. Ratu river, which originates from Chure hills lies east to Bardibas. It spreads to 18 kilometres east-west and 30 kilometres on north-south along the East-West highway.

## Demography

Total population of the municipality in 2011 Nepal census) had 66354 and total area of the municipality is 315.57 square kilometres (121.84 sq mi). In 2021 census the population of Bardibas increased to 68353. The municipality is divided into total 14 wards.
The municipality was established on 2 December 2014 merging the then four VDCs of Bardibas, Maisthan, Gauribas and Kisan Nagar.
In 2015, when Government of Nepal decided to dissolve the old thousands of VDCs and declare new 753 local level body then four more VDCs were merged with this municipality, those municipalities were: Hathilet, Pashupatinagar, Khayamara and Bijayalpura.
The municipality was established in 2014 merging the old VDCs, so area and population of the municipality were calculated according to the 2011 Nepal census, as follows:
| VDCs | Area (km$^2$) | Population (2011) |
| Bardibas (VDC) | 171.19 | 12584 |
| Gauribas | 171.19 | 6321 |
| Kisan Nagar | 171.19 | 8121 |
| Maisthan | 171.19 | 20022 |
| Hathilet | 27.78 | 5316 |
| Pashupatinagar | 7.46 | 4941 |
| KhayaMara | 93.12 | 8719 |
| Bijayalpura | 11.91 | 8188 |
| Bardibas (Municipality) | 315.57 | 76354 |

## Culture

Bardibas is a melting pot of diverse cultures, with people from different ethnic backgrounds living harmoniously.The city celebrates various festivals, including Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, Maghi with great enthusiasm. Festivals and Cultural events are commonly celebrated. Bardibas Mahotsav is organised every year for community entertainment, business & tourism promotion.

## Education

* Bardibas Janata Multiple Campus
* College of Natural Resource Management (CNRM), Bardibas
* Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM Bardibas), Bardibas
* Nirmal Lama Polytechnic Institute, Bardibas
* Rara Technical Institute, Bardibas
* Basnet Public School, Maisthan
* Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya, Bardibas
* Deurali Secondary School, Bardibas
* Janata Secondary School, Bardibas

## Media

The local media of Bardibas primarily consists of several community radio stations such as Radio Nepal Bardibas 103 MHz, Radio Bardibas 94 MHz, Radio Sungava 104.6 MHz and Radio Darpan 88.4 MHz, some print newspapers and online newsportals.

## Places of Interest

* Chure Range: The Chure Range is home to various wildlife and natural beauty, offering opportunities for ecotourism. Initiatives could be developed in Bardibas to promote trekking and nature tours in the nearby hills.
* Panchadhura Mai Temple
* Tuteshwor Mahadev Temple
* Giddabas
* Siddagufa
* Rai Mandal Temple
* Green Park
* Parewapakha
* Bardibas Fun Park
* Bardibas Hatbazar

## Health

* Bardibas Hospital
* Bardibas Jansewa Hospital
* Pinnacle Hospital
* Field Hospital, Bardibas
* Bardibas Medical College (Proposed)

## Transportation

Bardibas serves as a junction point of the east-west Mahendra Highway and BP Highway. The BP Highway connects Bardibas with the capital city Kathmandu through Sindhuli, Khurkot, Nepalthok and Dhulikhel.
Municipality Transport Master Plan (MTMP), Bardibas is prepared for assessing and planning the present road and transport infrastructures and facilities within the Municipality and its surrounding.In total there are roads of length 456.95 Km within the Municipality including feeder roads and National Highway, either in planned or existing condition.
It has a charging station for EV transport as well. Indo-Nepal crossborder railway namely Bardibas-Jaynagar Railway connecting Jaynagar to Bardibas is underconstruction. Similarly, Bardibas-Simara Railway is being constructed as the part of East-West Mechi Mahakali Railway. The nearest airport, Janakpur airport is 37 km away lying southeast from Bardibas. Indo-Nepal Border namely Samsi-Kanhawa Border is 27 km in distance to south from Bardibas. Can be a sub metropolitan city in near future.

## Development

Bardibas Municipality is identified as one of the best regions for the agricultural operations and also Bardibas has been developed as the center point connected by several highways which leads to the easy access to market and other facilities. The climatic conditions in Bardibas is also very suitable for the increased productions of tropical and sub-tropical crops. Due to such reasons, Bardibas carries immense possibility of development and prosperity through agricultural sector. Also, Municipality is working with the aim of enhancing the identity of Bardibas, promoting domestic tourism and helping in the institutional development of business. Being nearest town to Janakpur, a hindu religious pilgrimage, Bardibas has been a stopover for tourists or pilgrimages visiting Janakpur.