Biratnagar
Biratnagar () is a metropolitan city in Nepal, which serves as the capital of Province No. 1. With a population of 242,548 as per the 2011 census, it is the largest city in the province and also the headquarters of Morang district. As per the preliminary report of 2021 Nepal census, Biratnagar has an estimated city population of 244,750. It is one of the cities of the "Greater Birat Development Area" which incorporates the cities of Biratnagar-Itahari-Gothgau-Biratchowk-Dharan primarily located on the Koshi Highway in Eastern Nepal, with an estimated total urban agglomerated population of 804,300 people  living in 159,332 households. Biratnagar is located east of the capital, Kathmandu, and north of the bordering town of Jogbani in the Indian state of Bihar. The highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, is situated north of the city. Biratnagar was declared a metropolitan city on 22 May 2017, thus pushing the total population to over 240,000. It is the sixth most populous city of Nepal after Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bharatpur, Lalitpur and Birgunj, with 244,750 inhabitants living in 45,204 households as per 2021 Nepal census. It is the most densely populated city among all cities out of the Kathmandu  Valley. The city is home to the Biratnagar Jute Mills, the first large-scale industry of Nepal. Besides being considered as the industrial capital of Nepal, the city has contributed actively to the Nepalese democracy movement by being the birthplace of five prime ministers of democratic Nepal. The latter claim is also evident from the fact that the first labor strike leading to the anti-Rana movement started from Biratnagar. Modern-day Biratnagar serves as an entry point to eastern Nepal as well as north-eastern India. It is the second Nepalese city, after Janakpur, to have a connection with  the Indian Railways and the only city other than Birgunj to operate an integrated check post (ICP) on the Indian border. History. The earliest settlement can be traced back to the second century BC, as artifacts belonging to this period like coins, stone arts, brick arts, as well as idols and foundation of temple of around the age of Shunga Empire were discovered in a recent excavation by archaelogists in Vedhyari, a southern neighborhood of city. Recorded history of Biratnagar dates back to beginning of the 7th century, when King Mung Mawrong Hang came to prominence in the terai lands  of Limbuwan (present-day Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa area). He cleared much of the forest area in present-day Rangeli, east of Biratnagar, and built a town there. He named his Kingdom Morang after his name and rose to power. The old name of Biratnagar was "Gograha Bazaar". The ruins of temples, palaces and ponds are scattered in a vast area to the south of the current city, in Vedhyari, Buddhanagar. The preservation of these heritages have been a major problem citing the encroachment by newcomers into the city. In 1914, Colonel Jit Bahadur Khatri, the then district governor, laid  the foundations of modern Biratnagar by moving the hospital, post office, prison and the customs, land registry, forestry and auditor offices to Gograha Bazaar from Rangeli, the then district capital of Morang. The town was named Biratnagar in 1919 (1976 BS) by Keshar Shamsher Rana after ruins of a palace, thought to be of King Virat(not proved), and other objects of historical importance were found. The ruins of the palace along with stone carved tools, idols, and household objects can be seen preserved to the south of Biratnagar, close to the border. In Nepali, "Birat" () means "Huge" and "Nagar" () means  City. On 4 March 1947, the first anti-Rana movement in Nepal started in Biratnagar at the Biratnagar jute mills under the leadership of Girija Prasad Koirala and B. P. Koirala. This sparked a countrywide anti-Rana demonstration that eventually led to the abolishment of Rana rule in Nepal. Climate. The highest temperature ever recorded in Biratnagar was on the 14 April 1992, while the lowest temperature ever recorded was in December 1970 and January 1971. Demography. Population and ethnicity. According to 2011 CBS census data, the population of Biratnagar was 214,663. Majority of the people are from the Brahmin  and Kshatriya communities. The main language spoken is Nepali. Maithili is also spoken by a sizable proportion of the population. The local indigenous language is Birat Rajbanshi, also known as Khotta/Khoratha. English is well understood by the educated mass. Biratnagar is situated within one of the most ethnically diverse regions of Nepal, and the rural hinterland is home to a diverse cross section of communitiy. Religion. Most people practice Hinduism followed by Islam, Jainism, Kirat, and Christianity. Biratnagar is known for its high-spirited festival celebration. During Dashain, the largest festival in the country, a large number of devotees  visit the Kali Mandir, a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, that lies in the heart of the town. Krishna Janmashtami (the birthday of Krishna) is a major festival celebrated in Biratnagar. Thousands of people gather on the second day of Krishna Ashtami for the holy chariot procession () which goes around the city, approximately . This event is termed the "Rath Yatra" (). It is the largest such procession in Nepal and the second largest in Asia. It is believed that the "Rath" was driven by Lord Krishna himself. So, a young child is placed in the chariot as a symbol of Krishna  and is taken around the city with joy to celebrate Lord Krishna's birthday. Some people stay on top of the "Rath" to distribute prasad (holy offerings) to numerous devotees observing the holy procession. The "Rath" is followed by many smaller carts pulled by oxen. People in the smaller carts play music and sing hymns of joy and happiness. Chhath () is an important festival for Madheshi Hindus, dedicated to the Sun God. The festivities are performed by Hindu women in order to thank "Surya" (the sun) for sustaining life on earth and to request for certain wishes on the banks  of rivers and ponds. Chhath festivities are performed mostly on the banks of Singhiya and Keshalia rivers in Biratnagar. Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated by the Muslim community of Biratnagar. Christmas is also celebrated by a very small population of Christians. Economy. Biratnagar is the economic center of eastern Nepal. The first industry of Nepal, the Biratnagar jute mills, was established here. Biratnagar is driven by startup culture. The multi-million business house, Golchha Organisation, has its roots in Biratnagar where it started as a small startup business. In addition to more than 6000 industries , Biratnagar is connected to a major custom route with India and has the second largest land port in Nepal. Considered to be the industrial capital of Nepal, the unemployment rate in Biratnagar is very low due to large concentration of industries and labour works. Tourism. Biratnagar is a hub for explorers of places in eastern Nepal like Ilam, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha and Panchthar. A number of colorful "haat bazaars" (weekly markets) are held each week in different parts of the town, where farmers from the rural hinterland set up stalls to trade agricultural products, spices and handicrafts. There are several gardens , temples and places of religious importance in Biratnagar. Gopal garden, located near Hathkhola and Hridreyandra Bal Udhhyan near Thulo Mill are two main gardens. Temples have been the jewel of Biratnagar. They are decorated in vibrant ways to make them attractive. Dharan is and Itahari is north of Biratnagar. These places are famous for Taltalaiya, Ocean Park, Gokulam Resort, Dantakali Temple, Pindeshwor Temple, Budha Subba Temple and Panch Kanya. The hill-station of Bhedetar is a local viewpoint. The tea gardens of Ilam are approximately 4 hours' drive away. Another place of interest is the hilly district of Dhankuta with  its orange orchards. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, popular with bird-watching enthusiasts, is a 90-minute drive from the city. It is home to the endangered wild buffaloes called "Arna" in Nepali. The largest rhododendron forests of Tinjure, Milke and Jaljale can be reached in about 3–4 hours. Treks with views of Mt. Makalu and Kanchenjunga can be started from the small towns of Basantapur or Tumlingtar. Politics. The district headquarters of Morang were moved to Biratnagar from Rangeli in 1914 by the then district governor, Colonel Jit Bahadur Khatri. The next governor, Shiva Pratap Shumsher Thapa, further developed  the town. Krishna Prasad Koirala was the first major political leader based in Biratnagar. His sons Matrika Prasad Koirala and Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala were the prime ministers of Nepal after the fall of the Rana rule. Since then Biratnagar has been a major contributor to Nepali politics, and is the most politically active city in the country. Girija Prasad Koirala, the younger brother of Matrika and BP Koirala, was elected prime minister on four occasions; from 1991 to 1994, 1998 to 1999, 2000 to 2001, and from 2006 to 2008. He also served as the acting Head of State from  January 2007 to July 2008. Man Mohan Adhikari, the first communist prime minister of Nepal was also born in Biratnagar. Leaders like Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Shailaja Acharya, Sushil Koirala, Lal Babu Pandit, Amod Prasad Upadhyay and Mahesh Acharya all hail from this city. The 1973 plane hijack, which was to fund the political revolution, took place at the Biratnagar Airport. The hijack plan, masterminded by Girija Prasad Koirala, was executed by Durga Subedi, Nagendra Dhungel and Basant Bhattarai. Nepali Congress's Bheem Parajuli and Indira Karki are the current mayor and deputy mayor of the metropolitan respectively. Education. Biratnagar is  the center of education in eastern of Nepal. Home to the Purbanchal University, Biratnagar has a number of colleges and educational institutes including medical and engineering institutes. The medium of teaching is English in all the private schools, colleges and universities whereas Nepali is the medium of instruction in government schools up to secondary level. There are more than 80 schools, over 20 colleges and 21 hospitals in Biratnagar, the most after Kathmandu. Art and literature. Biratnagar has been the ground for many prominent literary personalities like, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, Tarini Prasad Koirala, Dev Kumari Thapa, Bal Krishna Pokharel, Parashu  Pradhan, Krishna Bhooshan Bal, Suman Pokhrel, Bhola Rijal, Bhuwan Dhungana and others. Some of the prominent books in Nepali literature have emerged from Biratnagar. Landmark books in Nepali poetry, "Bholi Basne Bihan" by Krishna Bhooshan Bal and "Jeevanko Chheubaata" by Suman Pokhrel were first published in this city. There is a popular culture of poetry recitation in regular sessions in various locations of Biratnagar. Biratnagar is the birthplace of the theater group, Aarohan Gurukul. The theater group was founded and registered with District Administration Office, Morang here in Biratnagar in 1982. The group has expanded its activities to Kathmandu and  aboard. This theatre group has produced dozens of theatrical plays including Agniko Katha and Yajnaseni and has got them performed across the countries. At present day, Aarohan Gurukul is considered as one of the major places of public attraction in Biratnagar. Sports. Football and cricket are the most popular sports in Biratnagar. Sahid Rangsala with a capacity of 10,000+ spectators is the largest football stadium in the city. Sahid Maidan is the home stadium of Morang Football Club. The Mahendra Gold Cup, now Birat Gold Cup, is held in the stadium along with district divisional league matches. There is  a covered hall nearby Sahid Maidan where indoor events can be organized. A cricket stadium is being constructed in Baijanathpur on the outskirts of Biratnagar with the objective of organizing local and national-level cricket tournaments. Other facilities in the city include lawn tennis and basketball courts Print and online media. Several local and national daily, weekly and monthly publications are available in the city. Media houses "Kantipur", "Nagarik", and "Aja Ko Samachar Patra" print their publications in Biratnagar and distribute throughout eastern Nepal. Local dailies such as "Udgosh" and "Biratpath" provide daily news and updates on their websites in  addition to their print editions. Local daily newspapers published in Biratnagar include: