Bharatpur, Nepal

Bharatpur
भरतपुर
Bharatpur skyline from Gaindakot hills
Jungle Safari
One horn Rhino in Chitwan National Park
Nickname: 
"Medi City"
Interactive map of Bharatpur
Bharatpur is located in Bagmati Province
Bharatpur
Bharatpur
Location in Nepal
Bharatpur is located in Nepal
Bharatpur
Bharatpur
Bharatpur (Nepal)
Coordinates: 27°41′N 84°26′E / 27.683°N 84.433°E / 27.683; 84.433
Country   Nepal
ProvinceBagmati
DistrictChitwan
Government
 • MayorChitrasen Adhikari (acting)
 • Deputy MayorChitrasen Adhikari (NC)
 • Chief District Officer (CDO)Ganesh Aryal
Area
 • Total
433 km2 (167 sq mi)
Elevation
208 m (682 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total
369,268
 • Rank3rd (Nepal)
2nd (Bagmati Province)
 • Density853/km2 (2,210/sq mi)
 • Metro rank
3rd
 • Ethnicities
Bahun Chhetri Newars Tharus Magars Gurungs
Time zoneUTC+05:45 (NST)
Postal Code
44200, 44207
Area code056
AirportBharatpur Airport
ClimateCwa
StadiumGautam Buddha Int'l Stadium
Websitewww.bharatpurmun.gov.np

Bharatpur (/ˈbʌrətpʊr/, Nepali: भरतपुर, pronounced [ˈbʱʌɾʌt̪pur] ⓘ) is a metropolitan city in south central Nepal. It is the third most populous city of Nepal after Kathmandu and Pokhara with 369,268 inhabitants in 2021. It is also the second largest metropolitan city in Nepal by area. It is the district headquarters of the Chitwan District.

Bharatpur is one of the fastest-growing cities in Nepal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Narayani River and serves as a commercial center of the Chitwan district and the central region of Nepal. Most of the shopping area lies in the area of Narayangadh, while government offices, hospitals and colleges are situated in other parts of the city, including Nepal's premier cancer hospital, B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital.

Etymology

History

Early history

Geography

In March 2017, Bharatpur was declared a metropolitan city after Narayani Municipality, Chitrawan Municipality and Kabilas Village were merged into it.


Demographics

At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Bharatpur Metropolitan City had a population of 369,268. Of these, the linguistic distribution was as follows: - 73.3% spoke Nepali - 5% spoke Tharu - 5% spoke Gurung - 3.8% spoke Magar Dhut - 3.6% spoke Tamang - 2.7% spoke Bhojpuri - 2.6% spoke Nepalbhasha (Newari) - 0.7% spoke Maithili - 0.7% spoke Darai.[verification needed]

In terms of ethnicity/caste: - 32.1% were Brahman (Hill) - 12.4% were Kshetri - 8.8% were Gurung - 6.7% were Magar - 5.9% were Bishwokarma - 5.7% were Tamang - 5.6% were Tharu - 5.4% were Newa (Newar) - 2.3% were Pariyar - 2.2% were Kumal.[verification needed]

In terms of religion: - 83.6% were Hindu - 12.9% were Bouddha - 1.4% were Islam - 0.1% were Kirat - 1.6% were Christian - 0.1% were Prakriti - 0.3% were Bon - 0.00% were Jain - 0.00% were Baháʼí - 0.00% were Sikha.[verification needed]

Religion in Bharatpur (2021)
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
83.6%
Buddhism
 
12.9%
Islam
 
1.4%
Kirat
 
0.1%
Christianity
 
1.6%
Prakriti
 
0.1%
Bon
 
0.3%
Jain
 
0.0%
Baháʼí
 
0.0%
Sikha
 
0.0%
Ethnic Groups in Bharatpur (2021)
  1. Hill Brahmin (32.1%)
  2. Kshetri (12.4%)
  3. Gurung (8.80%)
  4. Magar (6.70%)
  5. Bishwokarma (5.90%)
  6. Tamang (5.70%)
  7. Tharu (5.60%)
  8. Others (22.0%)
Language in Bharatpur (2021)
  1. Nepali 73.3 (70.9%)
  2. Tharu 5 (4.84%)
  3. Gurung 5 (4.84%)
  4. Magar Dhut 3.8 (3.68%)
  5. Tamang 3.6 (3.48%)
  6. Bhojpuri 2.7 (2.61%)
  7. Others 10 (9.67%)

Ward profile

Chairperson of Wards

Climate

Climate data for Bharatpur (Rampur Bazaar), elevation 189 m (620 ft), (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 22.1
(71.8)
26.1
(79.0)
31.5
(88.7)
35.4
(95.7)
36.1
(97.0)
34.9
(94.8)
33.5
(92.3)
33.6
(92.5)
33.2
(91.8)
32.0
(89.6)
28.4
(83.1)
24.0
(75.2)
30.9
(87.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 15.1
(59.2)
17.9
(64.2)
22.4
(72.3)
26.7
(80.1)
29.1
(84.4)
29.8
(85.6)
29.4
(84.9)
29.5
(85.1)
28.8
(83.8)
25.9
(78.6)
20.9
(69.6)
16.6
(61.9)
24.3
(75.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 8.1
(46.6)
9.7
(49.5)
13.3
(55.9)
18.0
(64.4)
22.0
(71.6)
24.6
(76.3)
25.3
(77.5)
25.4
(77.7)
24.3
(75.7)
19.8
(67.6)
13.4
(56.1)
9.1
(48.4)
17.8
(63.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 18.1
(0.71)
14.6
(0.57)
21.9
(0.86)
55.6
(2.19)
165.3
(6.51)
342.4
(13.48)
573.3
(22.57)
438.3
(17.26)
276.7
(10.89)
77.2
(3.04)
8.8
(0.35)
17.5
(0.69)
2,009.6
(79.12)
Source 1: Department of Hydrology and Meteorology
Source 2: Agricultural Extension in South Asia (precipitation 1976–2005)

Parks

Government and public services

Economy

The economy of Bharatpur is traditionally based on agriculture. The city also holds a small-scale processing industry that mostly processes the food surpluses of the Chitwan district. Their products are sold to major cities of Nepal, Kathmandu and Pokhara.[citation needed]

The poultry industry is expanding in the municipality, producing a significant amount of poultry products for the country, and is one of the main employment sources in the Chitwan District.

Other products from the city include honey, mushrooms, and flowers. A significant part of its economy is derived from education and health services.[citation needed]

Tourist attractions

Bishazari Tal

Bishazari Tal

Bishazari Tal, meaning "Lake twenty thousand", is in south Bharatpur. The lake serves as a bird watching center and houses many crocodiles. Bishazari Tal lies near Chitwan National Park and 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the city center, Chaubiskoti, of Bharatpur. Pandeyghumti is the nearest chowk (square) from the lake, being only 1 km (0.62 mi) away.

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan national park jungle safari.

Nearby, Chitwan National Park चितवन राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज is home to one-horned rhinos, elephants, Bengal tigers, crocodiles, deer and many other wild animals. It is the third largest tourist destination in Nepal after Kathmandu and Pokhara. The park has been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983.

Narayani River

The Narayani River flows north to south in the south of Bharatpur. It is the deepest and one of the largest rivers in Nepal. The Narayani Bridge over this river connects Chitwan District with Nawalpur District of Nepal. Small islands, like Nagarban in Narayani river, are popular picnic spots.

Rapti River

The Rapti River flows east to southwest in the south of Bharatpur and meets the northern border of the Chitwan National Park.

Religious and cultural landmarks

Mosque in Nepal

Forts and palaces

Education

Bharatpur's Chitwan Higher Secondary School is the oldest government school in Chitwan District. There are several colleges in Bharatpur, including the College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur and Chitwan Medical College. The city's most famous institution is the Agriculture and Forestry University, which was established in 2010 and is the first technical university in Nepal.

Healthcare

Compared to other parts of the country, Bharatpur has a highly developed healthcare system with several famous hospitals, including the second-largest government hospital in Nepal, which was established with American aid during the malaria control program operated by the US government at the request of the late King Mahendra of Nepal. B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital was established with the help of China in 1994. Two medical colleges, the College of Medical Sciences and Chitwan Medical College also maintain their own teaching hospitals. Other important hospitals and nursing homes are Niko Children's Hospital, Narayani Community Hospital, Sishu Fertility Clinic, and Bharatpur Eye Hospital.

Transportation

Road

Airport

Bharatpur Airport

Bharatpur is located at the crossing of Mahendra Highway and Madan Ashrit Highway. The closest larger cities are Gorkha Municipality at 67 km (42 mi) and Hetauda at 78 km (48 mi). Kathmandu is located 146 km (91 mi) away.

Bharatpur is the only city in Nepal that has two operating airports.[citation needed] Bharatpur Airport, in the central part of the city, offers daily flights to Kathmandu and to Pokhara. Meghauli Airport is a smaller airstrip in the southwest of the city.

Public transportation consists of privately run bus or microbus services.[citation needed] There are also frequent bus services to Kathmandu and Birgunj. Public bus service is available to the people from the city to Danda of Nawalpur District, Butwal, and other major cities and small villages and towns too.

Sports

The under construction Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium is situated in the city. The Chitwan Rhinos represented the city and Chitwan as a whole in the Nepal Premier League.

Media

Eight major local FM radio stations are broadcast from Bharatpur. They are Amrit FM, Synergy FM, Hamro FM, Radio Triveni, Radio Chitwan, Chitwan Online FM. Kalika music FM, and Kalika FM. The television stations Beso Channel, Avass TV, and Crystal TV also broadcast from Bharatpur.

Narayangarh

Narayangarh (Nepali: नारायणगढ) or Narayanghat (Nepali: नारायणघाट pronounced [naɾajʌɳɡʱaʈ], or [naɾajʌnɡʌɽ]) is an important trading area, which is situated in the centre of Bharatpur. The major neighbourhoods of Narayangarh are Shahid Chowk, Pulchowk, Kshetrapur, Belchowk, Hakimchowk and Milanchowk. Narayangarh is famous for Taas, a spicy fried goat-meat lunch dish served with bhuja or chiura. Narayangarh has extremely hot summers but very mild winters.

International relations and organizations

Twin towns – sister cities

Bharatpur is twinned with:

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Preliminary Report of National Population 2021". Central Bureau Statistics, Nepal. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  2. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). cbs.gov.np. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ↑ "Welcome to Bharatpur Metropolitan City | Bharatpur Metropolitan City". bharatpurmun.gov.np. Archived from the original on 2018-07-20. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
  4. ↑ "Nepal Cities: Clean and Healthy Urban Development". Asian Development Bank. July 2013. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  5. ↑ "Mayoral candidates vow to make Bharatpur prosperous". The Himalayan Times. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 National Population and Housing Census 2021
  7. ↑ "Bharatpur Metropolitan - Election 2079 | Results and Updates | Local Election of Nepal 2079 - Chitwan, Bagmati Pradesh | Ekantipur Election".
  8. ↑ "Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section)". Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  9. ↑ "TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF CLIMATE CHANGE OVER NEPAL (1976-2005)" (PDF). Agricultural Extension in South Asia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  10. ↑ "Healthy Profits in the Poultry Hub – CHITWAN REPORT". Business 360. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  11. ↑ Beni- A Souvenir of Chitwan Higher Secondary School
  12. ↑ "About Us". Agriculture and Forestry University. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  13. ↑ "Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital website". Archived from the original on 2009-04-23. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  14. ↑ "About Institute". Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  15. ↑ "Chitwan Medical College website". Archived from the original on 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  16. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-10-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ↑ admin. "Sushant Subedi". UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment. Retrieved 2026-10-03.