'''Bhairahawa''' is a city in Rupandehi District in Western Nepal.
Understand
Bhairahawa is not Sunauli. Bhairahawa (spelling variation Bhairawa) and also known as Siddharthanagar, is a pleasant town of about 70,000 people 3 kilometers north of Sunauli and can be considered as: 1) the gateway to the Nepal side of the Buddhist pilgrim's circuit (Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Kathmandu). Hindus pilgrims also cross here on pilgrimages to (Kathmandu's Pashupatinath); and 2) the gateway to Nepal for the over landers/backpackers heading for jungle and trekking adventures.
Get in
By air
'''Via Kathmandu''' to Bhairahawa Airport, one of Nepal's busiest, takes 45 minutes, and costs about $200 for foreigners and $115 for nationals. Carriers include Buddha Air, Yeti Air, 160 NRs airport tax applies for all domestic flights.
By bus
'''Via Dehli''', Gorakpur, Sunauli, India/Belahiya, Nepal. 24 - 30 hours.
'''Via Kathmandu''', Narayangarh/Bharatpur (var. Narayanghat), Butwal, Bhairahawa. 7 - 10 hours.
'''Via Pokhara''', Palpa/Tanzan, Butwal, Bhairahawa (potholed, windy road, but beautiful views) 5 - 6 hours. Also via Pokhara, Narayangarh/Bharatpur/Butwal, Bhairahawa (better road conditions). 5 -6 hours.]
'''Via Sauraha/Chitwan Jungle''' Local bus/jeep to Tandi Bazaar, Bharatpur/Narayanghar. Switch to intercity Butwal, Bhairahawa micro-bus/bus. Road is very good. 4-5 hours.
By train
'''Via Delhi''' - Gorakpur. Transfer to narrow gauge track to Nautanwa. Transfer to taxi/bus/rickshaw to Sunauli, India (about 5 kilometers). Cross border to Belahiya and Nepal's Immigration. Transfer to bus/taxi rickshaw for 3 kilometers to Bhairahawa. Total time approximately 12 - 18 hours.
'''Via Kolkata''', Patna, Gorakpur. Transfer to narrow gauge track to Nautanwa. Transfer to taxi/bus/rickshaw to Sunauli, India (approximately 5 kilometers). Cross border to Belahiya, and Nepal's Immigration. Transfer to bus/taxi rickshaw for 3 kilometers to Bhairahawa. Total time approximately 10 - 12 hours.
Get around
Rickshaws are a good option within the city, or walking. Expect to pay about 2 rupees per minute, depending on how many people you are or if you have a lot of cargo.
Un-metered taxis are now common at the major intersections as well but prepare to bargain hard.
See
'''Lumbini Garden'''
Located approximately 22 klometers from Bhairahawa is the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha. The garden stretches one kilometer east west and 4 kilometers north south and besides having abundant bird and even some wild life, has an amazing collection over 20 nation's monasteries.
'''Devedaha''' lies 15 -km northeast of Bhairahawa near the village of Khairhani, is an archeological sight associated with the The Koliyas, the maternal tribe of Gautam Buddha. There are archaeological mounds near the village.
'''Ramagram''' lies about 20 kilometers due east from Bhairahawa and 4 km south of the town of Parasi in Nawalparasi district. The remains of stupa and monastery lie on the banks of the Jahari river near Kerwani village. The large stupa mound is approximately 30 ft high and 70 ft in diameter. Some have suggested that this was the center of the the Koliya Kingdom. The Koliyas of Ramagram are listed among the eight tribes that received the corporeal relics of the Buddha at Kushinagar. A Japanese funded memorial is located just to the west of the oxbow lake and a monastery is also planned. The all weather road to Ramgram is mostly unpaved and bumpy but passes through wonderful rural village scenes.
'''Kapilvastu''' is the name of an ancient Kingdom of the Shakyas the royal family of of Lord Buddha and is an important part of the Buddhist Pilgrimage Circuit. THe modern district center of Kapilvastu, Taulihawa(approx. 30,000 inhabitants), lies about 40 kilometers due west from Bhairahawa (about 18 kilometers from Lumbini) and there are many ancient archaeological sites situated in a 10 kilometer circle around Taulihawa. The roads to and around Taulihawa are in good condition. Click here on Kapilvastu to see more about these important sites.
'''Tribeni Ghat''' a small and very quaint village on the banks of the Narayani River (known as Gandaki River when it crosses nearby into India) and just across the river from the Chitwan National Park. A very important historical, religious and cultural area due to the presence of the ancient Valmiki Ashram just across the river, and the propitiousness of bathing at the ghats specifically on ekhi Magh or Surya Pujha on the first day of the month of Magh (approximately 15 January) when hundreds of thousands of pilgrims throng to the ghats to bathe. Cross the river here to visit Valmiki a 20 minute hike once you cross the river and just into the Chitwan National Park river. Also 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.
Do
'''Village Tours'''. Several tour guide companies are offering village tours especially around the Lumbini, which is fine but we suggest that you can walk, bike, motorbike anywhere in any villages in this area safely in the day time, unguided.
'''Birding/Bird Watching'''. In winter, the farmland in this area of the Terai is a mosaic of different crops and stubbles, with lowlands, small irrigation channels, streams, ponds and, away from towns, only scattered small villages, which often have very large, old trees used by roosting vultures and large water birds. The entire area is good for birds.But ask for wetland grassland area north of Lumbini called Khadara Phanta, which is particularly good for seeing the endangered Sarus Crane. Also, Jagdishpur Reservoir, is considered nationally to be an important bird area in Kapilvastu District, about 40 km NW of Lumbini.
'''Terai Trekking'''. A flat-landers version of mountain trekking. First performed in 1991 by two Peace Corps volunteers who walked from Bhairawaha, to Trivenighat, and on to Chitwan, some 70 kilometers in three days via existing back roads, farm lands, forests and footpaths. It was their way of attempting to walk the path taken by Siddhartha (a Buddhist Via Dolorosa if you like) who after renouncing his princely life escaped the fortress compound at Tilaurakot and walking (actually riding his steed Kantaka) east into the jungles. Other versions could be simply day walks from Bhairahawa to Lumbini and catching the bus back.
Buy
'''Palpali Brass'''. Search the bazaar for good deals on famous Palpali brass wear such as kuruwa's diwas, and statuary still produced in Palpa in the hills north of Bhairahawa.
'''Dokiya'''. Small round baskets woven from rice straw by the women of this area. Beautiful colors and designs are found. Most village women don't think to sell it as there are no local market but if you ask they will sell usually cheap if it is their first time selling so don't forget the tip!
'''Haat Bazaar'''. Bhairahawa has one of the best haat (weekly) bazaars in this region. If it walks, talks, squeaks or squawks it can be found here. They are held every Thursdays and Sundays and don't really get going/crowded till around 11am or 12PM and go through till night fall. The open market is located about 300 meters south from Pawan Hotel, off Paklihawa Road, next to the CDO's (chief district officer) office. You can find a lot of different range of stuff at remarkably cheap prices!
Eat
Unfortunately the world famous Kasturi Pure Vegetarian Restaurant closed in 2001. But lucky for you the head chef just crossed the street to '''Pawan Hotel''' on Main Bazaar Road. Dishes begin around 60 NRs. If you ask politely they may even make you a non-menu treat the "Kasturi Special Pulau".
Pawan Mistan Bandar (sweet shop) located in front of Pawan Hotel is world famous in Nepal for its wide selection of sweets, dahi (yogurt) and paneer. You can also get south Indian tali, puri subji breakfasts, and several other meals and snack there.
Hotel Yeti (071 - 520551; fax 071- 520893), at the intersection of New (By Pass) Road and Parasi Road, has a very good restaurant that serves Indian, Tandori (don't forget the mushroom curry!), Chinese and some continental.
Drink
Sleep
Hotel Everest (071-520317), on Bank Rd, has good, clean, modern rooms for Rs 600/800. They often give a discount.
Hotel Shambala (071- 21837, 071-520167), Bank Rd, has rooms with common bath for Rs 350, with bath for Rs 450/550, and with air-coolers and hot water for Rs 1200/1400. Restaurant serves south Asian, Chinese. Also one of the few restaurants serving ice cream in the hot summer.
Hotel Lumbini Pagoda (071 -521837), just beside the new Bus PArk and half a km south of Bank Street has a very nice garden with rooms starting at 400 NRs. Nice restaurant and serves in the garden as well.
Hotel Pawan (071- ) one of the newer hotel entrants and located on Narayana Path just 50 meters south of Bank Road intersection. It has clean rooms for $25/30 and $35/40 with A/C. They often give a discount. It has a wonderful restaurant (as mentioned above) that serves Indian, Tandori, Chinese and some continental.
Hotel Shantanu (071- 521545), half a km north of Bank Street has clean rooms for $15/$20 USD and $20/25 for A/C. Restaurant is fine serving Indian, Chinese and some continental.
Hotel Yeti (071 - 520551; fax 071- 520893), New Road and Parasi Road, one of the oldest hotels but is a well-managed/well maintained place that has comfortable rooms for $25/30 and $35/40 with A/C. They often give a discount. Being on one of the main cross roads, so it can be noisy in the early morning. It has a very good restaurant that serves Indian, Chinese and some continental.
Hotel Himalaya Inn (071- 520347; fax 071-521540), on New Road/By Pass Road, one of the oldest hotels in Bhairhawa is a bit run down with rooms with A/C and bath for $20/24. They often give a discount.
Hotel Nirvana (071-520837; fax 071-521262; email: nirva@ccsl.com.np), about .5 km southwest of Hotel Pawan, on Paklihawa Rd, is a upscale, two-three-star hotel with lovely gardens and Nawari style architecture. It has clean, A/C rooms for $110/120. You can often get a 25% or more discount.
Shree Pashupati Lodge, Narayana Path, about a 10-minute walk from the Bhairahawa bus stand, is a recommended budget place, with rooms for $2.
Get Out