Tourism in terai

Gateway to the Terai, Nepal
When the wider world thinks about Nepal they normally think about Mount Everest, Himalayas, Mountains and Kathmandu but there is a huge subtropical, beautiful, flat landscape where 45% of total population live. This is known as the Terai and offers you so many surprises such as magical birth place of Buddha who was founder of Buddhism.

The Main highlights of tourism in the Terai
It suites people of all ages and ability
Lovely people and great hospitality
Subtropical, beautiful and heart touching landscape
Shopping
Real life adventures of living in mud houses with the farmers and their hospitality
Offers you wide range of fresh organic foods
Tradition and culture that have not changed for centuries
Elephant ride Jungle safari, see Rhino, tiger, Leopard and many more
Koshi river rafting, fishing, swimming with fresh water Dolphins
Explore the long standing Koshi Tappu and Parsa Wildlife reserves
Wonderful Bardiya and Chitwan National parks
Buddhism and its origin
Hinduism and its 3.5 million Hindu Gods and Goddess
The famous cultural Mithila arts and painting
International heritage sites
Festivals of the Terai
Meet Uncle Charlie and listen to his interesting the legends and myths
The most famous Rickshaw ride through out the Terai
Visit Haat Bazar (the farmer markets)
Visit Tea plantation area and see red Pandas

When is best time to visit?
November to end of March is the best, April to end of June weather can humid and for westerners tourist it could be slightly uncomfortable and July to end of October is rainy season so there are not much to do except in town centre. For more details visit weather guide, Nepal weather guide ….

Festival in the Terai by Month
Concepts of festival in Hinduism: Almost every single festival are based on some sort of victory or birth or reincarnation or happiness etc, we Nepalese people celebrate festivals from all religions such as Buddhist, Muslim etc and personally I think it is great way to show unity between different religions people in Nepal. readfurther

Transportation: getting there and away
You can get flight to Kathmandu the capital of Nepal easily via Delhi or Doha or Bangkok from any part of the World and then get connection to Bhadrapur and Biratnagar (the eastern Terai), Janakpur, Bhairawa and Nepalganj (the central Terai) and Dhangadhi and Mahindra Nagar(the western Terai). We recommend staying over the night in Kathmandu and purchasing your tickets as these domestic tickets can not be booked online or in advance.

The best transport in the Terai is Rickshaw to maximum of 5 miles journey which will cost you about 200 rupees (£1.50). Bus fare are very cheap but these can not be available from airport in some parts of the Terai so take a taxi and remember to negotiate cost or tell them to put meter on, this should not cost you more than 1000 rupees (£10) within 10 to 15 miles. To hire a car for the whole day should not cost more than 3000 rupees (£25) that includes fuel, driver and all taxes. Hiring a car for the whole day is most recommended way to travelling around in the Terai.

10 things to remember
Do remember not to take any kind of shoes inside any temples and house in the country
Do remember not to drink water from the bore hole pump unless you have some sort of filtering mechanism
Always use mosquito repellent in the evening time and wear long trousers
Sleeping under mosquito net is best idea if your room is not fitted with air condition
Namaste is greeting word for any time of the day to any body
Staring at any one is common in Nepalese society therefore we suggest that you just smile at them
It is always best to remember few useful words Bhat (rice), Dal (lentil), Tarkari (mix vegetables), Anchar (pickle), Mashu (meat) and Pani (water)
If you are carrying loads cash then we suggest that you do not to carry it in your back pocket of your trouser while travelling in public transport.
So far there is no records that any westerner traveller have been a victim of crime in the Terai so enjoy your holiday without any compromises
If you can, avoid late night travelling out side of town centres as there is not much street lighting and so on.

Other information

If you are willing to volunteer you time, skills and resources then please contact local NGOs whose activities directly impact on the local society. This is the best way to help the poor. These little NGOs have no administration cost and all the income directly goes to invest in development projects. Volunteering teachers directly contact to local schools. For school children seeing westerners in their schools is one of the most exciting things in their life.

In near future Nepal Village Foundation will be able to offer you range of organised tours to Terai and any profit made we from this will be invested into poverty elimination projects. Please do keep in touch with us.

Some facts about Nepal
One of the most beautiful small countries in Asian continent, it was known as the ‘Kingdom of Nepal’ but lots of things have changed and now it is the ‘Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal’. The Population of Nepal is approximately 30 million with a growth rate of 2.43%, 86% are Hindu. There are three physiographic regions these are the Himalaya, the Pahad and the Terai (also know as Madhesh). The Madhesh has the highest density of population with almost half of the total population of Nepal. These three regions people have very different identities which lead to racism. Madheshi people have darker skin than others in Nepal due to humid weather and genetic difference. In the north Nepal shares a border with Tibet/China and in the East, West and South with India. Nepal is a developing country with almost half of the population living under the poverty line with estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of £160 pa per person in 2005, 40% of income is from agriculture and 85% of the population engaged in farming. This figure clearly shows the return on farming is almost zero. Only 53% of the population are literate (40% female and 60% male). There are more women than men in Nepal and women die before man.Nepal’s political situation became worst after the murder of King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 2001. Establishing a stabilised and motivated government is the major difficulties in the country right now.

Places to visit [Biratnagar and around Biratnagar]

Baraha Chhetra
When asked about Baraha Chhetra, most Hindus would reply that they consider it one of the four greatest and travelled to Hindu pilgrimage sites found in Nepal. According to the myth Baraha Chhetra is the place where Barah, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu - the protector of the universe - fought with the demon Hiranakshya. After the battle, Lord Vishnu was successful and killed the evil demon. Travellers travelling to Baraha Chhetra, will find here a main shrine dedicated to Barah, as well as many other temples in the area that bear the image of Vishnu’s boar incarnation.Chhetra is located north of Biratnagar at the confluence of the mighty Sapta Koshi and Koka rivers 20km from Dharan in Eastern Nepal.

Places to stay and eat

BiratnagarBiratnagar is Nepal's second biggest city. The place is prospering as a hub for the trade and other Industry businesses. Its streets are lined with array of concrete building and border-bazaar shops and the mood of the city centre is relatively laid- back and amazingly traffic-free. Every Wednesday there is the Biratnagar Haat Bazaar which is set up in a field to the east of town and is definitely worth a visit for all travellers.
Places to stay and eat
All rage of hotels is available in Biratnagar and lots very good restaurants too.
Hotels: Hotel Swagatam, Hotel Xenial, Hotel Eastern Star, Hotel Namaskar, and Ratna Hotel Restaurants: Almost every hotel has restaurants and it is for public and will serve all sorts of western foods.
Places of interest in Biratnagar, read more ……

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a paradise for bird watchers, in particular to those interested in waterfowl and waders. Established in 1976 and situated on the flood plains of the Sapta-Koshi River (combination of seven different rivers) in Eastern region of Nepal (Madhesh) it has attracted more than 500 bird species. Read more ……

Places to stay and eat

Inside the Reserve there are few camping tents and couple of hotels with restaurants. Alternatively headquarter of Sunsari district Inaruwa is not far and it is lively town along the Mahendra Highway. This town could be very ideal for staying place while exploring the wetland, Koshi barrage and Wildlife Reserve. There are few middle rage hotels, restaurants and shopping places.

Dharan
Dharan is a tourist destination in its own right. It is well quipped to cater to any tourist's needs with its good transport system, hotels, hospitals, banks, travel agencies, shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, Internet/phone cafes, movie theaters, sporting stadium, all year around events and sites of interests. Local people are very genial and friendly. Communication is mainly in Maithili, Hindi, Nepali and English speakers should have no problem. Read more

Places to stay and eat

There are plenty of all range of hotels and restaurants in the town centre. Just pope in and ask to show rooms available. As this was ex-Gorkha recruitment town there are some decent dinning restaurants and good shopping places.

Jhapa [Birtamoda, Damak and Kakarbhitta]
Birtamoda is a lovely small town centre in Jhapa district. It is connected with Mahendra Highway in the far eastern part of Terai. Tea plantation and tourism is major business here and every year hundreds tourist visit here to explore the magnificent view of tea plantation. There are lovely little lodges around the place and give you instant view from your hotel of the whole surrounding area.

Damak People of Damak are very nice. They are easy to co-operate with. Because of their friendly nature you will be willing to visit them. Damak is inhabited by Tharus, Rajbansi, Mongolians, Aryans and many other castes and sub-castes.
The favourite hangout place in Damak is 'The Himalayan Tea garden', Mini Palace' of The Himalayan Tea Garden, 'banks of Ratuwa River' and the famous 'Ratuwa Bridge' from where you can view the beautiful scene of sun sets. Mountains to the north from this bride look mightier. Damak truly is a gift by nature.
The major cities of Jhapa include Chandragadi, Bhadrapur, Birtamoda, Damak, Dhulabari and Kakarbitta. Chandragadi is headquarter of Jhapa district.

Kakarbhitta Getting out of the jeep was a real boost for the posterior. The whole travelling experience in India/Nepal is about battering the buttocks. The views of the Nepali countryside are something to behold. Stopping along the way in small towns gives an insight into the lives of rural Nepali folk.

Places to stay and eat

Janakpur
Janakpur, more commonly Janakpurdham, is a city in Nepal. Janakpurdham is the administrative headquarters of the Dhanusa District of the Janakpur Zone and has a population of approximately 80,000. The city is located about 400 km south-east of Kathmandu, 20 km from the Indian border at 26° 42' 44" N, 085° 55' 18" E Janakpurdham has a substantial tourist industry due to its significance in the Hindu religion and is home to the only operational railway in Nepal, the Janakpur Railway.

Main articles: History of Mithila and Kings of Mithila"Deities of Sri Sita Devi (far right) and Sri Rama (center) (with Sri Lakshmana (far left) and Sri Hanuman (below seated))" Deities of Sri Sita Devi (far right) and Sri Rama (center) (with Sri Lakshmana (far left) and Sri Hanuman (below seated)

Janakpurdham, historically called Mithila, is the centre of the ancient Maithili culture, which has its own language and script.

The first millennium BC text Śatpath Brāhmana tells that the king Māthava Videgha, led by his priest Gotama Rahugana, first crossed the Sadānirā (Gandaka) river and founded the kingdom of Videha, whose capital city was Mithila. As Gotama Rahugana composed many hymns in the Rgveda, these events must date to the Rgvedic period.

The most important historical reference to Mithila/Janakpurdham is in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama's wife Sita Devi (also called Janaki) is said to have been the princess of Videha. Her father, King Janak, found baby Sita in a furrow of a field and raised her as his daughter. When she grew up, the king announced that she should be wed by whoever was able to string the divine bow of Shiva. Though many royal suitors tried, Lord Rama, prince of Ayodhya, alone could even lift the bow. As Rama and Sita are major figures in Hinduism, Janakpurdham is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus.

In addition, both the great saints Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism, and Vardamana Mahavira, the 24th and final Tirthankara of the Jain religion, are said to have lived in Mithila/Janakpurdham. The region was an important centre of Indian history during the first millennium.