Viewpoint
Tyamke Danda
A forested ridge top above Bhojpur used for sunrise views of the eastern Himalaya and for local pilgrimage.
भोजपुर बजार
Bhojpur Bazaar
The hill-top headquarters of Bhojpur district, known across Nepal for its blacksmiths and khukuri knives.
This is Bhojpur, the hill town and headquarters of Bhojpur district in Koshi Province, Nepal, not Bhojpur district in Bihar, India.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Bhojpur, Koshi
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Bhojpur is the headquarters of Bhojpur district, a hill town spread along a ridge in the middle hills of eastern Nepal, west of the Arun river. Its old bazaar of stone-paved lanes, shuttered shopfronts and small temples serves a wide area of farming villages, and the town works well as a base for walks to the surrounding ridges and to Tyamke Danda, the best-known viewpoint in the district.
The name Bhojpur is familiar to many Nepalis because of the khukuri, the curved knife carried by hill farmers and by Gurkha soldiers. Blacksmith workshops in and around the town have long been associated with the craft, and a Bhojpure khukuri is still regarded as a mark of quality. Visitors can usually watch smiths at work and buy knives and other ironware directly.
Bhojpur is not on a main tourist circuit, which is part of its interest: daily life here is that of an ordinary district town, with weekly markets, government offices, schools and bus stands. Accommodation is simple and services are aimed at local travellers, so a little Nepali and some patience go a long way.
History and culture
Bhojpur lies in the traditional homeland of the Kirat Rai peoples, whose many language groups have lived in these hills for centuries, and Rai culture, including the Sakela dances held in spring and autumn, remains strong in villages around the town. The bazaar itself grew as a trading and administrative centre, and Newar merchants and craftsmen settled here, bringing their building styles and their skill with metal.
Metalworking is the thread that runs through the town's history. Brass and copper vessels and iron tools were made here for trade to the surrounding hills, and the khukuri became the town's signature product. Today Bhojpur is also home to Chhetri, Brahmin and other communities, and the main Hindu festivals are celebrated alongside Kirat rituals.
Things to do in Bhojpur Bazaar
Visit the khukuri smiths
Ask in the bazaar to see a forge at work and buy a knife made locally; check the rules on carrying blades on flights.
Walk the bazaar
Spend an early morning in the old lanes, temples and market stalls before the day's traffic builds.
Tyamke Danda trip
Use the town as a base for the climb to Tyamke Danda for sunrise and mountain views.
Village walks
Follow footpaths to nearby Rai villages and terraced farmland for a half or full day.
Weather and the best time to visit Bhojpur Bazaar
Weather in Bhojpur Bazaar
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are usually clear and dry after the monsoon, with the best chance of mountain views and the Dashain and Tihar festivals.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and generally dry; mornings can be cold and misty, but days are often bright.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April are mild, with rhododendrons flowering on the higher ridges; haze often builds by late morning.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet and green; cloud hides the views and hill roads are prone to landslides.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthousesHomestays
Simple hotels and lodges in the bazaar cater mostly to Nepali travellers and officials; homestays may be arranged in nearby villages.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Bhojpur is reached by long hill roads from the Koshi Highway side via Dhankuta and Hile, or by small aircraft to the town's airstrip when flights operate.
Nearest hub: Biratnagar
- roadFrom Dharan or Biratnagar, drive up the Koshi Highway towards Dhankuta and Hile, then continue on rough feeder roads down to the Arun and up to Bhojpur; allow a full day.
- flightBhojpur has a small airstrip; scheduled flights from Kathmandu have run in the past but are irregular, so check before planning around them.
- jeepShared jeeps and local buses serve the town; road condition varies with the season.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Bhojpur bazaar.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Bhojpur Bazaar
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain from June to September brings landslides and slips on the feeder roads into Bhojpur and the descent to the Arun valley, and journeys can be delayed for hours or days.
Road blockagesmoderate in a typical yearJul-Aug
At the height of the monsoon, washed-out sections on unpaved roads can leave the town reachable only by long detours or on foot for a time.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Carry enough cash; ATMs exist in the bazaar but can run out or go offline.
- Khukuris are bladed weapons: pack them in checked luggage and check airline and customs rules before flying home.
- Road travel times change a lot with the season; start long drives early.
- Ask permission before photographing people at work or during rituals.
Questions about Bhojpur Bazaar
What is Bhojpur known for?
Mainly for its blacksmiths and the Bhojpure khukuri, and for being the headquarters of a district rich in Kirat Rai culture.
How do I get to Bhojpur?
Usually by road from Dharan or Biratnagar via the Koshi Highway and feeder roads, which takes a full day; flights to the local airstrip are irregular.
Is Bhojpur in India?
No. This Bhojpur is a hill town in Koshi Province, eastern Nepal. There is a separate Bhojpur district in Bihar, India.
Do I need a permit?
No permit is required to visit the town.
Nearby
Lake · 3,414 m
Salpa Pokhari
A high sacred lake in the forested hills of northern Bhojpur, revered by the Kirat Rai and reached on foot.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 1,346 m
Halesi-Maratika Caves
A limestone cave temple in Khotang held sacred by Hindus as Halesi Mahadev, by Buddhists as Maratika, and by the Kirat Rai as an ancestral place.
Town or village
Hile
A cool ridge bazaar on the Koshi Highway above Dhankuta, known for its hill food and mountain views.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Bhojpur, Nepal, Wikipedia, Bhojpur District, Wikipedia, Kukri, Wikipedia