National park or conservation area
Parsa National Park
Sal forest and Chure hills east of Chitwan, protecting elephants, tigers and gaur in a much quieter setting.
Chitwan & Teraiवीरगञ्ज
Birgunj
Nepal's main trade gateway with India, a busy border city opposite Raxaul and a base for Parsa National Park.
- Altitude
- 85 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Parsa, Madhesh
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Birgunj is a metropolitan city in Parsa district and the largest border crossing for trade between Nepal and India. It sits directly opposite Raxaul in Bihar, and a large share of Nepal's imports pass through its customs point and the dry port at nearby Sirsiya. The city is often called the gateway of Nepal.
For travellers, Birgunj is mainly a place to cross the border or break a journey between Kathmandu and the Indian plains. It also makes a practical base for Parsa National Park to the north, for the heritage sites of Bara district such as Gadhimai Temple and Simraungadh, and for the Gahawa Mai temple within the city.
The centre is crowded and commercial, with a main road lined with shops, wholesale markets and banks. Landmarks include a clock tower in the centre and a large ornamental gateway on the road into the city. Mornings and evenings are the best times to explore, when the heat is lower and the markets are at their busiest.
History and culture
The city takes its name from the Rana prime minister Bir Shumsher, under whom it developed in the late nineteenth century as a trade and administrative centre. The arrival of a railway from the Indian side and later the Tribhuvan Rajpath and the highway through Hetauda made it the main link between the Kathmandu Valley and India.
Birgunj is a Bhojpuri-speaking city with a mix of Madhesi, Pahadi, Marwari and Muslim communities. Chhath, Holi, Dashain and Eid are all widely celebrated, and the city's temples and ponds become crowded during festivals.
Trade defines the city's character. Trucks queue on the roads to the border and the dry port, and the city's markets supply goods to much of central Nepal.
Things to do in Birgunj
Market walk
Explore the main road and side markets in the evening for street food and the bustle of a trade city.
Gahawa Mai temple
Visit the city's best-known goddess temple, busiest during Dashain.
Parsa National Park
Arrange a day trip north to the park for forest walks and jeep drives.
Bara heritage day
Visit Gadhimai Temple, Kalaiya and Simraungadh to the east.
Weather and the best time to visit Birgunj
Weather in Birgunj
Forecast for 85 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are dry and pleasant, with Dashain, Tihar and Chhath celebrations.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool with frequent morning fog.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is comfortable; April to June is very hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is hot, humid and wet, with waterlogged streets after heavy rain.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
A wide range of business hotels and simpler guesthouses in the city centre and along the main roads.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Birgunj is linked to Kathmandu by highway through Hetauda and by flights to nearby Simara. It is the main road crossing to Raxaul in India.
Nearest hub: Simara airport
- roadKathmandu to Birgunj by bus via Hetauda, a long day's drive depending on the route and traffic.
- flightKathmandu to Simara by scheduled flight, then by road south to Birgunj.
- roadFrom Raxaul in India, cross the border on foot or by rickshaw into Birgunj.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Birgunj. Foreigners entering or leaving Nepal here need to complete immigration formalities at the border.
- Immigration: Foreign nationals other than Indian citizens should obtain or show a Nepali visa at the Birgunj immigration office when crossing.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Birgunj
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Heavy monsoon rain from June to September regularly waterlogs streets in parts of Birgunj and can disrupt traffic.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
April to June is very hot in Birgunj, and humidity rises sharply once the monsoon approaches; plan outdoor visits for early morning or evening.
Coldlow in a typical yearDec-Jan
In December and January dense fog and spells of cold weather are common in the Terai, which can slow road travel and delay flights.
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
- The border area is crowded and slow with truck traffic; allow extra time.
- Get your passport stamped at immigration when crossing; it is easy to walk past the office.
- ATMs and money changers are plentiful.
- Air quality and dust can be poor in the dry season; a mask helps.
Questions about Birgunj
Can foreigners cross the border at Birgunj?
Yes, Birgunj and Raxaul is an official crossing for foreign travellers; complete immigration formalities on both sides.
How do I get from Kathmandu to Birgunj?
By bus via Hetauda, or by flight to Simara and then by road.
Is there anything to see in Birgunj?
The city's markets, temples and clock tower, and it is a base for Parsa National Park and Bara's heritage sites.
Do I need a permit?
No permit is needed for the city itself.
Nearby
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 85 m
Gahawa Mai Temple
Birgunj's best-known goddess temple, crowded with worshippers during Dashain and other festivals.
Town or village · 100 m
Kalaiya
The district headquarters of Bara, a busy Terai market town and a base for Gadhimai Temple and Simraungadh.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 100 m
Gadhimai Temple
A village shrine to the goddess Gadhimai in Bara, known across the region for a large festival held once every five years.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Birgunj, Wikipedia, Parsa District, Wikipedia, Raxaul, Wikipedia