Town or village · 80 m
Gaur
The border headquarters of Rautahat district, a Terai market town between the Bagmati and Lalbakaiya rivers.
Chitwan & Teraiचन्द्रपुर
Chandrapur
A highway town in northern Rautahat at the foot of the Chure hills, the main road gateway to the district.
This is Chandrapur on the East-West Highway in Rautahat district, Nepal, not the city of Chandrapur in Maharashtra, India.
- Altitude
- 150 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Rautahat, Madhesh
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Chandrapur, long known as Chandranigahapur, is a town on the East-West Highway in the north of Rautahat district. It sits where the flat plains begin to rise towards the forested Chure hills, and it is the main junction for roads running south to Gaur and the rest of the district.
The town has grown quickly around the highway and has become the largest commercial centre in Rautahat. Its bazaar is lined with shops, eateries, bus counters and workshops, and long-distance buses between Kathmandu and the eastern Terai stop here. Like other highway towns, it is a place to pass through rather than a destination, but it offers food, rooms and transport connections for travellers heading into rural Rautahat.
North of the highway, the Chure hills are covered in sal forest, and the edge of the forest is close to town. Seasonal streams cross the plain, carrying sand and gravel down from the hills.
History and culture
Chandrapur's population mixes hill settlers, who moved down to the Terai in large numbers after malaria control in the mid twentieth century, with Madhesi and Tharu communities. Nepali is widely spoken in the town, while Bhojpuri and Bajjika are common further south.
The East-West Highway transformed the settlement into a market town, and it has since become a municipality serving a large rural area. The town's festivals reflect this mix, with Dashain and Tihar celebrated alongside Chhath and Holi.
The Chure range north of town is ecologically fragile, and conservation of its forests is a national priority because erosion in the hills increases sedimentation and flooding in the plains below.
Things to do in Chandrapur
Highway stop
Break a long bus journey with a meal in the bazaar.
Head south
Take a local bus or jeep to Gaur and the villages of southern Rautahat.
Forest edge walk
Walk north towards the Chure forest edge in the cool of the morning, sticking to clear paths.
Weather and the best time to visit Chandrapur
Weather in Chandrapur
Forecast for 150 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 comfortable for travel.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool with fog on the highway in the mornings.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is pleasant; April and May are hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September brings heavy rain and swollen streams from the Chure hills.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Simple hotels and guesthouses along the highway.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Chandrapur lies on the East-West Highway between Pathlaiya and Bardibas, with frequent long-distance and local buses.
Nearest hub: Birgunj
- roadKathmandu to Chandrapur by bus via Hetauda and Pathlaiya on the East-West Highway.
- roadFrom Bardibas or Janakpur, buses run west along the East-West Highway to Chandrapur.
- flightThe nearest airport with flights from Kathmandu is Simara; continue east by road.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Rautahat District, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Chandrapur
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
Streams draining the Chure hills rise quickly in monsoon rain, and can damage roads and bridges near Chandrapur between June and September.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
April to June is the hot season in the Terai, with daytime temperatures that make midday sightseeing tiring; travel early or late in the day.
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
- Buses on the East-West Highway can be crowded at festival times; book ahead.
- Fog in December and January slows highway traffic; allow extra time.
- Carry cash for rural travel south of the highway.
Questions about Chandrapur
Is Chandrapur the same as Chandranigahapur?
Yes, Chandranigahapur is the older name of the town, now Chandrapur.
How do I get to Chandrapur?
By bus along the East-West Highway; long-distance buses from Kathmandu stop here.
Is there much to see?
It is mainly a transport and market town and a gateway to rural Rautahat.
Nearby
Town or village · 100 m
Garuda
A market town on the road between Chandrapur and Gaur, at the centre of rural Rautahat.
Town or village · 85 m
Birgunj
Nepal's main trade gateway with India, a busy border city opposite Raxaul and a base for Parsa National Park.
Town or village · 150 m
Lalbandi
A busy East-West Highway town in Sarlahi, at the edge of the Chure hills and a stop on long road journeys.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Rautahat District, Wikipedia, Mahendra Highway, Wikipedia