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.
Chitwan & Teraiकरमैया
Karmaiya
A riverside spot where the Bagmati leaves the hills, known for the irrigation barrage that feeds the plains of Sarlahi and Rautahat.
- Altitude
- 150 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Sarlahi, Madhesh
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: flooding (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Karmaiya is a place on the Bagmati river in the north-west of Sarlahi district, where the river emerges from the Chure hills onto the plains. It is best known for the barrage of the Bagmati irrigation scheme, which diverts water into canals serving farmland in Sarlahi and Rautahat.
The broad river bed, the barrage and the forested hills behind make Karmaiya a popular local outing, especially in the dry season, when families come to picnic on the banks and watch the water. The setting contrasts with the flat farmland that stretches south, and there are views upstream towards the Chure range.
Karmaiya is close to the East-West Highway, and can be visited as a short side trip from Lalbandi or Chandrapur. It suits travellers with their own transport who want to see how the great rivers of the hills shape life in the Terai.
History and culture
The Bagmati is one of the most sacred rivers of Nepal. It rises north of Kathmandu, flows past Pashupatinath through the Kathmandu Valley, and then cuts through the Mahabharat and Chure ranges before reaching the plains here and continuing south into Bihar. For people in the Terai it is both a lifeline for irrigation and a source of destructive floods.
The barrage at Karmaiya was built as part of the Bagmati irrigation project to bring reliable water to farmland on both banks. The scheme has been expanded over time, and it remains important to the agricultural economy of the area.
Riverside ghats along the Bagmati are used for rituals, and the river is part of the wider sacred landscape that links the Kathmandu Valley with the plains.
Things to do in Karmaiya
Riverside visit
Walk along the banks near the barrage in the dry season, keeping clear of the water channels.
Side trip from the highway
Combine Karmaiya with Lalbandi or Chandrapur on an East-West Highway journey.
Weather and the best time to visit Karmaiya
Weather in Karmaiya
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 the best months, with the river still full but the rain over.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and pleasant for picnics by the river; mornings can be foggy.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is comfortable; by April and May it is hot and the river is low.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September brings floods; stay well away from the river banks and barrage.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
No notable accommodation at Karmaiya; stay in Lalbandi or Chandrapur.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Karmaiya is a short drive from the East-West Highway in north-western Sarlahi; private transport is easiest.
Nearest hub: Janakpur
- roadFrom Lalbandi or Chandrapur on the East-West Highway, take a jeep, taxi or motorbike to Karmaiya.
- roadKathmandu to Lalbandi by bus, then local transport to Karmaiya.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed. Access to some parts of the barrage structure may be restricted.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Bagmati River, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Karmaiya
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Floodinghigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Bagmati floods powerfully in the monsoon from June to September; the river level can rise very quickly after heavy rain in the hills.
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.
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
- Do not swim or wade near the barrage; currents can be strong.
- Follow any signs restricting access to the barrage structure.
- Carry water and snacks; facilities are minimal.
Questions about Karmaiya
What is Karmaiya known for?
The irrigation barrage on the Bagmati river, where the river leaves the Chure hills.
Can I visit in the monsoon?
It is not advisable to go near the river during monsoon floods.
How do I get there?
By local transport or private vehicle from Lalbandi or Chandrapur on the East-West Highway.
Nearby
Town or village · 150 m
Chandrapur
A highway town in northern Rautahat at the foot of the Chure hills, the main road gateway to the district.
Town or village · 80 m
Malangawa
The headquarters of Sarlahi district, a quiet Maithili border town south of the East-West Highway.
Town or village · 100 m
Garuda
A market town on the road between Chandrapur and Gaur, at the centre of rural Rautahat.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Bagmati River, Wikipedia, Sarlahi District, Wikipedia