Temple, monastery or heritage site · 75 m
Kankalini Temple
A popular goddess temple near Bhardaha in eastern Saptari, crowded with pilgrims during Dashain.
Chitwan & Teraiराजविराज
Rajbiraj
The headquarters of Saptari district, a planned Terai town laid out on a grid around the Rajdevi temple.
- Altitude
- 75 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Saptari, Madhesh
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: flooding (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Rajbiraj is the headquarters of Saptari district in the eastern Terai, a town south of the East-West Highway and not far from the Indian border. It is known for its planned layout: streets run on a regular grid, which makes it unusual among the more organically grown market towns of the plains.
At the centre of the town is the Rajdevi temple, dedicated to the goddess who is regarded as the town's protector and from whom its name is often said to derive. Around it are markets, government offices, schools and colleges, and the town has long been an educational and political centre for the eastern Madhesh.
For travellers, Rajbiraj is a calm base for exploring Saptari, including Kankalini Temple at Bhardaha, Chhinnamasta Bhagawati near the border, and the Koshi river and barrage to the east. The town has a small airport, though scheduled flights have been intermittent.
History and culture
Rajbiraj was developed as a planned district town in the twentieth century, and its grid of streets reflects that origin. It has played an important role in the politics of the Terai and was home to several prominent national political figures.
Saptari is part of the Mithila cultural region, and Maithili is the main language of Rajbiraj and the surrounding villages. The town keeps the festivals of the Mithila calendar, including Chhath, Holi, Jur Sital at the start of the Nepali new year, and Sama Chakeva, a festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters in the weeks after Chhath.
Mithila painting, Maithili literature and music are actively practised, and the town has been a centre for the promotion of the Maithili language.
Things to do in Rajbiraj
Rajdevi temple
Visit the town's guardian goddess temple, busiest during Dashain.
Saptari temple circuit
Combine Kankalini Temple at Bhardaha with Chhinnamasta Bhagawati in a day of temple visits.
Koshi Barrage
Drive east to see the barrage across the Koshi river near the Indian border.
Weather and the best time to visit Rajbiraj
Weather in Rajbiraj
Forecast for 75 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, Chhath and Sama Chakeva.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool with dense fog that can disrupt travel.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is comfortable; April and May are very hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, and the Koshi area floods in heavy rain.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
A small choice of hotels and guesthouses in town.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Rajbiraj is reached by road from the East-West Highway; Biratnagar airport to the east has frequent flights from Kathmandu.
Nearest hub: Biratnagar
- roadFrom the East-West Highway, roads lead south to Rajbiraj through Saptari.
- flightKathmandu to Biratnagar by scheduled flight, then by road west across the Koshi to Rajbiraj.
- flightRajbiraj has its own small airport; check whether scheduled flights are operating.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Rajbiraj, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Rajbiraj
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
Monsoon rain between June and September brings flooding to parts of Saptari, especially near the Koshi and its tributaries.
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 cold spells are common in the eastern Terai, slowing road travel and delaying 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
- Maithili and Nepali are widely spoken; English is limited.
- Check whether flights to Rajbiraj are running before planning around them.
- Use ATMs in town before visiting rural temples.
Questions about Rajbiraj
What is Rajbiraj known for?
Its planned grid layout, the Rajdevi temple and its role as a centre of Maithili culture and Terai politics.
How do I get to Rajbiraj?
By road from the East-West Highway, or fly to Biratnagar and continue by road.
What can I see nearby?
Kankalini Temple, Chhinnamasta Bhagawati and the Koshi Barrage.
Nearby
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 70 m
Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Temple
An important goddess temple in southern Saptari, dedicated to Chhinnamasta and known locally as Sakhada Bhagawati.
National park or conservation area
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
A wetland reserve on the Sapta Koshi floodplain, home to Nepal's last wild water buffalo and known for its birdlife.
Town or village · 100 m
Lahan
The largest town in Siraha district, a busy East-West Highway hub known across the region for its eye hospital.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Rajbiraj, Wikipedia, Saptari District, Wikipedia