Birgunj
Nepal's commercial gateway to India, with a landmark clock tower and the Gahawa Mai temple.
Birgunj handles more of Nepal's trade than any other city: the Raxaul border crossing, the dry port and the railway link bring a constant flow of trucks. The city was named after Prime Minister Bir Shumsher, and its clock tower (Ghantaghar) is its best-known landmark.
Gahawa Mai temple is the city's favourite shrine, and the Chhath and Holi celebrations are exuberant. Birgunj is also the main base for visiting Parsa National Park and the Gadhimai temple.
