INTRODUCTION TO THE BUTWAL CITY

BUTWAL MUNICIPATY ENTRANCE GATE

Butwal (Nepali: बुटवल) is one of the biggest and a major city in Western Nepal in Rupandehi District, in Lumbini Zone—of which it is the administrative center. It is situated at the bank of Tilottama River Tinau River. It is located 265 kms west ofKathmandu 161 Kms south of Pokhara and 22 kms north of Siddharthanagar Bhairawaha, at the northern edge of the Teraiplain below the Siwalik Hills. Its name is derived from Batauli Bazaar in the town's oldest district; aslo known as BTL informally.
Geographically, Butwal is the mid section (Cross Roads) of the Nepal's National Highway (Mahendra Highway & Siddhartha Highway). It connects western Nepal to the capital Kathmandu through highway and air links. It has become one of the fastest growing cities in Nepal in terms of mainly education, infrastructure, highway, marketing, health & safety, communication, trade and banking sectors. It has highway connections to the Indian Border at Sunauli and to hilly towns Tansen and Pokharavalley. And holds the title of being "The Best City in Nepal" twice.
Butwal was officially declared as a sub-metropolitian city on 2nd December 2014 by combining two neighbouring VDCs.

LOCATION : 

located 265 kms west ofKathmandu 161 Kms south of Pokhara and 22 kms north of Siddharthanagar Bhairawaha, at the northern edge of the Teraiplain below the Siwalik Hills.   

DIRECTION  TO BUTWAL FROM CAPITAL(KATHMANDU)

HISTORY :

Fossils of ancient hominoids Ramapithecus were found near the Tinau (Tilottama) River as early as 1932, including a 10.1 million year old tooth.

Historically Butwal connected Nepali people with their Indian neighbors. As the British East India Company annexed Awadhfrom its hereditary rulers while the Shah Dynasty attempted to annex the Terai, Butwal became one of bones of contention leading to the Gurkha War 1814-16.

When King Tribhuvan fled to India in 1950 during the revolt against the Rana dynasty he travelled through Butwal. Then it was little more than a village on the western bank of Tilottama River (also known as Tinau). With completion in 1968 of Siddhartha Highway from the border at Sunauli through Butwal to Pokhara and then in the 1990s Mahendra Highway across the full east-west expanse of Nepal's Terai, Butwal has developed rapidly.

TRANSPORT :

Buses are the dominant form of transportation. Private operators offer service to various destinations. Until 2003 most of the fleet was older large buses; since then operators have added newer minibuses popularly called micro. Older jeeps are used to take people to nearby hilly regions. Rickshaws are used for short-distance urban transport, howevertaxicabs are gaining popularity with increasing affluence. Motorcycles are a common means of personal transportation around town. The number registered has increased from 1,200 in 1999 to 80,000 in 2008.

Nearly 100 buses depart to Kathmandu from Butwal bus station. Long distance buses are also available to other major cities like Pokhara, Mahendranagar in west andKakarbhitta in east.

PLACES OF INTEREST AROUND BUTWAL :

• DEVDAHA 

The most historical and beautiful religious site of Nepal situated 13 kms east of Butwal is best known for the maternal home of lord Gautam Buddha. It is a place of best natural beauty and pollution free environment. Kheirani, Bhawanipur, Bairimai,Kan yamai,Khayardanda etc are the places of interest. Aap Khola' (mango river) where people go for swimming and to obtain water during droughts. There is a view of nearby Manakamana Temple.

• BUTWAL HILL PARK  (Deepnagar)

An historic place for the Gurung community. This hill used to be called Gurung Dada because Gurungs were buried here. It separates the city into 2 parts and gives views of both sides.

• JITGADI 

A fortress during Angol Nepal war, Narayan temple built by (1864 B.S.) Hanuman temple and Shivalaya of Hanumagngadhi, Jalabinayak Mehadev temple, Siddababa temple, Nuwakot etc. are famous centres of attraction in Butwal.

• Murgiya Jharbaira

About 13 km west from Butwal city. This place is known for secondary schools, rice and oil mills, temples and natural beauty. Temple of Lord Shiva (Parroha Parmeshower Bolbam Dham) is situated near by here with is internationally famous for receiving blessings from Lord of the Lord Shiva Shankar and temple of Goddess Durga at the center of town.

• MADI MUKUNDA SEN PARK  (Phulbari)

The winter palace of Palpali Sen clan is very fascinating from natural and archaeological values. There are ruins and antiquities of the majestic palace of Manimukunda Sen an ancient Palpali king containing 6 large rooms as well as royal residence, administrative and fascinating scenic grandeur of Butwal, Siddharthanagar and other neighbouring villages of Rupandehi district can be vividly seen from here at night also. His Majesty's Government, archaeological department has attempted to maintain it in 1991. Now Butwal municipality has formed council for the conservation of Manimukunda Sen Park to conduct Phulbari Development Programme and attempted to make it an amusing and a tourist resort.

• Sainamaina

Located about 12 km. west from Butwal and to North from Banakatti, Sainamaina as an open museum is very famous and fascinating resort from historical archaeological culture and natural points of view. Among the different Gramas villages of Shakya King, it was in the samgrama site. An Indian queen (Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh) because of the British disturbance in her kingdom came to this area with her soldiers and porters (‘Sena’ and Mena’) and finally this area came to be known as Saina Maina. It is an exquisite treasure trove of ancient ruins and antiquities: statues of dancing saints, ruins of palace, well etc.

• SIDDA BABA TEMPLE 

It is located on hills at the border of Butwal Municipality. Devotees believe that Siddha Baba will grant their wishes and offer pigeons at the temple. On Saturdays, the weekly holiday in Nepal, large number of devotees visit this temple and special Microbus services are offered.

• THE STATUE OF BUDHA  (Jogidanda)

It was very significant ruins of having the values of classical art are scattered here and there. This famous archaeological site is being occupied by homeless and landless people. Some of the antiquities of this site are seen thrown around the Lumbini museum.

• Nilkanth varni (lord shree Swaminarayan) stayed for two months in king's palace (now at manimukund garden, an old wall remains) during his "Vanvicharan".

HERE ARE SOME OF THE COOLEST PICTURES OF WHICH U MAY FIND AROUND BUTWAL

TINAU BRIDGE OF CHIDIYA KHOLA

LIGHT TRAIL PHOTO AROUND MILANCHOK

HOSPITAL LINE BUTWAL