Rupandehi District (; ), a part of Lumbini Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal and covers an area of . The district headquarter is Bhairahawa. As per the national census 2021, the population of Rupandehi was 1,118,975.
Etymology Rupandehi is named after Rupandevi temple which is situated in garden of Lumbini, where, the queen of King Suddhodana visited and give birth to Siddhartha Gautama Buddha.
History Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha, lies in Rupandehi district. Devdaha, the birthplace of Mayadevi (mother of Buddha), also lies in Rupandehi district.
Demographics
At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Rupandehi District had a population of 1,121,957. 8.17% of the population is under 5 years of age. It has a literacy rate of 81.23% and a sex ratio of 1038 females per 1000 males. 656,483 (58.51%) lived in municipalities.
Bahun are the largest group, making up around 16% of the population. Magar are the second-largest group, making up 10.86% of the population.Tharus are 8%, while Muslims are 8% of the population.
Languages
At the time of the 2021 census, 42.57% of the population spoke Nepali, 31.83% Bhojpuri, 10.14% Awadhi, 7.27% Tharu, 4.13% Magar, 1.14% Urdu and 0.91% Gurung as their first language.
Administrative divisions Rupandehi is divided into 16 local level units, in which 6 are urban municipality and 10 are Rural Municipality. Butwal is considered as a Sub-Metropolitan municipality.
+Urban and rural municipalities of RupandehiSr. No.NameDivisionArea (KM2)Population (2021)Website1ButwalSub-Metropolitan Municipality101.61195,3352DevdahaMunicipality136.9572,4573Lumbini SanskritikMunicipality112.2187,3834SainamainaMunicipality162.1878,3935SiddharthanagarMunicipality36.0374,4366TilottamaMunicipality126.19149,4797GaidahawaRural Municipality96.7956,1498KanchanRural Municipality58.5142,5289KotahimaiRural Municipality58.2645,97510MarchawariRural Municipality48.5540,88011MayadeviRural Municipality72.4456,17012OmsatiyaRural Municipality48.5841,14113RohiniRural Municipality64.6243,32714SammarimaiRural Municipality50.7843,04415SiyariRural Municipality66.1744,98516SuddodhanRural Municipality57.6641,907
Constituencies Rupandehi is divided into 5 Parliamentary constituencies and 10 Provincial constituencies. Constituency Type MP/MLA PartyRupandehi 1Parliamentary Sunil Lamsal RSP Rupandehi 2ParliamentarySulav KharelRSPRupandehi 3Parliamentary Dr. Lekhjung ThapaRSPRupandehi 4Parliamentary Kanhaiya BaniyaRSPRupandehi 5Parliamentary Taufik Ahamad Khan RSPRupandehi 1(A)Provincial Rupandehi 1(B) Provincial Rupandehi 2(A)ProvincialRupandehi 2(B)ProvincialRupandehi 3(A)ProvincialRupandehi 3(B)ProvincialRupandehi 4(A)ProvincialRupandehi 4(B)ProvincialRupandehi 5(A)ProvincialRupandehi 5(B)Provincial
Geography The district lies on the southern and western part of Nepal. On the East it shares border with Nawalparasi District, on West with Kapilvastu District, on North with Palpa District and on South with India. The elevation of the district lies between 100m to 1229m from sea level. The total area of the district is 1,360 km2 with 16.1% in Churia Range and rest in the Terai region.
Major rivers Rupandehi has many rivers all of which flow from Northern mountains towards south into India. Tinau River Kothi River Sukhaira River Bagela River Rohini River Kanchan River Kacharar River Koili River Danav River Danda River Ghodaha Khadawa
Major lakes Gaidahawa lake (Gaidahawa) Gajedi lake (Gajedi) Nanda vauju lake (Chilhiya) Sukaiiya lake
Climate Climate Zone Elevation Range % of Area Lower Tropical below 300 meters (1,000 ft) 89.3% Upper Tropical 300 to 1,000 meters1,000 to 3,300 ft. 10.5% Subtropical 1,000 to 2,000 meters3,300 to 6,600 ft. 0.2%
Praketeshwar Mahadev Praketeshwar Mandir is near of Lumbini Road. In months of Shrawan (late July and early August), there is a big crowded fair, quite popular among locals and people around the regions.
Nawa Durga Bhawani Mandir It lies in Sainamaina-3, Murgiya. Many peoples visit there to worship Goddess Durga throughout the year. Many poojas are conducted timely. It is regularly repaired by the members involved in its development.
Lumbini Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. It is granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997. Thousands of Buddhist monks, pilgrims and tourists visit Lumbini annually. The ongoing up-gradation of Gautam Buddha Airport into international airport is expected to increase the number of visitors. Mahinda Rajapakshe, President of Sri Lanka is one of the high-profile visitor of Lumbini.
Siddha Baba Mandir This is a temple dedicated to Shiva situated in border between Palpa and Rupandehi. There is a belief that Shiva grants the wishes of the devotees who visit the temple. There are two Siddha Baba Mandir adjacent to each other. One lies within Rupandehi and another in Palpa. Nonetheless, both Mandir are regarded as pilgrimages of equal importance.
Satiya Devi Temple and Satiya Mai Mandir
This is a temple dedicated to Devi Satiya situated in Patkhauli VDC, near Rohini Khola In Rupandehi. There is a belief that Real Lady grants the wishes of the devotees who visit the temple. There are a real Maya Devi Mandir and other is modified temple adjacent to each other. One lies within Rupandehi and another in Palpa. Nonetheless, both Mandir are regarded as a pilgrimage of equal importance. Due to the Godes beloved to visitors in Satiya Ban area. Actually, this temple is situated in the middle of Rohini Khola but now River is flowing west of Satiya Devi Temple and Satiya Bagaicha.
Manimukunda Sen Park Once a winter palace of King Manimukunda Sen, Manimukunda Sen Park is another major attraction in Rupandehi. The palace is not in shape but the ruins and antiquities of the majestic palace can still be found. It is situated in Butwal City and is popular for the picnic spots, zoo and the gardens inside the park. The greenery and the view of Rupandehi, Palpa and Kapilvastu districts is also another attraction in the park.
Parroha Bol Bam Dham It is the oldest Bol Bam Dham (pilgrimage and festival) in Nepal. The pilgrimage is dedicated to Shiva located in Sainamaina Municipality. Thousands of Shiva's devotees from various parts of the country and from neighboring States of India visit to worship the Shivalinga inside the Bol Bam Dham. The major inflow of pilgrims occurs during the Bol Bam. Bol Bam is an annual pilgrimage glorifying Shiva made in Shraavana in which devotees travel barefooted wearing saffron robes in routes to the dham.
Shankar Nagar Ban Bihar and Research Center Shankar Nagar Ban Bihar and Research Centre, simply referred as Ban Batika by locals is an attraction in Tilottama Municipality. The centre is maintained inside Shankarnagar Community Forest. It is visited for its picnic spots, zoo and garden.
Chanchala Mai Mandir Jit Gadhi
Marchwari Devi Temple lies in Bogadi VDC of Rupandehi. It is a historical temple among the 24 previous VDC. The area surrounding this temple (now 18 VDCs) are named after this temple as Marchwar. The local people and peoples from INDIA, Uttar Pradesh visit there on specific occasions to celebrate childbirth, engagement and marriage ceremonies.
Major economic centers Butwal Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa) Dhakdhai (industrial area) Lumbini (world Heritage Area, as tourism) Devdaha (miroduct area) Sainamaina (Murgiya for sports and tourism) Murgiya Manigram Chho.gen Never (grain products area) Kothihawa Lumbini Saljhandi Sauraha Pharsatikar Bhalwari Manglapur Bashgadi Jogada Divertole Sankarnagar Jogikuti Thutipipal semlar marchawar Chhapiya SEMARI (industrial area)
Health
Rupandehi is home to Lumbini Provincial Hospital, one of the oldest hospitals in this region, which is considered a crucial resource for healthcare to poor citizens who cannot afford private hospitals. Originally established by Chandra Sumsher, the present hospital came in operation in with 50 beds.
In 2020, the Tinau International Hospital was inaugurated in the heart of Butwal in Sukkhanagar, Rupandehi. Patients from far-western regions and hilly regions to the north including Palpa, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi come to seek specialized care at different hospitals in the Butwal, which is known as a health hub in Rupandehi.
Education Rupandehi is renowned at national level on education sector for its infrastructure and achievements. Jilla Shikshya Karyalaya, Rupandehi (District Education Office, Rupandehi) under Ministry of Education manages and govern the education in the district. Currently, it manages 745 educational institutions in the district. As per National Census 2011, the literacy rate of the district is 72%, where male literacy rate is 89% and female literacy rate is 62%. The literacy rate is above the national average.
Transportation Siddhartha Highway and Mahendra Highway connects Rupandehi with rest of the country. Gautam Buddha Airport connects Rupandehi with the rest of the country. It is the only airport in Lumbini. It is also an international airport; the late Prime Minister Sushil Koirala laid the foundation stone of the airport on January 15.
West Nepal Bus Entrepreneurs' Association established in 2016 with the approval of District Administration Office is the major provider of transportation services for Rupandehi and the whole country.
Sports Cricket and football are the most popular sports in Rupandehi. Players in Rupandehi compete in domestic cricket tournaments as Region No. 4 Bhairahawa. Shakti Gauchan and Basanta Regmi are leading cricketers from Rupandehi who regularly play for the national team. Rupandehi XI represents Rupandehi in domestic football tournaments.
Non-profit organisations Center for Development and Disaster management (CDM-Nepal) NAMUNA Integrated Development Council (NAMUNA) Tarai Dalit Concern centre Nepal TDCC Nepal FSC Rupandehi Samriddhi Foundation Ma Bhagawiti Anurag Jagarn Samooh Astha Samuha Brahmakumaris organization Biodiversity Conservancy Nepal Lilaram Kuntidevi Neupane Foundation Namaste Kids Nepal Seto Gurans Child Development Service Rupandehi Nepal Bikash Kendra Butwal -11, Rupandehi (Nepal Development Center)
References
Shaha, Rishikesh (1992). Ancient and Medieval Nepal. Manohar Publications, New Delhi. .