Siddharthanagar

Siddharthanagar is a municipality and the district headquarters of Rupandehi District in Lumbini Province, Nepal. It is located in the Terai plains near the Indian border and close to Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama. The city was historically known as Bhairahawa; in recent decades it has been renamed Siddharthanagar as part of administrative changes, though many locals still use the old name.

The town sits on major road corridors, with the Mahendra Highway (East-West Highway) running through it, linking it with other parts of Nepal and with India via the Sunauli border crossing, a busy point for cross-border trade. The Gautam Buddha International Airport, located near the city, provides domestic and international flights and has contributed to growth in commerce and tourism.

Economy is driven by cross-border trade, wholesale and retail markets, agriculture in the surrounding plains, and services connected to transport and aviation. The district headquarters houses administrative offices, hospitals, and educational institutions.

Demographically, Siddharthanagar has a diverse population, including Tharu; Madhesi; and hill-origin communities such as Brahmin and Chhetri. Nepali is the common language, with local languages also spoken in communities. The area serves as a gateway for pilgrims heading to Lumbini and hosts various markets and cultural sites. The city’s role as a transport and administrative hub shapes its urban development and regional importance.