Rupandehi District

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. ==Constituencies==

Rupandehi is divided into 5 Parliamentary constituencies and 10 Provincial constituencies. == 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==

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. 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 is a belief that Real Lady grants the wishes of the devotees who visit the temple. 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. 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==