Biratnagar

Biratnagar (बिराटनगर) is a sub metropolitan city in south east Nepal which is named after the historical King Birat and is considered the second largest town after Kathmandu. In Nepali "Birat" means big and "Nagar" means a place or a city. Biratnagar has given many influential leaders in Nepalese politics including  Manmohan Adhikari and Kirtinidhi Bista. Biratnagar is an industrial power house of Nepal with most of the country's industries located in and around its suburbs. It is in Koshi zone- one of the fourteen administrative zones of Nepal and is also the district capital of Morang district. Its geographical location is 26°28'60"N 87°16'60"E.
Since it is situated in the Terai- north-most section of the Gangetic plains of South Asia, the lands are very fertile and hence Biratnagar has traditionally been an agricultural hub and is home to many agriculture based industries of the country. It is located near the border of India and is therefore a major center for trade and commerce with India. Biratnagar is linked with Kathmandu by roadways and airways. Biratnagar Airport is the regional hub for vital air services serving the Eastern part of the country.
According to 2009 census, the total population of the city of Biratnagar was 696,636. Biratnagar's demography chiefly consists of ethnic groups like Pahadis, Madhesis, Marwaris, Tharus and it consists a significantly large Muslim population in Nepal. By percentage of population most people follow Hinduism followed by Islam, Buddhism, Jainism and Christianity.
Biratnagar is equally famous for its high-spirited festival celebration. In Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival, large number of people including youths visit the Kali Mandir, a temple which lies in the heart of the town. Also famous is Tiharr in Biratnagar, festival of lights, when the residents line their homes with diyo (an earthen oil lamp), candles and decorative electrical lamps during the two days of celebration. Krishna Astami (Birthday of Krishna) is a festival which is heavily celebrated in Biratnagar. Thousands of people gather on that day to pull the Holy Cart (Rath) which goes around the city. This event is termed as the Rath Yatra (the Cart Journey). Traffic will be hault for one or two hours on that day. It is believed that the Holy Cart (Rath) was driven by Lord Krishna. So, people keep young child in the Holy Cart as a symbol of Krishna and pull the Cart with joy to celebrate the Birthday of Lord Krishna. The Cart (Rath) is very big and heavy, so needs hundreds of people to move. It has generator to run if required to move fast. It has brakes to stop as it has to stop at many places to allow people to worship the Lord. Some people will be in the Cart (Rath) to distribute prasad (fruits) to the people. The Holy Cart will be followed by many smaller carts which are pulled by oxen. people in the smaller carts play the music and sing hymns with joy and happiness. It is the most important festival for the people of Biratnagr. So, almost all the schools and offices close after 1pm Nepali time to let the believers and spectators attend the Rath Yatra (the Cart Journey).