Butwal, Western Region, Nepal
Located at the foot of the Chure Pahad, in the fertile Terai flat-land of the Western Region of Nepal, the city of Butwal is home to a diverse mix of people from different ethnic backgrounds, cultures, language groups and religions. The city is a mere 26 kilometers from the border between India and Nepal is an important commercial, industrial and agricultural center. The Tinahu River, running alongside the city, provides water for irrigation of the farmlands and drinking water to the farming community.
Butwal is located around 240 kilometers west of Kathmandu and is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists who have been, or who are on their way to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. There are a number of attractions in Butwal that visitors may want to explore. Birendra Park is the venue for an open market that takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays and is a great way to get to know the locals and their way of life. The park has landscaped gardens and is a popular picnic spot. Manimukanda Park and Akhileshwor Mahadeva temple attract devotees to worship, while visitors will enjoy the ornate decoration of the temple and the tranquility of the park. Outside Butwal is the Siddhababa Temple which has a scenic view of the Tinau River and also outside Butwal is the Nuwakot Hill offering a lookout point for breathtaking views of the Himalayan Mountains and as far as the town of Bhairahawa, also known as Siddhartha Nagar, the gateway to Lumbini.