The Soul of the City
Culture & People
A Maithili-Nepali city where samosas meet momos, Chhath Puja lights up the riverbanks, and five Prime Ministers grew up on the same streets.
Demographics
Biratnagar is one of Nepal's most cosmopolitan cities — a melting pot of hill migrants, indigenous Terai communities, Marwari merchants, and a significant Muslim population. Maithili edges out Nepali as the most spoken first language, reflecting the city's deep Mithila cultural roots.
Population
2021 National Census
Languages Spoken
Major Communities
Festivals & Traditions
Biratnagar's festival calendar reflects its Mithila heritage and Terai identity — celebrations you won't find in Kathmandu.
Chhath Puja
The most significant festival in Biratnagar and the Terai. Families gather at rivers and ponds to pay homage to the Sun God with elaborate rituals spanning four days. The city transforms — streets fill with devotees carrying offerings at dawn and dusk. Deeply rooted in Mithila culture.
Sama-Chakewa
A uniquely Mithila/Terai festival lasting 10 days. Women create and decorate clay idols, carry them in bamboo baskets, and sing Maithili folk songs while dancing through streets and temples. Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters — a tradition largely unknown outside the eastern Terai.
Jitiya (Jivitputrika)
A Terai festival where mothers fast and pray for the long life of their children. Observed mainly in the plains belt, it's a deeply emotional tradition that draws large community gatherings.
Birat Expo
Biratnagar's annual innovation, investment, and agro-industry expo at Degree Campus. Features B2B partnerships, tech showcases, cultural programs, and local food festivals. The 2025 edition ran January 24 to February 2 with hundreds of stalls.
Eat Like a Local
Biratnagar's food culture sits at the crossroads of Mithila, hill Nepali, and Indian cuisines. Street-side samosas and sel roti share the city with modern cafes and the country's first KFC outside Kathmandu Valley.
Top Restaurants
- ◆ Angan Sweets & Veg Restaurant #1 rated on TripAdvisor — pure desi ghee sweets, North & South Indian, Chinese, Continental
- ◆ Feel Good Bar & Grill One of Biratnagar's oldest — gourmet pizza, biryani, signature Chicken Bamboo Shoot
- ◆ Olive Cafe Italian-influenced cafe known for excellent pizza and drinks
- ◆ The Irish Restaurant & Bar Irish pub near the airport — spacious outdoor dining, live music
Momo Culture
Eastern Nepal's momo style is distinct — and Biratnagar takes it seriously.
- ◆ Rongo's Momo Hut Best momo chain in Eastern Nepal — largest variety of steam and fried dumplings
- ◆ Darjeeling Momo Shop Beloved for veg momos at just Rs 70 — pure value
- ◆ BFM's Aaysha Momo Family restaurant with quick service, both veg and non-veg
- ◆ Kumar Momo Pasal Local favourite featured by Biratnagar food bloggers
Central Mall
Biratnagar's main commercial complex on Main Road — 2-screen multiplex, food court with Spice Lounge and Pizfire Pizza, kids' entertainment, and shopping.
KFC at Centurion Mall
Opened October 2023 — KFC's second outlet in Koshi Province. A sign of the city's growing consumer market.
Bhatbhateni Supermarket
Nepal's largest retail chain has a Biratnagar branch, currently under renovation. One of the few cities outside Kathmandu Valley with a Bhatbhateni outlet.
The Cafe Scene
A wave of new cafes has transformed Biratnagar's social landscape — here are some local favorites:
Street Food & Local Specialties
Ring-shaped fried rice bread
Spicy grilled meat skewers
Biratnagar's ubiquitous snack
Lentil pancake, Newari origin
Traditional Terai delicacy
"Nepali pizza" rice crepe
Clay cup tea, Indian border influence
Fermented rice/millet drink
Politics & Leadership
Five Prime Ministers, a Chief Justice who became interim PM, and countless leaders who shaped Nepal's democratic journey — all from one city.
Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala
First Democratically Elected Prime Minister of Nepal
1914 – 1982
B.P. Koirala was Nepal's first democratically elected Prime Minister and a towering figure in the country's democratic movement. A son of Biratnagar, he led the fight against the Rana autocracy.
Girija Prasad Koirala
Four-time Prime Minister of Nepal
1925 – 2010
Girija Prasad Koirala served as Prime Minister of Nepal four times and was a central figure in every major democratic movement in Nepal's modern history. He began his political career in the Biratnagar Jute Mill.
Man Mohan Adhikari
First Communist Prime Minister of Nepal
1920 – 1999
Man Mohan Adhikari made history as Nepal's first communist Prime Minister, leading a minority government in 1994–95. A veteran of the democratic movement, he had deep roots in Biratnagar's political landscape.
Matrika Prasad Koirala
First Prime Minister of Democratic Nepal
1912 – 1997
Matrika Prasad Koirala served as the first Prime Minister after the 1951 revolution that ended Rana rule. The eldest of the Koirala brothers from Biratnagar, he led Nepal's first democratic government.
Sushil Koirala
Former Prime Minister & Father of Nepal's Constitution
1939 – 2016
Sushil Koirala served as Prime Minister of Nepal from 2014 to 2015 and oversaw the promulgation of Nepal's landmark 2015 constitution, earning him the title 'Father of the Constitution.' Born in Biratnagar into the famed Koirala political family.
Sushila Karki
Former Interim Prime Minister & Chief Justice of Nepal
1952 – present
Sushila Karki served as Nepal's interim Prime Minister from September 2025 to March 2026, becoming the first woman to hold this office. She successfully organized free and fair elections after the Gen-Z protests that toppled the Oli government.
Arts & Entertainment
From Bollywood stardom to the golden age of Nepali cinema — Biratnagar's artists have captivated audiences across South Asia and beyond.
Manisha Koirala
Internationally Acclaimed Actress & UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador
1970 – present
Manisha Koirala is a Nepali-born Bollywood actress, cancer survivor, and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. One of the most popular Indian film actresses of the 1990s, she has starred in landmark films including Bombay, Indian, and Company.
Arunima Lamsal
Acclaimed Nepali Film Actress
1986 – present
Arunima Lamsal is a Nepali actress born in Biratnagar who rose to prominence in the early 2000s as one of Nepali cinema's leading ladies. Daughter of veteran actress Radha Lamsal, she won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Box Office Film Awards 2010.
Shiv Shrestha
Legendary Nepali Film Actor — The 'Action King'
1953 – present
Shiv Shrestha, known as the 'Action King' of Nepali cinema, has been a towering figure in the industry since his 1982 debut in Jeevan Rekha. Born and raised in Biratnagar, his career spans Nepali, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Japanese cinema.
More Notable People from Biratnagar
Biratnagar has been home to an extraordinary range of talent — from politicians to poets to national cricketers. Here are more people who carry the city's legacy.
Politics & Public Service
- ◆ Shailaja Acharya — Nepali Congress politician & former Deputy PM
- ◆ Upendra Yadav — People's Socialist Party, Nepal politician
- ◆ Sujata Koirala — Nepali Congress leader
- ◆ Shekhar Koirala — Nepali Congress politician
- ◆ Bharat Mohan Adhikari — CPN (UML) leader
- ◆ Lal Babu Pandit — Nepal Communist Party politician
- ◆ Mahesh Acharya — Nepali Congress politician
- ◆ Tarini Prasad Koirala — Nepali Congress leader
Arts, Entertainment & Culture
- ◆ Sushila Koirala — Classical dancer, theater director, and wife of B.P. Koirala
- ◆ Suman Pokhrel — Poet, lyricist, playwright
- ◆ Deepa Shree Niraula — Actress
- ◆ Ranu Devi Adhikari — Singer
Sports
- ◆ Siddhant Lohani — Cricketer
- ◆ Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi — Cricketer, Nepal cricket team
- ◆ Bhola Silwal — Footballer
This is a growing list. Know someone or a place we should include? Let us know.