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Dhangadhi
Sub-Metropolitan City in Sudurpashchim, Nepal From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Dhangadhi (Nepali: धनगढी) is a sub-metropolitan city[3] and the district headquarters of Kailali District in Sudurpashchim Province of Nepal. It shares a border with India in the south, Godawari and Gauriganga Municipality in the North, Kailari Rural Municipality in the east and Kanchanpur District in the west. Dhangadhi is a sub-metropolis divided into 19 wards.[4] It has an area of 271.74 Sq. KM. It is one of the major cities of Far - West Province of Nepal along with Mahendranagar.[5][6] The city is connected with the Mahakali Highway, about 750 kilometers west of Kathmandu.
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Dhangadhi was established in 1976 as a municipality.[7] There is a fable. Rana Tharu of Dhangadhi used to bury their wealth in the ground due to the fear of robbers. That is why the name of Dhangadhi remained Dhangadhi.[8]
The population was 198,792 as per the 2021 Nepal census. It is the most densely populated city in the province.[9] It became the first sub-metropolitan city in the far-west after it was upgraded to a sub-metropolis from municipality status on 18 September 2015 as the village development committees Fulbari and Urma were merged into Dhangadhi and later wards 9 and 11 of former Attariya Municipality were also merged.
Dhangadhi is the biggest city in western Nepal and the largest Sub-metropolitan city in Nepal.
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History
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Dhangadhi lies in the Kailali District, historically part of the Tharu heartland in the fertile Terai plains.The region was long inhabited by Tharu communities, who developed their own agrarian culture and traditions.Before Nepal’s unification, this area was under the Doti Kingdom, one of the principalities of the Baise (22) Rajyas — small hill states in the far west. During the unification of Nepal (around 1790s) by King Prithvi Narayan Shah’s successors, Doti and its lowland territories (including modern Kailali and Kanchanpur) were annexed into the Gorkha Kingdom.The Kailali area became a frontier region, strategically located near the British India border.The region was sparsely populated at the time due to malaria and dense forest cover. After the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816), the Sugauli Treaty forced Nepal to cede large tracts of the western Terai — including Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke, and Bardiya — to the British East India Company. For several decades, Dhangadhi fell under British India’s control.In 1860, as a gesture of friendship for Nepal’s assistance in suppressing the Indian Sepoy Mutiny (1857), the British returned these “Naya Muluk” (new territories) — Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke, and Bardiya — to Nepal under Jung Bahadur Rana. This marked the formal reintegration of Dhangadhi into Nepal.Dhangadhi began as a small border settlement and customs post for trade with India (across Gauriphanta). During the Rana regime, limited infrastructure was built, but modernization accelerated after Nepal’s 1951 democratic revolution. In the 1960s–70s, government malaria eradication programs led to large-scale migration from hilly regions (mainly from Doti, Achham, Bajhang, Bajura, Dadeldhura) to Kailali. This migration rapidly transformed Dhangadhi into a multi-ethnic urban center.
Dhangadhi was declared a municipality in 1976, and later upgraded to a Sub-Metropolitan City in 2015, the first in the Far-Western Region. It now serves as the headquarters of Kailali District and the economic hub of Sudurpashchim Province. The Seti Zone headquarters was located here before Nepal’s federal restructuring (2015). Dhangadhi hosts key institutions such as Dhangadhi Airport and many regional government offices.
The name “Dhangadhi” likely derives from “Dhang” (a Tharu word for a raised land or platform) and “Gadhi” (fort) — meaning “fortified elevated area.” It’s one of Nepal’s oldest border towns, closely linked with the Indian city of Gauriphanta (Uttar Pradesh). The city lies about 10 km north of the Nepal–India border and about 660 km west of Kathmandu.
The city Rapidly urbanizing with growing trade, education, and transportation networks.
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Economy
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Dhangadhi serves as the primary commercial and industrial hub for Sudurpashchim Province and one of the fastest developing cities of Nepal.[10] It got its first democratically elected mayor who was affiliated with the Nepali Congress Kishor Kumar Bam (1964-2014) who held his office for full term.
It is one of the major trading centres in Sudurpashchim Province.[11] The city has health care facilities, a number of parks, private schools, colleges, and internet service providers. There are medical, engineering, and management colleges that are affiliated to Tribhuvan University and Far Western University.
The city attracts migrants from the surrounding area, who move to the city for educational and health services.[12]
Dhangadhi is the gateway to nearby tourist places like Shuklaphanta National Park, Ghodaghodi Lake and Khaptad National Park. It is the connecting city between nearby cities of Mahendranagar, Attariya and Dipayal Silgadhi. It is also a land route to enter Nepal from India. Thus, it is also involved in the hospitality sector.
The city has many commercial banks such as regional office of Nepal Rastra Bank, National Commercial Bank, Agricultural Development Bank, Everest Bank, Nabil Bank, Bank of Kathmandu, Nepal Credit and Commerce Bank, Siddharth Bank, Machhapuchhre Bank, Kumari Bank, Nepal Bangladesh Bank and Kanchan Development Bank.
A number of haat bazaars are held each week in different parts of the town, where farmers from the rural hinterland set up stalls to trade agricultural products, spices and handicrafts.
Every year, the Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry organizes Sudurpaschim Mahotsav in Dhangadhi on the month of Mangsir.
Dhangadhi's economy is predominantly based on agriculture. The fertile plains surrounding the city make it an ideal location for cultivating crops such as rice, wheat, sugarcane, maize, and vegetables. The region's agricultural produce not only serves the local market but also contributes to the national supply chain. Additionally, Dhangadhi's proximity to the Indian border facilitates cross-border trade, making it a significant trading hub for goods and commodities.
In recent years, the city has witnessed the establishment of small-scale industries and businesses. These include manufacturing units, food processing plants, and trading enterprises, contributing to economic growth and employment opportunities.[13]
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Climate
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Dhangadhi is located in the Terai. It has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Cwa according to the Köppen climate classification).The months of March and April are hot and dry. It is a cold winter from December to February. It is affected by the south-west monsoon from June to September which brings heavy rainfall. The weather in this period remains hot and humid. The highest temperature ever recorded in Dhangadhi was 46.4 °C (115.5 °F) on 16 June 1995, which is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in Nepal.[14] The lowest temperature ever recorded was 0.0 °C (32.0 °F) on 11 January 1985.[15]
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Demographics
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language in Dhangadhi
- Tharu (36.0%)
- Doteli (31.0%)
- Nepali (22.0%)
- Hindi (2.00%)
- Maithili (2.00%)
- Magar (1.00%)
- Others (6.00%)
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Dhangadhi Submetropolitan City had a population of 149,818. Of these, 36.4% spoke Tharu, 31.3% Doteli, 22.1% Nepali, 1.7% Hindi, 1.6% Maithili, 1.4% Magar, 1.1% Bajhangi, 0.8% Achhami, 0.7% Tamang, 0.5% Baitadeli, 0.4% Bajureli, 0.4% Newar, 0.4% Urdu, 0.2% Bhojpuri, 0.2% Kham, 0.1% Dadeldhuri, 0.1% Darchuleli, 0.1% Gurung, 0.1% Rai, 0.1% Rajasthani and 0.1% other languages as their first language.[19]
In terms of ethnicity/caste, 36.8% were Tharu, 20.5% Chhetri, 17.4% Hill Brahmin, 6.1% Thakuri, 5.7% Kami, 2.6% Magar, 1.6% Damai/Dholi, 1.5% Musalman, 1.2% Sarki, 1.1% Newar, 0.9% Tamang, 0.5% Terai Brahmin, 0.5% other Dalit, 0.5% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.4% Kathabaniyan, 0.3% Gurung, 0.2% Halwai, 0.2% Lohar, 0.2% Marwadi, 0.2% Rai, 0.2% other Terai, 0.1% Badi, 0.1% Dhanuk, 0.1% Hajam/Thakur, 0.1% Kalwar, 0.1% Kayastha, 0.1% Kurmi, 0.1% Limbu, 0.1% Musahar, 0.1% Teli, 0.1% Yadav and 0.1% others.[20]
In terms of religion, 93.9% were Hindu, 1.8% Christian, 1.7% Buddhist, 1.5% Muslim and 1.0% Prakriti.[21]
In terms of literacy, 75.2% could read and write, 2.1% could only read and 22.6% could neither read nor write.[22][23]
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Transportation
Road
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Dhangadhi is well connected with other major cities of Nepal and the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Indian and Nepali nationals may cross the international border without restrictions, however there is a customs checkpoint for goods and third country nationals. Frequent bus services operate between Dhangadhi and Nepalese cities. Local transport includes Cycle Rickshaws, Taxis and Public City Buses.Mahakali Highway connects Dhangadhi to different parts of Far western Nepal. The country's longest highway, Mahendra Highway, runs through the town of Attariya, 6 kilometers from Dhangadhi.[citation needed]
Air
Dhangadhi Airport is located 10 km from the administrative center and about 660 kilometers west of Kathmandu.[24] The runway has been extended to 1,524 metres (5,000 ft) length and blacktopped to accommodate Fokker 100 aircraft.[25][26][27] It operated flights to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bajura, Dipayal Silgadhi, Bajhang, Surkhet, Achham.
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Education
Dhangadhi has several schools and colleges. Kailali Multiple Campus is the oldest higher level institution in Kailali District. Axis Vidyashram is one of the well-known high school in Dhangadhi.
Health
Hospital
- Seti Provincial Hospital
- Navajeevan Hospital
- CP Hospital
- Maya Metro Hospital
- Nisarga Hospital
- Dhangadhi Netralaya Eye Hospital
- NOVA Hospital
- Om Aasha Hospital
- puja pharmacy
Places of interest
- Shivapuri Dham Temple
- Behada Baba Temple
- Dhangadhi Fun City Park
- Tikapur Park, two hours' drive east
- Shuklaphanta National Park, an hour's drive west
- Karnali River, two hours east from Dhangadhi
- Godawari, north of Dhangadhi
- Rajkada
- Aampani
- Pitmari
Notable people
- Biraj Bhatta, actor
- Gopal Hamal, politician, social worker and current mayor
- Ramlal Joshi, writer
- Bhuvan Karki, cricketer
- Pashupati Paneru, former badminton player who represented Nepal in the 2006 IBF World Championships
- Deepika Prasain, actress
- Raju Rijal, cricketer, former captain of Nepal national under-19 cricket team
- Reecha Sharma, actress, model, and video jockey
- Arjun Saud, cricketer
- Arzu Rana Deuba, social worker and politician former Minister of Foreign Affairs (Nepal)
Sports
The city has its own cricket league, Dhangadhi Premier League. Dhangadhi Rangsala with a capacity of 10,000+ spectators is the football stadium in the city. The Khaptad Gold Cup is held in the stadium. DPL is held on Fapla International Cricket Ground.
Media
The city has several radio stations:
- Dinesh FM 93.8 MHz
- Dhangadhi FM 90.5 MHz
- Paschim Today 98.8 MHz
- Radio Sudur Sandesh 104 MHz
- Khaptad FM 98.2 MHz
- Radio Daily Mail 94.6 MHz
- Radio Active FM 97.2 MHz
See also
References
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