The Cities of Nepal Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nepalgunj

Nepalgunj is located in the southwest region of Nepal near the border of the Uttar Pradesh state of India. It is a very diverse city of roughly 130 000 people (2011 census) that includes a variety of religious faiths such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Christianity. Nepalgunj and its surrounding area are known for a variety of tourist attractions including Banke National Park, Bardia National Park, and the Tharu people. One of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal known as Bageshwori Temple is located at the center of the city.

The temple attracts many tourists from around both Nepal and the rest of the world, and its significance to the country is noted as the temple has been included on Nepalese coins and some postage stamps.

Answer: Biratnagar

Biratnagar is located just six kilometers north of the Indian state of Bihar. It is considered to be one of the main industrial cities within Nepal. The Biratnagar Jute Mills were established in 1936 and are considered to be the largest jute mills in the country.

Other industries in the area include chemical, steel, and rice mills. Biratnagar is home to the Sahid Rangsala Stadium which is home to the Morang XI football club. It is one of the largest stadiums in the country with a capacity of 10 000 spectators.

Answer: Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is considered the center of Nepal's history, art, culture, and economy. Tourism is an important industry for the city that started in the early 1950s. By 1956, air transportation and the development of the Tribhuvan Highway ultimately ended Nepal's isolation from the rest of the world. Kathmandu boasts luxury hotels for tourists including the Hyatt Regency and the Shanker Hotel. The Thamel neighborhood is a commercial district in the city that is distinguished by its narrow alleyways. For tourists, it provides plenty of sales in food, souvenirs, and clothing. It is also the central location in the city for money exchange, pubs, entertainment, and mountaineering equipment.

In 1768, Kathmandu was the site of "The Battle of Kathmandu". As the Kathmandu Valley was rich in desirable trade, culture, and industry, battles had already taken places in other towns as early as 1736. The resulting victory by the new King Prithvi Narayan Shah, replaced a previously peaceful regime with a more warlike system dedicated to expansion and plunder of the nation.

Answer: Lalitpur

The Bunga Dyah Jatra is a chariot festival is the longest celebrated festival in Nepal. It began during the reign of king Nerendra Deva to celebrate the end of a lengthy drought. Chariots are dragged through the streets of Lalitpur for a period of roughly one month. Lalitpur gained international attention in April 2015 as it was hit by the Gorkha earthquake. The earthquake caused extensive damage to the city including the Kumbeshwar Temple Complex. Nearly 9000 people were declared dead and another 22000 injured in Nepal and India due to this magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

Answer: Pokhara

Pokhara is the second largest city by population in Nepal and is considered to be the most expensive place to live in Nepal. It is a base camp for mountain climbers trekking to the Annapurna mountain range. It is home to various temples and religious sites, but most significantly, the Shanti Stupa.

This world peace pagoda was the first one ever built in Nepal and just the seventy-first one built in the world. It is popular to tourists as it allows for for an excellent view of the Pokhara Valley and a view of the Himalayan mountain range.

Answer: Birgunj

Birgunj was founded in 1897 and is an important trade location in the country; particularly relating to trade with neighboring India. It is estimated that over 50% of products produced in Birgunj are transported to India via its border town of Raxaul. Products include textiles, chemicals, and various agricultural goods.

As it is a significant entry point between the two nations, it has become known globally as the "gateway to Nepal".

Answer: Janakpur

Janakpur, once known as "Janakpurdham", is a significant religious and cultural tourism city. It is known for the Janaki Mandir, one of the largest temples in Nepal. It is the primary temple of the Maithali people of Nepal and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess known as "Sita".

Other popular temples include the Sri Ram Temple and the Vivah Mandap Temple. The Rama Navami festival is held each year to honor the birthday of the god Rama. The Vivah Panchami festival honors the wedding of Rama and Sita.

A third major festival, one that is held for only two days, is called the Festival of Holi. Holi is significant as it is used to repair broken relationships with others and the triumph of good over evil.

Answer: Hetauda

Hetauda is a working class city in the Narayani Zone of southern Nepal. Much of the city is either employed by the government or in the textile industry. It is home to the Sahid Smarak or "Martyr National Park" that was built to honor those who lost their lives during times of war or who tried to overthrow the government system known as the "Panchayat System". One particular sculpture within the park that is important to the people of Nepal is the Madan Bhandari Sculpture.

This feature was designed in honor of Madan Kumar Bhandari, a politician who fought for democracy in Nepal but was tragically killed in a car accident.

Answer: Butwal

Butwal is a geographically significant city in Nepal as it is located at the intersection of Nepal's two major highways, the Mahendra Highway and the Siddhartha Highway. It is notable for being the closest city to the Gajedi Taal, the lake closest to the pilgrimage site of Lumbini. Lumbini is the site where Gautam Buddha was born around 563 BC.

The lake is a tourist attraction as it is located in the jungle and is popular for boating activities and jungle safaris.

Answer: Ghorahi

Ghorahi has been declared the most "clean and sanitary city" in Nepal on various occasions. Through a unique process, city waste is collected using a compactor, a tipper, and various rickshaws. Ghorahi is a relatively newer city, being established as a municipality in 1979.

It is home to various educational facilities including Nepal Sanskrit University and Rapti Engineering College. It is also home to three major cement factories; Dang Cement Industry, Ghorahi Cements, and Sonapur Cement Factory.