Hetauda

Hetauda is a small town in the central part of Nepal, located in the district of Makawanpur, in the zone of Narayani. It is 132 km away from the capital Kathmandu via the old Tribhuwan Highway. There are now two alternate roads that are less than 80 km. They are, however, not black topped yet. Hetauda is one of the cleanest and greenest cities in Nepal. Due to its geographical features and its climate, it has been a popular choice for people migrating from the northern hilly regions to the south. Hetauda is a doon, which means that it has a valley like geography. It is surrounded by hills: the Mahabharata range in the north and the Siwalik range in the south. The rivers Rapti, Samari, and Karra run through this area and flow southwest to meet Narayani, one of the bigger and popular rivers in the nation.
It is an hour's drive from the Nepalese border city of Birgunj, which is adjacent to its Indian counterpart, Raxaul. Both the existing highways to the capital city Kathmandu - Tribhuwan Highway and the East-West Highway , aka Mahendra Highway that trails the length of the nation - traverse through this city. with so many entry and exit points leading in and out of this town.
The city is enclosed by three rivers, the Rapti to the west, the Samari to the north and the Karra to the south. It is one the important industrial regions of Nepal. The settlement could have started due to its location at the meeting point of two major highways Eastwest highway and Tribhuwan Rajpath.
Hetauda's commercial prominence started with the construction of Tribhuwan Highway, the first highway built in the country. Its future depends on a second highway link that has been discussed for over a decade. The proposed link to Kathmandu through a series of tunnels will reduce the present length of 133km via Tribhuwan Highway and 224 km via Mugling to a length of less than 60 km. Considering the need for a shorter route from Kathmandu to India and a transit point to sustain trade between the two fastest growing economies of India and China, the importance of Hetauda as a trade route is set to receive a big leap, if this proposed tunnel comes into existence.

Places to visit

Martyr Memorial Park
It was constructed to honor the martyrs of Nepal, including the ones who lost their lives since the time of British colonial wars to the ones who overthrew the autocratic Panchayat system in 1989. The Park has become a tourist spot since its completion in 1994. The main attraction of the park are the sculptures of these martyrs that are sculpted on one big boulder. The sculpting of the faces was accomplished by the student volunteers of Nepal Lalit Campus.


Makawanpur Gadhi:
Makawanpur Gadhi is another site east of the city, a fort of historic importance dating back to the unification process of Nepal. Prithvi Narayan Shah, the king that led the unification of the country into a greater Nepal, was married to the princess of Makawanpur whose father was a king of the Sen dynasty that ruled Makawanpur. Historians observe that this marriage, in fact, was a political strategy of an alliance with Makawanpur to encircle Kathmandu valley.
Markhu Lake (Indrasarowar): It is a reservoir (cistern) for Kulekhani Hydro Electricity project that produces 92 Megawatt electricity. The reservoir is 7 km long and 100 meters deep. The biggest artificial lake surrounded by high hill by three side and a big man made dam in one side is very suitable for entertainment by boating.

 

Everest View Tower:
The Everest view tower lies in Daman which is on the way to Hetauda from Kathmandu. The view from this tower is incredibly comprehensive: all the five Annapurna peaks, the impressive form of Himalchuli, Ganesh Himal, the rarely seen Shishapangma (Gosainthan) in Tibet, Langtang, the Jugal Himal, and the many peaks of Khumbu Himal, including an excellent view of Everest.
Besides this, there are piligrimage sites in Hetauda like Punya Kshetra, Bhutan Devi Temple, Churia Mai Temple, Krishna Temple, etc. You can visit Bhemfedi, a historical place which is 22 KM from Hetauda, Fish farm of Hetauda, 4 KM from central Hetauda and observe the natural forests of Makawanpur district.


How to get there?
It is an hour’s drive from the Nepalese border city of Birgunj. It is about 5 hours drive from Kathmandu. The first highway of Nepal, Tribhuvan Highway runs through this city. With so many entry and exit points leading in and out of this town, a visit to Terai region is incomplete without visiting Hetauda.

Where to Stay and Eat
Neelam Lodge (20900), in the main chowk in the center of town, has clean roads with bath for Rs 200/250. It is a good value. It is near a pipal tree.
Hotel Rapti (20882), south of Mahendra Chowk, has rooms with TV and erratic hot water for Rs 300/400.
Hotel Seema (20191), about 250m from the main chowk, is a decent place with rooms with common bath for Rs 140/200, Rs 275/375 with bath and a deluxe rooms with A/C is Rs 1250.
Motel Avocado (20429; fax 20611), at the edge of town on the road to Daman on Tribhuvan Highway, has a quiet, nice garden with a small grove of avocado trees (ripe in late autumn). It has large, comfortable huts with bath and fans for Rs 400/550. There is also a building with deluxe rooms with A/C for Rs 1400/1600. It has a good restaurant. They have an interesting book in which travelers write their comments about bicycle and motorcycle riding in the area. You can often get a discount.