Surkhet District is better known as the capital of Karnali province in Nepal. Surkhet is one of Karnali's ten districts, located around 600 kilometres (373 miles) west of the country's capital, Kathmandu. The district covers 2,488.64 square kilometres (960.87 square miles), making it Nepal's largest.
Surkhet's population grew from 288,527 in 2001 to 350,804 in 2011, with 169,461 men and 181,381 women. Surkhet's district headquarters and the commercial heart of the new federal republic's Karnali state.
Infrastructure In Surkhet District
Mid-western University, which opened its doors in Birendranagar in 2010, offers 18 master's and 24 bachelor's degrees. In recent years, the university has become one of the most up-to-date educational institutions. There are three colleges that offer education up to the Master's degree level.
Science, management, humanities, rural development, and education are among the disciplines offered by several 10+2 schools. Other colleges provide technical education for veterinarians, overseers, computer assistants, assistant health workers, and ANMs.
A regional hospital is located in Kalagaun. The Nepal Red Cross Society's Surkhet Eye Hospital is the primary provider of eye care services in Budhapath, Birendranagar Municipality, Surkhet. Many NGOs and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) are trying to promote development.
INF Surkhet Programme is amongst the oldest health and development programs in the world. Other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) include GTZ, DANIDA, DFID, Oxfam, USAID, and the BlinkNow Foundation.
Tourism in Surkhet District
Tourist attractions include religious and historical sites such as Kakrebihar temple, Deutibajai temple, Bulbule Lake, Ghantaghar, Mangalgadhi, Bheri river, Gothikanda, and others. The remains of a Buddhist monastery (palace) known as Kakrebihar are on Nepal's national heritage list.
The Bheri River is a famous rafting spot, and Surkhet has lately added paragliding to its offerings. Birendranagar is among the few cities in Nepal that was built with a master plan in mind. It is known as the "Karnali Gateway."
Several terrains, including Rara (Nepal's largest lake), Shey Phoksundo lake, five holy sites inside Dailekh, Kubinde lake (Salyan), and the Ratna Highway (named after Queen Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah), can be seen from the route.
Tourists may access Kailash Mansarovar Tibet by flying or chartering a helicopter from Nepalgunj or driving through Surkhet. Nepal's shortest FastTrack, which connects the Chinese and Indian borders, is currently under development. Tourists can discover the hottest location in Nepal, Nepalgunj, in a cooler part of Nepal.
How Can You Reach Surkhet District?
Surkhet is easily accessible by plane and vehicle from all parts of the country. The Ratna highway connects it to the rest of Nepal. Surkhet will be connected to the distant Western Karnali region via the Karnali Highway, which was completed and blacktopped.
Regular and scheduled flights are accessible from Surkhet Airport in Birendranagar to Kathmandu, Jumla, Nepalgunj, and other districts. The Karnali districts are connected by domestic aircraft regularly.
Places To Visit In Surkhet District
There are five such places in Surkhet that you should see while you're there. They are:
Kakre Bihar
After Lumbini, Kakre Bihar is the country's second-largest and oldest Bihar. It has an unusual setting, surrounded by deep saal and salla woods. It is a stark white monument amid a lush green wilderness. Mangalgadhi in Birendranagar is roughly a half-hour walk from Kakre Bihar.
The earthquake of 1934 devastated Kakre Bihar, which was built by Ashok Malla, a khas ruler from Jumla. Renovations took a long time to get started and just lately began in earnest. Kakre Bihar is a melting pot of cultures and religions, with Hindus, Buddhists, and members of different faiths worshipping it with equal zeal.
Locals claim it's because the Malla monarch who constructed it was a religious liberal. There is a Buddhist Bihar, but statues of the Hindu gods Shiva, Parbati, and Saraswati.
The reconstruction is ongoing, and the ward office has assigned soldiers to protect the nearby forest, illegally chopped down and encroached upon. The Ministry of Industry, Tourism, and Environment has set up Rs 40 million in the current fiscal year's budget for this purpose and to rehabilitate Kakre Bihar.
Deuti Bajai
It used to be that the Deuti Bajai temple was only bustling on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, this shrine, erected by King Yash Malla, attracts over a hundred pilgrims every day.
During Hindu holidays, the number of visitors swells as Hindus arrive with sacrifice goats and pigeons. Many Hindus think that the goddess Deuti Bajai grants their requests. Anyone visiting Surkhet, regardless of religion, should pay a visit to the temple.
Bulbule
The lake has been the subject of several songs, dating back to the 1970s when Surkhet Bulbul Taal, Maya Mai Sani Hunale Chhutyo Maya Jaal was broadcast on Radio Nepal. The rationale is self-evident. It's beautiful, and the blue water provides a welcome respite from the summer heat in Surkhet.
The lake's grounds also include a park and a garden, which attracts film and video producers. The lake has a 30-square-kilometre area, and a boating service was just introduced, adding another feather to its already renowned hat.
Baraha Lake and the mysterious Jalchara
Baraha Lake, nestled amid deep forests, is known for a type of water bird without wings known locally as Jalchara; residents have been urging authorities to investigate what kind of birds they are. Despite not being as large as Bulbule, the lake is still relatively large, encompassing a total of 16 bighas.
Birendranagar is only about 20 kilometres away. On the other hand, Locals say that despite the lake's vast tourism potential, it is trailing behind due to Bulbule's shadow and a lack of a motorable road, appropriate upkeep, and cleanliness.
Viewpoint of Gothikanda
Surkhet's scorching summer heat may be avoided by visiting Gothikanda. Gothikanda is cool, lush, and bright, perched on a high hill. It's an excellent viewpoint for seeing the whole Surkhet Valley and virtually all of the Karnali districts.
The city of Gothikanda is growing by the day. The construction of large resorts has resulted in the creation of a mini-marketplace. It is well-known for its organic products, which includes anything from veggies to fruits. To go to Gothikanda from Birendranagar's district headquarters, you must hike for half an hour upwards.
Along the path, you'll notice hamlets placed up along the steep hillsides, providing a breathtaking perspective. There are forests and nothing else north of Gothikanda.