Dhangadhi

Dhangadhi is a sub metropolitan city 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. 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. The city is connected with the Mahakali Highway, about 750 kilometers west of Kathmandu. Dhangadhi was established in 1976. 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. 198,792 population as per 2021 Nepal census. It is the most densely populated city in the province. 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 ward no 9 and 11 of former Attariya Municipality were also merged.

Dhangadhi serves as the primary commercial and industrial hub for Sudurpashchim Province and one of the fastest developing cities of Nepal. It got its first democratically elected mayor who was affiliated to Nepali Congress Kishor Kumar Bam (1964 2014) who held his office for full term. It is one of the major trading centres of Sudurpashchim Province. 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, moving to the city for educational and health services. 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 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 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.

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. The highest temperature ever recorded in Dhangadhi was on 16 June 1995, which is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in Nepal. The lowest temperature ever recorded was on 11 January 1985.

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. 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. In terms of religion, 93.9% were Hindu, 1.8% Christian, 1.7% Buddhist, 1.5% Muslim and 1.0% Prakriti. In terms of literacy, 75.2% could read and write, 2.1% could only read and 22.6% could neither read nor write.

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.

Dhangadhi Airport is located 10 km from the administrative center and about 660 kilometers west of Kathmandu. The runway has been extended to 1,524 metres (5,000 ft) length and blacktopped to accommodate Fokker 100 aircraft. It operated flights to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bajura, Dipayal Silgadhi, Bajhang, Surkhet, Achham.

Dhangadhi has several Schools and Colleges. Kailali Multiple Campus is the oldest higher level institution in Kailali District.

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.