Madhesh Province: The Capital of Mithila Culture and Granaries of Nepal

Madhesh Province is located in the central-eastern southern part of Nepal, known as the Terai region. It is also a fertile and densely populated area of Nepal. It borders Koshi Pradesh to the east and the north, Bagmati Province to the north, and India’s Bihar state to the south and the west.

The region is home to Madhesi ethnic groups, including various tribes. Madhesh has a rich cultural heritage and is known for various religious traditions. The festivals here are unique and rich in spiritual traditions, practices, and history, also known as Mithila culture. Many festivals like Holi, Chhath, Diwali, Dussehra, and Vivah Panchami are celebrated here in a fun way.

This area is also the ancient Mithila region with a glorious history. Madhesh is also home to many historical and cultural landmarks, including the ancient city of Janakpur, which is believed to be the birthplace of Sita Mata, the wife of Lord Rama in Hindu mythology.

Madhes have a strong agricultural economy, with crops such as rice, wheat, and sugarcane being the main products. The region is also known for its fertile soil, which is often called the “breadbasket” of Nepal.

Despite all these things, the Madhes have faced challenges such as poverty, backwardness, lack of infrastructure development, political instability, etc.

However, it is believed that with the stability of democracy in Nepal, restructuring of the state, and localization of its government in Madhesh province, like other parts of Nepal, its development is also taking a fast pace.

Overall, Madhesh is an area of ​​great cultural and economic importance to Nepal and an important part of the country’s identity and heritage.

Overview Of Madhesh Province

• Geographical Area: 9,661 km² (6.5% of the country’s total area)
• Population : 6,114,600 (3,065,751 males and 3,048,849 females)
• Largest Cities:
  • Birgunj (Parsa District), Population: 240,922
  • Janakpur (Dhanusha District), Population: 159,468
  • Kalaiya (Bara District), Population: 123,659
  • Simara (Bara District), Population: 117,496
  • Lahan (Siraha District), Population: 91,766
  • Siraha (Siraha District), Population: 82,531
  • Chandrapur (Rautahat), Population : 72,059
  • Barahathwa (Sarlahi), Population: 69,822
  • Rajbiraj (Saptari), Population: 69,086
  • Gaushala (Mahottari), Population: 66,673
• Metropolitan: 1
• Sub-Metropolitan: 3
• Municipality: 73
• Rural municipality: 59
• Main Rivers:  Koshi River, Bagmati River, Kamla River, Lakhandei River and Balan River
• Tourism Places:
  • Natural tourist spots: include Parsa National Park, Salahesh Fulbari (garden), Simrangarh (Cultural heritage), Bharat Lake, etc.
  • Religious tourism spots:  Janaki Temple (Janakpur Dham), Dhanushadham, Chinnamasta Bhagawati Temple, Kankalini Temple, Shambhunath Temple, Jaleshwar Mahadev, Matihani, Mahottari, Churiya Mai Temple, Gadhimai Temple, Gahawa Mai Temple etc
• National Parks and Conservation: Parsa National Park
• Ethnic groups:
• Ethnic groups in Madhesh Province are as follows according to NSON
  •  Yadav (15.2%)
  •  Muslim (12.9%)
  •  Tharu (5.27%)
  •  Teli (5.10%)
  •  Kushwaha (4.5%)
  •  Chamar (4.22%)
  •  Dhanuk (3.49%)
  •  Musahar (2.9%)
  •  Kurmi (3%)
  •  Paswan (2.79%)
  •  Hill Brahmin (2.34%)
  •  Mallaah (2.26%)
  •  Maithil Brahmin (2.2%)
  •  Tamang (2.17%)
  •   Other Madheshi (26.31%)
  •   Other Khas (3.38%)
  •   Other Janajati (3.03%)
  •   Others (0.64%)
• Religion:
  • Hinduism (83.75%)
  •  Islam (12.9%)
  •  Buddhism (3.01%)
  •  Other (0.34%)
• Local languages:
  • Maithili (45.36%)
  •  Bhojpuri (18.59%)
  •  Bajjika (14.68%)
  •  Nepali (6.56%)
  •  Urdu (5.87%)
  •  Tharu (3.77%)
  •  Tamang (1.94%)
  •   Others (3.23%)
• Official languages: Maithili, Bhojpuri and Bajjika
• Official portal (Website): https://ocmcm.madhesh.gov.np/
• Special Anything: Ancient Mithila kingdom Janakpur Is a Great Center of religious culture in Madhesh

Madhesh is also province of lot of lakes.

“There are 81 lakes recorded in Madhesh Province, all in the Terai region. Districts with the most lakes in decreasing order are Dhanusha (23), Siraha (13), Sarlahi (10), Mahottari (9), Rautahat (8), Saptari (8), Bara (7), and Parsa (3). Out of 136 Palikas in the province, Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City in Dhanusha district has the biggest number of lakes (21) compared to other Palikas.”

*_{^{National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC)}}

Details Of Districts Under Madhesh Province