Birgunj Ghanta Ghar, Clock tower in central Birgunj, Nepal.
The Birgunj Ghanta Ghar stands as a freestanding clock tower in the center of the city, featuring a Seiko clock face that remains visible from multiple directions and serves as a practical reference point for residents and travelers navigating the urban area.
Built in 1976 with funds raised by Japanese school children from Yagano, the tower was established during Nepal's Panchayat System era after local officials successfully prevented commercial development of the site by designating it as Mahendra Park to preserve the space for public use.
The tower represents a symbol of international friendship and cooperation between Nepal and Japan, reflecting grassroots youth involvement in urban development through the collaboration of Birgunj Jaycees and Japan Jaycees, and it continues to embody community identity and pride among local residents today.
The clock tower functions as a central landmark for navigation throughout Birgunj, helping visitors orient themselves in the city and serving as a common meeting point for both residents and travelers exploring the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods.
The Seiko clock face was donated by Japanese students as part of a youth-led fundraising initiative that connected children across two countries, making the tower an enduring monument to the power of young people working together to create lasting community infrastructure.
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