Dharan, city in Sunsari District, Nepal
Dharan is a mid-sized city in eastern Nepal located at the junction where the Mahabharat Range foothills meet the flat Terai plains. The city features busy streets filled with shops and markets, parks scattered throughout, and green spaces that create a balance between urban life and nature.
Dharan emerged in the early 1900s as a trading post connecting hill and plains regions, and became an official municipality in 1960. The opening of a British Gurkha recruitment center in 1953 spurred rapid growth as soldiers' families settled in the city, transforming it into one of Nepal's major urban centers.
Dharan is home to multiple ethnic communities including Rai, Limbu, Gurung, and Newar people, each maintaining their own traditions and celebrations. Walking through the city during festivals like Dashain or Tihar, you notice the mix of languages, colorful decorations, and traditional performances that fill the streets with music and dance.
The city connects to other parts of Nepal via the Koshi Highway and sits about 40 kilometers north of Biratnagar, which has the nearest airport. Buses, taxis, and shared microbuses are the main ways to get around the city and reach nearby areas.
The name Dharan comes from a traditional woodworking technique where workers placed large saws in deep pits to cut wood, a labor-intensive craft that shaped the city's identity. This historical practice reminds visitors of the city's origins in skilled manual work and resource processing.
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