Bhimdatta (Nepali: ), formerly known as Mahendranagar (), is a city and municipality in far western Nepal, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the border of India and the Mahakali River. It is the headquarters of the district of Kanchanpur in Mahakali Zone. Bhimdatta is the 9th largest city in Nepal. It is 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east of the Indian border and 700 kilometres (430 mi) west of Kathmandu. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census, it had a population of 62,050.[1] According to the census of 2001, the city's population was 80,839. Bhimdatta is a hub of activity for industries running between India and Nepal. It is also a gateway to Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. The city was originally established by late Shri Ghadsi Ram Sarawagi, who hailed from Birganj in Parsa District and named it Mahendranagar in the honour of late king Mahendra of Nepal. After becoming a republic in 2008, the city name was changed to Bhimdatta.The indigenous people living here are the Rana-Tharus but people from other parts mostly from the hill districts Baitadi, Darchula and Dadeldhura find themselves at home. Bhimdatta has become a unique combination of ethnic groups which has a different way of life within an already diverse country Nepal. The festivals celebrated by the ethnic Tharu people is Teej, Holi, Maghi festival while Hill People primarily celebrate Gora (commonly called Gaura Parba). Deepawali or Diwali is a major festival which is celebrated with Laxmi Pooja, Gai Tihar, and Bhai Tika on their respective days. Dashain is also a major festival here.
