Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City (घोराही उपमहानगरपालिका) is located in Dang District of Lumbini Province, Nepal. It lies in the eastern part of Dang Valley and covers 522.21 square kilometers, making it the largest sub-metropolitan city in Nepal by area.

The sub-metropolitan city is bordered by Bangalachuli Rural Municipality to the east, Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City to the west, Rolpa District to the north, and Lamahi Municipality to the south. It includes 19 wards and serves as the district headquarters of Dang.

According to the 2021 census, Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City had 49,761 households and a population of 200,530. The municipality has diverse communities, languages, settlements, educational institutions, religious sites, rivers, parks, public spaces, and local festivals.

Quick Highlights

Location and Boundaries

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City is situated in Dang District in the central part of Lumbini Province. It is spread across the eastern part of Dang Valley and includes hilly areas connected with the Chure and Mahabharat ranges.

The municipality is bordered by Bangalachuli Rural Municipality to the east, Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City to the west, Lamahi Municipality to the south, and Rolpa District to the north. It is located approximately 451 kilometers west of Kathmandu.

Administrative Background

Ghorahi was established as a municipality on 15 Magh 2035 BS by merging the then Ghorahi and Sewar Bangaun Village Panchayats and most parts of Haridwar and Rawatgaun Village Panchayats. At that time, it was named Tribhuvannagar Nagar Panchayat.

After the end of the Panchayat system, it became Tribhuvannagar Municipality. The Government of Nepal changed the name from Tribhuvannagar Municipality to Ghorahi Municipality on 20 Kartik 2065 BS.

Under Nepal’s federal restructuring, the former Ghorahi Municipality, Tripur Municipality, Saudiyar VDC, Saigha VDC, Dharna VDC, Rampur VDC, and Laxmipur VDC were merged to form Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City.

Population and Households

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City recorded steady population growth between the 2011 and 2021 census periods.

In the 2011 census, the municipality had 35,419 households and a total population of 156,164. In the 2021 census, the number of households increased to 49,761, and the total population reached 200,530.

The 2021 population included 46.8 percent male and 53.2 percent female residents.

Ethnic Composition

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has residents from different ethnic and social groups, including Khas Arya, Dalit, Indigenous nationalities, Madhesi, and Muslim communities.

According to the 2021 census, the major population groups included:

• Chhetri: 25.5 percent

• Tharu: 22.1 percent

• Magar: 19.4 percent

• Brahmin-Hill: 11.4 percent

• Bishwakarma: 7.4 percent

• Pariyar: 3 percent

• Mijar: 2.2 percent

• Sanyasi/Dashnami: 2 percent

• Newar: 1.3 percent

• Thakuri: 1.3 percent

Other communities also live within the municipality.

Languages Spoken

Nepali is the most widely spoken language in Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City. Tharu is also a major local language, reflecting the community composition of Dang District.

The 2021 census recorded the following language distribution:

• Nepali: 72.5 percent

• Tharu: 21.2 percent

• Magar Kham: 2.4 percent

• Magar Dhut: 1.9 percent

• Newari: 0.3 percent

• Awadhi: 0.2 percent

• Bhojpuri: 0.2 percent

Other languages are also spoken by smaller population groups.

Literacy and Education

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has schools, colleges, technical schools, and other educational institutions.

The literacy rate increased from 73.58 percent in the 2011 census to 83 percent in the 2021 census. In 2021, male literacy was 89.6 percent, while female literacy was 77.4 percent.

The municipality has 14 colleges, including 7 private colleges, 6 public colleges, and 1 technical school. It also has 195 schools, including public, private, religious, TECS, and technical schools.

School-Level Distribution

School Statistics

Here it is in table format. Source:

Schools in Ghorahi Sub Metropolitan City

Colleges and Technical Institutions in Ghorahi Sub Metropolitan City

Ward Details and Population

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has 19 wards. Ward 15 had the highest population in the 2021 census, with 29,044 residents. Ward 1 recorded 4,987 residents, while Ward 19 recorded 5,909 residents.

Natural Setting and Water Resources

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City includes rivers, streams, ponds, and other water bodies across different wards. These water sources support the local aquatic ecosystem, livestock, birds, irrigation, and natural surroundings.

Major rivers and streams include Babai Khola, Bhaise Khola, Katuwa Khola, Sisne Khola, Jahrawa Khola, Sarena Khola, Sewar Khola, Gune Khola, Hapur Khola, Patre Khola, and Andariya Khola.

Some rivers and streams have recorded lengths, including Babai Khola at 13 kilometers in wards 1 and 2, another Babai Khola stretch of 20 kilometers across wards 6, 3, 7, 8, and 5, Gune Khola at 8 kilometers in Ward 12, Hapur Khola at 7 kilometers in Ward 12, and Bhaise Khola at 4 kilometers in Ward 12.

Parks, Picnic Spots, and Recreational Areas

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has public parks, picnic spots, religious areas, and recreational spaces in different wards. These areas are used for recreation, tourism, fairs, religious activities, and public gatherings.

Major identified sites include:

• Thanti Darai Month, Ward 1

• Sadakghar, Ward 4

• Dharapani, Ward 5

• Barahkune Daha, Ward 5

• Jamire Daha, Ward 13

• Shahid Lakhan Thapa Park, Ward 14

• Chogora, Ward 18

• Goraksha Ratnanath Temple, Ward 18

• Sisnekhola Charudhan, Ward 13

• Okhariberi, Ward 13

• Baran Madyawara, Naynivar, Ward 13

• Suryak Park, Telawa Pakha Gurje, Ward 13

Barahkune Daha covers 13 hectares. Shahid Lakhan Thapa Park covers 0.0065 square kilometers. Baran Madyawara, Naynivar covers 0.0132 square kilometers, while Suryak Park covers 0.0155 square kilometers.

Major Settlements

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City includes urban, semi-urban, and rural settlements across its 19 wards. The central market and older settlements have developed with access to municipal services, roads, health services, and education facilities.

Major settlements include Simalatara, Rampur, Laxmipur, Dharapani, Saudiyar, Narayanpur Bazaar, Bangaun, Bus Park, Bharatpur, Sarra, Chogra, Ghorahi, Saigha, and many ward-level toles and villages.

Public Rest Houses, Pauwas, and Chautaras

Public rest houses, pati, pauwa, chautaras, waiting shelters, wells, taps, and other public structures form part of the municipality’s shared public assets. These structures are used for rest, community interaction, religious gatherings, and public convenience.

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has identified public shelters and chautaras across wards 1 to 19, including sites at Simalatara, Kapurkuti, Rampur Chowk, Laxmipur Chowk, Musegaun Chowk, Sodiyar Chowk, Narayanpur Bazaar, Hapur Chowk, Bus Park, Traffic Chowk, Tulsipur Chowk, Sarra Chowk, Chogra Chowk, Masina, and Saigha Chowk.

Playgrounds and Sports Areas

The municipality has playgrounds and open spaces used for sports and recreation. Schools within Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City also have playground areas.

Major playgrounds include:

Natural Resources

The far western part of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has potential availability of limestone. Any extraction activity requires consideration of environmental and ecological impact.

Religious and Tourist Sites

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has religious and tourist sites connected with local culture, history, geography, and community life.

Major sites include:

• Thankot, Ward 4

• Pandaveshwar Shiva Temple, Ward 5

• Barahkune Jaldev Sthan Ganesh, Ward 5

• Okhariberi Tourist Site, Ward 13

• Barah Area, Barahkune Lake, Ward 13

• Om Shanti Sai Temple, Ward 14

• Tathya Sai Centre, Ward 14

• Ambikeshwari Shivalaya, Ward 15

• Siddharatnanath Pith, Ward 17

• Ambikeshwari Temple, Ward 18

• Kalika Bhagwati Temple, Ward 18

• Jaire Stupa, Ward 19

Local Festivals, Jatras, and Fairs

Different communities in Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City celebrate local festivals, jatras, and fairs. Major festivals include Dashain, Tihar, Holi, Bhote Jatra, Maghi festival, Gaura festival, Udhauli, and Ubhauli.

The municipality also has local fairs and cultural events in different wards.

Local Government Services

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City functions as a local government unit under Nepal’s federal structure. Its 19 wards are connected with administrative, settlement, education, public infrastructure, natural resource, and community-level responsibilities.

For municipal service information, see Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City local government services.