On the first day of the Gregorian calendar year, Thori witnessed an influx of Indian tourists, filling the town’s hotels to capacity. Alongside Indian visitors, domestic tourists from nearby regions have also flocked to Thori, marking it as an increasingly popular year-round tourist destination.
Dhir Singh, operator of Thori Jungle Resort, noted the surge in tourist arrivals, stating, “We are overwhelmed with the growing number of Indian guests. Most hotels in Thori are fully booked.” The region boasts around 50 tourist attractions, including Rai Dhara, Seto Pahad, Gole Danda, Rato Pahad, Sinehi Pahad, Stone Park, Raniban, Amrit Dhara, Chisapani, Sita Gufa, Banshakti Temple, Baghmorcha Temple, and Sikaribas. Additionally, Suwarnapur features Madhesh Province’s first homestay program.
Thori’s viewpoint tower in Ward No. 2 is a popular spot for tourists to witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. With the rise in tourist arrivals, the area has seen the establishment of six high-quality hotels and restaurants. Situated at the confluence of three national parks, Thori attracts nature enthusiasts eager to observe its diverse wildlife and flora.
Tourism entrepreneurs have observed visitors coming from Indian border towns such as Jamuniya, Narkatiaganj, Ramnagar, Raxaul, Sugauli, Muzaffarpur, and Patna. However, formally documented Indian tourists entering Nepal remain minimal, with immigration records showing 2,086 tourists arriving via Birgunj in 2024, compared to 2,041 in 2023.
Hari Pant, president of the Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Birgunj, stated that around 60% occupancy was recorded in over 50 hotels in the Birgunj market area during New Year celebrations. Alongside Thori, religious sites within Birgunj, including Shankaracharya Gate, Gahwamai Temple, Ghadiarwa Pond, Pashupatinath Temple, and Bindabasini Temple, also attracted both Indian and domestic tourists.
Historic Parsa Gadhi, near the metropolis, also drew significant local tourist traffic. Gokarna Pathak, Mayor of Parsa Gadhi Municipality, emphasized the need for promoting local tourist destinations. He expressed confidence in increased domestic tourist arrivals during the upcoming 210th Victory Festival to be celebrated on January 3.
