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Bahrabise (Nepali: बाह्रबिसे) is a hillside town and municipal center in Sindhupalchok District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. Located along the strategic Araniko Highway that links Kathmandu with the Nepal–China border, Bahrabise serves as a gateway for trade, services, and movement across the upper Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi corridors. The town functions as a market hub for surrounding rural settlements and a staging point for travel towards the Himalayan borderlands.
Bahrabise
| Native name | बाह्रबिसे |
|---|---|
| Country | Nepal |
| Province | Bagmati Province |
| District | Sindhupalchok |
| Municipality | Bahrabise Municipality |
| Coordinates | 27.79°N, 85.88°E |
| Elevation | ≈ 1,000–1,200 m (approx.) |
| Highway | Araniko Highway |
| Rivers | Bhotekoshi, Sunkoshi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:45 (Nepal Time) |
Etymology
Local oral histories link the name Bahrabise to market activity that traditionally convened on a twelve-day cycle (bāhrā = twelve). Other accounts associate it with ancient rest points for traders moving between the Kathmandu Valley and the mountain passes. Both readings emphasize the town’s long-standing role as a waystation for commerce and travelers.
Geography and location
Bahrabise lies on terraced slopes above the confluence of hill streams feeding the Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi rivers. The terrain is a mix of river valleys and mid-hill ridges, with settlements spread along the Araniko Highway corridor and feeder roads that reach rural wards.
Administration
The town is the administrative center of Bahrabise Municipality in Sindhupalchok. Municipal services, local markets, banking, and connectivity facilities are concentrated around the highway bazaar area.
Demographics
Bahrabise hosts a mix of hill communities reflecting the broader demographic pattern of Sindhupalchok. Population has grown around trade, transport and services. Official census figures by ward can be added once verified.
Economy
The local economy is driven by highway trade, construction, transport services, small hotels, agriculture from nearby villages, and cross-border commerce towards the Tatopani/Kodari sector when routes are open. Remittances contribute to retail growth and housing.
Transport
The Araniko Highway connects Bahrabise with Kathmandu to the west and with the Nepal–China border area to the northeast. Regular buses and microvans operate on the highway; off-highway tracks link outlying wards and market centers.
Education and health
Bahrabise is a service hub for schools and health posts in the eastern hills of Sindhupalchok. Notable institutions include Shree Bachchhala Devi Higher Secondary School and a network of community schools in the municipality. Basic hospital and emergency services are available within the municipal area or referred to district facilities.
Culture
The town observes major hill festivals such as Dashain and Tihar, with local jatras and fairs tied to nearby temples and seasonal markets. Cultural practices reflect both trading-town cosmopolitanism and rural traditions.