Town or village · 85 m
Birgunj
Nepal's main trade gateway with India, a busy border city opposite Raxaul and a base for Parsa National Park.
Chitwan & Teraiगहवा माई मन्दिर
Gahawa Mai Temple
Birgunj's best-known goddess temple, crowded with worshippers during Dashain and other festivals.
This is the goddess temple in Birgunj, Parsa district.
- Altitude
- 85 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Parsa, Madhesh
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Gahawa Mai is a temple to the mother goddess in the city of Birgunj, and one of the most visited shrines in Parsa district. It is an active place of worship rather than a monument, and the best way to experience it is to come when local people do: in the early morning, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and above all during the nine nights of Dashain.
During Dashain the temple compound and the surrounding streets fill with worshippers bringing flowers, coconuts and offerings, and temporary stalls line the approach. At other times it is calmer, and visitors can watch daily rituals and the steady flow of families stopping to pray on their way through the city.
The temple sits within the urban fabric of Birgunj, so a visit combines easily with the markets, the clock tower and other sights in the city, or with a journey to or from the border at Raxaul.
History and culture
Goddess worship is central to religious life in the Terai, and shrines such as Gahawa Mai act as focal points for neighbourhood and city identity. Worshippers from across Birgunj, surrounding villages and the Indian side of the border visit the temple.
Dashain and Chaite Dashain are the main festival periods, and the temple is also busy during Navaratri rituals and on other auspicious days of the Hindu calendar. As at many Terai goddess temples, animal offerings have traditionally been part of some rituals.
The history of the temple's foundation is preserved mainly in local tradition, and accounts differ.
Things to do in Gahawa Mai Temple
Morning visit
Come early to see worshippers making offerings before the city's traffic builds.
Dashain festival
Visit during Dashain for the full atmosphere, prepared for large crowds.
City walk
Continue to the Birgunj markets and the clock tower.
Weather and the best time to visit Gahawa Mai Temple
Weather in Gahawa Mai Temple
Forecast for 85 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October is Dashain, the busiest and most colourful time; November is calmer and pleasant.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and foggy in the mornings.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March brings Chaite Dashain; April and May are very hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet and humid, with waterlogged streets after heavy rain.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Stay anywhere in Birgunj; the city has many hotels and guesthouses.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
The temple is in Birgunj and easily reached by rickshaw, tempo or taxi from anywhere in the city.
Nearest hub: Birgunj
- roadKathmandu to Birgunj by bus via Hetauda, then by rickshaw or taxi to the temple.
- flightKathmandu to Simara, then by road to Birgunj.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit or entry fee is needed to visit the temple.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Birgunj, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Gahawa Mai Temple
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon downpours between June and September can waterlog streets around the temple area.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
April to June is the hot season in the Terai, with daytime temperatures that make midday sightseeing tiring; travel early or late in the day.
Coldlow in a typical yearDec-Jan
In December and January dense fog and spells of cold weather are common in the Terai, which can slow road travel and delay flights.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Remove shoes before entering the shrine and dress modestly.
- Ask before photographing worshippers or rituals.
- During Dashain, keep valuables secure in the crowds.
Questions about Gahawa Mai Temple
Where is Gahawa Mai Temple?
In the city of Birgunj, Parsa district.
When is the temple busiest?
During Dashain and Chaite Dashain, and on auspicious days such as Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Is there an entry fee?
No, entry is free.
Nearby
National park or conservation area
Parsa National Park
Sal forest and Chure hills east of Chitwan, protecting elephants, tigers and gaur in a much quieter setting.
Town or village · 100 m
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Temple, monastery or heritage site · 100 m
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A village shrine to the goddess Gadhimai in Bara, known across the region for a large festival held once every five years.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Birgunj, Wikipedia, Parsa District, Wikipedia