Chitwan & Teraiसिम्रौनगढ

Simraungadh

Scattered ruins, ponds and temples of the medieval Karnat capital of Mithila, in the south of Bara district.

Altitude: 90 m*
Best months: Oct-Mar
Type: Temple, monastery or heritage site
District: Bara, Madhesh
Permit: None needed

Why go

Simraungadh is a town and municipality in the south of Bara district, close to the border with Bihar. It is best known as the site of a medieval fortified capital, and the fields and settlements around it are scattered with old brick mounds, ponds, fragments of sculpture and small temples that hint at a much larger city.

There is no single monument complex of the kind found in the Kathmandu Valley. Instead, visitors explore a spread of sites: ancient tanks, remnants of walls and gateways, temples that house old stone images, and places that local people associate with the palace and court. A local guide or a knowledgeable resident makes a big difference, because many of the remains are unsigned and lie among homes and farmland.

Simraungadh suits travellers interested in history and in the deep roots of Mithila culture, and it can be combined in a day with Gadhimai Temple and Kalaiya, or visited from Birgunj.

History and culture

Simraungadh is identified with the capital of the Karnat dynasty, founded by Nanyadeva at the end of the eleventh century. The Karnat kings ruled much of Mithila from here and were patrons of Maithili learning and culture.

In the fourteenth century the city was attacked by the forces of the Delhi Sultanate, and the last Karnat king, Harisimhadeva, is said to have fled north into the hills. His flight is linked in Nepali tradition with the arrival of the goddess Taleju in the Kathmandu Valley, which ties Simraungadh to the history of the Malla kingdoms.

Archaeologists and historians have long called for more systematic excavation and protection of the remains. Today the area is a mix of living town and heritage site, where old images are still worshipped in village shrines.

Things to do in Simraungadh

Heritage walk
Explore the ponds, mounds and temples with a local guide who knows where the main remains lie.
Temple visits
See the old sculptures kept in village shrines and ask about the stories local people tell about them.
Day trip circuit
Combine Simraungadh with Gadhimai Temple and Kalaiya on a day out from Birgunj.

Weather and the best time to visit Simraungadh

Weather in Simraungadh

Forecast for 90 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 and November are dry and comfortable for walking between sites.
Winter (Dec-Feb): December to February is cool; foggy mornings usually clear by midday.
Spring (Mar-May): March is pleasant, while April and May are very hot.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug): June to September brings heavy rain and flooded fields that make some sites hard to reach.

Where to stay

GuesthousesHotels

Simple local lodging may be available; most visitors stay in Birgunj or Kalaiya and visit on a day trip.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

Simraungadh is reached by road from Kalaiya or Birgunj across the plains of southern Bara.

Nearest hub: Birgunj

roadBirgunj to Simraungadh by local bus, jeep or taxi, usually via Kalaiya.
flightSimara airport has flights from Kathmandu; continue by road south through Birgunj or Kalaiya.

Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

None needed

No permit is needed to visit Simraungadh.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Simraungadh, Wikipedia.

Risks and conditions

Seasonal risks around Simraungadh

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 rain floods low fields and village tracks between June and September, making scattered sites muddy or hard to reach.
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Nepal
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.
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Nepal
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.
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Nepal

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

Hire a local guide: many remains are unsigned and lie on private land.
Do not remove bricks, pottery or carvings; they are part of an unexcavated site.
Carry water and sun protection; there is little shade in the fields.
Respect worship at shrines that hold old images.

Questions about Simraungadh

What is Simraungadh known for?

It is the site of the medieval capital of the Karnat dynasty of Mithila, with scattered ruins, ponds and old images.

Is there an entry fee?

No permit is needed and there is no single ticketed site.

How do I get there?

By road from Birgunj or Kalaiya in Bara district.

Do I need a guide?

It is strongly recommended, as many remains are unsigned and spread across farmland.

Nearby

Temple, monastery or heritage site · 100 m