SUNSARI: ‘Borabadh,’ located on the banks of the Saptakoshi River in Barahakshetra Municipality–6 in Nepal’s eastern Sunsari district, has recently emerged as a favorite destination for tourists.
With its panoramic river views, stunning sunsets, and the growing attraction of campfires, resorts, coffee shops, and snack stalls, daily footfall in the area has surged.
Businessman Bikul Shrestha said that the once-deserted spot is now bustling with visitors. He began operating a campfire service from mid-November and currently employs 10 workers. Local dishes—including local chicken, sekuwa, sukuti, and fresh fish from the Koshi—are among tourists’ top choices, he added.
Shrestha, who returned home after four years abroad, previously ran a dairy, safari service, and garage business. He has since left those ventures to focus on promoting tourism through his campfire enterprise.
“Business is very good now because of the increasing flow of tourists. We also provide overnight stay options. Tents and shower facilities are available for Rs 1,000 per person,” he said.
‘Borabadh’ was originally constructed by filling cement in sacks to protect the area from annual erosion by the Saptakoshi River. Locals say the site was named ‘Borabadh’ because of this embankment.
What was once a quiet area with only a few trees and occasional summer visitors has now transformed into a lively hub. From just one small shop in the past, the location today hosts more than half a dozen businesses, including a resort, campfire services, snack shops, and coffee shops.
According to local resident Bhishan Rai, the area sees a large crowd from morning until sunset. Around 2,000 to 2,500 tourists visit daily, while the number exceeds 5,000 on Saturdays. “Earlier, people used to go to Shreeantu in Ilam to watch the sunrise, but now they come to Borabadh to watch the sunset. As the sun sets, its rays reflect beautifully on the Koshi, attracting crowds—even if it’s just for photos and videos,” he said.
Most tourists come from Itahari, Dharan, and Inaruwa in Sunsari, as well as various parts of Morang, Jhapa, and Biratnagar. Sarita Shrestha, who visited with friends from Itahari, said, “Earlier, when we visited Barahachhetra, we went only to Chatrapul and the temple. But now Borabadh has become the main attraction. The evenings are more enjoyable than the daytime. During sunset, everyone focuses on the Koshi. We come two or three times a week—even just to take photos.”
With its natural beauty, captivating sunsets, open riverbank landscape, campfire ambiance, and local cuisine, ‘Borabadh’ is rapidly becoming a new tourism hotspot. As the growing number of visitors boosts employment, business, and local income, residents are calling for further infrastructure development to maximize long-term benefits.
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