Rajbiraj

The city is part of the Mithila region which was an ancient kingdom which rose to prominence under King Janaka ({{circa}} 8th-7th centuries BCE).{{Cite book |last=Jha, Makhan, 1941- |title=Anthropology of ancient Hindu kingdoms : a study in civilizational perspective |date=1997 |publisher=M.D. Publications |isbn=81-7533-034-1 |location=New Delhi |oclc=37992849}}Michael Witzel (1989), Tracing the Vedic dialects in Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes ed. Caillat, Paris, pages 13, 17 116-124, 141-143 The city is historical twin city of Janakpur also known to be a seat of Kushadhwaja the brother of King Janka whose two daughters Mandavi and Shrutakirti were married to Bharata and Shatrughna respectively. Kushadhwaja later ruled the area through his ministers and moved to Sankasya.{{cite book |last1=BALAKANDA |title=Balmiki Ramayana |publisher=IIT Kanpur |pages=SARGA 71 |url=https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/summary?field_kanda_tid=1&field_sarga_value=71 |access-date=30 May 2020}} During the Medieval Period around 520 CE,{{Cite book |last=Grierson, George Abraham, Sir, 1851-1941. |title=Seven grammars of the dialects and subdialects of the Bihárí language : spoken in the Province of Bihár, in the eastern portion of the North-Western Provinces, and the northern portion of the Central Provinces |date=2005 |publisher=Kalpaz Publications |isbn=81-7835-451-9 |location=Delhi |pages=230 |oclc=297507808}} King Salahesh reigned over Mithila region and made his capital near Lahan,{{Cite web |last=Yadav |first=Mithilesh |title=King Sahlesh: The lesser known legend of Mithila |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/39909/ |access-date=2020-06-10 |website=My Republica |language=en}}{{Cite book |title=Rays and ways of Indian culture |date=1996 |publisher=M.D. Publications |isbn=81-85880-98-0 |location=New Delhi |page=200 |oclc=34851354}} 35 km west to Rajbiraj. The most powerful and prominent kingdom, Karnat dynasty comes into power and ruled Mithila (also known as Tirhut) from the 11th century to the early 14th century. The fifth of karnat dynasty, Shaktisingh Dev{{Cite book |last=Chaudhary |first=Radhakrishna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JO4toCiJ2ecC&q=Mithilak%2520Itihas |title=Mithilak Itihas |publisher=Ram Vilas Sahu |isbn=978-93-80538-28-0 |pages=70–112 |language=hi}} (r. 1285 to 1295 CE) was travelled through this region after transferring his supremacy to his younger son Harisimhadeva and built the famous and ancient Chinnamasta Bhagawati Mandir as well as his fort nearby the temple, which is known as Gadhi Gaachhi locally.{{Citation |last=Das, Harikant Lal |url=http://www.madanpuraskar.org/search/monographsview.php?showdetail=&ID=33586 |title=Saptari Jillaka Pramukh Aitihasik Gadhiharu |date=2010 |publisher=Sajha Prakashan |page=25 |language=ne}} After the fall of Karnat dynasty, the Sena dynasty which was entered in Mithila, through Rupnagar from Bengal around early 13th century started ruling this region from the 15th century to the 18th century. The Rajdevi Temple was rebuilt by Sena king in the early 14th century and also known to be family temple of Kushadhwaja. Within the periphery of Rajbiraj there were small shrines dedicated to Mandavi, Urmila and Shrutakirti but have lost with time.

After the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816 the region become part of Kingdom of Nepal. Rajbiraj is one of the few cities given the status of municipality when Nepal's monarchy was restored in the 1950s. The first city of Nepal to be urban planned is rajbiraj.{{cite web|title=Rajbiraj revisited|url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=5454#.YNXQFjfP32c|website=Nepal Times| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625124538/http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=5454#.YNXQFjfP32c |access-date=19 July 2002| archive-date=25 June 2021 }} The Nepal government plans to develop it as a model city.{{cite web|title=Nepal's first planned town on revival road|url=http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=73973|website=My Republica|access-date=2 May 2015}} Chief Engineer and Architect Dilli Jang Thapa designed Rajbiraj based on Indian city Jaipur.{{Cite web |url=https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2017/08/12/dilli-jung-thapa-forgotten-hero/ |title=DILLI JUNG THAPA Forgotten Hero |last=Magazine |first=New Spolight |website=SpotlightNepal |language=en |access-date=8 May 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2016/02/19/what-went-wrong-in-my-madhesh/ |title=What Went Wrong In My Madhesh? |last=Magazine |first=New Spolight |website=SpotlightNepal |language=en |access-date=8 May 2018}} The city is now recognized as an educational capital of Eastern Nepal with various schools and colleges opening.

The city of Rajbiraj is named after Rajdevi Temple. The Meaning of Raj comes from the name of the Rajdevi temple which means "state" and biraj means "to reside" or "to live".{{cite web|title=Rajdevi Temple|url=http://bossnepal.com/rajdevi-temple/|website=Boss Nepal|access-date=5 April 2015}}

According to the National Population Census of 2021, Rajbiraj's population was 70,803, of which male and female are 36,284 and 34,519 respectively. The effective literacy rate was 76.60%, with male literacy at 85.30% and female literacy at 67.40%. The data on religion in 2011 showed Hinduism as the majority religion. Most people follow Hinduism as a religion. The Hindu population accounts for 87%, Muslim 10.89%, Jains 1.26% and Sikhs 0.64%.{{cite web|title=National Population and Housing Census 2011|url=http://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/15%20Saptari_VDCLevelReport.pdf|website=Central Bureau of Statistics|access-date=1 March 2014}} The city has also community of Muslims along with Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. Rajbiraj is situated within one of the most ethnically diverse regions of Nepal, and the rural hinterland is home to a diverse cross section of Terai communities consisting of Kayastha, Deo, Yadav, Mandal, Muslim, Brahmin, Rajput, Marwari, Tharu, Badhai, Lohar, Sonar, Teli, Bania, Damai, Newar and Bahun.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yWvtsgEACAAJ&q=The+Caste+System+in+Terai+Madhes |title=The Caste System in Terai Madhesh |last=Rakesh |first=Ram Dayal |date=2015 |publisher=Adroit Publishers |isbn=9788187393108 |language=en}}

{{bar box

|title=Religion in Rajbiraj

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|#FF6600|87.01}}

{{bar percent|Islam|#009000|10.89}}

{{bar percent|Jain|#FFFF00|1.26}}

{{bar percent|Sikh|#808080|0.64}}

{{bar percent|Others|#808080|0.20}}

Others include Christians, Buddhists & Other religions (0.19%)

}}

Rajbiraj is one of the cities in Nepal that is connected by the East West Highway about {{convert|10|km|mi|0}} to the north and {{convert|17|km|mi|0}} to the east also known as Hulaki Rajmarg. It is well connected to other Nepalese cities by National Highway and Sub Highway. Buses are an important mode of intercity passenger travel. Besides that, electric rickshaws and microvans are another important means of traveling in local areas.

{{Main|Rajbiraj Airport}}

Rajbiraj has one of the oldest airfields of Nepal, named as the Rajbiraj Airport (IATA: RJB, ICAO: VNRB) which was inaugurated by the then transportation minister Ganesh Man Singh in 1959. After witnessing almost three decades of halt, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal carried out a series of vigorous renovation (worth Rs. 303 million) of the airport in the 1990s but the flights again had to be stopped in 2007. Shree Airlines 50-seater CRJ-200 was tested on 23 May 2018 with Captain DR Niroula of Shree's safety department along with other instructor pilots — Captain Prajwol Adhikari, Rajesh Shrestha.{{Cite web |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/rajbiraj-airport-gets-rolling-after-successful-test-flight/ |title=Rajbiraj airport gets rolling after successful test flight |date=23 May 2018 |website=The Himalayan Times |language=en-US |access-date=26 June 2018}} The halted flights of the airport were subsequently resumed from first 24 June 2018.{{Cite web |url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-06-25/rajbiraj-airport-begins-commercial-operations.html |title=Rajbiraj Airport begins commercial operations |language=en |access-date=26 June 2018}}{{Cite web |url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-05-25/rajbiraj-airport-resumes-operations-after-a-decade.html |title=Rajbiraj Airport resumes operations after a decade |language=en |access-date=26 June 2018}} As of February 2020, Buddha air aims to run daily flights in between Rajbiraj and Kathmandu.{{Cite web|url=https://www.buddhaair.com/flights-to-rajbiraj|title=Buddha air}}

The best way of getting around the city is by using cycle rickshaws and electric rickshaws. There are also auto rickshaw running short distances but they don't operate in the main market area.

Rajbiraj Municipal has particularly a tropical climate. The three main seasons, summer, monsoon and winter respectively. Being located in the Plain (Terai) lands of Nepal, the climate and weather of Rajbiraj is usually hot.{{cite web|title=Rising Temperature|url=http://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/rising-mercury-brings-tarai-life-to-standstill/|website=The Himalayan Times|access-date=6 June 2015|date=6 June 2015}} The summer season runs from early April to August and touches temperature ranging from 23 °C (73 °F) to 44 °C (111 °F). Monsoons arrive in the month of July heralded by dust and thunderstorms. The winter season prevails from the month of October till the month of March. Humidity, which prevails during monsoons, diminishes at the arrival of winters. The city observes pleasant sunny days and enjoyable cool nights with the temperature ranging from 6 °C (41 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F).

Rajbiraj winter season is the most appealing time to pay here a visit. Tourists arrive in large numbers, anytime between mid-September to late March or early April. Overall, January is the coldest month and June is the most hottest month in the year.

{{Weather box

| location = Rajbiraj (1991–2020 normals)

| metric first = Y

| single line = Y

|collapsed = Y

| Jan high C = 22.4

| Feb high C = 25.5

| Mar high C = 31.7

| Apr high C = 34.6

| May high C = 34.3

| Jun high C = 33.9

| Jul high C = 32.9

| Aug high C = 33.3

| Sep high C = 33.2

| Oct high C = 32.4

| Nov high C = 29.7

| Dec high C = 25.0

| year high C =

|Jan mean C = 16.1

|Feb mean C = 19.0

|Mar mean C = 24.2

|Apr mean C = 28.0

|May mean C = 29.0

|Jun mean C = 29.5

|Jul mean C = 29.1

|Aug mean C = 29.6

|Sep mean C = 29.1

|Oct mean C = 27.1

|Nov mean C = 22.9

|Dec mean C = 18.1

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 9.8

| Feb low C = 12.5

| Mar low C = 16.7

| Apr low C = 21.4

| May low C = 23.6

| Jun low C = 25.0

| Jul low C = 25.2

| Aug low C = 25.8

| Sep low C = 25.0

| Oct low C = 21.8

| Nov low C = 16.0

| Dec low C = 11.2

| year low C =

|precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 12.3

| Feb precipitation mm = 11.5

| Mar precipitation mm = 12.2

| Apr precipitation mm = 44.1

| May precipitation mm = 120.9

| Jun precipitation mm = 258.0

| Jul precipitation mm = 460.4

| Aug precipitation mm = 300.7

| Sep precipitation mm = 232.6

| Oct precipitation mm = 76.9

| Nov precipitation mm = 7.7

| Dec precipitation mm = 10.5

| year precipitation mm =

|source 1 = Department of Hydrology and Meteorology{{cite web

| url = https://www.dhm.gov.np/climate-services/climate%20reports/monthly-reports

| title = Climate Division (Climate Analysis Section)

| publisher=Department of Hydrology and Meteorology

| access-date = 8 February 2025}}

|source 2 = Agricultural Extension in South Asia (precipitation 1976–2005){{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231013221356/https://www.aesanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/888-Temporal-and-Spatial-Variability-of-Climate-Change-Over-Nepal-1976-2005.pdf

| archive-date = 13 October 2023

| url = https://www.aesanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/888-Temporal-and-Spatial-Variability-of-Climate-Change-Over-Nepal-1976-2005.pdf

| title = TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF CLIMATE CHANGE OVER NEPAL (1976-2005)

| publisher=Agricultural Extension in South Asia

| access-date = 14 October 2023}}

}}

Rajbiraj is famous for agricultural products, spices and handicrafts. Mithila Paintings and Maithili culture is the main part of tourism to be explored.{{Cite web |title=Rajbiraj on the go |url=https://kathmandupost.com/miscellaneous/2017/12/16/rajbiraj-on-the-go |website=kathmandupost.com |language=en |access-date=2020-05-15}} There are many religious Hindu temples to visit. Some of them are more than 2000 years old. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve famous for its wildlife is just 40-minute drive from the city.

The Koshi Barrage is also the attraction which is only 25 km far from the city. The nearest inner-madhesh part includes Dharan (75 km) and Gaighat (60 km) far.

The females are usually seen in the salwaar kameez and women are seen in the sarees. Males usually wear western garments like pants, shirts and T-shirts, rather than the traditional dhoti and kurtas, although males often wear traditional dress during Puja and festivals.{{Cite news |date=2010-04-04 |title=Mithila Mahotsava 2066: A Nepalese cultural mosaic |language=en-US |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/mithila-mahotsava-2066-a-nepalese-cultural-mosaic/ |access-date=2020-05-16}}{{Cite news |last=Jha |first=Jitendra Kumar |title=Women in Mithila celebrating Madhushravani |language=en |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/3127/ |access-date=2020-05-16}}{{Cite book |last=Davis, Carol (Carol Elizabeth) |title=Theatre of Nepal and the people who make it |isbn=978-1-108-59642-8 |location=Cambridge |pages=98 |oclc=1101814999}} Females are also gradually taking up more and more Western wear, with variety of jeans in the streets. There are fewer girls seen wearing T-skirts and Miniskirts predominating in the private schools, colleges and campuses. Younger females also seen wearing Lehenga in special occasion like wedding ceremony and festivals.

{{Main|List of Hindu temples in Nepal}}

Rajdevi Temple is a historic pre 14th century Hindu temple located on the east of the city and is one of the most prominent landmarks of the city. It is dedicated to the deity Rajdevi. The temple is a significant symbol for Hindus and the present structure was built between 1990.{{cite web|url=http://www.ekantipur.com/2014/10/02/top-story/maha-asthami-observed-today/395912.html|title=Maha Asthami observed today|work=ekantipur.com}}

There are other Hindu temples in the city like Bhagwati Temple, Bageshwari Temple, Shree Radha Krishna Temple, Baishnavi Kali Mandir, Thangachi Mandir, Chitragupta Mandir where devotees come to offer prayer every day.{{Cite web |title=राजविराज : उहिल्यै र अहिले |trans-title=Rajbiraj: Then and now |url=http://www.majheri.com/node/13889 |website=www.majheri.com |language=ne |access-date=2020-05-26}}

There is a Noori Jaama Masjid in the eastern central part of the town where Muslims congregate to perform Salat al-Jumu'ah.{{Cite web |title=सप्तरीसहित देशैभरि भव्यतापूर्वक ईद उल फित्र मनाईदै |trans-title= Eid-ul-fitra observed in Spatari |url=http://newstoday.com.np/2016/07/07/7286 |last=Yadav |first=Shyam Sundar |date=2016-07-07 |website=News Today |language=ne |access-date=2020-05-26}}

Rajdevi temple shirshak baniya.jpg|Rajdevi Temple

Shree Radhe Krishna Temple at Rajbiraj (1).JPG|Shree Radha Krishna Temple

Baishnawi Kali Mandir, Rajbiraj.jpg|Baishnawi Kali Mandir

{{multiple image

| align = center

| total_width = 710

| image1 = Aerial view of Rajbiraj.jpg

| alt1 = Aerial view of Rajbiraj in 1990

| image2 = Dilli Jang Thapa.jpg

| alt2 = Portrait of chief engineer Dilli Jang Thapa

| footer = Aerial view of Rajbiraj in 1990 (left) and Portrait of chief engineer Dilli Jang Thapa (right)

}}

The city was planned after the then headquarter of Saptari district Hanumannagar, which was heavily affected by the Saptakoshi river floods.{{Cite web |title=राजविराज दर्शन |trans-title= Rajbiraj visited |url=http://nagariknews.nagariknetwork.com/others/203170-1581737160.html |last=Bhadgaunle |first=Amrit |website=nagariknews.nagariknetwork.com |language=ne |access-date=2020-05-25}} In 1938–39, Baber Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, then head of the eastern command and his representative then Governor (Badahakim) Prakasha Shamser JB Rana justifies and approved Rajbiraj as the headquarter of Saptari district.{{Cite web |title=नेपालकै पहिलो टाउन प्लानिङ बजार अव्यवस्थित बन्दै |trans-title=Nepal's first planned town |url=http://rajbirajdainik.com.np/Home/News/114 |last=Gupta |first=Navin Kumar |website=rajbirajdainik.com.np |language=ne |access-date=2020-05-26}}{{Cite web |title=नेपालको जयपुरे शहर राजविराज |trans-title=Rajbiraj the Jaipure city of Nepal|url=http://newstoday.com.np/2016/02/08/4277 |last=Yadav|first=Shyam Sundar |date=2016-02-08 |website=News Today |language=ne |access-date=2020-05-25}} Rajbiraj city was systematically designed based on the Indian city Jaipur by then chief architect and engineer Dilli Jung Thapa in 60 Bigha of land.{{Cite web |title=Quest for smart cities: Learn from ancient towns |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/quest-for-smart-cities-learn-from-ancient-towns/ |date=2018-06-15 |website=The Himalayan Times |language=en-US |access-date=2020-05-25}}

There was dense jungle where fox roared before the proper inhabited took place. In 1941, the city gained the status of the headquarter of Saptari district and fully operational for inhabitant. Initially, the city was planned in 60 bigha of land but later 10 bigha of land was added to northern side for government office (Kachahari line) and 8 bigha of land in southern side was added to the city for the officials resident area (Swarna tol) making it in total 78 bigha of land. A small alley behind each of the four houses,

Chauk square at the junction of main road and auxiliary road, grocery stores, vegetable market lines and government office buildings have been arranged in proper manner making it first planned city of Nepal.{{Cite web |title=Undeclared borders |url=https://kathmandupost.com/opinion/2017/08/08/undeclared-borders |website=kathmandupost.com |language=en |access-date=2020-05-25}}{{Cite web |title=Rajbiraj on the go |url=https://kathmandupost.com/miscellaneous/2017/12/16/rajbiraj-on-the-go |website=kathmandupost.com |language=en |access-date=2020-05-25}}

Major religious celebrations include the major Hindu festivals Vijaya Dashami, Dipawali, Chhath, Holi, Sama Chakeva and Vishwakarma Puja. The Chhath and Holi is heavily celebrated with a carnival-like atmosphere. The locals people take pride in the way these festivals are celebrated.{{cite web|title=Govt announces public holiday on Chhath|url=http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=64183|website=My Republica|access-date=7 October 2014}}{{Cite web |url=http://newstoday.com.np/2018/11/22/21450 |title=चौतर्फी व्यापकता पाउँदै लोक पर्व सामाचकेवा |date=22 November 2018 |website=News Today |language=ne |access-date=31 December 2018}}

The staple diet of the region is rice, roti, achar, chatni, dal, saag, paneer, maachh,{{Cite news |last=Hakahaki.com |title=जितियाले गर्दा माछाको कारोवार दश गुणा बढी |trans-title= Fish selling hiked by 10 times due to Jitiya |language=en-US |url=http://www.hakahaki.com/2018/10/01/%e0%a4%9c%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%a4%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%af%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%b2%e0%a5%87-%e0%a4%97%e0%a4%b0%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%a6%e0%a4%be-%e0%a4%ae%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%9b%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%95%e0%a5%8b-%e0%a4%95%e0%a4%be.html |access-date=2020-05-16}} mutton and curry. On the festive occasions, people prepare a number of fried items of vegetables, locally known as Tarua as well as other special items.{{Cite web |title=सतुआ र बरी |trans-title=Sattu and Bari |url=https://ekantipur.com/feature/2019/04/12/155506272786262547.html?author=1 |website=ekantipur.com |language=ne |access-date=2020-05-15}} The local Maithili cuisine comprises a broad repertoire of rice, wheat, fish and meat dishes and the skilled use of various spices. The popular dishes includes Kadhi bari, Palak paneer, Khichdi, Aloo mutter, Dum Aloo, Mutton/Chicken Biryani and the desserts Khaja, Jalebi, Malpua, Rabri, Kheer, Thekua, Laddu and Gulab Jamun.

The commons dishes of the city is influenced with Maithil cuisine, Nepalese cuisine and Indian cuisine. Bagiya, Murhee ke laai ({{langx|en|Puffed rice sweet balls}}), litti are also popular among people.{{Cite web |title=माघे संक्रान्तिमा तिलको लड्डु र खिचडी खानुको वैज्ञानिक कारण |trans-title= Scientific reason behind having Khichdi and Sesame sweet balls in Makar Sankranti |url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2019/01/733506 |website=Online Khabar |language=en-US |access-date=2020-05-15}}{{Cite web |title=मिथिलाञ्चलमा धुमधामसँग मनाइयो तीलासंक्रान्ति |url=https://deshsanchar.com/2018/01/16/12938/ |trans-title= Makar Sankranti observed cheerfully in Mithilanchal |date=2018-01-16 |website=देशसञ्चार |language=en-US |access-date=2020-05-15}} Street foods such as Samosa, Chaat, Panipuri, Chow mein, Momo, Omelette and Sekuwa are favourite among Rajbirajians.{{cite news | title=Street food- flashback | work=Rajbiraj Dainik Newspaper | date=5 May 2020}}

Maithili New Year or Jur Sital, Jhori bari - 20200414.jpg|Kadhi bari

Maithili New Year or Jur Sital, taruwa thali - 20200414.jpg|Varieties of Tarua

Maithili New Year or Jur Sital, taruwa plate - 20200414.jpg|Varieties of Tarua and papad

{{Main|Maithili language}}

The most commonly and widely speaking language of the city is Maithili.{{Cite web |title=RIGHTS-NEPAL: Attempt to Limit Official Language to Nepali Resented |url=http://www.ipsnews.net/1999/06/rights-nepal-attempt-to-limit-official-language-to-nepali-resented/ |website=www.ipsnews.net |date=27 June 1999 |access-date=2020-05-15}}{{Cite web |title=Caste, class and religion- Nepali Times |url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=14808#.Xr4Dv2gzbIU |website=archive.nepalitimes.com |access-date=2020-05-15}}{{Cite web |title=Voice of the people |url=https://kathmandupost.com/opinion/2017/08/10/voice-of-the-people-20170810074626 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=en |access-date=2020-05-15}}{{Cite web |title=Language issue in Province 2 gets knottier |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/37647/ |last=Yadav |first=Suresh |website=My Republica |language=en |access-date=2020-05-15}}{{Cite web |title= The adoption of multilingualism in Province 2 is significant |url=https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2020/01/02/the-adoption-of-multilingualism-in-province-2-is-significant |website=kathmandupost.com |language=en |access-date=2020-05-15}} After Maithili, Nepali is also well understood and widely used for business and administrative purposes.

Hindi is widely used by people from madhesh as a link language along with Marwari people and migrant workers from India.{{Cite web |title=Gurung opposes Hindi as official language |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/7394/ |last=Republica |website=My Republica |language=en |access-date=2020-05-15}}

Historically, Rajbiraj was considered one of the great center of Mithila culture.{{Cite web |title=International Maithili Conference to take place in Rajbiraj |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/international-maithili-conference-take-place-rajbiraj/ |date=2017-10-12 |website=The Himalayan Times |language=en-US |access-date=2020-05-15}}{{Cite web |title=Women in Mithila celebrating Madhushravani |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/women-in-mithila-celebrating-madhushravani/ |last=Jha |first=Jitendra Kumar |website=My Republica |language=en |access-date=2020-05-15}}{{Cite web |title=The Rising Nepal: Rajbiraj to host 15th International Maithili Conference |url=http://www.therisingnepal.org.np/index/news/20992 |website=www.therisingnepal.org.np |access-date=2020-05-15}}

Print media include the National daily Annapurna Post, Gorkhapatra, Kantipur Patrika and Nepal Samacharpatra. There are numerous local newspaper which covers the news of the city like Nai Ummid, Rajbiraj Dainik, Krishna Dainik, News Today Patrika and Green Madhesh Patrika. while English news daily like The Himalayan Times and The Kathmandu Post are also available.

Telecommunications services include Nepal Telecom, Ncell, Smart Cell and UTL Nepal. WorldLink, Broadlink and Subisu are providing broadband services in this region. To promote local culture, Rajbiraj has number of FM radio stations{{cite web|title=FM details list|url=https://www.moic.gov.np/pdf/fm-list-2070-05-03.pdf|publisher=MOIC, Government of Nepal|date=November 2014}} which are:

• Bhorukuwa FM
• Chhinnamasta/Apan FM
• C FM
• Radio Chandrama FM
• Jai Madhesh FM
• Appan FM

{{Main|List of educational institutions in Rajbiraj}}

{{School and colleges in Rajbiraj}}

Rajbiraj has a well-established education infrastructure. There are a number of colleges and schools meeting the requirements of not only the city but the region and country as well. It is home to several Educational institutions for pre-primary, Primary, Secondary, High-Secondary, senior-secondary, graduate and post-graduate studies. Rajbiraj is an educational hub of Eastern Region of Nepal.

Following health services are available at Rajbiraj.

• Sagaramatha Zonal Hospital Gajendra Nr Singh Hospital
• Unique College of Medical Science and Hospital{{Cite web |url=http://www.republicadainik.com/2017/12/2853/ |title=हार्ने भएपछि रिसाउन थाले ठाकुर, आफ्नैबाट लखेटिए |last=Says |first=वसन्त यादव |date=4 December 2017 |website=REPUBLICADAINIK |language=en-US |access-date=31 December 2018}}
• Sagarmatha Chaudhary Eye Hospital{{cite web |title=Eye care centre Rajbiraj |url=https://sites.google.com/site/eyehospitalofrajbiraj/ |website=www.sites.google.com |access-date=3 March 2020}}
• Ram Raja Prasad Singh Academy of Health Sciences{{cite web |title=राजविराजमा मेडिकल कलेज निर्माण का लागि साईट भ्रमण तथा छलफल |url=http://rajbirajmun.gov.np/ne/content/राजविराजमा-मेडिकल-कलेज-निर्माण-का-लागि-साईट-भ्रमण-तथा-छलफल |website=www.rajbirajmun.gov.np |publisher=Rajbiraj Municipality |access-date=3 March 2020}}
• Chhinnamasta Hospital{{cite web |title=Chhinnamasta Hospital |url=http://chhinnamasta.edu.np |website=chhinnamasta.edu.np |access-date=8 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=Chhinnamasta Hospital |url=https://www.collegenp.com/vacancy/chhinnamasta-hospital-vacancy-for-various-positions/ |website=www.collegenp.com |access-date=8 March 2020}}
• Anar Bhupendra Hospital{{cite web |title=Anar Bhupendra Hospital |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Anar+Bhupendra+Hospital/@26.5373309,86.7487692,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x351a83ac235f034c!8m2!3d26.5373309!4d86.7487692 |website=google.com/maps |access-date=8 March 2020}}

Kabaddi and Cricket are the most popular sports among the younger generation in the city. The city has 3 local stadiums. The sporting activities are mainly centered in the multipurpose stadium Raj Rangasala in the main city. The popular sports are cricket, football, volleyball, basketball, kabaddi, badminton etc. Freedom cricket club and Rajdevi cricket academy are the most active cricket club in the city.{{cite web|title=Alam stars in Rajdevi triumph|url=http://cricketingnepal.com/articles/201207/alam-stars-in-rajdevi-triumph|website=Cricketing Nepal|access-date=12 January 2015}} Mahendra Club is one of the most active organizations promoting football in the city and organizes a regional club-level football tournament: the Saptari Gold Cup.{{cite web|title=Machhindra lift Saptari Gold Cup|url=http://trn.gorkhapatraonline.com/index.php/sports/711-machhindra-lift-saptari-gold-cup.html|website=The Rising Nepal|access-date=24 February 2013}}{{cite web|title=Saptari Gold Cup|url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=12273|website=Goal Nepal|access-date=19 February 2013}}

• Mehboob Alam, Nepalese cricket player Cricket Association of Nepal, first bowler to take all ten wickets in an innings in an International Cricket Council tournament.
• Dipendra Chaudhary, former Nepalese cricket player
• Parmanand Jha, first Vice President of Nepal and ex Supreme Court Judge
• CK Raut, president of newly formed Janamat Party
• Gajendra Narayan Singh, Founder of Nepal Sadbhawana Party Nepal
• Ram Raja Prasad Singh, Politician
• Upendra Yadav, Founder of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal, Ex foreign minister of Nepal and Ex Health and Population minister

• List of educational institutions in Rajbiraj

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Rajbiraj}}

{{Saptari District}}

Category:Populated places in Saptari District

Category:Transit and customs posts along the India–Nepal border

Category:Populated places in Mithila, Nepal

Category:Nepal municipalities established in 1959

Category:Municipalities in Madhesh Province