Bara बारा

Bara is a flat central Terai district of sugarcane fields, light industry and border trade, with its headquarters at Kalaiya. Its most significant draw is the Gadhimai temple at Bariyarpur — about 7 km east of Kalaiya — dedicated to an aspect of Kali and the site of one of South Asia's largest religious gatherings, held every five years. Simara Airport sits within the district's northern boundary, and the ancient earthen ramparts of Simraungadh, capital of the medieval Karnat dynasty from 1097 until its destruction in 1324, make a worthwhile detour.

The district is one of the most economically productive in Madhesh Province, with substantial sugar processing and the Simara industrial corridor. Parsa National Park's eastern reaches brush into Bara, offering a low-key entry point to tiger and rhinoceros habitat without the crowds of Chitwan. The long-delayed Nijgadh International Airport project, stalled by a 2022 Supreme Court order over environmental concerns, remains a national scheme on hold pending review.