Kalaiya (Nepali: कलैया) is a sub-metropolitan Nepalese city and the district headquarters of the Bara District of Madhesh Province. It is known for its cultural heritage and its status as a gateway to the controversial Hindu Gadhimai festival. Kalaiya serves as an economic and administrative hub in the central Terai region.

History

Kalaiya is historically significant as a center for the Bhojpuri-speaking community. Its identity is intertwined with the Gadhimai Temple, located in nearby Bariyarpur, which hosts the five-yearly Gadhimai festival, controversial for its large-scale animal sacrifices.

Demographics

In the 2021 Nepal census, Kalaiya had a population of 141,179 people residing in 28,645 households.

See also

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