Butwal is a large town in southern Nepal, approximately 240 kilometres west of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu and 22 kilometers from district headquater bhairahawa.

Lying at the very foot of Chure Pahad (Fragile Hills), Butwal is famous not only from cultural, business and nature viewpoints, but also from the point of view of its strategic geographical position. The geography is such that it is where the hills meet the plains. The Mahabharat Hills are just few kilometers away and the Indogangetic plains start from Butwal. Tinau river flows between the starting point of two chure ranges. One goes towards east and the other goes towards west.

It is the main gateway to western Nepal because a north-south and an east-west highways intersect at Butwal. After archaeologist Dr. Munthe and a group of American archaeologists excavated 10.1 million year old teeth of Ramapithecus, a primate closely related to humans, on the bank of the Tinau (Tilottama) River, Butwal has also been proved to be a significant site for the study of prehistoric ages.

Before the the motors and the highways, Butwal used to be a trade centre and gateway to the western hills. It is even suggested that first of Shah Kings who fled from South India went to Ridi, by route of Butwal. It used to be and is a trade route for the western hilly region of Nepal.

Phulbari (Manimukunda Park)

Phulbari, the palace of Palpali Sen clan for the winter season, is known for its natural and archaeological values. There are ruins and antiquities of the majestic palace of Manimukunda Sen, an ancient Palpali King, containing 6 large rooms as well as the royal residence. The fascinating scenic grandeur of Butwal, Siddharthanagar and other neighbouring villages of Rupandehi district can be vividly seen from here at night also. Nepal Government, archaeological department, attempted to maintain it in 1991. Now Butwal municipality has formed a council for the conservation of Manimukunda Sen Park to conduct the Phulbari Development Programme and has attempted to make it a tourist resort.

Jitgadhi

Jitgadhi, a fortress during Angol Nepal war, Narayan temple built by (1864 B.S.) Hanuman temple and Shivalaya of Hanumagngadhi, Jalabinayak Mehadev temple, Siddababa temple, Nuwakot etc. are famous centres of attraction in Butwal. Jitgadhi, means victory fortress. It was here the Nepali troops defeated East Indian troops under Major-General Woods. They say Nepalis beat them twice. It is believed that there used to tunnels running from Jitgadhi, all the way up to Nuwakot fort.

It is believed Butwal got it's name during the Anglo-Nepal war. When the East Indian troops came to Butwal, they were taken aback by the rocks and cliffs in that area. The commanding officer told his troops not be afraid, as he said "It's nothing BUT WALL."

Siddhababa Temple

Siddhababa Temple lies 3 kilometers north of Butwal on the way to Pokhara on palpa district. It is perhaps the most sacred temple in the vicinity of Butwal and palpa. It lies near "Kuire Bhir" (meaning foggy cliff). Lord Shiva is worshipped in this temple. No one exactly knows who Siddhababa was, whoever he was, he was a follower of Lord Shiva and had attained "Siddhi".

Legend has it that the templed used to few hundred metres from where it is now. When they decided to build a highway to link Sunauli and Pokhara, the engineers decided to take the highway through the kuire bhir, which was deemed sacred. Furthermore, a hermit had challenged the engineer that he would not be able to construct the highway in that sacred terrain. They could never construct the road on that stretch until they shifted the temple of Siddhababa from near the large waterfall to where it is now. Even today the 1 km stretch of kuire bhir is supposed to be the most dangerous road in the whole Nepal with numerous deaths each year mostly due to boulders falling down from the Kuire Bhir. A few years ago, a massive rock came down and crushed a passenger bus killing everyone aboard. Almost all passengers do not forget to pray to Siddhababa while crossing this stretch of kuire bhir.

Sainamaina

Located about 12 Km. west from Butwal and to North from Banakatti, Sainamaina as an open museum is a very famous and fascinating resort from historical, archaeological culture and natural points of view. Among the different Gramas villages of Shakya King, it was in the samgrama site. An Indian queen (Begam), because of the revolution of the soldiers, came to this area with her soldiers and porters (‘Sena’ and Mena’) and finally this area came to be known as Saina Maina. It is an exquisite treasure trove of ancient ruins and antiquities statues of dancing saints, ruins of palace, well etc. The statue of Buddha (Jogidanda) was very significant. Different having the values of classical art are scattered here and there. This famous archaeological site is being occupied by homeless and landless people. Some of the antiquities of this site are seen thrown around the Lumbini museum.

Hill Park

Located at the east of Center of the Butwal,its a beautiful park . An area of around of 1km of the hill, this park consist of 2 hills namely Gurung dada(hill) and another Anup hill . In the Gurung dada , the buddhist are buried there after they are dead . And from the Anup hill, the whole view of Butwal can be seen clearly.

Ramesh Cave

this cave is located in the western part of the butwal. this name was given after a famous explorer found this cave in the late 12 th century . this cave is famous of its beauty and has got a small sculpture of Ramesh inside. The cave is around 500 m long and 20 m wide.