Siddharthanagar (), formerly and colloquially still called Bhairahawa (), is a municipality and the administrative headquarter of Rupandehi District in Lumbini Province of Nepal, west of Nepal's capital Kathmandu. It is the closest city to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, which is located to the west. The city borders the Indian city of Sonauli in Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh. Although the current name was first used in 1977, many still refer to it as Bhairahawa. History and etymology The city was founded as Bhairahawa in 1967. The city's current name Siddharthanagar derives from Buddha's given name Siddhartha, as the birthplace of Buddha is located only to the west. The name was changed to Siddhartanagar in 1977 by poet Komal Dutta Tiwari. Climate The highest temperature ever recorded in Siddharthanagar was on 7 June 1998, while the lowest temperature ever recorded was on 20 January 1971. Demographics The population of Siddarthanagar in 2001 was 63,528. According to the 2011 census it was Education Rupandehi Lilaram Ma Vi, Bhairahawa Ma Vi, Paklihawa Ma Vi are old higher secondary schools. There are several higher education facilities in Siddharthanagar including Rupandehi Campus, IAAS Paklihawa Campus, Universal College of Medical Sciences and Bhairahawa Namuna Campus. See also Butwal References https://siddharthanagarmun.gov.np/ Populated places in Rupandehi District Transit and customs posts along the India–Nepal border Points for exit and entry of nationals from third countries along the India–Nepal border Nepal municipalities established in 1967