Editing Rajbiraj (section)

==Culture==
===Attire===
The females are usually seen in the [[Salwar kameez|salwaar kameez]] and women are seen in the [[Sari|sarees]]. Males usually wear western garments like [[Trousers|pants]], [[shirt]]s and [[T-shirts]], rather than the traditional [[dhoti]] and [[kurta]]s, although males often wear traditional dress during [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] and festivals.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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-skirt]]s and [[Miniskirt]]s predominating in the private schools, colleges and campuses. Younger females also seen wearing [[Lehenga]] in special occasion like [[Hindu wedding|wedding]] ceremony and festivals.

===Religious Sites===
{{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 [[Hindu]]s and the present structure was built between 1990.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

There is a Noori Jaama Masjid in the eastern central part of the town where [[Muslims]] congregate to perform [[Friday prayer|Salat al-Jumu'ah]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
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
</gallery>

=== Architecture ===
{{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, Saptari|Hanumannagar]], which was heavily affected by the [[Saptakoshi river]] floods.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="town">{{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}}</ref><ref name="Pinkcity">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Smartcity">{{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}}</ref> 
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.<ref name="town"/> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Festivals===
Major religious celebrations include the major Hindu festivals [[Vijaya Dashami]], [[Diwali|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.<ref name=Festival>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Cuisines ===
The staple diet of the region is [[rice]], [[roti]], [[South Asian pickles|achar]], [[Chutney|chatni]], [[dal]], [[saag]], [[paneer]], [[Fish as food|maachh]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Goat meat|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]], [[Biryani|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 (cuisine)|litti]] are also popular among people.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Street foods such as [[Samosa]], [[Chaat]], [[Panipuri]], [[Chow mein]], [[Momo (food)|Momo]], [[Omelette]] and [[Sekuwa]] are favourite among Rajbirajians.<ref>{{cite news | title=Street food- flashback | work=Rajbiraj Dainik Newspaper | date=5 May 2020}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
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
</gallery>

===Languages===
{{Main|Maithili language}}
The most commonly and widely speaking language of the city is [[Maithili language|Maithili]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> After Maithili, [[Nepali language|Nepali]] is also well understood and widely used for business and administrative purposes.<ref name="Rajbiraj Demography" />
[[Hindi language|Hindi]] is widely used by people from madhesh as a link language along with [[Marwari people]] and migrant workers from India.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
Historically, Rajbiraj was considered one of the great center of [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] culture.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>