When Ian Fritz joined the Air Force at eighteen, he did so out of necessity. He hadn’t been accepted into college thanks to an indifferent high school career. He’d too often slept through his classes as he worked long hours at a Chinese restaurant to help pay the bills for his trailer-dwelling family in Lake City, Florida.
But the Air Force recognizes his potential and sends him to the elite Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, to learn Dari and Pashto, the main languages of Afghanistan. By 2011, Fritz was an airborne cryptologic linguist and one of only a tiny number of people in the world trained to do this job on low-flying gunships. He monitors communications on the ground and determines in real time which Afghans are Taliban and which are innocent civilians.
This eavesdropping is critical to supporting Special Forces units on the ground, but there is no training to counter the emotional complexity that develops as you listen to people’s most intimate conversations. Over the course of two tours, Fritz listens to the Taliban for hundreds of hours, all over the country night and day, in moments of peace and in the middle of battle. What he hears teaches him about the people of Afghanistan—Taliban and otherwise—the war, and himself. Fritz’s fluency is his greatest asset to the military, yet it becomes the greatest liability to his own commitment to the cause.
Regret is a complex and multifaceted emotion that plays a significant role in the decision-making process and one’s overall well-being. It involves the cognitive and emotional recognition that something desirable did not occur, often due to our actions or inactions. While regret can be challenging to grapple with, understanding its psychology and learning strategies to make better decisions can help us lead more fulfilling lives with fewer regrets.
Regret is an inevitable part of the human experience, particularly in modern times when we are faced with many choices. This emotion can range from mild and fleeting to intense and long-lasting, potentially haunting individuals for years or even a lifetime.
Regret is often characterised by several key components. Self-reproach is a sense of responsibility for the negative outcome, while sadness is about the emotional distress over what could have been. Ruminations are persistent thoughts about the decision and its consequences, and a desire for change is a wish to undo or alter the past decision. Regret can be triggered by both actions taken and opportunities missed. Interestingly, research suggests that regrets related to inaction—the roads not taken—tend to be more persistent and harder to overcome than those stemming from actions.
While regret is a natural and sometimes beneficial emotion, excessive or chronic regret can have significant negative impacts. Regret has been linked to anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. It can increase stress levels and negatively affect hormones and immune systems. Regret, which is also the fear of future regret, can lead to decision paralysis or overly cautious choices. However, when managed effectively, regret can also serve as a catalyst for personal growth and improved decision-making.
To better understand regret and how to manage it, it’s crucial to explore the psychological mechanisms at play.
Several cognitive biases can influence our experience of regret. Negativity bias is the tendency to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones. In black-and-white thinking, one views situations as entirely good or bad, with no middle ground. Catastrophising is assuming the worst possible outcome in a given situation. These biases can amplify feelings of regret and make it more difficult to move past negative experiences.
Regret is closely tied to counterfactual thinking – the process of imagining alternative outcomes to past events. While this type of thinking can sometimes lead to rumination and increased distress, it also plays a crucial role in learning from our experiences and improving future decision-making.
Not everyone experiences regret in the same way. Factors that can influence an individual’s propensity for regret include perfectionism, where those with perfectionistic tendencies may be more prone to regret. Maximisers who seek optimal outcomes tend to experience more regret than satisficers who are content with good enough results. The more opportunities one perceives, the greater the potential for regret.
While it’s impossible to completely eliminate regret from our lives, there are several strategies we can employ to make better decisions and minimise future regrets.
Embrace Self-Compassion: Practicing self-compassion is crucial in managing regret and making better decisions. This involves acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes and experiences regret, treating yourself with kindness and understanding, and using past experiences as learning opportunities rather than sources of self-criticism.
Develop Emotional Intelligence: Improving your emotional intelligence can help you better understand and manage your feelings of regret. Practice identifying and naming your emotions accurately, learn to accept and sit with uncomfortable emotions rather than avoiding them, and use emotional awareness to inform your decision-making process.
Utilise Counterfactual Thinking Constructively:Instead of getting stuck in unproductive rumination, use counterfactual thinking to your advantage. Analyse past decisions objectively to identify areas for improvement, focus on controllable factors that you can change in the future, and use insights gained from this process to inform future decisions.
Implement a Structured Decision-Making Process: Adopting a systematic approach to decision-making can help reduce the likelihood of future regrets. Clearly define the decision to be made, gather relevant information and consider multiple perspectives, identify and evaluate potential alternatives, make a choice based on your values and priorities, implement your decision and monitor the results, and reflect on the outcome and learn from the experience.
Practice Mindfulness: Incorporating mindfulness into your decision-making process can help you make more thoughtful choices. Stay present in the moment and avoid getting caught up in past regrets or future anxieties, pay attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment, and use mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and enhance clarity when facing important decisions.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Adopting a growth mindset can help you view regret as an opportunity for learning and personal development. Embrace challenges as chances to grow and improve, see failures and mistakes as valuable learning experiences, and focus on the process of improvement rather than fixating on outcomes.
Consider Long-Term Consequences: When making decisions, try to look beyond immediate gratification and consider the long-term implications. Visualise how you might feel about your choice in the future, consider how the decision aligns with your core values and life goals, and use techniques like the “10-10-10” rule: How will you feel about this decision in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years?
Seek Multiple Perspectives: Gathering input from others can help you make more well-rounded decisions. Consult with trusted friends, family members, or mentors, seek out diverse viewpoints to challenge your assumptions, and be open to constructive feedback and alternative perspectives.
Learn to Forgive Yourself: Developing the ability to forgive yourself for past mistakes is crucial in managing regret. Acknowledge that you did the best you could with the information and resources available at the time, practice self-forgiveness exercises, such as writing a letter of forgiveness to yourself, and use the REACH model: Recall the hurt, Empathise, Altruistically offer forgiveness, Commit publicly, and Hold onto forgiveness.
Embrace Uncertainty and Imperfection: Accepting that life is inherently uncertain and that perfect decisions are rarely possible can help reduce regret. Recognise that some level of risk is inevitable in decision-making, focus on making good enough decisions rather than striving for perfection, and embrace the idea that mistakes and regrets are part of the human experience and can lead to personal growth.
While regret is often viewed negatively, research suggests that people value regret more than many other negative emotions. This seemingly paradoxical finding highlights the potential benefits of regret when managed effectively. Regret can serve as a powerful motivator for personal development and behaviour change. The experience of regret can inform future choices, helping us avoid similar mistakes. Reflecting on regrets can provide valuable insights into our values and priorities. The counterfactual thinking associated with regret can improve our ability to identify and address issues. Sharing regrets can foster empathy and strengthen relationships.
To make the most of regret’s potential benefits, reflect on the lessons learned from past regrets, identify patterns in your regrets to uncover areas for personal growth, use regret as motivation to take positive action in the present, and share your experiences with others to gain new perspectives and foster connection.
Regret is a complex emotion that plays a significant role in our lives and decision-making processes. While it can be challenging to experience, understanding the psychology of regret and implementing strategies to make better decisions can help us lead more fulfilling lives with fewer regrets. By embracing self-compassion, developing emotional intelligence, utilising counterfactual thinking constructively, and implementing structured decision-making processes, we can learn to navigate life’s choices more effectively. By cultivating a growth mindset, considering long-term consequences, seeking multiple perspectives, and learning to forgive ourselves, we can transform regret from a source of distress into a catalyst for personal growth and improved decision-making.
The goal is not to eliminate regret entirely—as it is a natural and sometimes beneficial part of the human experience—but to develop a healthier relationship with this emotion. By doing so, we can make decisions that align more closely with our values and aspirations, leading to a life of fewer regrets and greater satisfaction. Perfection is not attainable, and some level of regret is inevitable. But, by maintaining a balanced perspective, we can learn to make peace with our regrets and use them as stepping stones toward a more fulfilling future.
Today’s quote by Hafiz conveys a powerful message about selfless love and generosity. Also known as Hafiz, Khwāja Shams-ud-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e Shīrāzī, who lived between 1315 and 1390, was a Persian poet and Sufi mystic, celebrated for his deeply spiritual and love-infused poetry. The quote draws a beautiful analogy between the sun and the Earth to illustrate how true love and kindness do not come with expectations or conditions. The sun shines daily, giving warmth, light, and life to the Earth without demanding anything in return. It does not say, *”You owe me for all the energy I provide.”* It simply gives because that is its nature. Similarly, the highest form of love is unconditional; it expects nothing back yet has the power to illuminate everything around it.
Hafiz suggests that when love is pure and selfless, it can transform lives, just as the sun lights up the entire sky. Love, when given freely, creates a ripple effect, spreading warmth, happiness, and positivity. It inspires others to love more deeply, creating a world filled with kindness and light. This idea can be applied to many aspects of life, including relationships, friendships, and acts of service. When we love others without keeping score or expecting anything in return, we experience a deeper, more fulfilling connection. On the other hand, when love is transactional, when we constantly expect something in return, it loses its beauty and purity.
The quote also carries a spiritual lesson: love is most powerful when it is not attached to ego or personal gain. True love is divine, just like the sun’s unconditional warmth. Many spiritual traditions emphasise this kind of love whether it’s compassion, charity, or simply being kind without expecting recognition. In a world where love is often measured by what we receive in return, Hafiz reminds us of a different kind of love, one that gives without question. This kind of love, whether for a partner, a friend, or humanity as a whole, has the power to light up not just one life but the entire world.
In March, I walked 544,504 steps and 359 km. My total journey to my home in India and back to Singapore as of the end of March is almost 12,500, which brings me in proximity to Myanmar’s border with Thailand and about 2000 km from home. This month, I started walking more intentionally, and this was reflected in my steps for the month. I did do some readings, but I didn’t read as much as I wanted to, and this month, I plan to change that to make time for reading every day and read daily!
GG has exams starting next week, and she is, as expected, very stressed. BB is also busy with work and often spends time in overtime. As for me, I am exactly where I was last week; no changes there.
That’s all for this week. Take care, stay safe, stay positive and keep smiling!
The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change your Life and Achieve Real Happiness – Ichiro Kishimi, Fumitake Koga
The Japanese phenomenon that teaches us the simple yet profound lessons required to liberate our real selves and find lasting happiness.
The Courage to Be Disliked shows you how to unlock the power within yourself to become your best and truest self, change your future and find lasting happiness. Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of 19th-century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, the authors explain how we are all free to determine our own future free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others. It’s a philosophy that’s profoundly liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change, and to ignore the limitations that we and those around us can place on ourselves.
Janakpur Janakpurdham or Janakpur is the capital city of the Madhesh Province and is the central hub for Maithili language, religion and cultural tourism in Nepal. One of the fastest developing cities of Nepal, Janakpur is the largest sub-metropolitan city in the country and is currently the fourth most densely populated city. Janakpur is located about 23 km away from the Bhitthamore border with India and Nepal Railways operates a train service between Janakpur and Jaynagar in Bihar, India.
The city was founded in the early 18th century but was retrospectively assigned as the location of the capital of the Videha kingdom although there is no archaeological evidence to support this. Janakpurdham, popularly known as Janakpur is named after the late King of Videha in Mithila region – Janaka. The rulers of the Videha kingdom were accorded the title Janaka, meaning father in Sanskrit, and this character is the best-known bearer of the same.
Accounts from ascetics, pandits, and bards indicate that Janakpur was founded in the early 18th century. The earliest description of Janakpur as a pilgrimage site dates to 1805. Earlier archaeological evidence of the presence of an ancient city has not been found and there is a lack of evidence to assign the modern-day city of Janakpur to the ancient capital of the Videha kingdom. Until the 1950s, Janakpur was a cluster of rural hamlets inhabited by farmers, artisans, priests, and clerks who worked for the monasteries that controlled the land. After the Independence Act in India, Janakpur expanded into a commercial centre and became the capital of the Dhanusa District in the 1960s.
Gautama Buddha and Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and final Tirthankara of the Jain religion are said to have lived in Janakpur. The region was an important centre for the history of Mithila during the first millennium. Following the Sugauli Treaty in 1816 between the Nepali rulers and the British East India Company, the northern part of ancient Mithila state, including Janakpur, became part of Nepal, while the southern part went into India.
Dedicated to Goddess Sita, Janaki Mandir is the biggest temple in Nepal. It is constructed where Goddess Sita is said to have been born. The attraction is now considered a religiously important monument and a heritage site but is still an active temple for devotees. The Janaki Mandir is an example of the Hindu-Koiri Nepali style of architecture having a stunning white facade. The 3 storied temple is built entirely of stones and marble, while the 60 rooms inside are adorned with Nepali flag, engravings, paintings, beautiful lattice windows and turrets. Devotees predominantly throng the Janaki temple during auspicious occasions and festivals like the Ram Navami, Vivah Panchami, Dashain, Deepavali, and Holi from all around Nepal, Sri Lanka and India to worship the Goddess who is deemed an epitome of courage, purity, selflessness, dedication, loyalty and feminine virtues.
The temple was built by the Queen of Tikamgarh, Queen Vrisha Bhanu in 1910 and called the Nau Lakha Mandir. ‘Nau lakha’ translates into nine lakhs and has been derived from the fact that it took 900,000 Rupees to construct the temple at the time. The shrine is often associated with a well-known poet and saint, Sanyasi Shurkishordas, the founder of Janakpur. Shurkishordas is said to have preached the philosophy from Sita Upashinad most of his life. It is also believed that he found a golden statue of Goddess Sita at the site in 1657 which led to the faith that Sita lived here most of her life until she was married.
As one approaches the temple, one will get a clear view of the building which is in white with domes, pillars and verandas that resemble a palace. The temple is striking, a one-of-a-kind fusion of Hindu, Mughal and Koiri types of architecture made of white marble and occupying an area of over 4800 sq ft. To enter, one has to walk through the central 30-metre-high arched gate on the ground floor. As one proceeds, one will reach a courtyard with the sanctum sanctorum in the centre that houses a grand idol of Goddess Sita. There are a total of 60 chambers or rooms inside the temple complex that are adorned with intricate lattice windows, coloured glass, beautiful paintings and captivating carvings. There are also smaller shrines in the temple complex. These are called sannadhis and have idols of King Janak, Queen Sunaina, Lord Rama, another statue of Sita, Lakshmana, and Urmila.
After exploring the sanctum sanctorum, the sannadhis and the rooms, as one surveys the rest of the complex, one will find a collection of black stones behind the main shrine. These stones are called Saligrams, the sacred black stones that King Janaka used to worship. They are considered to be highly powerful and are mostly found in the houses of devotees who perform all the important rituals without fail. The temple priests allow visitors to offer prayers to these sacred stones and also share their knowledge about the saligrams, the shrine and the legend of Ramayana. The temple is open daily between 5:30 and 11 am and then again between 4 to 8:30 pm.
The Dolakha Bhimsen Mandir or Bhimeshwar Mandir is dedicated to Prince Bhim or Bhimsen. He was the second oldest Pandav brother from the epic, Mahabharata. The roofless temple houses a triangular idol made of rough stone. According to a legend, the idols resemble three different deities at different times of the day – Lord Bhim, Goddess Bhagawati and Lord Shiva.
The Ratna Sagar Temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and is his consort Goddess Sita. The tall temple is surrounded by a magnificent garden and a sacred pond called Ratna Sagar. The temple is closed on Sundays and Mondays and is open from 10:30 am to 4 pm on Tuesday to Saturday. Nepalis can enter for free while foreigners need to pay NPR 1000.
Ram Mandir is one of the oldest temples in Janakpur built in the late 1700s by Amar Singh Thapa, a Gorkhali general. The architecture of the temple is the traditional pagoda-style like the other shrines in the region. The modestly quaint temple is flocked by pilgrims during the occasion of Ram Navami and Dashain. The temple is open daily from 6 am to 7 pm.
The Ram Sita Vivah Mandap is where Ram and Sita got married. The place is thronged by thousands of pilgrims on Vivah Panchami, usually celebrated on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in November/December. The mandap is a gorgeous structure made of marble located in the southwest region of the Janaki Mandir. It resembles a part of a palace with sturdy pillars, elegant arches and stunning domes.
At the centre of the mandap, the legendary wedding ceremony is depicted. One can see idols of the couple, Goddess Sita and Lord Rama, sitting on a raised pedestal in the centre while some sages and their parents are seen seated on parallel pedestals facing each other. The idols are draped in colourful attire. Devotees can offer their prayers and sit in complete silence to soak in the tranquil vibe of the temple. The Mandap is open from 6 am to 7 pm daily.
Located close to Janak Mahal, Ganga Sagar is a huge lake that is considered to be sacred. It is considered to be one of the more important pools in Janakpur along with Dhanush Sagar. Close to the lake is the 70-year-old Ganga Sagar library which is frequented by locals who come here to read the newspapers after a morning spent at the lake.
Dhanush Sagar is a sacred tank located near the famous Ram Mandir. It is also the largest ceremonial tank in the city. Visitors can see several small shrines all around the perimeter and vendors selling flowers and other ritual objects. Taking a bath at the ghat is considered sacred by the devotees.
Rolwaling Valley, between the Everest and Langtang Himalaya ranges, is the toughest and most thrilling trekking trail in Nepal. The valley has an abundance of alpine lakes, hanging glaciers, moraines, high pastures, waterfalls and an imminent view of snowy peaks. Rich in varying flora and fauna, it is home to many endangered and globally threatened animals.
Jaleswar is a small municipality in Nepal named after the holy temple of Jaleshwarnath Mahadev, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The small town borders India with Bihar. During the months of Shravan in July and August, devotees from all over the world flock here to pay their respects to the Lord and his consort, Parvati. Since Jaleshwar revolves only around the Jaleshwarnath Temple, the transport facilities within the temple are quite functional and comprehensive.
Biratnagar The economic centre of eastern Nepal, Biratnagar serves as the capital of the Koshi Province. With a Metropolitan Urban Agglomeration population of 244,750 as per the 2021 census, it is the largest city and fastest-growing city in the province and also the headquarters of the Morang district. It is located 399 km east of Kathmandu, and 6 km north of the bordering town of Jogbani in the Indian state of Bihar which is very well connected through Rani Path or the old highway and Koshi Path or the new highway. It is one of the major entry points into Nepal for businessmen and tourists visiting Nepal. The city is home to various large and medium-scale industries. Modern-day Biratnagar serves as an entry point to eastern Nepal as well as north-eastern India. It is the second Nepali city, after Janakpur, to have a connection with the Indian Railways and the only city other than Birgunj to operate an integrated check post (ICP) on the Indian border.
In 1914, Colonel Jit Bahadur Khatri, the then-district governor, laid the foundations of modern Biratnagar. The recorded history of Biratnagar dates back to the beginning of the 7th century when King Mung Mawrong Hang came to prominence in the terai lands of Limbuwan (present-day Sunsari, Morang, and Jhapa areas). He cleared much of the forest area in present-day Rangeli, east of Biratnagar, and built a town there. He named his Kingdom Morang after his name and rose to power. The old name of Biratnagar was Gograha Bazaar. The ruins of temples, palaces, and ponds are scattered in a vast area to the south of the current city, in Vedhyari, and Buddhanagar.
The town was named Biratnagar in 1919 by Keshar Shamsher Rana after the ruins of a palace, thought to be of King Virat. The kingdom of Virata mentioned in Mahabharata is however believed to be Viratnagar, located in present-day Rajasthan. King Virata was the king of the Matsya Kingdom, in whose court the Pandavas spent a year in concealment during their exile.
In Nepali, Birat refers to King Virata of the Matsya Kingdom and Nagar means a city. On 4 March 1947, the first anti-Rana movement in Nepal started in Biratnagar at the Biratnagar jute mills under the leadership of Girija Prasad Koirala and B. P. Koirala. This sparked a countrywide anti-Rana demonstration that eventually led to the abolishment of Rana rule in Nepal.
Baraha Chhetra is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Nepal. According to history, an evil demon known as Hiranyakashyapu was killed by Lord Vishnu here and that’s why this place is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the statues in this temple have been existing since the 5th century. There is also a stone in front of the temple that is said to predict whether you are sinful or not and people strongly believe in the sayings of the stone.
Dhankuta is known as the cleanest place in Nepal. If one is thinking about shopping in Nepal for reasonable prices, then Dhankuta is where they have to go. The forests of Tinjure, Milke and Jaljale are said to be one of the calmest and beautiful places on earth. The peaks of these forests offer stunning views of Mount Kanchenjunga, Mount Makalu and Mount Everest. The trails are completely covered with colourful flowers and more than 30 spices of Rhododendron are grown here. Lucky visitors can spot some rare birds such as the Daafe and the Serpent Eagle.
Started in 1936, the Jute Mills in Biratnagar is said to be the oldest in the country. It was noted to be the first registered company in Nepal. Biratnagar Jute Mills are considered to be one of the most important industries in the country as it was established after the orders of Juddha Shamsher, who was the Prime Minister of Nepal at that time.
Ilam is a beautiful hill station offering stunning views of the hills, complete with fog and mists. It is completely covered with tea plantations which make the tea in Ilam popular and delicious. Located 3636 m above sea level, Ilam is sometimes called Charkhol which means the area of four rivers: Jogmai, Puwamai, Mai, and Deaumai.
The Dakshin Kali Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, another incarnation of Goddess Parvati but always thirsty for blood. At the temple, known as the blood-soaked temple, devotees worship the goddess through animal sacrifices.
Located on the Northern slopes of the Himalayas and Southern slopes of Nepal, the Koshi River is considered to be holy and is worshipped. People believe that bathing in the Koshi River will clear their sins and allow them to go to heaven. The Koshi River is also a source of food for people living nearby as many species of fish and water animals can be found in this river.
Itahari A sub-metropolitan city with seven municipalities, Itahari has recently evolved into a bustling transportation junction in eastern Nepal. The two main branches of the Nepal highway: the Mahendra Highway that runs from east to west and the Koshi Highway from north to south cross each other at Itahari, making the city a traffic nerve centre of Nepalese transportation. Established in 1997, Itahari was declared a metro city in 2014. Situated 25 km north of Biratnagar, Itahari is a junction point of the east-west Mahendra Highway and the north–south Koshi Highway.
Only a quarter of an hour’s drive away is one of Itahari’s major attraction sites – Taal Talaiya, meaning wetland in the local dialect. It is a charming ecological park, with lush greenery and crisscrossing roadways in between. The new art installations from an international sculpture art workshop in 2016 have left behind some masterpieces. There are around 55 such contemporary sculptures with one particularly haunting sculpture called the ‘Stone of Heart’ by an Israeli artist.
Ocean Park is a lovely and cheerful attraction for those who love the water, real or artificial. The place has an international-sized swimming pool for experts and veterans. Several other smaller pools, aided with fun and exciting features like a waterfall, fountains, water slides add to the allure of the attraction. Ocean Park plays Hindi, and English and occasionally Nepali music and it is a great place to let off some steam with your band of friends and enjoy a day out.
Budhikhola Ghat is a calm and quiet place, only a few minutes walk from the city centre. The Ghat or the water bank is where the Budhikhola Bridge connects Sunsari and Morang on two sides of the narrow muddy stream. There is not much water in the stream unless one goes during monsoons. The ghat is cemented with staircases and benches. There is a giant statue of Lord Shiva, along with some other idols.
Birgunj Located close to Nepal’s border with India, Birgunj is a major point of entry for the Indian goods trade as well as goods coming in from Kolkata. Located in the Terai region, Birgunj is the second-largest city after Biratnagar and the sixth-most populated metropolis in Nepal. It lies about 135 km south of Kathmandu and a popular stopover for people undertaking treks in Nepal such as the Annapurna Base Camp and the surrounding mountains. Birgunj was established as a conglomerate of several villages in and around Gahawa Mai Temple which remains the epicentre of the town. The settlement was named after Nepal’s Prime Minister Rana Bir Shamsher, thus acquiring the name Birgunj. The ancient name of Birgunj was Gahawa but the 11th Rana Prime Minister of Nepal Bir Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana changed it to Birgunj in 1897.
The Shri Gawaha Mai Temple shares a bit of history with Birgunj. Earlier, Birgunj was known as Gawaha in honour of the Shri Gawaha Mai Temple. Locals often visit this temple for good luck before opening their business. During the Chhath festival, Ghadiarwa Pokhari, a pretty pond surrounded by a garden, is visited by numerous people from different parts of the country. The Vishwa Buddha Vihar, located on the outskirts of the city is a local favourite. The vihar is shaped like a stupa and has engravings of the Buddha facing the cardinal directions. Vishwa is derived from the word vicchu-wa, which translates as a resting place for Bikshus or Buddhist monks and means a resting place. In ancient times, pilgrims stopped at Birgunj during their journey between Lumbini and Bodh Gaya in India. The Parsa National Park, located about 33 km from the city is known for its Royal Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, One-horned rhinoceros, common leopards, and various species of mammals, birds and reptiles. The city is popular for the Bindaswini Temple and its proximity to Arsa Wildlife Reserve & Chitwan National Park.
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Memories and Such 