Mandi region

Mandi is a southern region of the Chitwan district in Nepal which includes four administrative regions called VDC (Village Development Committee). This region is between the Bihar state of India and the Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal. Mandi is the location of a famous temple, to which thousands of people from around the region flock for religious worship. The region came to international attention when a civilian bus was blown up in an ambush by Maoist cadres, killing about forty unarmed passengers. The attack was widely condemned by many figures, including UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and this led to a statement of sorrow and apology from the chairman Prachanda of the assailants themselves. The land in Mandi is suitable for growing many types of crops, which are the major source of income for its residents.