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| Kankai River | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Nepal |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Mahabharat Lekh /Mai Pokhari Ilam Nepal |
| • location | Nepal |
| Mouth | Mahananda |
• coordinates | 25°52′59″N 87°47′53″E / 25.88306°N 87.79806°E |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • right | Ratua Khola |
The Kankai River (Nepali: कन्काई नदी, also referred to as Kankai Mai) is a trans-boundary river flowing through the hills of Ilam and the plains of the Jhapa District in Nepal. It begins at the confluence of the Mai Khola and Deb Mai Khola rivers.[1]: 3
The river overflows during monsoons, at times across thousands of hectares of fertile plains of Jhapa. The Kankai Irrigation Project, launched by the Nepalese government, irrigates southern Jhapa, including Shivganj, Pachgachi, and Mahavara.
The Kankai has several tourist hotspots along its course, such as in the areas of Domukha, Dhanuskoti, Chuli, Chepti, and Maipokhari. The Kotihom Surunga Municipality holds an annual Mai Mela fair on Magh 1 (January 14), where people from Jhapa, Morang, Ilam, and various parts of India come to enjoy and perform religious activities.
A holy river for many Hindus living nearby, the Kotihom (eastern) riverbank is a common site for death rituals. The cremation service Kankai Aryaghat was funded by public investment and built on the Kotihom bank of the river. It includes a river bridge that is 702 m (2,303 ft) long.
- ^ Hirakaji Ghale (September 2005). "Independent Evaluation of Mai River Area Water Partnership (AWP)" (PDF). Min Bhawan, Kathmandu: Consolidated Management Services Nepal (CMS). Retrieved 2020-12-02.