A recent wave of social media posts has claimed that Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, can be seen from parts of Bihar. The claim has captured the imagination of many residents, but experts insist it is simply not possible.
Mount Everest, rising to 8,848 meters (29,029 feet), lies on the border of Nepal and Tibet. Bihar, located over 600 kilometers south of the Himalayan range, is separated from the towering peak by vast plains, hills, and other terrain. The curvature of the Earth and the distance involved make it impossible for the mountain to be visible from the state.
“Even the tallest mountain on Earth cannot be seen from that far away,” said Dr. Ramesh Kumar, geography professor at Patna University. “From Bihar, the line of sight is blocked by hills, forests, and other obstacles. Any claims about seeing Everest here are mistaken or exaggerated.”
What has been claimed
- In May 2020, a village in Bihar (Singhwahini in Sitamarhi district) claimed that Mt. Everest was visible from there, after decades, attributed largely to vastly improved air quality during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- More recently, in October 2025, residents of Jainagar, Madhubani district (Bihar) have claimed Everest was visible, credited to very clear skies and clean air.
What experts/critics caution
- These claims often hinge on whether the snow-capped peak seen is truly Everest, or potentially some nearer Himalayan peak. Distinguishing Everest from other high peaks requires precise alignment, orientation, and knowledge of geography.
- Atmospheric clarity, low pollution, and lack of haze are necessary but not sufficient: elevation, curvature of the Earth, intervening terrain, and line-of-sight geometry matter.
- Some experts express that while the upper Himalayan ranges are visible, the visibility of the summit of Everest is harder to verify.
Some social media posts suggest that on very clear mornings, visibility improves. But experts point out that the horizon from Bihar’s highest points extends only 50–60 kilometers, far short of the 600-plus kilometers needed to see Everest.
Residents have posted photos claiming distant peaks are Everest, but experts say these are ordinary hills misidentified, often enhanced by optical illusions caused by atmospheric conditions.
For those keen to see Mount Everest, verified trekking routes in Nepal or the Indian state of Sikkim provide authentic views. From Bihar, however, the mountain remains beyond the horizon.
In short, despite its record-breaking height, Mount Everest cannot be seen from Bihar, and social media claims to the contrary are false.
