बेगूसराय (Begusarai)

Begusarai city is a municipal corporation and a grain market in Begusarai district in the state of Bihar, India. Begusarai district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar and Begusarai town is the administrative headquarters of this district.

The district lies on the northern bank of the Ganga River. It is located at latitudes 25.15N & 25.45N and longitudes 85.45E & 86.36E. Begusarai is the birthplace of famous Hindi poet Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh and eminent historian Professor Ram Saran Sharma. Begusarai had traditionally been a communist stronghold and was earlier also referred to as the Leningrad of Bihar

HISTORY

The name of the district apparently comes from “Begum” (queen) and “Sarai” (inn). The Begum of Bhagalpur used to visit “Simaria Ghat” (holy place on the banks of the Ganges) for a month of pilgrimage, which later took to the slang of Begusarai.

Begusarai was established in 1870 as a subdivision of Munger District. In 1972, it was given district status after a strong pressure on the government by Late Rai Saheb Bhubneshwari Sahai, a charismatic leader of the local community who was also the first person in the district to be awarded the prestigious title of Rai Saheb under the British Raj.

GEOGRAPHY

Begusarai is located at 25.42°N 86.13°E. It has an average elevation of 41 metres (134 feet). It has an area of 1879 square.

Geography paves the way for the history to take shape and prosper. This region also is no exception to this theory. The holy Ganges in the south, Burhi Gandak almost bisecting, Balan and Bainti in the middle, Bagmati in the North-East and revulets like Baya, Kareh, Chanha, Deoki, Kola, etc. can be seen marking their imprints on this landscape. The river confluences at Kawar, Baraila chaur, Kola chaur and Chanha river bed area are remarkable even now a days. 

As far as the topology and the ancient habitat pattern is concerned, the whole region can be classified in five parts

• The Ganges bed.
• The Kola chaur.
• The Kawar tal.
• The confluence area of Bainti, Balan and Burhi Gandak.
• The Chanha region.

The Ganges has always attracted many tributaries and gives shape to a number of de-tributaries. It’s catchments area also has changed the shape and direction from time to time. The old bed of Baya, Deoki etc. have many ancient sites on its coarse and they manage to find their way up to the famous ‘chaur’ area of the region. The remains of a water channel right from Bachawara and Teghra to Kola Chaur via Asurari, Chanan, Jhajhpur, Chandpura can be visualized. The Bainti, Balan and Burhi Gandak have given birth to sites like Naulagarh, Birpur, Baraipura etc.

The famous Kawar Tal is surrounded by Jaimangalgarh, Garhpura, Ekamba and many other sites of this area.

The Kola Chour nourishes the site of Masooriya dih, Damdama, Sughran, Kushmahot, Chamrahadih etc. Many rich sites like Kumharso, Herson, Garhi, Garhpura etc can be visualized in the Chanha region.

As far as the region of Begusarai District of Bihar is concerned, it falls between 25°15’to 25°45’ and 85°45’ to 86° 36’. It extends almost 75 Km. East –West and almost 45 Km North –South. Khagaria lies to its East, Samastipur to its West & North and river Ganga to its South.

Begusarai is divided administratively in five subdivision – Begusarai, Teghara, Bakhri, Balia & Manjhaul and Eighteen blocks.

CLIMATE

Being part of the Gangetic plains of the Indian subcontinent, the district experiences three climatic seasons – the summer season from March to mid June, the monsoon season from mid June to October and the winter season from November to February. The month of February & March fall in the transitional season from winter to summer described as Spring or “Basant”. Similarly the months of September & October falls in the transitional season from the monsoon season to the winter season and described as “Shishir”.

DEMOGRAPHIC

As per 2011 census Begusarai Municipal Corporation had a total population of 251,136, out of which 133,931 were males and 117,205 were females. It had a sex ratio of 875. The population below 5 years was 37,966. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 69.35 per cent.

TOURIST PLACES

Kabar Lake bird sanctuary

Kabar Lake or Kabar Taal or Kanwar Taal at Begusarai is a ” dream spot”.  It is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake. It is approximately three times the size of the Bharatpur Sanctuary. The lake is home to 106 species of resident birds and around 60 migratory birds coming all the way from Central Asia during winter months. Ornithologist Salim Ali, mentioned about 60 migratory birds that come all the way from Central Asia in winter and recorded around 106 species of resident birds. Location : 20 kms from Begusarai town Best Time to Visit : October and June Speciality : Resident Birds and Migratory Birds Nearest Bus stop :Jaimanglagadh

Rajendra Setu

Rajendra Setu (also known as Rajendra Pul and Mokama Bridge) across the Ganges was the first bridge to link North Bihar and South Bihar.The road-cum-rail bridge near Mokama in Patna district was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of India. It is about 2 kilometres long and carries a two lane road and a double line railway track.It was opened in 1959.    

 IOCL, Barauni

Barauni Refinery was built in collaboration with Russia and Romania. Situated 125 kilometeres from Patna, it was built with an initial cost of Rs 49.40 crore. Barauni Refinery was commissioned in 1964. 

Jai Mangla Garh

Ancient Temple belonging to Pala dynasty period, sacred place of surrounding villages, archeological findings suggest was fortified place surrounded by moat -Raman.

Begusarai Museum

प्राकृतिक स्थलों की सैर के बाद आप यहां के सबसे खास पर्यटन स्थल बेगूसराय संग्रहालय की सैर का आनंद ले सकते हैं। यह शहर का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण स्थल है, जहां आपको इतिहास से जुड़ी कई महत्वपूर्ण चीजें देखने को मिल जाएंगी। इस संग्रहालय के माध्यम से आप बिहार और प्राचीन भारत के कई अहम पहलुओं को समझ सकते हैं। बेगूसराय संग्रहालय की स्थापना 1981 में की गई थी। बेगूसराय की संस्कृति को समझने का सबसे आदर्श स्थल यह म्यूजियम है। यहां गौतम बुद्ध के, भगवान गणेश के, सूर्य देवता और भगवान विष्णु की प्राचीन मूर्तियां संग्रहित हैं। इसके अलावा पाल – मौर्य साम्राज्य और ब्रिटिश काल के के सिक्के और अन्य प्राचीन वस्तुएं मौजूद हैं। इसके अलावा आप यहां पांडुलिपियां और मिट्टी से बनी प्राचीन आकृतियों को भी देख सकते हैं।

Naulakha Temple

बेगूसराय भ्रमण के दौरान आप यहां का प्रसिद्ध नौलखा मंदिर देखना न भूलें। शहर के ह्रदय स्थल में स्थित यह मंदिर शहर के सबसे प्रसिद्ध मंदिरों में गिना जाता है, जहां रोजाना श्रद्धालुओं की अच्छी खासी कतार लगती है। यह एक प्राचीन मंदिर है जो काफी खूबसूरत तरीके से सजाया गया है। नौलखा का मतलब होता है कि नौ लाख। जानकारी के अनुसार इस मंदिर का निर्माण 17वीं शताब्दी के दौरान महंत डियर दास द्वाया किया गया था। जिसके बाद 192 में इस मंदिर के आकर्षक बनाने का जिम्मा यहां के महंत महावीर दास ने लिया। यहां की मुख्य देवी को आप आभूषणों से सजा देख सकते हैं। धार्मिक अनुभव के लिए आप यहां आ सकते हैं।

Harsain Stup (Shin -Che Temple)

Harsai Stupas is a great historical attraction situated in Begusarai district. The beautiful architecture of ancient Harsai stupas attracts many visitors.

Panch Mandir

Panch Mandir is one of the ancient temples in Begusarai district. It is situated near to the Radhe Shyam Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga in the temple belongs to the Pala period. Mahashivratri is the major festival of this temple.

Radhe Shyam Temple.

The temple of Radhe Shyam is an important attraction of every devotee. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. Inside the temple, the beautiful idol of goddess attracts tourist’s eyes, that’s why this temple always filled up with many devotees.

Simaria Ghat / Mela

Simarai Mela is a popular attraction for every visitors in Begusarai district. Every year here a beautiful fair arranged by the government of Bihar for gathering all people together. This fair is not only a gathering, it is a tradition which comes from past many years.

Tiny Tots Park

Rishi Gautam Dham, Khamhar

Sai Temple

Ajatshatru Fort

 

HOW TO GET THERE

Begusarai is easily approachable with important road, rail, and ferry connections. 

Nearest Railway Station: 

• Begusarai Rly. Station near NH31
• Barauni Jn. is about 15 Kms. from Begusarai.
• Hathidah Jn. is about 21 Kms from Begusarai.

Nearest Airport: 

Patna Airport (Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport).

On a daily basis there are approximately 38 flights that operate at Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport. IndiGo and Air India are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.

By Road 

Bus stand opposite Railway station Begusarai, NH31

Begusarai is surrounded by Lakhisarai, Munger, Khagaria which are 17.31 km, 22.06 km, 22.12 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.

Cab from Patna: 

BookCheap: 9263774117

Best Season to visit: 

Best time to visit Begusarai is between October to March. Weather is pleasant and cold during this period and kawar lake become inhabitable for migratory birds. It is good opportunity for tourists to spot many local as well as migratory birds along with beautiful scenaries. Simaria Mela also takes place during October & Noveber which gives you an idea of culture and tradition of Begusarai.

Where to Stay

• Hotel Itihas, Opp. Hotel Radha Swami, Station Road, Begusarai, Bihar, India

• Hotels Near Zero Mile
  • Hotel Samrat
  • Hotel Yuvraj Delux
  • Meera Motel
• Hotels Near Railway Station
  • Hotel Sayonara
  • Hotel Radhaswami

Begusarai Facts & Information  

Latitude  25.42°N   Longitude 86.13°E.

STD Code 06342

Temperature (deg C) Summer – Max, Min Winter – Max , Min

Area 1,918 sq. Kilometers

Population 251,136 (2011)

Division Monghyr

Sub-division Begusarai, Teghra, Balia, Majhaul

Major Rivers Ganga,Kamla

Major Crops Wheat, Rice, Maize, Gram,Potato, Sugarcane, Chilli

Major Industries Fertilizer factory, Therma power station, Petro-Chemicals at Barauni

Languages Angika, Hindi, English

Information Centre Tourist Information Centre Government of Bihar

Begusarai Details

Article References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begusarai