Bhagalpur

Bhagalpur is a city of historical importance on the southern banks of the river Ganges in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the 3rd largest city of Bihar and also the headquarters of Bhagalpur district and Bhagalpur division. Known as the "Silk City", it is a major educational, commercial, and political center, and listed for development under the Smart City program, a joint venture between Government and industry. The Gangetic plains surrounding the city are very fertile and the main crops include rice, wheat, maize, barley, and oilseeds. The river is home to the Gangetic dolphin, the National Aquatic Animal of India,[6] and the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is established near the town.

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Bhagalpur district.

Bhagalpur
City
Ghantaghar, Bhagalpur
Nickname(s): 
The Silk City[1]
Bhagalpur
Location of Bhagalpur in Bihar
Coordinates: 25°15′N 87°0′E
Country India
StateBihar
DistrictBhagalpur
Urban AgglomerationBhagalpur
Municipal CorporationBhagalpur Municipal Corporation
Government
 • MayorSeema Saha (BJP)
Area
 • Total30.17 km2 (11.65 sq mi)
Area rank2nd
Elevation52 m (171 ft)
Population
 (2011)[4]
 • Total410,210[4]
 • Rank118th
Demonym(s)Bhagalpuri
Language
 • OfficialHindi[5]
 • Additional officialUrdu[5]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Postal Index Number
812001-81XXXX
STD Code0641
Vehicle registrationBR-10
Websitebhagalpurnagarnigam.in

Demography
See also: List of cities in Bihar

As of the 2011 India census, the Bhagalpur Urban Agglomeration has a population of 410,210, of which 218,284 were males and 191,926 were females. It is the 3rd largest city in Bihar in terms of urban population. the total population in the age group of 0 to 6 years is 55,898. The total number of literates are 286,125, with 160,720 males and 125,405 females. The effective literacy rate of 7+ population is 80.76%, of which while the male literacy rate is 84.95% with women at 75.95%.[4]

Climate
Climate data for Bhagalpur (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 31.9
(89.4)		 35.8
(96.4)		 42.6
(108.7)		 45.3
(113.5)		 46.4
(115.5)		 46.0
(114.8)		 42.3
(108.1)		 39.7
(103.5)		 38.6
(101.5)		 40.0
(104.0)		 37.4
(99.3)		 32.2
(90.0)		 46.4
(115.5)
Average high °C (°F) 23.0
(73.4)		 27.1
(80.8)		 33.4
(92.1)		 37.6
(99.7)		 37.5
(99.5)		 36.4
(97.5)		 33.3
(91.9)		 33.4
(92.1)		 33.2
(91.8)		 32.7
(90.9)		 29.6
(85.3)		 24.9
(76.8)		 31.9
(89.4)
Average low °C (°F) 12.4
(54.3)		 15.4
(59.7)		 20.6
(69.1)		 24.2
(75.6)		 26.0
(78.8)		 27.2
(81.0)		 26.9
(80.4)		 26.9
(80.4)		 26.4
(79.5)		 23.9
(75.0)		 19.1
(66.4)		 14.2
(57.6)		 21.9
(71.4)
Record low °C (°F) 4.2
(39.6)		 5.0
(41.0)		 10.8
(51.4)		 13.1
(55.6)		 14.5
(58.1)		 19.5
(67.1)		 22.4
(72.3)		 20.1
(68.2)		 21.5
(70.7)		 15.4
(59.7)		 11.1
(52.0)		 3.9
(39.0)		 3.9
(39.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 13.6
(0.54)		 9.4
(0.37)		 9.4
(0.37)		 23.9
(0.94)		 75.6
(2.98)		 201.7
(7.94)		 300.8
(11.84)		 256.5
(10.10)		 217.2
(8.55)		 85.5
(3.37)		 5.2
(0.20)		 7.5
(0.30)		 1,206.3
(47.49)
Average rainy days 1.1 1.2 0.9 1.8 4.7 8.9 14.0 11.7 9.6 3.4 0.5 0.7 58.5
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 70 58 47 45 55 68 78 77 77 71 67 70 65
Source: India Meteorological Department[7][8]

Flora and fauna

Greater adjutant (Garuda)
Greater adjutant

Greater adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius), a member of the stork family, associated with the mythical bird Garuda, has a Rescue and Rehabilitation Area located in Bhagalpur, the second largest of its kind. Loss of nesting habitat and feeding sites through drainage, pollution and disturbance, together with hunting and egg collection, caused a massive dip in the population of the species. First spotted the Garuda birds nesting and breeding in 2007 on a silk cotton tree near a village in the Ganga-Diara area in Bhagalpur. In May 2006, 42 birds were seen by the Mandar Nature Club team for the first time. Prior to this, the species had never been seen in Bihar during its breeding period. Four years after these endangered birds of the stork family started nesting and breeding in Bhagalpur district, their number eventually increased, from 78 to over 500,[9] making Bhagalpur one of only three places to host Garudas; the others being Cambodia and Assam.[10]

The greater adjutant is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List 2004 of threatened species and listed under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This huge stork has a naked pink head, a very thick yellow bill and a low-hanging neck pouch. The neck ruff is white. The bird looks like a vulture. Other than the pale grey edge on each wing, the rest of the greater adjutant's body is dark grey. Younglings have a narrower bill, thicker down on the head and neck, and entirely dark wings. A Garuda bird measures 145–150 cm (about three feet) in length and four to five feet in height.[11]

Local attractions

Budhanath Temple

Spread over three acres Budhanath temple is located on the banks of the Uttarvahini Ganga (flowing from south to north) River. Being one of the oldest temples in the region, it witnesses influx of devotees throughout the year. It is about twenty minutes from the main town. Reference of Baba Budhanath can be found in Shiva Purana as Baba Bal Vridheshwarnath. Also, this name has been stated in the first segment of the eighth segments of Shiva Purana. The lingam of this place of worship is self-incarnated nevertheless as to when it come into being is still unknown. Idol of Ma Bhavani can be seen beside the Shivalinga or Lingam.[12]

Shri Champapur Digamber Jain Temple
The tallest statue of Lord Vasupujya, Champapur

Champapur is an ancient and historic Teerth Kshetra of Jainism. Champapur is the place where all the five Kalyanaks i.e., Garbha, Janam, Tapa, KevalGyan and Moksha Kalyanak of Bhagwan Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Teerthankar, have taken place. The Champapur was the capital of ‘Anga Janpada'. The Anga Janpada was one of the 52 Janapada established by Adi Teerthankar Bhagwan Rishabh Deo. Champapur also existed as Mahajanapada among the six Mahajanapadas during the time of Bhagwan Mahavira Swami.

The three Chaturmas of Bhagwan Mahavira Swami during his Dikshakal, religious propagation centre of Anga-Banga-Magadh-Vaishali, test of modesty of Sati Subhadra and Anantmati, Aahardan to Bhagwan Mahaveer Swami by Sati Chandan Bala have taken place in Champapur. Champapur is also related to great stories of 'origin of Harivansha, Shripal-Mainasundari, Shri Dharma Ghosh Muni, King Karna of Mahabharata, King Mudrak and great architect Vishvakarman’.[13]

The main temple of Champapur Siddha Kshetra is quite ancient (about 2500 years). This temple being symbolic of 'Panch Kalyanaka' is adorned with 5 altars, magnificent spire and 2 columns of fame. It is said that there were 4 'Columns of Fame (Keerti Stambha)’ which existed in four corners of the campus of the temple. Later on the 2 out of 4 were destroyed in the earthquake of year 1934 & repair (Jirnoddhar) of other 2 columns was done in 1938. The 'Columns of Fame' are about 2200 years ancient.[14]

Khanqah-e-Shahbazia

Founded in 1577 AD, the Khanqah-e-Shahbazia is one of the most revered shrines of Bhagalpur. It houses the grave of Maulana Shahbaz, a saint whose 13th-generation descendants still run the place.[15] Maulana Shahbaz Rahmatullah is considered one the 40 Sufi saints sent to spread the message of Allah.[16] The Sajjadah Nasheen (direct descendant of the saint) is supposed to spend his life within the confines of the Khanqah and take care of its management, lead prayers and offer spiritual services. It is said that they are exempted from appearing in a court of law.

The Mosque was built by Aurangzeb and was frequently visited by him. Every Thursday, visitors assemble at the place to be blessed. Most of the visitors are said to be from the eastern parts of India and Bangladesh. There is a belief that the water in a pond here has medicinal qualities that can cure illness and snake bites. Archeological Survey of India has discovered some ancient manuscripts from the basement of Khanqah e Shahbazia.[16]

The Khanqah is also famous for its library, which has a vast collection of Arabic and Persian theological texts, including a copy of the Qur’an transcribed by Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of Murshidabad, Bengal.[15]

Vikramshila Setu

Vikramshila Setu is 5th longest bridge over water in India. The 4.7 km long two lane bridge serves as a link between NH 33 and NH 31 running on the opposite sides of the Ganges. This bridge has reduced considerably the road travel between Bhagalpur and places across the Ganges, like Darjeeling, Siliguri, Assam etc. Before the opening of this bridge steamer was being used for transportation across the Ganga river.

Education

Media

Print media include the Hindi Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, Aaj, Hindustan ( under Hindustan Times ) and Prabhat Khabar; the Urdu The Inquilab[17] and Taasir, while English Times of India, The Telegraph and Hindustan Times are also available.

Broadcast media include All India Radio (Frequency 1458 kHz, 1206 kHz) 90.4 FM Radio Active (Bhagalpur), and AIR FM Rainbow India 100.1.M, sadhna plus news channel

Telecommunications services include BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Reliance Jio.

Jio-fi Broadband Services, BSNL and Sify are providing broadband services in this region.

Notable people

Adjacent boundaries of Bhagalpur

See also

References
  1. "Bhagalpur: The Silk City". Outlook India. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  2. "Welcome to Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation(BMC)". bhagalpurnagarnigam.in. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  3. "Geographic coordinates of Bhagalpur, India. Latitude, longitude, and elevation above sea level of Bhagalpur". Dateandtime.info. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  4. "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  5. "52nd REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LINGUISTIC MINORITIES IN INDIA" (PDF). nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  6. "River dolphin crowned India's aquatic animals : Latest Headlines, News – India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 6 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  7. "Station: Bhagalpur Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 127–128. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  8. "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  9. "Garuda's population now 500 in Bhagalpur, Bihar". Zee News. 21 June 2015. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015.
  10. "Rescue and Rehabilitation centre was opened in Bhagalpur". Prabhat Khabar. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015.
  11. "World's third nestling spot for the 'Leptoptilos dubius' "Garuda"species is in Bhagalpur, Bihar". theweekendleader. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015.
  12. "Bhagalpur Tourism, Travel and Tourism in Bhagalpur city, Bihar". Bhagalpuronline.in. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  13. "Jain Temple Nathnagar, Bhagalpur". jainteerth. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015.
  14. "Shri Champapur Digamber Jain, Bhagalpur". jain. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015.
  15. "Bhagalpur: The Silk City". Outlook Traveller. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  16. "Khanqah e Shahbazia, Bhagalpur | Sightseeing, History, Timings | Holidify". www.holidify.com. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  17. "Jagran Prakashan launches multiple editions of Inquilab in Bihar". afaqs!. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  18. "Story". Epaper.jagran.com. 27 July 2015. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  19. "Neha Sharma | Actresses". Koimoi.com. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  20. "Godda(Jharkhand) Lok Sabha Election Results 2014 with Sitting MP and Party Name". Elections.in. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  21. "An Indian by accident". timesofindia.com. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
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