Begusarai
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Begusarai is the industrial and financial capital of Bihar and the administrative headquarters of the Begusarai district, which is one of the thirty-eight districts of the Indian state of Bihar. The district lies on the northern bank of the river Ganges in the Holy Mithila region of India.
Begusarai | |
|---|---|
City | |
Clockwise from top left: Naulakha Temple, Kali Mandir, Barauni Refinery, Begusarai Railway Station | |
| Nickname(s): Land of Poetry, Land of Mokchh-Dhaam Simaria and Kumbhsthali in Holy Mithila region | |
Begusarai Location of Begusarai in Bihar Begusarai Begusarai (India) | |
| Coordinates: 25°25′N 86°08′E / 25.42°N 86.13°ECoordinates: 25°25′N 86°08′E / 25.42°N 86.13°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Bihar |
| Region | Mithila |
| District | Begusarai |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Corporation |
| • Body | Begusarai Municipal Corporation |
| • MLA | Kundan Kumar (BJP) |
| • Mayor | Pinki Devi |
| Elevation | 41 m (135 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 251,136[1] |
| Language | |
| • Official | Hindi[2] |
| • Additional official | Urdu[2] |
| • Regional | Maithili (recognised under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India)[3] |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN CODE | 851101[4] |
| Telephone code | 06243 |
| Vehicle registration | BR-09 |
| Sex ratio | 0.91 ♂/♀ |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Begusarai |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Begusarai |
| Website | begusarai |
Geography
Topography
Begusarai is located at 25°25′N 86°08′E / 25.42°N 86.13°E.[5] It has an average elevation of 41 metres (134 feet). Begusarai lies in North Bihar and is surrounded by Khagaria in the north-east, Munger in the south-east, Patna in the west and Samastipur in the north-west.[6]
Begusarai lies in the middle of the mid-Ganga plain and generally has low-lying terrain with a south to south-easterly slope.[7] Begusarai is basically divided into three floodplains:
- Ganga floodplain
- Burhi Gandak floodplain
- Kareha-Bagmati floodplain.
Flora and fauna
In 1989 Begusarai district became home to the Kanwar jheel, or Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, with an area of 63 km2 (24.3 sq mi).[8]
Demographics
As per the 2011 census, Begusarai Municipal Corporation had a total population of 251,136, of whom 133,931 were male and 117,205 were female with a sex ratio of 875. The population younger than 5 years of age was 37,966. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 79.35%.[1]
Religion
Hinduism is the major religion in Begusarai city, with 224,282 followers (89%). Islam is second, with 26,531 Muslims (10.53%). Other religions include 325 Christians (0.13%), 134 Sikhs (0.05%), 31 Jains (0.01%), 29 Buddhists (0.01%), 14 other religions (0.01%) and 662 (0.26%) non-respondents[9]
Politics
Begusarai has traditionally been a communist stronghold and was once referred to as the "Leningrad of Bihar".[10][11] It is the karmabhoomi of the independence movement veteran, first chief minister and architect of modern Bihar,[peacock prose] Dr. Shri Krishna Sinha.
Economy
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. The main cash crops of the Begusarai district are oilseeds, anis seed/ tisi, tobacco, jute, potato, red Chile, tomato and rape-seed. In fruit farming, Begusarai has recently become a major contributor in producing litchi, mango, guava and banana. Recently basil leaves[12] and pearl[13] farming have attracted local farmers.
Even today, only the Barauni refinery contributes around Rs 500 crore (5,000,000,000)[14] to the state exchequer yearly. Begusarai also has an inactive airport in Begusarai Ulao.[15] Begusarai had the second highest per capita income in financial year 2019–20 in Bihar, after Patna.
Culture
The culture of Begusarai is the cultural heritage of Mithila. Begusarai is also famous for Simaria, a fair of devotional significance every year in the month of Kartik according to the Indian Panchang, (usually during November).[16] Men and women in Begusarai are very religious and dress for the festivals as well. The costumes of Begusarai stem from the rich traditional culture of Mithila. Panjabi Kurta and Dhoti with a Mithila Painting bordered Maroon coloured Gamchha which is the Symbol of Passion, Love, Bravery and Courage are common clothing items for men. Men wear gold ring in their nose which symbolizes prosperity, happiness and wealth inspired by Lord Vishnu. Also wear Balla on their wrist. In ancient times there was no colour option in Mithila, so the Maithil women wore white or yellow Saree with red Border but now they have a lot of variety and colour options, and wear Laal-Paara (the traditional red-boarded white or yellow sari)[17] on some special occasions, and also wear Shakha-Pola[18] with lahthi in their hand. In Mithila culture, this represents new beginnings, passion and prosperity. Red also represents the Hindu goddess Durga, a symbol of new beginnings and feminine power. During Chhaith, the women of Begusarai wear pure cotton dhoti without stitching which reflects the pure, traditional Culture of Mithila. Usually crafted from pure cotton for daily use and from pure silk for more glamorous occasions, traditional attire for the women of Begusarai includes Jamdani, Banorisi and Bhagalpuri and many more. Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Begusarai. Chhaith and Durga Puja is celebrated as perhaps the most important of all the celebrations of Begusarai.
Dance
Dhuno-Naach is the Cultural Dance of Begusarai, Mithila. Dhuno-Naach is performed in Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar, Naugachia during Durga Puja and Kalipuja with Shankha-Dhaak Sound and Jhijhiya is performed in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani and their Neighbour Districts.
Painting
Mithila Painting as a form of wall art is practiced widely in Begusarai; the more recent development of painting on paper and canvas originated among the villages in Begusarai, Darbhanga, Naugachia, Madhubani and it is these latter developments that may correctly be referred to as Begusarai Art, Madhubani art, Darbhanga Art, Naugachia Art.[19]
Main Festival
Here is a list of the main festivals of Begusarai:
- Chhaith: Prayers during Chhath puja are dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, to show gratitude and thankfulness
- Saama-Chakeba: includes folk theater and song, celebrates the love between brothers and sisters and is based on a legend recounted in the Puranas.
- Aghaniya Chhaith (Chhotka Pabni): Very popular with the name of "Chhotka-Pabni" and Dopaharka Aragh in Mithila.Celebrated in Aghan Shukla-paksha Shasthi tithi.
- Baisakkha Chhaith (Chhotka Pabni): This is celebrated in month of Baishakh Shukla-paksha Shasthi tithi and It is also called Chhotka-Pabni(Dopaharka Aragh) in Mithila.
- Chaurchan: Along with Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Parvati and the moon god is worshipped. The story of Chorchan Puja is also heard on this day after that arghya is offered to the moon god (Chandra Deva).[20][21]
- Jitiya: celebrated mainly in Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh[22] and Nepal; mothers fast (without water) for wellbeing of their children.[23]
- Vivaha Panchami: Hindu festival celebrating the wedding of Rama and Sita. It is observed on the fifth day of the Shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in the Agrahayana month (November – December) as per Maithili calendar and in the month of Margashirsha in the Hindu calendar.
- Sita Navami
- Ganga Dussehra: Ganga Dussehra, also known as Gangavataran, is a Hindu festival celebrated by Maithils in Mokshdhaam Simaria Dhaam (The Welcome Gate of Mithila). avatarana (descent) of the Ganges. It is believed by Hindus that the holy river Ganges descended from heaven to earth on this day.[24]
- Kalpwas: Celebrated in Every Kartik Month in Simaria Dhaam, Begushorai.
- Kojagiri (Lachhmi Puja): harvest festival marking the end of monsoon season
- Paata Puja (Durga Maay Aagmon)
- Khutti Puja (Ritual of Durga Puja)
- Mohalaya: Mohalaya which is celebrated in all over Mithila on Aashin Maash Amavasya tithi, sculptors, who have been working for days carving and chiseling the statue of Durga, carry out their final touch of drawing the eyes of Durga Maay in Begusarai and other Mithila Districts.
- Durga Puja: a ten-day festival,[25][26] of which the last five are of the most significance.[27] is an important festival in the Shaktism tradition of Hinduism.[28][29][30] It marks the victory of goddess Durga in her battle against the shape-shifting asura, Mahishasura.[31][32][A] Thus, the festival epitomizes the victory of good over evil, though it is also in part a harvest festival celebrating the goddess as the motherly power behind all of life and creation.[34][35]
- Kali Puja: dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, celebrated on the new moon day Dipannita Amavasya of the Hindu month Kartik
- Saraswati Puja: marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated by people of Dharmic religions in the South Asian countries in different ways depending on the region. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika and Holi, which take place forty days later.[36]
- Aakhar Bochhor(Maithili New year): Maithili New year celebrated on 15 April every year.
- Rama Navami: celebrates the descent of Vishnu as the Rama avatar, through his birth to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya, Kosala.[37]
- Basanti Puja (Chaiti Durga Puja)
- Til Sakraait (Makar Sankranti)
- Naag Panchami
- Barsaait
- Vishwakarma Puja
- Holi
Notable people
- Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, poet, freedom fighter, essayist.Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
- Ram Sharan Sharma, historian
- Balmiki Prasad Singh, writer, former IAS officer, former Governor of Sikkim
- Sriti Jha, actress
- Kranti Prakash Jha, actor, model
- Bhola Singh, politician
- Kanhaiya Kumar, politician
See also
Notes
- ^ In the Shakta tradition of Hinduism, many of the stories about obstacles and battles have been considered as metaphors for the divine and demonic within each human being, with liberation being the state of self-understanding whereby a virtuous nature & society emerging victorious over the vicious.[33]
References
- ^ a b "Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ a b (PDF). nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- ^ "BEGUSARAI Pin Code - 851101, Begusarai All Post Office Areas PIN Codes, Search BEGUSARAI Post Office Address". ABP News. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
- ^ "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Begusarai, India". www.fallingrain.com. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
- ^ . www.begusarai.bih.nic.in. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ The Subsurface Geology of the Indo-Gangetic plains M.B.R Rao, 1973, no:-3, vol-14, Journal of the Geological Society of India, pp-217-242.
- ^ Indian Ministry of Forests and Environment. . Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
- ^ a b "C-01: Population by religious community - Begusarai". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ N.K."Dhiraj" (23 March 2009). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
- ^ Begg, Yusuf (9 April 2019). "Lok Sabha 2019: Why is Begusarai called Leningrad of Bihar?". India Today. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
- ^ "Farming of Basil Leaves In Begusarai". Live Hindustan. LiveHindustan.com. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
- ^ "Pearl harvesting made this farmer a role model for others in his village". english.pradesh18.com. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
- ^ "Making of Begusarai was by choice, not accident - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
- ^ "Dum Dum Begushorai,Ulao Airport." Live Hindustan.livehindustan.com". Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ "Revive Kumbh Mela in eight historic cities". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- ^ Maithil women wore Red Boarded Yellow or White Saree during Jhijhiya Naach. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "Mithila as well as Bengal wearing शाखा पोला" www.jhajistore.com". Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ^ Carolyn Brown Heinz, 2006, "Documenting the Image in Mithila Art," Visual Anthropology Review, Vol. 22, Issue 2, pp. 5-33
- ^ "Chauth Chand 2022: आज मनाई जाएगी चौठ चन्द्र पूजा, चांद की इस तरह होती है पूजा". Prabhat Khabar (in Hindi). Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Chaurchan Puja 2022 Wishes & Chauth Chandra Puja HD Images: Celebrate This Bihar Festival of the Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi Sharing Chaurchan Photos, Messages & Wallpapers | 🙏🏻 LatestLY". LatestLY. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Jivitputrika Vrat 2020: जीवित्पुत्रिका व्रती महिलाएं आज खोलेंगी व्रत, जानें पारण करने के लिए हर एक शुभ समय और विधि".
- ^ "Jivitputrika Vrat 2016 (Jitiya 2016) Date & Hindu Panchang - Indian Astrology". 18 July 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ Agnihotri, Sanjana (14 June 2016). "All you need to know about Ganga Dussehra". India Today. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ Doniger 1999, p. 306.
- ^ Lochtefeld 2002, p. 208.
- ^ Parmita Borah (2 October 2011). . EF News International. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ McDermott 2001, pp. 172–174.
- ^ Foulston & Abbott 2009, pp. 162–169.
- ^ Rodrigues 2003, pp. 7–8.
- ^ Daniélou 1991, p. 288.
- ^ McDaniel 2004, pp. 215–219.
- ^ McDaniel 2004, pp. 20–21, 217–219.
- ^ Kinsley 1988, pp. 111–112.
- ^ Donner 2016, p. 25.
- ^ Christian Roy (2005). Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. pp. 192–193. ISBN 978-1-57607-089-5.
- ^ Hindus around the world celebrate Ram Navami today, DNA, 8 April 2014
Works cited
- Daniélou, Alain (1991). The Myths and Gods of India: The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. ISBN 978-0-89281-354-4.
- Doniger, Wendy (1999). Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions. Merriam-Webster. ISBN 978-0-87779-044-0.
- Donner, Henrike (2016). Domestic Goddesses: Maternity, Globalization and Middle-class Identity in Contemporary India. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-14848-7.
- Foulston, Lynn; Abbott, Stuart (2009). Hindu Goddesses: Beliefs and Practices. Sussex Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-902210-43-8.
- Kinsley, David (1988). Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-90883-3.
- Lochtefeld, James G (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M. The Rosen Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-8239-3179-8.
- McDaniel, June (2004). Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-534713-5.
- McDermott, Rachel Fell (2001). Mother of My Heart, Daughter of My Dreams: Kali and Uma in the Devotional Poetry of Bengal. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-803071-3.
- Rodrigues, Hillary (2003). Ritual Worship of the Great Goddess: The Liturgy of the Durga Puja with Interpretations. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-8844-7.
External links
- District website of Begusarai