HAJIPUR

Hajipur

Hajipur is the headquarters of Vaishali district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous for producing bananas (small & sweetest variety, locally called CHINIA KELA), and is the Zonal office of ECR. Patna, the capital of Bihar is only 10 km from Hajipur. Mahatma Gandhi Setu, one of the longest bridges in the world, links it to Patna.

Origin of name

The town is known by the name of Hajipur as it was founded by a King of Bengal named Haji Ilyas Shah who ruled between 1345 to 1358 A.D. Inside the fort built by this king in Hajipur there is a mosque called Jami Masjid, a plain building measuring 84.5 ft (25.8 m) long and 33.5 ft (10.2 m) broad.

History

In the ancient time, it was known as Ukkacala and was the first village to come after crossing River Ganga at Patna. The village of Hajipur gained significance, as it was the venue of one of the discourses given by Lord Buddha. Buddha preached the Cula Goplalaka Sutta, a Middle Length Discourse, here. Along with that, it is also of interest because a portion of Ananda's ashes were enshrined in the town, the closest disciple of Lord Buddha.Ananda acted as the Buddha's personal attendant for twenty years and outlived him by several decades. Hajipur, earlier in British India was a small town in muzaffarpur district of bengal situated on the confluence of ganges and gandak. Hajipur figures conspicuously in the history of struggles between Akbar and his rebellious Afghan governors of bengal.

Hajipur(Vaishali)-find its origin way back in history from the mahabharata period. It is the place where democracy found its origin around 600BC.Ancient Lichhavi republic was established in this land only. It is the place where Lord Mahavir took birth and Gautam Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his Parinirvana. It is also renowned as the land of Ambapali (Amrapali), the great Indian courtesan.

Hajipur was known as Ukkacala in ancient times. According to Buddhist scriptures, Lord Buddha gave one of his many discourses at Ukkacala. Some Buddhist sources also say that ashes of Lord Buddha’s disciple Ananda were kept in a Stupa at Ukkacala.

According to Buddhist literature, Ananda was the closest disciple and personnel attendant of Buddha. The same sources tell an interesting incident about Ananda- when Ananda realized that his life was drawing to its close, he decided to head towards north from Rajgir. Later on when King Ajatashatru came to know about it he went to meet Ananda and asked him to stay in his capital. Similarly, people from near by Vaishali came and asked him to stay at their place, which made the situation quite tricky for Ananda.

As Ananda was in conflict where to go and whom to visit, he reached in the middle of river and in order to avoid disappointment and possible conflict, Ananda rose into the air and disappeared into a ball of flames. As the legends have it, people gathered on both sides of the river and collected the ash which was poured from above. Later on many Stupas were erected enshrining the same ash.

Though the whereabouts of these stupas is not known, one mound on the bank of river Ganges is evidence of one such stupa’s existence at the spot. Historians are of the opinion that stupas might have been erased by Ganges flood overtime and some Hindu temple has come into existence now. From historical evidence and Buddhist literature, archeologists have concluded that the modern Hajipur is ancient Ukkacala.

Geography

Hajipur is located at 25.68°N 85.22°E[2]. It has an average elevation of 46 metres (150 ft). Hajipur is the district headquarter of Vaishali after its separation from Muzaffarpur on 12/10/1972. The district has 3 subdivisions, 16 blocks, 191 Gram Panchyat & 1638 villages and is surrounded by Muzaffarpur (East), Patna (South), Samastipur (East) and Saran (West). The Hajipur town being bounded by Narayani Gandak river in the west and holy Ganga in the south, has scope of further expansion in east and north direction only. Very Good network of rail, road and water transport exists in the town connecting it with other parts of district as well as state and country. Famous Mahatma Gandhi Setu (5575m long, Prestressed box culvert type RCC bridge) over river Ganga connects it with Patna, the state capital while another rail and road bridge over Gandak connects it with Sonepur, headquarter of a railway sub-division under ECR, . The plain terrain of town and its nearby places is famous for banana, Litchi and mango plantations. The region looks green with plants and trees growing in semi-tropical monsoon climate. However, months of May-June are extremely hot and December-January are very cold.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Hajipur had a population of 119,276. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Hajipur has an average literacy rate of 60%, close to the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 67%, and female literacy is 51%. In Hajipur, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age. Hajipur is a small town, headquarter of vaishali district Hindi and Urdu is language used by Hajipurians, Bajjika being the local language. Agriculture is main activity and banana, paddy and wheat are the major crops. After formation of Eastern Cenral Railway Hajipur became its headquarter since 1 October 2002. Hundreds of staff of railway and its supporting agencies has their temporary home at Hajipur and many have settled themselves from outside.

Places of interest

Ramchaura Mandir

A Hindu temple, Pataleshwara Nath is situated on the western outskirts of Hajipur. Go to the centre of town and ask for the way to Ramchaura. The temple on the top of the stupa is called Ramchaura Mandir. A famous temple named Budi Maai is in Ismailpur (Harauli) village of Hajipur. Mahadev Math in Rajason situated on the bank of river Ganges. it is also a historical temple. Maamu Bhanja (Mazaar of maamu bhanja) a muslim pilgrimage near jadhua on hajipur mahnar road has many old history. every year an urs celebrates here.

Kaun Haara Ghat

It is considered one of the main ghats of Ganga-Gandak, where worshiping and cremation has been performed for centuries. This ghat has got its name based on an ancient legend. According to this legend, "The famous fight of Gaja(elephant)-Graah (crocodile), which is well covered in Indian scrdiptures, is the reason behind people asking -kaun haara. Hence the name. Scriptures tell that Lord Vishnu had to interfere in the fight to save his devotee Gajaraj, who was being drowned by crocodile. Both Gaja and Grah were gandharavas. But due to some curse they became Gaja and Graah. Lord Visnu killed Graah to give him instant salvation, and saved life Of Gajaraj. The depiction Of fighting Gaja Graah is an emblem for the city, and is prominently shown on the Hajipur railway station's dome, and other notable places.

Nepali Mandir

West of Hajipur, on the confluence of the Gangas and the Gandak is situated this unique Shaivite shrine. Made in the late medieval period (18th century), by (Mathabar Singh Thapa) one of the army commanders of Nepal, the temple brings-in a fresh pagoda-style architecture of the Himalayan Kingdom to the plains of the Ganga. This temple is built largely of wood. Another distinctive feature of this temple is its fine wooden carving, which includes, of others, generous erotic scenes. Both in style and finish, largely drawn in from the Himalayan world of architecture, Nepali Temple at Hajipur remains quite singular and inimitable.

Mahatma Gandhi Setu

The Mahatma Gandhi Setu (bridge) is the important link between north and south Bihar. It has been constructed over the Ganga near village Jadhua and connects Hajipur with Patna. This is one of longest river bridge having length of 6.75 km. The four lane prestressed RCC bridge was commissioned into service during the year 1982. Traveller get an enthralling experience and panoramic view of lush green banana plantations by Crossing the bridge.

Sonepur Fair

Located opposite Hajipur, is a small place of Sonepur where fortnight long cattle fair is held every year starting from Kartik full moon day (October/November). The place goes lively at the onset of winter with the mass holy deep in river Gandak by Hindu at Kaun-hara Ghat. Besides being claimed as the biggest animal fair in Asia, the fair entertain visitors with circus, Tamasha (folk plays), Nautanki (folk dances) and sell everything from elephants to birds; agricultural equipments to vanity items; winter garments to wooden furnitures. Government Department of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture etc. organises training and exihibitions for the farmers coming from all over. The visitors can stay in hotels at Hajipur or they can hire luxury Swiss cottages erected on sand dunes beside river Gandak. The tent and cottages are provided by State Tourism Department only during fair.

Vaishali Mahotsava

Ancient village of Vaishali is located 35 km North-West of Hajipur. The place can be reached by road and offers many archeological places to see which includes Buddha Stupa, Ashokan Piller, Abhisek Puskarani (coronation Tank of Vajji Rulers) etc. All the places can be seen during day long visit by arranging a private transport. Vaishali Mahotsava (great celebration) is held every year on Baisakh Purnima (Full Moon Day of 1st Hindu Month) during mid-April to celebrate the birth anniversary of 24th Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavir who born here in the village Kundalpur, 4km from Vaishali. The soil of this land is blessed by the visit of Lord Buddha twice during 3rd century BC.

Transport

Hajipur is easily accessible through road and train. Hajipur is just ten kilometers away from Patna and can be easily reached by hiring an auto.

Rail link

Hajipur is the headquarters of East Central Railways. Three rail lines connect it to Muzaffarpur, Chhapra, and Barauni. Important trains like Guwahati Rajdhani Express(2235/2236), Vaishali Express (2553/ 2554), Bihar Sampark Kranti Express(2565/2566), Garib Rath Express (2203/2204), Swatantrata Senani Express(2561/2562), Sabarmati Express, Lohit Express, Lichhavi Express(4005/4006) and all other trains passing through this route have stoppages here.

Air

Patna Airport - 13.2 miles (21.2 km). Patna airport is well connected through road. Buses , taxis, auto available 24*7.

Roads

Buses and auto-rickshaws connect the city with the state capital Patna. Buses are also available to Muzaffarpur, Goraul, Samastipur, Raxaul, Motihari, Bettiah, Siwan, Chhapra, and Siliguri.

Education

Schools

G.A.Inter School,Jai Govind High School,Pekauli,Gyandeep Central School.Jadhua,Green Field Public High School,Jadhua, Oasis Public School, Sri Mulkjada Singh High School, Guru Vasisth Vidyayan, Gyan Jyoti Public School, St. Paul's High School,Baghmali, St Paul's School, Izra, Surajdeo Memorial School, Indian Public School, St. John's Public School, DAV Public School, Kendriya Vidyalay, Town High School, Xavier's School, Dighi High School, Hajipur Girls High School, Oxford High School, Vaishali Central School Rajason, Vikas Vidyala, Prem High School, SKS Seminary, Raj Kishor High School(Badi yusufpur), B.D.Public School,R.S.PUBLIC SCHOOL,R.S.Kids,Sagar Academy School,saraswati vidya mandir,Jay Mata Di Public School(M.P.colony),Maunt Carmel Public School(Near Kakrahata Bhawan),Hi-Tech Public School,Children's paradise, P.K.Jha residential high School,Sahyogi High School,Christ Church High School,Royel Model Residential School,Juhari Bajar, Green Garden Public School(Hathsarganj),r.k middile school (imadpursultan sahdullahpur),St.joseph's public school, (sarai).

Colleges & institutes

S N S College, R.N. College,B. M.D. College, Deo Chand College, Jamunilal College, Vaishali Mahila Mahavidyalaya,Women's College, RBS college Ekara, Sukhdew Mukhlal College Jadhua,Chaurasiya Raj Kishore Mahavidyalaya Yusufpur,Teachers Training College Dighhi,B.S. Inter-College, ANM Training School, Kent Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Institute of Hotel Management & Applied Nutrition, Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER).

In Short

First republic on the global map | Amrapali |Lichchchavi | Gateway to North Bihar | Boasts of largest road bridge in ASIA/ MG Setu | Biggest & most famous animal fair in ASIA | East Central Railway Zonal Office | IHM | NIPER | CIPET | 25.68°N 85.22°ECoordinates: 25.68°N 85.22°E | Vaishali | Tirhut Division | India | Bihar | STD Code 06224| Pin Code 844101-10 | Population119,276 (2001) | Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) | Elevation : 46 metres from sea level (msl) /151 ft | Website vaishali.bih.nic.in/