Hajipur


Hajipur is the largest city and headquarters of Vaishali district of Tirhut Division in the Indian state of Bihar. Hajipur is the 10th leading city and 17th most populous city of Bihar, making it the second-fastest developing city, next to Patna. It had a total population of 1.47 lakh as per census 2011. Vaishali district is ranked 8th on a list of 38 districts in Bihar in terms of growth.
The city is known for cultivating bananas. Patna, the capital of Bihar is only from Hajipur. The metropolis of Patna comprises PRDA area, includes Hajipur. Mahatma Gandhi Setu, one of the longest bridges in the world at, links it to Patna. After Patna, it is the fastest-developing city in Bihar, primarily because of its close proximity to Patna.
The Ganges river separates the city of Patna and Hajipur. On the South bank of the Ganges is the city of Patna and to the North bank of the river is the city of Hajipur, & the Gandhi Setu bridge connects both of the cities. There have been another bridge known as Digha Pool which connects the river gandak and Ganga and narrows the distance between hajipur and Patna There have been plans to expand Patna to Greater Patna, by absorbing Hajipur and other surrounding towns into it.
The area of Hajipur city is spread across. The city has been divided into 39 wards. In 1979, a museum was established in Hajipur, by the Directorate of Archaeology and museum, Bihar.

History

In the ancient time, it was known as Ukkacala and was the first village to come after crossing River Ganges 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 Gopalaka 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 situated on the confluence of the Ganges and Gandak. Hajipur figures conspicuously in the history of struggles between Emperor Akbar and the rebellious Afghan Karrani rulers of Bengal.
Hajipur finds its origin way back in history from the Mahabharata period. It is the place where democracy found its origin around 600 BC. Ancient Licchavi 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.

Geography and climate

Geography

Hajipur is the headquarters of Vaishali after its separation from Muzaffarpur district on 12 October 1972. It is located at. It has an average elevation of 46 metres.
The Hajipur city is bounded by Narayani Gandak river in the west and holy Ganges in the south. A good network of rail, road and water transport exists in the city, connecting it with other parts of the district as well as state and country. Mahatma Gandhi Setu over river Ganges connects it with Patna, the state capital, while another rail and road bridge over Gandak connects it with Sonepur.

Climate

The plain terrain of the city and its nearby area is famous for banana, litchi and mango plantations. The region looks green with plants and trees growing in semi-tropical monsoon climate. However, the months of May–June are hot, and December–January is cold.
The climate is warm and temperate in Hajipur. This location is classified as Csa by Köppen and Geiger. The temperature here averages 25.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 993 mm. The driest month is December, with 3 mm of rainfall with an average of 266 mm, the most precipitation falls in July. The warmest month of the year is May, with an average temperature of 32.2 °C. January has the lowest average temperature of the year is 17.1 °C. The difference in precipitation between the driest month and the wettest month is 263 mm. During the year, the average temperatures vary by 15.1 °C.
The table below details historical monthly averages for climate variables.

Demographics

Culturally and linguistically, Hajipur is similar to that of Patna. As per 2011 census Hajipur city has a population of 147,688, out of which males were 78,047 and females were 69,641. The literacy rate was 76.80 per cent, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 82.45%, and female literacy is 70.47%. In Hajipur, 14.15% of the population is under 6 years of age. The sex ratio of 892 females per 1,000 males was lower than the national average of 944.
Hindi is the main language of the city, understood and spoken by almost everyone in the city.
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Economy

The economy of Hajipur is largely service orientated, but it also has an agricultural base and industrial sector. As of 2011, service accounts for 55%, industry 9% and agriculture 35% of the economy of the city.
There is a dedicated industrial area in Hajipur apart from EPIP, maintained by BIADA in area of 150 acres where many Big Brands of FMCG & Agro based companies like Pepsico, Britaniya, HUL, Godrej, Anmol,Sudha, Wayss Ice Cream, Bansal,Treat, Avon Cycle etc. have their manufacturing units. It is also the headquarters of eastern Indian railway
As of 2010, there are several upcoming construction projects from private and public sectors with three new bridges connecting to Patna.
The Export Promotion Industrial Park, is a multiple-product export processing zone in East India developed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Government of Bihar and by the administrative body BIADA located in Hajipur, Bihar, In the administrative Vaishali district, has of land with modern infrastructure.

Places of interest

Jami Masjid

is one of states oldest mosques erected in 1587 AD amide the Mugal rule by Makhsus Shah the brother of Said Khan, who was the contemporary governor of Bihar Sharif according to Akbarnamah.
The remarkable monument is a spectacular example of Indo-Persian architecture.Measuring 84.5 ft. long and 33.5 ft. broad. The mosque is crowned with three domes, the central dome being larger than the others.
Some Historians also claim Haji Iliyas to be the founder of the mosque.

Ramchaura Mandir

The Ramchaura Mandir is a Hindu Temple in the city of Hajipur, Bihar, India. Dedicated to Lord Rama, it is located at Rambhadra near Helabazar, Hajipur. As per local folklore, it is said to have been in existence since Ramayana period and Lord Shri Ram is believed to have visited this place on his way to Janakpur, where his footprints are worshiped. The Ramchaura Mandir has tradition of celebrating Rama Navami, the birth anniversary of Rama, every year. A small fair is also organised on the eve of Rama Navami. Archeological objects excavated from Ramchaura are kept at the Patna Museum.

St.Xaviour's Catholic Church

Kutubpur Kothi under the Arch Diocese of Patna.
This is a catholic missionary Centre with around 10 Catholic families from the locality and about 50 catholic families from out of Bihar especially from Kerala, Jharkhand and other parts of India. The church has an English Medium School to bring a proper education to the people of the locality.The Catholic Church plays a vital role in the prosperous and the development of the city of Hajipur.

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 -Graah, which is well covered in Indian scriptures, is the reason behind people asking -kaun haara. Hence the name- Kaunhara ghat. 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 Graah were gandharvas. 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.

Pataleshwar Mandir

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pataleshwar Mandir is located at Jadhua Road, Hajipur. As per local folklore, it is said to have been in existence since ancient period and Lord Shiva is believed to be in the form of Lingam here.

Bateshwar Nath Temple

Oldest temple of Bihar, India, which is dedicated of Lord Shiva and Situated in East of Hajipur, Bihar, India. As per local folklore, it is said to have been in existence since Mughal Empire and it appeared in middle of thousand year old banyan tree and interesting tale about the temple was self constructed Temple. The Bateshwar Nath Temple has tradition of celebrating Vasant Panchami Festival every year in. A small fair is also organized on the eve of Maha Shivratri for 1 month. It is a great place to visit for peace of Mind in middle of Agricultural Land that give you a feel of spirituality.

Baithakji Hajipur

temple Baithakji Hajipur is one of the oldest temple of Hajipur. There are 84 Mahaprabhuji Baithaks in India. Shri Mahaprabhuji graced this earth for 52 years and 2 months during which thrice aapshri toured India barefoot only to spread the principles of Pushtimarg. Conducting Shrimad Bhagwat seminars, debating with scholars and heads of other religions and establishing the ethics of "Shudhadvaita Brahmavada" was a great task that aapshri undertook. Till date also innumerable vaishnavs travel by rail and road to visit these Baithaks, at times travelling on hazardous roads leading to remotely situated Baithaks in forests and on mountains and take immense divine pleasure in paying respects to Shri Mahaprabhuji and performing any given tasks.

Mahatma Gandhi Setu

The Mahatma Gandhi Setu is the important link between north and south Bihar. It has been constructed over the Ganges near village Jadhua and connects Hajipur with Patna. This is one of longest river bridge of Asia having length of 5.75 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 Cattle Fair

Located opposite Hajipur, is a small place of Sonepur where the fortnight long Sonepur Cattle Fair is held every year starting from Kartik full moon day. 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, Nautanki and sell everything from elephants to birds; agricultural equipment to vanity items; winter garments to wooden furnitures. Government Department of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture etc. organises training and exhibitions 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 Department of State Tourism only during the 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 archaeological places to see which includes Buddha Stupa, Pillars of Ashoka, Abhishek Puskarani etc. Vaishali Mahotsava is held every year on Baisakh Purnima during mid-April to celebrate the birth anniversary of 24th Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavir who born here in the village Kundalpur, 4 km from Vaishali. The soil of this land is blessed by the visit of Lord Buddha twice during 3rd century BC.

Education and research

Notable institutes

Hajipur city has a modern railway zonal office. It is the headquarters of the East Central Railway Zone of the Indian Railways.

Rail link

is the headquarters of East Central Railway Zone. Three rail lines connect it to Muzaffarpur, Chhapra, and Barauni. Important trains like Guwahati Rajdhani Express, Vaishali Express, Bihar Sampark Kranti Superfast Express, Garib Rath Express, Swatantra Sainani Superfast Express,Lohit Express, Lichchavi Express , Arunachal Express and all other trains passing through this route have stoppages here.

Nearest airports

Hajipur is connected to other parts of India through national and state highways. The major highways are:
and English newspapers are easily available in the city, including Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Prabhat Khabar, The Telegraph, Dainik Bhaskar, Ahaan News, Vaishali Dairy, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Economic Times and The Indian Express. There is also the Hindi and English mixed Newspaper Tabloid Inext.
TV programming is provided by regional news channels like Zee Purvaiya, Kashish News, Sahara Samay Channel, LIVE VAISHALI, ETV Bihar, DD Bihar. There are several news programmes broadcast by local cable operators in city areas and all renowned channels are broadcast in each corner of the city areas.
Hajipur has the following FM radio stations:

Utility services

Electricity supply to the city is regulated and distributed by the Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited. The city forms the North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, Operated by Bihar State Electricity Board.
Direct–to–home is available via DD Free Dish, Airtel digital TV, Dish TV, Tata Sky, Videocon d2h, Sun Direct and Reliance Digital TV.
Hajipur has its own home network of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, India's state-owned telecom and internet services provider. Both Global System for Mobile Communications and Code division multiple access mobile services are available. Apart from telecom, BSNL also provides broadband internet service. Among private enterprises, Bharti Airtel, Reliance, Idea Cellular, Aircel, Tata DoCoMo, Tata Teleservices, Virgin Mobile, Uninor, Vodafone and Videocon Telecom are the leading telephone and cell phone service providers in the city.

Direction board