Hajipur

Etymology

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 and 1358 AD. Inside the fort built by this king in Hajipur, there is a mosque called Jamia 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 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 Akbar and the rebellious Afghan karrani rulers 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 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

Hajipur is the headquarters of Vaishali after its separation from Muzaffarpur district on 12 October 1972. It is located at 25.68°N 85.22°E / 25.68; 85.22. It has an average elevation of 46 metres (150 ft).

The Hajipur city being bounded by Narayani Gandak river in the west and holy Ganges in the south. Very Good network of rail, road and water transport exists in the city connecting it with other parts of district as well as state and country. Mahatma Gandhi Setu (5575m long, Prestressed box culvert type RCC bridge) 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 city 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 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

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.

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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.

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 94 acres (38 ha; 0.147 sq mi) of land with modern infrastructure.

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.

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 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.

Nepali Mandir

The temple locates west of Hajipur, on the confluence of the Ganges and the Gandak is situated this unique Shaivite shrine. Made in the late medieval period (18th century), by Kazi Dhaukal Singh Basnyat at the time of King Pratap Singh Shah of Nepal, the temple brings-in a fresh pagoda-style architecture of the Himalaya Kingdom to the plains of the Ganges. This temple is built largely of wood. Another distinctive feature of this temple is its fine wooden carving. Both in style and finish, largely drawn in from the Himalayan world of architecture, Nepali Temple at Hajipur remains quite singular and inimitable.

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 (February/March). 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

Lord Krishna temple Baithakji Hajipur (Aacharya Prabhuji Ki Baithak) 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 (Seva).

Mahatma Gandhi Setu

The Mahatma Gandhi Setu (bridge) 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 (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 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 (coronation Tank of Vajji Rulers) etc. 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, 4 km from Vaishali. The soil of this land is blessed by the visit of Lord Buddha twice during 3rd century BC.

Notable institutes

Other Colleges

Schools

Non-government organization

Hariyali (An Initiative for Development) is an active NGO in the city. Hariyali has been carrying out need based welfare and integrated programs of development for rural poor and needy especially belonging to marginalized and under privileged sections, The NGO primarily focusses on the development of the rural economy through revival of the agriculture and cottage industry.

Notable people

Sports

Transport

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

Rail link

Hajipur railway station is the headquarters of East Central Railway Zone. Three rail lines connect it to Muzaffarpur, Chhapra, and Barauni. Important trains like Guwahati Rajdhani Express (12235/12236), Vaishali Express (12553/12554), Bihar Sampark Kranti Superfast Express (12565/12566), Garib Rath Express (12203/12204), Swatantra Sainani Superfast Express (12561/12562), Sabarmati Express (19165/19166), Lohit Express (15651/15652), Lichchavi Express (14005/14006) and all other trains passing through this route have stoppages here.

Nearest Airport

Roads

Hajipur is connected to other parts of India through national and state highways. The major highways are:

Bus services are available from Hajipur to Patna (10 km), Muzaffarpur (52 km), Kumar Bajitpur (40 km) Chhapra (60 km), Siwan (123 km), Samastipur (65 km), Motihari (136 km), Bettiah etc.

Media

Hindi and English newspapers are easily available in the city, including Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Prabhat Khabar, The Telegraph, Dainik Bhaskar, 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, Vaishali News, 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 (Nbpdcl), Operated by Bihar State Electricity Board.

Direct–to–home (DTH) 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 (BSNL), India's state-owned telecom and internet services provider. Both Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code division multiple access (CDMA) 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.