Overview

Bhagalpur, historically known as Champa Nagari, is a city in the Indian state of Bihar, situated on the southern bank of the Ganges river. It is the third largest city of Bihar by population and also serves the headquarters of Bhagalpur district, Bhagalpur division, and Eastern Range. It is known as the Silk City and also listed for development under the Smart Cities Mission by Government of India. It is the only district in Bihar after capital city Patna where three major higher educational institutions IIIT Bhagalpur, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, TMBU, and Agriculture University (BAU) are located and also Vikramshila Central University is under construction next to the ruins of the medieval Vikramshila Mahavihara. Bhagalpur Railway Station serves the city. The river around the city is home to the Gangetic dolphin, the national aquatic animal of India, and the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is established near the town. The city holds the largest Manasa Puja and one of the largest processions in Kali Puja, an intangible cultural heritage of the region. == Geography == === Climate === === Flora and fauna === ==== Greater adjutant (Garuda) ==== 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. Garuda birds were first spotted nesting and breeding on a silk cotton tree near a village in the Ganga-Diara area in Bhagalpur in 2007. 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, making Bhagalpur one of only three places to host Garudas; the others being Cambodia and Assam. 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. == Demographics == 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%. === Religion === Hinduism is the majority religion in Bhagalpur City with about 70% of the population following it, than followed by Islam with 29% adherants. It also has a small minority of Jains and Christians. === Language === Bhagalpur is a geographical landmark, which is at the convergence of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Historically, the capital of Anga Pradesh and a nation of independence by Tilkamanjhi, it has been a land of emerging languages and cultures. A fair numbers of Biharis, Bengalis, Marwaris, Muslims, Santhalis, Pahadiyas, etc reside in the region, making it a language and cultural hub. However, Angika language is primarily spoken in the district. Apart from Angika, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu and Santhali are prominent languages of the region. It is a multilingual district and has been a centre of development for many languages during the ancient era in the Vikramshila University. == Culture == Bhagalpur has a long lasting legacy of rich culture and traditions. The ancient city of Champanagari is known for its silk industry and Trade. The city has richness in its festival, art, food and trade. The "Aangi" or "Angika" culture is followed in this region. It also is a homeland of multicultural community. Being one of the important centres of Anga, then Bengal and now Bihar, it has grasped, respected and promoted the cultures and traditions and thus has empowered and maintained its richness. === Kali Puja === Kali Puja is one of the most important festivals in and around the region. Several Kali Temples and Puja Mandaps are decked up on Deepawali to worship Kalika. The procession after the Puja is so long that it takes 36 hours to complete one big phase of Murti Bisarjan. The Shobhayatra of Bhagalpur Kali Puja celebrated its 71st year in 2024.Kali Puja holds the cultural significance of the Anga Region. The procession after the Puja is the intangible cultural asset to the city. === Behula Bishari === Manasa or Popularly known as "Bishari Puja" is a folk festival of Bhagalpur, ancient Champanagari or Champaknagari, the capital city of Anga Mahajanapada. The festival celebrates the renunciation of the Guardian Goddess, Maa Mansa. The city also commemorates the wedding of Behula and Lakhinder every year during puja. In medieval Bengali literature, Mansamangal, Behula is projected as heroine and a goddess. In the period from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century, many works based on this story were made. The religious purpose of these works was to render the importance of goddess Manasa, but these works are more known for the pious love of Behula and her husband Lakhander (Lakhindar or Lakshinder). Local women sings folk song in Angika and offer Manjusha to the Goddess. However, this is not just a mythological story, the evidence of the metal house created by Vishvakarma on order of Chand Saudagar for Behula and her husband Lakhender to protect from snake bite is still seen and reported when there is heavy rain in the region. === Saraswati Puja === Saraswati Puja is another big festival celebrated with full zest and enthusiasm. It is celebrated on "Basant Panchami" which is locally called "Shree Panchami". It worships Maa Bagdevi, the goddess of knowledge, art and all sciences. The city goes artistic and is decked up with Pandals and lightings welcoming the beloved deity of the students, teachers and artisans. === Durga Puja === Durga Puja is celebrated in Bhagalpur with great pomp and show. Both Aangi- Bihari and Bengali community celebrates the puja with great enthusiasm. The puja Pandals are decked up by Shasthi and idols of the Goddess is installed by Vedic chants and "Belbhorni Puja". Some of the prominent puja communities includes Mahashay Deori, which dates back to more than 400 years of celebration, Jubak Sangha, Sarkarbari, Kalibari, Durga Bari, Hind-e-Yuva club, Satkar Club, Housing Board colony, etc. It is the time when localites buy new clothes, visits Pandals, eat delicacies and enjoy with friends and families. === Chhath Puja === Chhath puja, like the rest of the Bihar, is celebrated with great devotion in Bhagalpur. The festival is prominent as Bhagalpur is a city on the banks of river Ganga. Devotees throng here to worship "Goddess Shasthi" or "Chhathi maiya" and "Surya". === Bisua/Baisakkha === Bisua or Baisakkha marks the new beginning in Anga region. It is a new year festivity celebrated during 14-15th April every year. It is the welcoming of summer. On Bisua, locals install holy pitchers with mango leaves and a raw mango on the top, and keep it at Puja Ghar, temples, above tulsi plant and Shivilinga. Lots of delicacies like Daal Puri, Raspua, Thekua, Daal paratha, Guramma (sweet and tangy raw mango chutney), Bari jhol, Bhaat etc are made and eaten. Barley Sattu, Jaggery, Raw mango and seasonal fruits are offered to the Gods. The next day, cooking is avoided and "Paniyota Bhaat" (similar to Panta bhaat of Bengal and Pakhala of Odisha) is consumed. Sweets and fruits are distributed and a lavish meal usually Fish or Mutton. is prepared at night. It is similar to "Satuani" of Purvanchal region, "Jur Shital" of Mithilanchal, "Pohela Boisakh" of Bengal, "Mahabisuba Sankranti" of Odisha, etc. == Local Attraction == === Vikramshila Mahavihara === Vikramshila Mahavihara's ruins has been excavated at Antichak village in Bhagalpur. It was established by Emperor Dharmapala of the Pala Empire. It was an international centre of learning that focussed on multiple fields of knowledge, including Tantricism. It was considered at par with Nalanda university as it was a flourishing university. However, Bhaktiyar Khilji destroyed it and left it to ashes and ruins. It has been recently recognised by the government with the excavation at the site. === Mansa Temple, Champanagar Tanti Bazar === Mansa Mandir, situated in the old quarters of Champanagar locality is one of the important pilgrimage sites of the city. Dedicated to Goddess Bishari (Mansa), this site is believed to be the place where Chandradhar Saudagar offered puja to the Goddess for the first time. Every year, during 16-18th August, thousands of devotees throng here to commemorate the wedding of Behula and Lakhinder. The temple replicated the scene of Behula- Bishari gatha during the festival. Large sized Manjusha are offered to the Goddess and is submerged in the holy Champa river, near the temple. === 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 came into being is still unknown. Idol of Ma Bhavani can be seen beside the Shivalinga or Lingam. === Shri Champapur Digamber Jain Temple === Champapur is an ancient and historic Teerth Kshetra of Jainism. It 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. Champapur was the capital of Anga Janpada, one of the 52 Janapadas 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’. 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. === 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. Maulana Shahbaz Rahmatullah is considered one of the 40 Sufi saints sent to spread the message of Allah. The Sajjadah Nasheen (direct descendant of the saint) is supposed to spend his