Hajipur is the largest
city and headquarters of Vaishali district of Tirhut Division in Indian state
of Bihar. Hajipur is 11th leading city and 17th most populous city of the
State, making it the second fastest developing city next to Patna. It has a
total population of 4.43 lakh as per census 2011. Vaishali district (also known
as Hajipur district), is ranked 8th on a list of 38 districts in Bihar in terms
of growth.
The city is known for
producing bananas. Patna, the capital of Bihar is only 10 km from Hajipur. The
metropolis of Patna comprises PRDA area, includes Hajipur. Mahatma Gandhi Setu,
one of the longest bridges in the world, links it to Patna. After Patna, it is
the fastest developing city in Bihar, primarily because of its close proximity
to Patna (just 10 km). There has been plans to expand Patna to Greater Patna,
by absorbing Hajipur and other surrounding towns in it.
Hajipur Industrial Area is
a developing Business Hub in the northern part of the state. From 1869 to 2002
Hajipur had Nagar Panchayat as the executive unit which later developed into
the metropolis in the year 2002 and is administered by a Hajipur Municipal
Corporation. The area of Hajipur city spread across 19.64sq. km (7.58 sq mi).
The city is divided into 39 wards. In 1979, a museum was established in
Hajipur, By the Directorate of Archaeology and museum, Bihar.
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.
The plain terrain of city and its nearby places
is famous for banana, Litchi and mango plantations.
Places
of interest
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.
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.
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. organizes
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
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.