Bhagalpur (official and romanised name), 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 the Government of India. It is the only district in Bihar after capital city Patna where three major higher educational institutions, IIIT Bhagalpur, TMBU, and Agriculture University (BAU) are located. 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 important part of the cultural heritage of the region.
Geography 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 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.
Climate
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 the 7+ population is 80.76%, of which the male literacy rate is 84.95% and the women's rate is 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% adherents. 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 number of Biharis, Bengalis, Marwaris, Muslims, Santhalis, and Pahadiyas reside in the region, making it a language and cultural hub.
The 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 festivals, 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 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, popularly known as "Bishari Puja", is a folk festival of Bhagalpur, started from Champapuri, 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 centuries, many works based on this story were produced. 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 sing folk songs 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 big festival celebrated with 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 lights, welcoming the beloved deity of the students, teachers, and artisans.
Durga Puja
Durga Puja is celebrated in Bhagalpur with pomp and show. Both the Aangi- Bihari and Bengali communities celebrate 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 include 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 spend time 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 the Anga region. It is a new year festivity celebrated during 14–15 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, and Bhaat 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, and "Mahabisuba Sankranti" of Odisha.
Local Attraction
Vikramshila Mahavihara Vikramshila Mahavihara's ruins have 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 ash and ruin. 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 16–18 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.
Dharhara
Dharhara village, located at Naugachia of Bhagalpur, is known for a local tradition in which at least ten fruit-bearing trees, primarily mango and lychee, are planted upon the birth of every girl child. This custom, which has led to the village being called the "Reformist Village," has increased the tree canopy. Visitors come to see these orchards which also serve as economic security for the daughters, and experience the Angika culture centered around the ancient Thakurbari Temple and the Sonaiya Pokhar lake managed by Thakurbari Temple Trust.
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, 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'.