7 Best GeoTourism Places to Visit in Bhagalpur City, India
Bhagalpur City is one of the oldest districts of Bihar and is situated in the Ganga basin. It is the 2nd largest city of Bihar by population and is known as the Silk City. The city is surrounded by Gangetic plains and is home to the Gangetic dolphin, the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is established near the town. The city is famous for various cultural heritage and Natural Geotourism destinations.
Vikramshila Hill, Bhagalpur City
Vikramshila Ruins is situated in Kahalgaon sub-division, 38 KM from Bhagalpur. This ancient Vikramshila University was famous as a Centre of learning during the Pala dynasty. King Dharmapala established the university. Two things impressed Dharmapala and motivated him to establish the university; first, the rocky hillock anchored around the confluence of the Kosi and Ganga rivers at Bateshwar place was not only a scenic attraction but also a popular Tantric site. Second, the Ganga here was flowing northwards and as such, the place was a pilgrim center that drew large crowds during Varsavardhana.
Mandar Hill, Bhagalpur City
A panoramic landscape of a 243-meter high granite hill situated 50 KM from Bhagalpur city, is associated with legendry Amrit Manthan or the churning of nectar from the sea. Legend has it that the hill was used by Gods to churn the ocean to procure nectar. Basuki Nag, a holy snake, offered himself to serve as the rope, and the hill has an impression of the coil on it. Puranas also says that while Lord Vishnu covered the Universe in three steps Vamana Avatar put one step at Vishnupad Hill and the other at Mandar Hill.
Shri Champapur Digamber Jain Siddha Kshetra
Shri Champapur Digamber Jain Siddha Kshetra is a Place of Salvation. It is quite an ancient and historic Teerth Kshetra. Shri Champapur Digamber Jain Siddha Kshetra is located in the village of Nathnagar. By road, it is 3.5 km away from Bhagalpur city. Champapur is the only ‘Panch Kalyanaka Kshetra’ in the world that is related to Panch Kalyanaka-Garbha, Janma, Tapa, Gyan and Moksha” of 12th Tirthankara Bhagwan Vasupujya.
The sacred Jain temple is regarded to be the birthplace of the 12th Jain Titrthakar Vasupujya. It is believed that Lord Vasupujya has 5 Kalyanaks all of which had been performed here. Adjacent to the temple is a beautiful Jain Bhawan, which serves as a peaceful accommodation area for the devotees visiting the place.
As Vasupujya grew, so grew his inherent detachment and apathy for mundane affairs. He had no attraction for the regal splendor and grandeur. When he became young his parents wanted him to marry but he declined. He even conveyed that he had no intention of ascending the throne. In spite of all persuasions from his family members, he renounced the worldly life and became a Shraman on the fifteenth day of the dark half of the month of Phalgun along with six hundred other persons.
The intensity of his spiritual practices was so deep that he became omniscient within one month. At that moment he was practicing under a Patal tree in a garden outside Champa town. He established the four-pronged religious ford and preached for a long period. The second Vasudev, Dwiprishtaha, was his devotee. He and his brother Baldev Shrivijay conquered Prativasudev Tark and brought his oppressive rule to an end.
Ajgaibinath Temple, Bhagalpur City
Colganj Rock Cut Temples
The Colganj rock-cut Temples are the main natural attractions of Bhagalpur, Bihar. The rock-cut carvings on these temples are believed to be from the Gupta Period. The carvings in the cave temple depict various Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist deities. Unearthing from towns like Sultanganj and Kahalgaon of Bihar revealed many artistic etchings belonging to the time of the great Emperor Asoka, which are present in these temples. The place is a great spot to know the history and culture of the region. The temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. The monument is centrally funded by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Maharshi Mehi Ashram
Maharshi Mehi Ashram has situated along the riverside on the bank of the Ganga Kuppaghat. Kuppaghat in Bhagalpur city has grown into a sacred spiritual spot for thousands of people as Saint Maharishi spent many years in intense meditation on the inner light and sound. The followers of Maharshi Meh celebrate the occasion of Guru Purnima with great zest and enthusiasm. Lord Sadguru Maharshi Mehi Paramhansji Maharaj was a Sant in the link of Sants like Kabir and Nanak. He had attained perfection and was a God-realized Soul.
Tilka Manjhi, Bhagalpur City
Tilka Majhi was the first Paharia leader who took up the arms against the British in the 1780s. The British surrounded the Tilapore forest from which he operated but he and his men held them at bay for several weeks. When he was finally caught in 1784, he was tied to the tail of a horse and dragged all the way to the collector’s residence at Bhagalpur, Bihar. There, his lacerated body was hung from a Banyan tree. A statue of the heroic leader was erected at the spot after Indian independence, which is the nearby the residence of S.P. Bhagalpur, and named after him “TILKA MANJHI CHOWK”.
Also, Read- Scenic and Attractive location-Gandhi Sagar Dam in the Chambal River
How to Reach
The Bhagalpur railway junction is connected to most of the major cities in India by the railway network. It lies in between the Howrah Kiul loop line which serves Bhagalpur with numerous trains. Bhagalpur is well connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ajmer, Kanpur, Patna, Guwahati, Surat, Jammu Tawi, Munger, Gaya, and other cities. Bhagalpur does not have an airport of its own. If one can wish to travel by air one can take a flight to Patna and thereafter take a taxi to Bhagalpur which will take about 7 hours to cover the distance of 241km via NH 31 and NH 33. Bhagalpur is a well-connected road network.
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