Bhagalpur

Bhagalpur, also called Champa Nagari in the past, is a city in Bihar, India. It is located on the southern side of the Ganges River and is the third biggest city in Bihar. It is the main city of Bhagalpur district and division.

Bhagalpur is famous for making silk, so people call it the "Silk City." The Indian government has included it in the Smart Cities Mission for better development. After Patna, it is the only place in Bihar with three big colleges: IIT Bhagalpur, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, and TMBU, along with an agriculture university. A new university, Vikramshila Central University, is being built near the old ruins of Vikramshila Mahavihara.

The Bhagalpur Railway Station connects the city to other places. The Ganges River near Bhagalpur is home to the Gangetic dolphin, which is India's national aquatic animal. There is a special protected area called Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary to help keep the dolphins safe.

Bhagalpur has big celebrations, including the largest Manasa Puja and one of the biggest Kali Puja processions in the region. These events are important cultural traditions.^[8]

The Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) is a large stork, connected to the mythical bird Garuda. Bhagalpur in Bihar has the second-largest Rescue and Rehabilitation area for this endangered species. Their population declined because of habitat loss, pollution, hunting, and egg collection.^[9]

The birds were first seen breeding in Bihar in 2007, when they nested on a silk cotton tree in the Ganga-Diara area. Before that, they had never been recorded breeding in Bihar. In 2006, a team from Mandar Nature Club saw 42 of these birds in the region for the first time. Their numbers grew over the next few years, increasing from 78 to over 500. Today, Bhagalpur is one of only three places where Greater Adjutants are found, alongside Cambodia and Assam.^[9]

The greater adjutant is an endangered species, listed on the IUCN Red List and protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. It is a large stork with a bald pink head, a thick yellow bill, and a long hanging neck pouch. The white neck ruff contrasts with its dark grey body, making it resemble a vulture. Its wings have pale grey edges, while young birds have darker wings, a narrower bill, and thicker feathers on the head and neck. This bird can grow up to 145–150 cm (about three feet) in length and stand between four to five feet tall.^[10]

As of the 2011 census, Bhagalpur's urban area had a population of 410,210, making it the third-largest city in Bihar. Among them, 218,284 were men and 191,926 were women. The city had 55,898 children aged 0 to 6 years. In terms of literacy, 286,125 people could read and write—160,720 men and 125,405 women. The overall literacy rate for people aged 7 and above was 80.76%, with men at 84.95% and women at 75.95%.^[4]

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.^[12]

Bhagalpur is an important location where Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal meet. Historically, it was the capital of Anga Pradesh and played a key role in independence under Tilkamanjhi. Over time, the region has become a center for different languages and cultures. Many communities, including Biharis, Bengalis, Marwaris, Muslims, Santalis, and Pahadis, live here, making it a diverse and culturally rich area.

However, Angika language is primarily spoken in the district.^[13] Apart from Angika, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu and Santhali are prominent languages of the region.^[14] It is a multilingual district and has been a centre of development for many languages during the ancient era in the Vikramshila University.

Bhagalpur has a deep cultural heritage that has lasted for centuries. The ancient city, once known as Champanagari, is famous for its silk industry and trade. It thrives in its festivals, art, food, and commerce, reflecting its cultural richness.

The region follows the "Aangi" or "Angika" traditions, which add to its unique identity. It is home to a diverse community, blending different customs and traditions. As an important center in Anga, later Bengal, and now Bihar, Bhagalpur has embraced, respected, and promoted various cultures, preserving its historical and cultural richness.

Kali Puja is one of the most significant festivals in Bhagalpur and the surrounding region. On Deepawali, many Kali temples and Puja Mandaps are beautifully decorated to honor Goddess Kali. After the Puja, the Murti Bisarjan (idol immersion) procession is so grand that it takes 36 hours to complete one major phase.

The Shobhayatra (procession) of Bhagalpur Kali Puja marked its 71st year in 2024, highlighting its long-standing cultural tradition in the Anga region. The post-Puja procession is considered an intangible cultural treasure of the city, showcasing the deep devotion and rich heritage of Bhagalpur.^[15]

Manasa Puja, also called "Bishari Puja," is a traditional folk festival in Bhagalpur, once known as Champanagari or Champaknagari, the capital of Anga Mahajanapada. The festival honors Maa Mansa, the Guardian Goddess, and her renunciation.

Every year, the city also celebrates the legendary wedding of Behula and Lakhinder during the puja, reflecting the deep cultural and mythological roots of the region.^[16]

In medieval Bengali literature, particularly in Mansamangal, Behula is portrayed as both a heroine and a goddess. Between the 13th and 18th centuries, many works were created based on her story, originally meant to emphasize the importance of Goddess Manasa. However, these stories became more famous for showcasing the deep devotion and love between Behula and her husband, Lakhinder (Lakhander or Lakshinder).

During Manasa Puja, local women sing folk songs in Angika and offer Manjusha—special decorative offerings—to the Goddess. Interestingly, this tale is not just seen as mythology. There are reports that the metal house built by Vishvakarma under Chand Saudagar’s order to protect Behula and Lakhinder from snake bites can still be seen when heavy rains occur in the region.^[17]

There are many rivers which cross the Bhagalpur Border. They are:-

1. Ganga River- The Ganga is the most Scared River in India, It Flows through Bhagalpur.
2. Kosi River: The Koshi River, also known as the "Sorrow of Bihar," is a major river that flows near Bhagalpur.
3. Ghaghara River: The Ghaghara River, also called the Karmali River, is another significant river in the region.
4. Gandak River: The Gandak River, also known as the Narayani River, flows through parts of Bihar, including Bhagalpur.
5. Chanan River-: An important river which flows through Bhagalpur and Banka Districts of Bihar, the adjoining area is known as Chanan Basin and is famous for the Katarni Rice.

• Ashok Kumar – Hindi Indian movie actor.
• Ashwini Kumar Choubey – BJP politician. Ex health minister of Bihar.
• Ajit Sharma – Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly from Bhagalpur constituency.
• Bhagwat Jha Azad – Former Chief minister of Bihar.
• Dibyendu Palit – Bengali writer
• Francis David Millet Brown-British Indian Army officer
• George Francis Brown - East India Company, and Commissioner of Bhagalpur
• George Heenan - New Zealand cricketer, schoolteacher and geologist.
• Lutfur Rahman – Urdu poet
• Mehi - saint
• Neha Sharma – Hindi & South-Indian movie actress.^[18]
• Raj Kamal Jha – Chief Editor, The Indian Express; author and novelist.
• Sanjay Jha – Former CEO of Global Foundries.
• Saratchandra Chattopadhyay – Famous Bengali novelist. The novel Srikanth is based on Bhagalpur.
• Suchitra Bhattacharya – Acclaimed Indian novelist was born in Bhagalpur on 10 January 1950.
• Syed Shahnawaz Hussain – BJP leader.
• Tilka Manjhi – First Santhal freedom fighter.

• India Post East Region Bhagalpur
• Zonal Accounts Office, CBDT (Bhagalpur)
• State Bank of India
• Bank of India
• Union Bank of India
• UCO Bank
• Indian Bank (Allahabad Bank)
• Punjab National Bank Circle Office
• Airtel Zonal Office
• LIC Divisional Office
• Bihar School Examination Board
• Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority(BIADA)
• Bihar State Pollution Control Board
• Employees' Provident Fund Organisation(EPFO) Sub-Regional Office, Bhagalpur
• MSME office Bhagalpur
• Regional Forensic science laboratory
• Regional Water Treatment Laboratory
• Regional Dairy Development Office
• National Career Service(NCS) Regional office
• Environment And Forest Division Bhagalpur