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Bihar, Capital Patna
Area : 173877 sq kms
Population: 86374465
Introduction
Bihar is bound on the north by Nepal, on the east by West Bengal, on the west by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and on the south by Orissa. The name 'Bihar' is derived from 'Vihara', meaning monastery. Bihar has been a great religious centre for Hindus, Jains and most importantly, the Buddhists.
History
The region subsequently formed part of the Mauryan Empire and then part of the Gupta Empire. Seized by the Muslims in the 12th century AD, it was held by them until 1497, after which it was annexed by the kings of Delhi. The British acquired Bihar in 1765 and merged it with Bengal. Bihar formed part of the province of Bihar and Orissa from 1912 until 1936, when it became a separate province. It became a state when India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947.
Geography
The topography of Bihar can be easily described as : (1) a fertile alluvial plain occupying the north, the Genetic Valley; and (2) a rocky, incredibly mineral rich plateau in the south, the Chhotanagpur Plateau. The northern plain extends from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to a few miles south of the river Ganges as it flows through the State from the west to the east. The Chhotanagpur plateau occupies roughly 1/3rd of the south, extending up to the southern border with Orissa.
Places of Interest
Bodh Gaya
Near Gaya in Bihar is a Buddhist centre of pilgrimage. It contains the famous ancient temple, near the Bodhi tree, under which Buddha got enlightenment. Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world. Apart from being a significant archaeological site, it is also a vital Buddhist centre.
Nalanda contains the ruins of many Buddhist temples and monasteries.
Sasaram is famous on the account of the magnificent tomb of Sher Shah Suri , emperor of Delhi.
Gaya
Bihar has some of the most sacred Buddhist and Hindu shrines. Gaya is one of the most important pilgrimage places for the Hindus. It is believed that a Hindu will reach heaven if his last rites are offered under the celebrated 'Akshayabat' or immortal banyan tree, standing in the yard of Vishnupad temple. Believed to be built on the footsteps of Vishnu, the grand temple was renovated by Ahalyabai, queen of Indore.
Flora & Fauna
Among the wildlife, notable are: deer, bears, numerous species of birds, including the peacock, pheasant, and wild fowl, and most notably, the tiger. The forest around Hazaribag is one of the last remaining refuge of this highly endangered species.
The forests of Bihar yield valuable commercial products besides the timber. Leaves of some trees are used in the manufacture of an indigenous product for smoking, i.e., the bidi. A resinous material secreted by the lac insect is valuable commercially. It is the source of shellac. Also, bangles made of lac are very popular among women of Bihar. The silkworm is the source of magnificent silk - characteristically, the tusser or tussah silk.
Rivers and Lakes
Major Crops
The principal food grains of Bihar are paddy, wheat, maize and pulses. Main cash crops include sugarcane, potato, tobacco, oilseeds, onion, chilies, jute and mesta
Weather and Climate
January temperatures average 11° to 24°C (52° to 75°F), while temperatures in May, the hottest month of the year, average 27° to 39°C (81° to 102°F). Bihar averages more than 1,100 mm (43 in) of rain annually, with 95 percent falling during the rainy season between June and September
People
One can find tribal as well as non-tribal people in the state. The non-tribal group belong to various castes, prominent among which are: kayasthas, bhumihars, rajputs, and the so-called backward castes - yadavs, koeris, musahars, chamars, and others.
The aborigines belong to various tribes, among which are: santhals, mundas, oraons, and others.
Religion
More than 80 percent of Bihar's inhabitants are Hindu. Muslims and Christians also reside in the state.
Festivals
The majority of people are Hindu. So all traditional Hindu festivals are observed - Holi, Saraswati Puja, Durga Puja or Dessera, Deepavali, Bhaiya Dooj etc. But there is one festival that is uniquely associated with Bihar, and that is the festival of Chhath.
Chhath
Mostly the people of North Bihar observe this festival. It is devoted to the worship of the Sun God. It is, therefore, also known as SuryaShashti. It is one of the holiest festivals for biharis and extends to four days. On day 1, the devotees take a cleansing dip - preferably in the holy river Ganges - and bring river water to prepare the offerings. On day 2, a fast is observed for the whole day and in late evening, the devotees, after a pooja at home, break their fast. The offerings -typically porridge of rice, puris (deep fried puffs of wheat flour) and bananas - are shared among family and visiting friends and relatives. Day 3 is spent in the preparation of offerings at home during the day. In the evening the devotees move to a river bank with the entire family and friends. There the offerings are made to the setting sun. At nightfall, the devotees along with the family and friends return home where another colorful celebration takes place. Under a canopy of sugar cane sticks, clay elephants containing earthen lamps, and containers full of the offerings, are placed. There the fire god is worshipped. Day 4, in the morning a procession of the devotees, family and friends, move to the riverbank. Offerings are made to the rising sun. At the completion of the offerings, there is great celebration. The devotees break their fast and the rich offerings are made available to the family, friends and relatives.
Kartik purnima and the sonepur fair
The month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar is especially important. It is in this month that the major religious festivals occur, namely Dassera (or Durga Puja), Deepavali, and Chhath. It is a month, like Lent for Christians, when penance is observed. The end of the month, Purnima (or full moon), is therefore a great joyous occasion (not much different than Mardi Gras!) On this day a ritual bath is taken in the holy river Ganges, or any other river. Sonepur, a river town and important railroad junction, situated across the river from Patna at the confluence of the rivers Gandak and Ganges, is of special importance. A huge fair is held here at this time which is the largest fair of its kind in the world, for it is a fair specially for the trade of animals. Cattle, horses, camels and elephants can be seen in large numbers. It attracts a huge number of people, not only from all over Bihar, but also from other parts of India and foreign countries.
Language
The official language in Bihar is Hindi, which is spoken by more than 90 percent of the population. The Bihari group of languages (Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi) is also spoken. Hindi is by far the most common language of the state, understood by all. There is a significant number of Bengali speaking people also. In addition people speak many dialects in different regions. Of all the dialects and languages, only Maithili can be classified as a distinct and uniquely Bihari language.
Handicrafts
Bihar boasts of an enviable wealth of rural handicrafts comprising of hand - painted wall hangings, wooden stools, miniatures in paper and leaves, stone pottery, bamboo and leather goods, and appliqué work. But Bihar's most famous and fascinating indigenous art forms, by far, are its Madhubani paintings. This art is a strict monopoly of the women of Mithila. Done in primary colours of natural origin on paper and cloth, they narrate mythological and religious events.
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