BARABAR Caves Gaya , Bihar

BARABAR PAHAR / CAVES / HILL 25 2’ 21”:: 85 2’30”

Continent---Asia.

Country—India

State—Bihar

District—Jahanabad

2515’:; : 84 58’(Bela 2455’: :84 55’)

Distance from Patna-65 km.

Distance from country capital Delhi—1050 km

APPROACH over the location—The site can be approached by

rail from Gaya to Bela or Makhdupur , From there one can reach the site bytravelling 10 kms on road by own vehicle or hired conveyance.

Local language-Hindi and Magahi.

Stay—There is arrangement of stay at site in government rest house

Food-Lunch and dinner may not be available suitable to the visitors except snacks and tea. So own arrangement has to be

made for this.The Indian style rice pulse subji litti etc may be had at Bela. Local shops would generally short services. Govt rest house would provide food, if booked and required.

DRINK—Sweet water is availab for drinking purposes. Soft drink like Pepsi and Cocacola Satu drink,Cane juice etc are available as per season .Among the hard drink English bear etc on limited scale.

Local transport—Services of only time bound mini buses and Jeep trackers along with horse cart like Tam-tam and Eckkas can be availed from Makhdumpur and Bela.

About the site—There is much to see and enjoy . As the name indicates Barabar pahar is a hilly spot with green vegetation and different rock structures to sooth the eyes. Patalganga falling water fountain and its pond(kund) is to be seen and enjoyed, Sidheswar nath temple of Lord Shiva is on the up slope of where water of patal ganga is poured by devotees and worshipers .

There are seven caves in the foot hill .They are called satgharwas . Lomas rishi (saint) narrator of Ramayan like Kak bhusundi lived here. Figures of elephant can be seen carved on the celing of caves.

One cave is called Sudama cave .Opposite to this is a cave 10’ high and 33’long . CIt is called Karn kijhopri. Its wallets are 6’ wide. Anotherbigger cave is called duniakachat. Satgharwa caves cover an area of 500x170’ . Emperor Ashoka modified and maintained these caves for dweling and meditation of saints, sadhus and rishis.Vaidachic andVapyachic caves were built by Dasrath eldest son of Ashoka in 237 AD.Nagarjun hill is 1km east of Barabar pahar.

Hematite and Magnetite iron ore rich rocks are found here. Iscription on stones inBrahmi and Pali language of Budhist period are also seen near the caves.

A children park is also there to entertain the visitors, especially children.

Mythological-It was capital town of Banasur , King of Magagh in Mahabharat time.With lapse of time Banabar pahar became Barabar pahar .

Nearest river- Falgu river.

Height above sea level-1023’.

Other near about site—Vishnupad temple and other sites at Gaya.

Visiting period—Being conneced by pucca and pitch road the site can be visited in all twelve months of the year. However, dry periods from October to April is suitable and advisable.

Precaution—Naxal affected area.

Guide—District information office and tourist information office may be contacted.

Package tour—Available local tour agencies at Patna and Gaya.

Remarks for future prospect—With rich establishment of natural, historical, and archaeological resources and good connectivity the area has good future prospect.

BAIKATPUR: Bihar

BAIKATH PUR - 2531’30’’:: 85 29’ ‘

Continent---Asia

Country India

State-Bihar

Dist—Patna

Distance from the Country Capital Delhi 1030 km

Pincode 803205

STD code –0612

HASL—

Nearest river – The Ganges.

Approach-It is located at 22km on NH 30 from state capital Patna.So one can arrive here by Rail air or high ways from the other part of the country.Nearest rail head Fatuha is at a distance of about 5kms from the site

Local language—Hindi and Magahi

Lodging and stay ---Short arrangement of stay close to the premises are managed by the pandas (priest) and the management committees..Middle class hotels a few in number are available at Fatuha.However, one can stay in lodging of choice at Patna and manage his visit to the place.

Food—Village type roadside or foot path hotels in hutment are available .They serve local Hindustani specialy bihari rice pulse su bji litti chokha,jalebi puri tea.biscuit.A little improved variety of food can be had at Fatuha.Food of choice can be had at Patna

Drink- Sweet water for general drinking purposes is available. Besides, variety of

Soft and hard drinks of branded company are also available.

Local transport-Luxury buses plying on NH30 from Patna Bus Stand to Bakhtiarpur are available for to and fro movement Besides, Autos and trecker, jeeps and mini bus from Agam kuan Bus Stand to Fatuha and Bakhtiarpur are also quick means of transport.

About the site----The site concerned is mainly religious. There is big old temple of Lord Shiva. Importance of this temple is that Shiv and Shiva(Parvati) both are jointly worshiped in one Shivling. Formerly the temple was situated on the southern bank of the Ganges. Now, the Ganges has receded about 5kms north. A saint always remained on a boat in the water of the Ganges. Management has constructed great cemented boat and temple in his memory on the Samadhi of the saint. New tourist, visitors, pilgrims devotees and worshipers are introduced to this as temple of Naiea baba Temple premises have adequate arrangement for rituals like marriage cremoney, mundan and other local festivities.

Mythological—Local say goes that temple existed since Mahabharat time and the king Jarasandh used to worship this shivling

Visiting period- The site can be visited in all twelve months of the year.

Festive season --Shivratri and Durga Puja etc

PAWAI - Aurangabad : Bihar

PAWAI—24:35’:: 84:15”

Continent—Asia

Country—India

State-Bihar

District—Aurangabad

Distance from the national capital Delhi—958 km

Distance from the state capital Patna—134 km

Pin code—813125

STD code o6186(A,Bad).

HASL 1350”

Nearest River—Batane.

Approach over the location—The area mentioned is an old kashba of zamindar riasat of Pawai Raj.It can be approached by road covering a distance of about 8 kms.

Language—Hindi and Magahi in general.

Lodging-One g0vt dak bunglow, rest shelter houses of Pawai raj.

Food - rice pulse, sabjee chokha ,chapatti(bread) litti etc.

Drink—Sweet water available for drinking, other drinks also available on advance request.

Local transport - Only a few cycle rickshaw Reserved auto rickshaws and time bound trecker ,jeep and small bus services from A,bad.

About the site—The site is as scenic beauty spot created by isolated conical hill of Chotangpur granite. This is also called Bhairopur hillor Jhunjhuna Pahar in extended lower foot hill towards Daltongang road .

Speciality about it is that it has one big boulder midway on up slope, which gives

metallic sound on hammering. Mythological say is that it is an artificial boulder in which Gems and jewelries of old king of the area has been sealed. Trial drilling has not been done because if nothing comes out it will incur heavy expenditure for the party.So mystery remains mystery and attraction for tourism.Because such Mythological story also for few other hillocks in Bihar. It has ponds and kunds and spring making it suitable for tourist and picnic spot.

Besides, there is a thakurbari temle in memory of king Nagendra narayan singh.Another pond exist by the side of the roadline NE of this hillock, where chath and other festivities are clebrated .A Sun temple by the side othe river bank is in offing

Other nearby site—The Durga temple in Amba on Daltonganj road .

PRECAUTION—Not much but general precaution of tourism is to be taken .

GUIDE—District information office is to be contacted.

FURTHER PROSPECT and REMARKS—Being close to the two nati0nal high ways the site has good prospect for development as retreat and resort provided electricity is improved.

ASPURA SUN TEMPLE , Bihta: Bihar

ASPURA SUN TEMPLE

PATNA

Continent -Asia

Country- India

State- Bihar

Distance from national capital Delhi-

Distance from State capital Patna-

Pin code

Stdcode

HASL

River - Son

APPROACH --The site area can be approached by railways and roadways. Nearest railway station is Bihta the block headquarter.

Language—Hindi and Magahi.

Lodging--Rest shelters at temple premises .Small hotels at Bihta Railway rest shed at Bihta railway station

Food—Rice pulse,sabji,bhujia,chapatti etc with non veg preparation , samosa, nimki,jalebi,kachauri as breakfast snaks

Drink-Sweet water is available for drinking purposes

Local transport—Cycle rickshaw,auto rikshaws on hire charge system are only local conveyance

ABOUT THE SITE –The site is a temple of the Sun god established about 25 to 30 years ago by the local people of Aspura It is one of the popular Sun temple of Patna district

FESTIVITY-Fair organised during time of Chath puja

AGAM KUAN - PATNA : Bihar

AGAM KUAN-PATNA 2536::8508’

Continent - Asia

Country- India

State - Bihar

Distance from national capital

Delhi - 1000km

Distance from state capital Patna

- 0

Pin code - 800001

Std code - 0612

Hasl-

Approach- Being located at State capital Patna it is connected by ro

ad, rail and air by other important cities of India.

Language – Hindi , Magahi , Bhojpuri Partialy, English in literate society , Bengali and urdu also partly.

Stay- High , Middle and low class hotel, Rest House, Lodge , Dakbunglow , Dharamsala, etc. are available on moderate and affordable rent.

Food- Hindustani Bihari, Rice , pols litti-chokha, Dosa Idli

alongwith fast food, Veg and non veg both types of food are available.

Drinking – Sweet Drinking water is available in plenty.

Local Transport- Tourist Bus, Auto, Rickshaw, Tamtam, Town Bus service etc.

ABOUT THE SITE- The site as mention is a Dug Well , which is more than 20ft in diamts. With indefinite depth.

There is local say that the Great King Ashoka dipped and dropped the bodies of his 99 captives or his brothers. In the same courtyard is Shitla Mandir, where deity Durga is worshipped in form of seven sisters. Mentally sick persons are also cured here by Ojhas and Jogi and ghosts freed from their body are packed in glass jars of requisite size and shape and dropped and placed in Agam Kuan.

Attached Site- Shitla Mandir is attached religious site.

Nearest River Site – The Ganga Flows above 3 km north of this sight.

Nearest Next Site –

(1) Kumhrar - Excavation site of fort of Emperor Ashoka is about 2 kms west of Agam Kuan

(2) Jinnati Masjid.

AGNUR : Bihar

AGNUR (DHADHICHAN BIGAHA)

Continent - Asia

Country - India

State -Bihar

District- Aurangabad

Distance from the country capital Delhi --943 km

Distance from the state capital Patna—83km

Pin code - 824113

STD code -6328

(Daudnagar)HASL 309’

Approach over the location---The site is lcated 8 kms north of Daudnagar(25:5’::84:24’) It can be reached by railways up to Anugrah Narayan road railway station by railways. Then one has to take up local transport journey by auto or jeep etc up to Daudnagar , a distance of 28 kms.Then further broken journey of 8 kms by another vehicle up to AGNUR.

Language - Hindi and Magahi .

Lodging -Rest shelter of the departmental staff,lower middle class hotels at Daudnagar .

FOOD—Indian style rice ,pulse subjee ,chapatti (bread) litti chokha meat fish sweet snack etc at Daudnagar.

Local transport—Auto rickshw and cycle rickshaw.

ABOUT THE SITE- The site is a hydroelectric power project of the state government on the river Son. Beauty of small colonial township between hap hazard village establishment attracts tourist eyes. Besides, it has constructional aspects of hydroelectricprojects like dam overflow sluice gates etc to show to the visitors.

Visiting period--- All twelve month

Precaution- Naxal affected area.

Guide---District information office at A,Bad may be contacted

ADBHUTNATH TEMPLE : Bihar

ADBHUT NATH TEMPLE

Continent—Asia

Country—India

State-Bihar

District—Sitamarhi

Distance from the country capital Delhi—1125km via Patna the state capital .

Postal Pin code –8433o1

STD code - 0662

APPROACH—The area can be approached by railway and highways both from other part of the country.

Language—Hindi in general . Maithili and Bhojpuri occasionally on social requirements.

LODGING—Few middle class hotel and rest houses and dak bunglaws are available. Dharam shalas and shelter houses can also be had.

FOOD-Hindustani specially north bihar style Chura, dahi(curd) and fish. Besides, rice pulse ,sabji chokha are all available on moderate charges.

DRINK—Drinking water is available easily.All other types of drinks are available on requirement.

LOCAL TRANSPORT—Cycle rickshaw ,auto rickshaws ,horse cart,and time bound local buses are available for local movement.

ABOUT THE SITE—It is temple of Lord Shiva situated 4km SW of Sitamarhi town.The temple is 2kms SW of Punauradham the birth place of the Goddes Sita in Anhari village .

Local mythology is that the Shivling was dropped here from air in 1288..The temple has its own campus premises spread over in an area of 14 bighas. There is a pond also close to the temple.Festive seasons are Shivratri, Basant panchmi and chaturdasi

PRECAUTION—Geneal precaution about the valuables and jewelries etc is to be maintained while visiting the temple

GUIDE—Tahlu of the temple Mr Jinis Mandal and his family members are only available to tell about the details of the temple.

Height above sea level—

Nearest river--

VISITING PERIOD –All twelve months

OTHER NEARBY SITES—Punauradham, the birth place of Godess Sita

ARANYA DEVI : Bihar

ARANYA DEVI

Continent-Asia.

Country-India

State- Bihar

Dist-Ara 25:33::84:40.

Distance from country capital Delhi-950km

Postal Pin code –802301

STD code-06182

Approach—The site area located near Shishmal Chowk of Ara can be approached by rail and road from rest of the country .

Language-Generally Hindi and Bhojpuri is spoken .

LODGING - Middle class hotel;rest houses.dakbunglaws, dharamsalas, stay lodges are available.

FOOD—North Indian style rice pulse subjee puri jalebi, roti chokha litee samosa etc all can be had in local hotel and restaurant.

DRINK—Sweet water is available for drinking purposes. Besides, one can also have Cane juice and branded soft drinks like Pepsi Coca cola,Sprite,Spice,Fruity, Rasana etc . Hard drinks Like,brandy ,wine, etc are available as per requirement.

LOCAL TRANSPORT -Auto-rickshaw, cycle rikshaw, limited local buses and horse cart are the main local conveyance in the area.

ABOUT THE SITE—The site as the name goes is the temple of a deity named Aranya devi.The township of Ara derives its name from the names of this deity. It is 51^stspot of the power worshipers. Mythological expression goes that Ram and Lakshman while going to Janakpur in taking part in dhanus ygya organized by king Janak for marriage of his daughter Sita, worshiped this goddess along with their teacher Vishwamitra.

Another mythological story is that in Dwaper erra (yug) lord Krishna along with his friend Arjuna went to king Mordhwaj the king of that area to test the devotion of the king towards Him LordKrishna. He asked one arm of king’s son for the diet of the lion with them.

The king and the queen prepared for cutting the arm of their son byAra(a wood cutting machine).The Lord became pleased and the almighty appeared in the Aranya devi and blessed them.

PAURANIC—The site finds description in the MatasyaPuran of the Hindu scripture where it is described that this is the place of confluence of the Ganges and the Son rivers.The left hip portion of the Goddess Sati’s burnt body fell down here which became a shakti pith.

GEOGRAPHICAL—The site is geographically important as it marks the confluence of two important rivers. Geo-Physical features, river pirary meanders ,formation of ox bow lakes etc can be studied here. Engineering problem like search for ground water resources can also be taken up in such area.

Nearest river ---Son .

Height above the sea level--

Other sites nearby—Jain temples and their establishments

Visiting period –All the twelve months.

Photograph— Available and allowed.

Precaution-Not much Guide—District information office may be contacted.

AMI/AMBIKA DEBI - Bihar

AMI/AMBIKA DEBI—25:37”:: ; 85:30”

Continent – Asia

Country—India

State—Bihar Dist.-Siwan(Chapra) .Distance from the country capital Delhi-1830 km-via Varanasi by rail .Postal pin code 841301

.STDcode o6152

Approach—The site area can be approached by rail as wel as road. journey up -to Dighwara railway station on Sonpur –Chapra rail line can be taken from any part of the country. From where a distance of about 5 km is to be covered on local transport like jeep , cycle rickshaw ,or auto rickshaw,horse cart etc.

Language-Generally hindi and bhojpuri is spoken

Stay: Only dharamshala(shelter house)is available in temple premises .

Food—Bihari style food with mixed maithil and bhojpuri taste,rice.dal,subjee chura,dahi and satu etc.are available in pass way line hotels and motels .Drinking water

Sweet water is available for drinking purposes.Local transport—Cycle rickshaw auto rickshaw and horse carts are local transport in general.Jeep and auto rickshaws can be reserved from Chapra

ABOUT THE SITE--The temple of Durga and the site here concerns

the story of the Durga deity as described in Durga saptsati/ Markanday puran that she appeared before king Surat and Vaisya(businessman) .Mythologically this is the area of the Megha rishi ashram.They were preached by the rishi toworship goddess durga They made Earthen statue of the goddess on the bank of the Ganges and worshiped with full faith. The goddess was pleased and appeared before them and blessed them to be free from the illusion of the world.That is why the symbolic statue of the deity Durga is represented here in the temple by Kacha Earthen mound .

The temple campus is spread over in an area of 15 bigha of land. The earthen mound ofstatue is 5’ high and stands on 4’x 4’ square platform Asmallkund(ditch) is there near the earthen mound statue.This ditch is masical in the sense that it always contains water in it .The height of the water surface level remains always constant. The bottom of the ditch can be touched by hand drop.This way the depth or the kund can be imagined that it is very shallow.Amount of watermore than capacity of the volume the ditch whendropped in it does not over flow.It is immediattlly sucked by the sub surface geostructure of the ditch and it maintains its original water surface level immediately.

AZGAIBINATH - Bihar

AZGAIBINATH: 25⁰ 16’ : 86⁰45’

COUNTRY: India, Continent: Asia

STATE: Bihar, Dist: Bhagalpur

Distance from National Capital Delhi: 1233 Km

STD code:0641

Pin code: 813213

APPROACH: It can be approached by road, river ways and railway up to Sultaanganj then river sand water crossing for walking distance.

LANGUAGE: Hindi and Angika, English is spoken by educated people.

LODGING: Middle class hotel, Dharamsala and lodges are available.

FOOD: East Indian; boiled rice, chapatti, puri, dal , sabjee litti, chokha, chatni (Indian sauce)

DRINKING WATER: Drinking water is available, however the taste is less sweet. RO systems are trying to solve the problem.

LOCAL TRANSPORT: Auto rickshaw, cycle rickshaw, horse wagon etc.

ABOUT THE SITE: The site is temple of lord Shiva on river island of the river Ganges. Unique about the site is that it is made up of granite rocksand Rajmal trap on which the temple is situated. It is a place where the Ganges turns towards north. According to Hindu philosophy and belief the Ganges water becomes more pious at such place. That is why a system of worship of Lord Shiva, by taking water of the Ganges at Sultanganj in metallic or earthen water jars or vessels attached with a wooden bamboo and pouring it on Shivlinga at Baidyanathdham or Deoghar is prevalent. This water carrying instrument as a whole is known as Kawar and the person who carries it is known as Kawaria. This ritual is followed enthusiastically in the month of Shawan (rainy season). The kawaria covers the distance of more than 100 kms on foot while observing this ritual.

Other nearby sites--- Jahnwi ashram According to mythology one saint Jahnwi used to meditate near the site . Whenthe ganges was following Bhagirath on her way of flow towards Ganga sagar near the ashram (convent) of Saint Kapil to give solace to his burnt ancestors, Jahnwi”s meditation was disturbed. so he drank the whole ganges. Bhagirath again sat on tapasya (religious meditation and immediately got Ganges released. The saint (rishi Jahanwi) then exited ganga through his thighs. So one of the name of the Ganges is Jahnwi.

MURALI PAHAR

This is another site at Sultanganj. A mosque is situated at the top of the hill.

Tunnel and caves—Remnants of tunnel and caves can be seen on both Ajgaibinath and the Murali Pahar hill where saints used to meditate . Four stone statues and idols—of Hindu and jain gods are frequently seen on both the hills. Five Inscriptions on stone—Inscription probably in Pali script and the same language is also seen frequently on the stone slabs.

Visiting period-All months of the year

Festive season: Shrawan or July-august

Photograph—Allowed and available

Precaution –Official tourist guides are not available. Government representatives of tourist department can be contacted, as Bhagalpur