Begusarai is the administrative headquarters of Begusarai district, which is one of the thirty-eight districts of the Indian state of Bihar. The district lies on the northern bank of river Ganga in Mithila region of Bihar. It is part of the Munger division.
Geography
Topography
Begusarai is located at 25.42°N 86.13°E. It has an average elevation of 41 metres (134 feet). Begusarai lies in North Bihar and is surrounded by Khagaria in North-East, Munger in South-East, Patna in West and Samastipur in North-West.
Begusarai lies in the middle of the mid Ganga plain and generally has low lying terrain with South to South Easterly slope. Begusarai is basically divided in three flood plains namely :1) Ganga Flood Plain 2) Burhi Gandak Flood plain 3) Kareha-Bagmati Flood Plain.
Flora and fauna
In 1989 Begusarai district became home to the Kanwar jheel Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary Wildlife Sanctuary, which has an area of 63 km2 (24.3 sq mi).
Demographics
As per 2011 census Begusarai Municipal Corporation had a total population of 251,136, out of which 133,931 were males and 117,205 were females with sex ratio at 875. The population younger than 5 years of age was 37,966. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 79.35%.
Politics
Begusarai had traditionally been a communist stronghold and was once referred to as the “Leningrad of Bihar”. It is karmabhoomi of the Great freedom fighter, first chief minister and architect of modern Bihar Dr. Shrikrishna Sinha alias Sri Babu.
Economy
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. The main cash crops of the Begusarai district are oilseeds, aniseed/ tisi, tobacco, jute, potato, red chilies, tomato and rape-seed. In Fruits Farming Begusarai has recently become a major contributor in producing Litchi, Mango, Guava and Banana. Recently Basil Leaves and Pearl farming has attracted local farmers.
Even today, only Barauni refinery contributes around Rs 500 crore to the state exchequer yearly. Begusarai also has its own Airport in Begusarai Ulao. Begusarai has second highest per capita income in financial year 2019–20 in Bihar after Patna.
Culture
The culture of Begusarai defines the cultural heritage of Mithilanchal. Begusha is a famous Mithila painting made by the people of Begusarai. Begusarai is also famous for Simaria fair, which is a fair of devotional significance every year during the month of Kartik according to the Indian Panchang (usually during November). Men and women in Begusarai are very religious and dress according to festivals as well. The costumes of Begusarai represent the rich traditional culture of Mithila.Panjabi kurta and dhoti with a red Bengali gamchha covering their head are common clothing among men.He wears a “Gold ring” in his nose and “Balla” in his wrist.In the Ancient time there was no Colour option was found in Begusarai so that was the time when women of Begusarai worn White and Yellow Saree with red Border by Calling it Laal-Paara,but now in Current days they have a lot of Verity and Colour option.In present time they wearing “Laal-Paara” (the traditional Maithili Saree) on some special Occasion. And the women of Begusarai also wear “Shakha-Pola” with lahthi in their hand. In Mithila culture, it means new beginnings, passion and prosperity.Red also represents the Hindu goddess Durga, a symbol of new beginnings and feminine power. During Chhaith, the women of Begusarai wear pure cotton dhoti without stitching which reflects the Pure traditional culture of Mithilanchal.Usually crafted from pure cotton for daily use and from pure silk for more glamorous occasions, traditional attire for the women of Begusarai includes Jamdani, Banorisi and Bhagalpuri and many more.Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Begusarai.Chhaith and Durga Puja is celebrated as perhaps the most important of all the celebrations of Begusarai.Here is a list of the main festivals of Begusarai
Main festivals
- Chhaith
- Saama-Chakeba
- Chorchan
- Jitiya
- Vivaha Panchami
- Sita Navami
- Aghaniya Chhaith (Chhotka Pabni)
- Baisakkha Chhaith (Chhotka Pabni)
- Kojagiri(Lachhmi Puja)
- Paata Puja (Durga Maay Aagmon)
- Khutti Puja (Ritual of Durga Puja)
- Mohalaya
- Durga Puja
- Kali Puja
- Pholharini Kalipuja
- Rama Navami
- Jamai Shashthi
- Basanti Puja (Chaiti Durga Puja and Chhaith)
- Til Sakraait
- Aakhar Bochhor
- Barsaait
- Vishwakarma Puja