BIHAR

KNOW YOUR STATE

Location of Map of India

Image Source: Wikipedia

Basic Facts about Bihar

● Formation: 22 March 1912 (Bihar Diwas)

● Statehood: 26 January 1950

● Capital: Patna

● Number of District : 38

● Governor: Fagu Chauhan

● Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar (JD(U))

● High court: Patna High Court

● Chief Justice: Amreshwar Pratap Sahi

● Members of the Legislative Assembly: 243

● Lok Sabha Seats : 39

● Rajya Sabha Seats : 16

Boundaries

● The state is bordered by Uttar Pradesh to its west, Nepal to the north, the

northern part of West Bengal to the east, and with Jharkhand to the south.

Image Source: Maps of India

State Symbols

● State Animal: Gaur

● State Bird: House Sparrow

● State Flower: Marigold

● State Tree: Peepal

History of Bihar

● Regions of Bihar- such as Magadha, Mithila and Anga, are

mentioned in religious texts and epics of ancient India.

● In ancient and classical India, the area that is now Bihar was

considered a centre of power, learning, and culture.

● From Magadha arose India's first empire, the Maurya

empire, as well as one of the world's most widely adhered-to

religions: Buddhism.

● On 15 November 2000, southern Bihar was ceded to form

the new state of Jharkhand.

Geography

● It is the twelfth-largest Indian state. The third-largest state by population.

● Bihar is a vast stretch of fertile plain.

● It is drained by the Ganges River, including its northern tributaries Gandak

and Kosi, originating in the Nepal Himalayas and the Bagmati originating in

the Kathmandu Valley that regularly flood parts of the Bihar plains.

● The Ganges divides Bihar into two unequal halves and flows through the

middle from west to east.

● The Legislative Assembly election was held over five-phases in Bihar in 2015.

● The RJD emerged as a single largest party with 81 seats, followed by JD (U)

with 70 seats and BJP with 53 seats.

● Nitish Kumar is the current CM of Bihar.

● Legislative Assembly elections will be held in Bihar in October 2020 to elect

243 members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Major Dams

Indrapuri Barrage: Indrapuri Barrage (also known as the Sone Barrage) is across

the Son River in Rohtas district in the Indian state of Bihar.

Important Lakes of Bihar

● Kanwar Lake: (Begusarai )

● Dhua Kund : ( Sasaram)

● Sita Kund: ( Sitamarhi)

● Muchalinda Lake: (Bodhgaya)

● Ghora Katora Lake: (Nalanda)

General Facts

● Only 11.3% of the population of Bihar lives in urban areas, which is the lowest in India

after Himachal Pradesh.

● Additionally, almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, giving Bihar the highest

proportion of young people of any Indian state.

● Three main regions converge in the state: Magadh, Mithila, and Bhojpur.

● Literacy (2011): 63.82%

● Sex ratio (2011): 918 ♀/1000 ♂

● Hindu Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Rama is believed to be born in Sitamarhi

district in the Mithila region of modern-day Bihar.

● Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, a town located in the

modern day district of Gaya in Bihar.

● Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara was born in Champapuri, Bhagalpur.

● Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in

Vaishali around the 6th century BC.

GI Tags of Bihar

● Silao khaja

● Sujini Embroidery

● Sikki Grass Work

● Madhubani Paintings

● Applique (Khatwa)

● Bhagalpur Silks

● Sikki Grass

● Shahi Litchi

● Katarni Rice

● Jardalu Mango

● Magahi Paan (Betel)

Festivals & Fairs of Bihar

● Chatth Puja: Almost all civilizations have worshipped the

‘sun god’, but it has a unique form in Bihar.

● Sama-Chakeva: It is during the winter season that the

birds from the Himalayas migrate towards the plains. With

the advent of these colorful birds, celebration of sama–

chakeva is done. This is a festival especially celebrated in

mithila.

● Bihula: Bihula is a prominent festival of eastern Bihar

especially famous in Bhagalpur district.

Festivals & Fairs of Bihar

● Vaishali Fair: It is held in Chitra Trayodashi in

Vaishali on the occasion of Mahavir’s birthday.

● Saurath Fair: Sourath is a village near Madhubani

district of Bihar. Here, a fair is held which is also

known as Marriage Market that is held in the Jayestha

Asasadh month.

● Malmas Fair: It is organised at Rajgir for taking bath

in warm kund (Hot Springs).

● Baba Brahmeshwarnath Fair: It is organised on

Shivratri and Baishakh Krishna Paksh Ekadashi in

twice a year at Buxar district, Bihar.

Dances of Bihar

● Bidesia

● Paika

● Jhijhian

● Kajari Dance

● Valmiki National Park

● Barela Jheel Salim Ali Bird Wild Life Sanctuary

● Kaimur Wild Life Sanctuary

● Kusheshwar Asthan Bird Wild Life Sanctuary

● Valmiki Wild Life Sanctuary

● Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Wild Life Sanctuary

Important National Park and wildlife Sanctuaries in Bihar

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya: 2002

Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda : 2016

List of Monuments of National Importance in Bihar

● Tomb of Sher Shah Suri: Rohtas

● Vishnupad Temple, Gaya: Gaya

● Tomb of Mahmud Shah: Bhagalpur

● Brahmayoni Hill: Gaya

● Beguhjam Masjid: Patna

● Hazarimal Dharamshala: West Champaran

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