Goraul is a
community development block
In India, a Community development block (CD block) or simply Block is a sub-division of Tehsil, administratively earmarked for planning and development. The area is administered by a Block Development Officer (BDO), supported by several techni ...
in
Vaishali district
Vaishali district is a district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is a part of Tirhut division. Vaishali is known for being the birthplace of Mahavira of the Jain religion. Hajipur, its largest city and district headquarters, is known for its ...
in the state of
Bihar
Bihar (; ) is a state in eastern India. It is the 2nd largest state by population in 2019, 12th largest by area of , and 14th largest by GDP in 2021. Bihar borders Uttar Pradesh to its west, Nepal to the north, the northern part of West ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
.
History
Goraul is very close to
Vaishali garh, Vaishali or Vesali (in Pali), which was a city, the capital of the Licchavis and the Vajjian Confederacy. Goraul is very close to villages such as Goraul Bhagwanpur, Dhane Goraul, Byaschak nick name Chakvayas and Mohanpur Asli.
Economy
Goraul Sugar Mill was one of the most productive sugar mills in this area once upon a time. The adjoining catchment area used to grow huge amount of
sugarcane. The sugar mill has shut down since. The agriculture land use pattern has shifted from sugarcane to other cash crops like tobacco and traditional food crops and vegetables.
Goraul has immense potential as a centre for horticulture and agro-processing (fruit pulp) industries. The entire region is dotted with plantations of
1)
Mango - delicious local varieties which are increasingly getting lost in targeted marketing campaigns of alphonso and dussehri
2)
Lychee
Lychee (US: ; UK: ; ''Litchi chinensis''; ) is a monotypic taxon and the sole member in the genus ''Litchi'' in the soapberry family, ''Sapindaceae''.
It is a tropical tree native to Southeast and Southwest China (the Guangdong, Fujian, Yun ...
- amazing varieties which lose much of their temper in transportation and need to be tasted straight from the plantations
3)
Betel leaf - which is considered to be an addiction (when taken with tobacco) and as a digestive when taken with cardamom and cloves.
4)
Banana - amazing varieties of banana can be found here. Area is filled with banana trees.
Demographics
As per 2001 census, Goraul block had a population of 135,502.
Politics
Vindhyeshwari Prasad Varma (a.k.a. Binda Babu) of Manpura village was the first speaker of Bihar assembly after independence (1946–1962). His contribution to public affairs earned him the recognition of
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "distinguished service ...
in 1961. He spent his last years with his eldest son Ram Chandra Prasad Varma in the village till his demise on 22nd Jul 1968. His eldest grandson Ishwar Chandra Varma presently resides here.
Transport
Goraul railway station, on the
Muzaffarpur-Hajipur branch line, which used to facilitate movement of sugar from the sugar mill to the markets now facilitates the seasonal movement of migrant agricultural labourer and movement of educated in search of employment to urban centres. Goraul is located on NH 22( OLD NH 77).
Culture
The local language spoken by the people is Vajjika.
Festivals
Holi, Durga Pooja, Deepawali and Chath Pooja are the prime festivals. However people also celebrate Rakshabandhan, Janmashtmi, Shivratri, Makar sakranti, Saraswati puja and many other local festivals. Local Muslims take out Taziya processions that go to even the Hindu households and celebrate other Muslim festivals in a very congenial environment.
References
{{Tirhut Division topics
Community development blocks in Vaishali district
pt:Dighwara