Begusarai is the industrial and financial capital of Bihar and the administrative headquarters of the Begusarai district, which is one of the 38 districts of the Indian state of

Bihar Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...

. The district lies on the northern bank of the river

Ganges The Ganges ( ; in India: Ganga, ; in Bangladesh: Padma, ). "The Ganges Basin, known in India as the Ganga and in Bangladesh as the Padma, is an international which goes through India, Bangladesh, Nepal and China." is a trans-boundary rive ...

in the

Mithila region Mithila (), also known as Tirhut, Tirabhukti and Mithilanchal, is a geographical and cultural region of the Indian subcontinent bounded by the Mahananda River in the east, the Ganges in the south, the Gandaki River in the west and by the foothil ...

of India. Begusarai is home to Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, an important wetland and a sanctuary for migrating birds. It has been declared a

Ramsar Site A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention,8 ha (O) *** Permanent 8 ha (P) *** Seasonal Intermittent < 8 ha(Ts) **

Barauni Refinery, which has been a major part of the area's economy. Beyond its industrial side, Begusarai is known for its rich folk culture and local festivals, reflecting the traditions of Bihar. It is the cultural capital of

Mithila Mithila may refer to: Places * Mithilā, a synonym for the ancient Videha state ** Mithilā (ancient city), the ancient capital city of Videha * Mithila (region), a cultural region (historical and contemporary), now divided between India and Nepa ...

Etymology

The origin of the name Begusarai is subject to two primary etymological theories: * Begu's Sarai: One theory posits that the name derives from a man named "Begu", a devotee of Bari Durga Maharani, who served as the caretaker of the town's historic marketplace, known as Sarai. * Begum's Sarai: Alternatively, it is suggested that the name originates from the combination of "Begum" (queen) and "Sarai" (inn). This theory proposes that a "Begum" from

Bhagalpur Bhagalpur, historically known as Champapuri, Champa Nagari, is a city in the Indian state of Bihar, situated on the southern bank of the Ganges river. It is the Bihar#Government and administration, third largest city of Bihar by population and ...

regularly undertook a month-long pilgrimage to Simaria Ghat on the

Ganges River The Ganges ( ; in India: Ganga, ; in Bangladesh: Padma, ). "The Ganges Basin, known in India as the Ganga and in Bangladesh as the Padma, is an international which goes through India, Bangladesh, Nepal and China." is a trans-boundary rive ...

, and the location of her temporary residence became known as Begum's Sarai, eventually evolving into Begusarai.

Geography

Topography

Begusarai is located at . It has an average elevation of 41 metres (134 feet). Begusarai lies in

North Bihar ''North Bihar'' is a term used for the region of Bihar, India, which lies north of the Ganga river. Towns and Cities * Naugachia A sub-division in the Bhagalpur district, Naugachia is renowned for its banana farming and is affectionatel ...

and is surrounded by Khagaria in the northeast,

Munger Munger, formerly spelt as Monghyr, is a twin city and a Municipal Corporation situated in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the administrative headquarters of Munger district and Munger Division. Munger was one of the major cities in Eastern ...

in the southeast,

Patna Patna (; , ISO 15919, ISO: ''Paṭanā''), historically known as Pataliputra, Pāṭaliputra, is the List of state and union territory capitals in India, capital and largest city of the state of Bihar in India. According to the United Nations, ...

in the west, and

Samastipur Samastipur is a City and Municipal Corporation in Bihar, India. It is the headquarter of Samastipur district and comes under Darbhanga division. The Burhi Gandak River flows through the city. It is one of the five railway divisions of ECR, H ...

in the northwest. Begusarai lies in the middle of the mid-

Ganga The Ganges ( ; in India: Ganga, ; in Bangladesh: Padma, ). "The Ganges Basin, known in India as the Ganga and in Bangladesh as the Padma, is an international which goes through India, Bangladesh, Nepal and China." is a trans-boundary riv ...

plain and generally has low-lying

terrain Terrain (), alternatively relief or topographical relief, is the dimension and shape of a given surface of land. In physical geography, terrain is the lay of the land. This is usually expressed in terms of the elevation, slope, and orientati ...

with a south to south-easterly slope.The Subsurface Geology of the Indo-Gangetic plains M.B.R Rao, 1973, no:-3, vol-14, Journal of the Geological Society of India, pp-217-242. Begusarai is basically divided into three

floodplains A floodplain or flood plain or bottomlands is an area of land adjacent to a river. Floodplains stretch from the banks of a river channel to the base of the enclosing valley, and experience flooding during periods of high discharge.Goudie, ...

: the

floodplain, Burhi Gandak floodplain, Kareha- Bagmati floodplain.

Flora and fauna

Kanwar Lake Begusarai by Ziddi Photowala

In 1989, Begusarai district became home to the Kanwar jheel'','' or Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, with an area of .

Demographics

As per the 2011 census, Begusarai Municipal Corporation had a total population of 251,136, of whom 133,931 were male and 117,205 were female with a sex ratio of 875. The number of people under five years of age was 37,966. The literacy rate of people seven years and up was 79.35%.

Religion

Hinduism Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...

is the most followed religion in Begusarai city, with 224,282 followers (89%). Islam is second, with 26,531

Muslims Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

(10.53%). Other religions include 325

Christians A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the world. The words '' Christ'' and ''C ...

(0.13%), 134

Sikhs Sikhs (singular Sikh: or ; , ) are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ''Sikh'' ...

(0.05%), 31 Jains (0.01%), 29 Buddhists (0.01%), 14 other religions (0.01%), and 662 (0.26%) that did not answer.

Government and politics

Begusarai has a rich and complex political history that has been shaped by caste dynamics, the rise of communist ideologies, and the growing influence of national parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Its political landscape reflects a combination of class struggles, ideological shifts, and the influence of powerful caste groups, especially the Bhumihars. The political structure of Begusarai, like much of Bihar, has been deeply influenced by caste. In the early 20th century, the Bhumihar community—traditionally landowners and holders of political power—dominated the region. Being one of the dominant castes in Bihar, the Bhumihars were crucial in local political affairs, controlling much of the land and thus influencing economic and political decisions. Their influence extended through their support for moderate political factions, including the Congress Party and later the JD(U), which focused on development and governance. Caste, however, did not remain a static force. As Bihar moved through post-independence phases, political power began to shift toward more organized caste-based parties, with backward castes and Dalits increasingly finding their political voice. The Bhumihars, while still influential, had to navigate a more complex political system, especially as the region's working-class population began to seek greater representation. Begusarai became a stronghold for the Communist Party of India PIduring the 1970s and 1980s, a period when leftist ideologies found resonance with the region’s agrarian population. The CPI capitalized on the discontent among landless peasants and the rural poor, offering an alternative to the established land-owning elites. The communists advocated for land reforms and social justice, aiming to redistribute land and wealth. This appeal to the working class posed a challenge to the traditional power structures, which included the Bhumihars. Despite the CPI’s grassroots support among the poor and landless, the Bhumihars, as large landowners, often found themselves at odds with the party’s revolutionary stance. However, their influence meant that they could sometimes negotiate with or adapt to changing political winds, even in a district dominated by leftist ideologies. In the late 1990s and 2000s, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) D(U)became a dominant force in Bihar, including Begusarai. Nitish Kumar’s rise coincided with a desire for political stability and development, which resonated with both urban and rural voters. JD(U)’s broader appeal to various caste groups, including backward castes, Dalits, and even some upper-caste groups like the Bhumihars, allowed the party to maintain a significant presence in the region. However, even as Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) presented itself as a party focused on governance and development, caste-based politics still played a crucial role. The Bhumihars, while often aligned with JD(U), had their own interests that they balanced against the promises of the party. As a result, the region saw a complex political landscape where caste and ideology were constantly in flux, with different groups maneuvering to secure their influence. The 2010s brought about a major shift in Begusarai’s political environment with the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which capitalized on the growing influence of Hindu nationalism and the appeal of Narendra Modi’s leadership. In Begusarai, the BJP's message resonated especially with the upper castes, including the Bhumihars, who found its focus on national security and economic development appealing. The BJP, drawing on both Hindu identity politics and promises of economic growth, successfully attracted significant support in the region, marking the decline of the CPI and the rise of right-wing politics. For the Bhumihars, who have historically been a key part of Bihar's political establishment, the BJP represented a new direction in alignment with their values. While still politically strategic, the Bhumihars now found themselves not only aligned with regional parties like JD(U) but also more prominently with national forces like the BJP. This shift showed the increasing role that caste politics still played, with the BJP drawing on its pro-Hindu, pro-development platform to garner support across a range of caste groups. The political history of Begusarai is a reflection of Bihar’s broader political shifts, particularly in terms of caste-based power dynamics, the rise of left-wing politics, and the eventual prominence of Hindu nationalism. Over the decades, the Bhumihars have remained a central force, navigating the complex interplay between land ownership, political affiliation, and social standing. From their historic dominance to their more recent alliance with national parties like the BJP, the Bhumihars’ role in shaping Begusarai’s political landscape cannot be understated. Today, Begusarai’s politics is a blend of caste-based calculations and national ideological shifts, with the Bhumihars continuing to play an essential role in determining electoral outcomes. The rise of the BJP has added a new dimension to the region's politics, but the influence of caste and the legacy of earlier political movements remain deeply embedded in the district’s political fabric.

Economy

Barauni is the major industrial town in the district. It has big industries like Barauni Refinery, Barauni Thermal Power Station, Urvarak Nagar Barauni, Garhara electric locomotive shed and Pepsi bottling plant. Shri Krishna Singh wanted to build an industrial corridor from Begusarai-Bakhtiyarpur-Fatuha, so he looked to construct

Rajendra Setu Rajendra Setu, or Simaria Bridge, is a bridge across the Ganges that was the first to link the northern and southern portions of the state of Bihar. The location of the bridge was based on the work of M. Visvesvaraya, who was more than 90 years ...

in Mokama. Begusarai is one of the largest milk-consuming districts in India. Sudha dairy plant is also one of the biggest exporters of milk all over Bihar. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. The main crops of the Begusarai district are oilseeds, anise seeds, tobacco, jutes, potatoes, red chilis, tomatoes, and rape-seeds. In fruits, Begusarai has recently become a major contributor in producing litchi, mango, guava, and banana. Basil leaves and pearl farming are also present in the local area. Even today, only the Barauni refinery contributes around Rs 500 crore () to the state

exchequer In the Civil Service (United Kingdom), civil service of the United Kingdom, His Majesty's Exchequer, or just the Exchequer, is the accounting process of central government and the government's ''Transaction account, current account'' (i.e., mon ...

yearly. Begusarai also has an inactive airport in Begusarai Ulao. Begusarai had the second highest

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

in the financial year of 2019–2020 in Bihar, after Patna.

Culture

The culture of Begusarai is the cultural heritage of

. Begusarai is famous for Simaria, a fair of devotional significance every year usually during November in the month of Kartik, according to the Indian Panchang. Men and women in Begusarai dress for the festivals; the costumes of Begusarai stem from the traditional culture of Mithila. Panjabi Kurta and

Dhoti The dhoti is an ankle-length breechcloth, wrapped around the waist and the legs, in resemblance to the shape of trousers. The dhoti is a garment of ethnic wear for men in the Indian subcontinent. The dhoti is fashioned out of a rectangular p ...

have a

Mithila Painting Madhubani art (also known as Mithila art) is a style of painting practiced in the Mithila region of India and Nepal. It is named after the Madhubani district of Bihar, India, which is where it originated. Jitwarpur, Ranti and Rasidpur are the ...

bordered Maroon coloured Gamchha, the Symbol of Passion, Love, Bravery, and Courage, are common clothing items for men. Men wear gold ring in their nose, which symbolizes prosperity, happiness, and wealth following

Vishnu Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...

. They also wear Balla on their wrist. In ancient times, there was no colour option in Mithila, so the Maithil women wore white or yellow

sari A sari (also called sharee, saree or sadi)The name of the garment in various regional languages include: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * is a drape (cloth) and a women's garment in the Indian subcontinent. It consists of an un-sti ...

with a red border. Today, they wear ''Laal-Paara'' (the traditional red-boarded white or yellow

) on some special occasions, as well as ''Shakha-Pola'', with lahthi in their hand. In Mithila culture, this represents new beginnings, passion and prosperity.Red also represents the Hindu goddess

Durga Durga (, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around combating evils and demonic ...

, 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 Mithila. Usually crafted from pure cotton for daily use and from pure silk for more glamorous occasions, traditional attire for women of Begusarai includes Jamdani, Banorisi, and Bhagalpuri, among others. Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Begusarai, including Chhaith and

Durga Puja Durga Puja (ISO 15919, ISO: , ), also known as Durgotsava or Shaaradotsava, is an annual festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which pays homage to the Hinduism, Hindu goddess Durga, and is also celebrated because of Durga's victo ...

Dance

Dhuno-Naach is the Cultural Dance of Begusarai,

. Dhuno-Naach is performed in Begusarai, Samastipur, Khagaria,

Katihar Katihar (; ), is the tenth largest city in the state of Bihar in India in terms of population, Along with being one of the largest economic, educational and administrative centre in the eastern part of Bihar. The city situated in the eastern ...

, and Naugachhia during Durga Puja and Kalipuja with Shankha-Dhaak Sounds and Jhijhiya is performed in

Darbhanga Darbhanga is the fifth largest city and municipal corporation in the state of Bihar in India, and is considered an important city in North Bihar. It serves as the headquarters of the Darbhanga district and the Darbhanga division. Darbhanga ...

, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani and their neighbour districts.

Painting

In Mithila, painting is a form of wall art and is practiced widely in Begusarai. The artform originated among the villages in Begusarai, Darbhanga, Naugachhia, and Madhubani, while more contemporary paintings known as ''Begusarai Art'', ''Maduhubani art'', ''Darbhanga Art'', and ''Naugachhia Art'' are on paper and canvas.

Main festivals

Here is a list of the main festivals of Begusarai: *

Chhath Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival, native to eastern India and southern Nepal. It is celebrated especially in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh; and Koshi, Gandaki, Bagmati, Lumbini and Madhesh province ...

: Prayers during Chhath puja are dedicated to the solar deity,

Surya Surya ( ; , ) is the Sun#Dalal, Dalal, p. 399 as well as the solar deity in Hinduism. He is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered as equivalent deities in the Panchaya ...

and her Sister Ranbay Maay(Chhathi Maiya), to show gratitude and thankfulness * Saama-Chakeba: includes folk theater and song, celebrates the love between brothers and sisters and is based on a legend recounted in the

Purana Puranas (Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature
(1995 Editio ...

s. * Aghaniya Chhath : Very popular with the name of "Chhotka-Pabni" and Dopaharka Aragh in

. Celebrated in Aghan Shukla-paksha Shasthi tithi. * Baisakkha Chhath : This is celebrated in month of Baishakh Shukla-paksha Shasthi tithi and It is also called Chhotka-Pabni(Dopaharka Aragh) in

. * Chaurchan: Along with

Lord Ganesha Ganesha or Ganesh (, , ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in the Ganapatya sect. His depictions are found throughout India. Hi ...

Lord Vishnu Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation (sattva). Vish ...

, Goddess Parvati and the moon god is worshipped. The story of Charchanna Pabni is also heard on this day after that arghya is offered to the

moon The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It Orbit of the Moon, orbits around Earth at Lunar distance, an average distance of (; about 30 times Earth diameter, Earth's diameter). The Moon rotation, rotates, with a rotation period (lunar ...

god ( Chandra Deva). * Jitiya: celebrated mainly in entire

and Nepal; mothers fast (without water) for wellbeing of their children. *

Vivaha Panchami Vivaha Panchami () is a Hindu festival celebrating the wedding of Rama and Sita in Janakpurdham which was the capital city of Mithila (region), Mithila. It is observed on the fifth day of the Paksha, Shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in the ...

: Hindu festival celebrating the wedding of Rama and Sita. It is observed on the fifth day of the Shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in the Agrahayana month (November–December) as per Maithili calendar and in the month of Margashirsha in the Hindu calendar. * Sita Navami * Ganga Dussehra:

Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...

festival celebrated by Maithils in Mokshdhaam Simaria Dhaam (The Welcome Gate of Mithila). ''avatarana'' (descent) of the Ganges. It is believed by Hindus that the

holy river Sacred waters are sacred natural sites characterized by tangible topographical land formations such as rivers, lakes, springs, reservoirs, and oceans, as opposed to holy water which is water elevated with the sacramental blessing of a cleri ...

descended from heaven to earth on this day. * Kalpwas: Celebrated in Every Kartik Month in Simaria Dhaam at Simaria Ghat, Begusarai. *

Lakshmi Puja Lakshmi Puja or Lokkhi Pujo ( Devnagari: लक्ष्मी पूजा, Bengali/Assamese: লক্ষ্মী পূজা, Odia: ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀ ପୂଜା, Romanised: Lakṣmī Pūjā/ Loķhī Pūjō) is a Hindu occasion for ...

: In Mithila, the night is known as Kojagari Purnima also called Lachhmi Puja. Kojagari translates to 'one who is awake' in Maithili. It is believed that Goddess Lachhmi visits people's houses on this night, checks whether they are staying awake, and blesses them only if they are awake. It is Harvest festival marking the end of monsoon season in Mithila *

: a ten-day festival, of which the last five are of the most significance. is an important festival in the

Shaktism Shaktism () is a major Hindu denomination in which the God in Hinduism, deity or metaphysics, metaphysical reality is considered metaphorically to be a woman. Shaktism involves a galaxy of goddesses, all regarded as different aspects, mani ...

tradition of Hinduism. It marks the victory of goddess Durga in her battle against the shape-shifting

asura Asuras () are a class of beings in Indian religions, and later Persian and Turkic mythology. They are described as power-seeking beings related to the more benevolent Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism. In its Buddhist context, the wor ...

Mahishasura Mahishasura (, ) is a bovine asura in Hinduism. He is depicted in Hindu texts, Hindu literature as a deceitful demon who pursued his evil ways by shape-shifting. Mahishasura was the son of the asura Rambha (asura), Rambha and the brother of buf ...

. Thus, the festival epitomizes the victory of good over evil, though it is also in part a harvest festival celebrating the goddess as the motherly power behind all of life and creation. *

Kali Puja Kali Puja (ISO: ), also known as Shyama Puja or Mahanisha Puja, is a festival originating from the Indian subcontinent, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. It is celebrated on the new moon day (Dipannita Amavasya) of the Hindu calendar month o ...

: Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, celebrated on the new moon day Dipannita Omavasya of the Hindu month Kartik * Saraswati Puja: marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated by people of

Dharmic religions Indian religions, sometimes also termed Dharmic religions or Indic religions, are the religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent. These religions, which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism,Adams, C. J."Classification o ...

in the

South Asia South Asia is the southern Subregion#Asia, subregion of Asia that is defined in both geographical and Ethnicity, ethnic-Culture, cultural terms. South Asia, with a population of 2.04 billion, contains a quarter (25%) of the world's populatio ...

n countries in different ways depending on the region. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for

Holika Holika (, ), also known as Simhika, is an asuri in Hinduism. She is the sister of the asura-kings Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha, and the paternal aunt of Prahlada. The legend of '' Holika Dahan'' (Holika's burning) signifies the triumph o ...

and

Holi Holi () is a major Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love and Spring.The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...".Yudit Greenberg, Encyclopedia of Love in World ...

, which take place forty days later.Christian Roy (2005). Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. pp. 192–193. . *

Rama Navami Rama Navami () is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Rama, one of the most popularly revered deities in Hinduism, also known as the seventh avatar of Vishnu. He is often held as an emblem within Hinduism for being an ideal king and h ...

: celebrates the descent of Vishnu as the Rama avatar, through his birth to King

Dasharatha Dasharatha (, IAST: Daśaratha; born Nemi) was the king of Kosala, with its capital at Ayodhya, in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. Dasharatha married Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. He was the father of Rama, the protagonist of the epic Ramayana ...

and Queen

Kausalya Kausalya (, ) is a queen of Kosala in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. She is the first senior queen consort of Dasharatha, who ruled Kosala from its capital Ayodhya. She is the mother of Rama, the male protagonist of the epic. She is a secondar ...

Ayodhya Ayodhya () is a city situated on the banks of the Sarayu river in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ayodhya district as well as the Ayodhya division of Uttar Pradesh, India. Ayodhya became th ...

Kosala Kosala, sometimes referred to as Uttara Kosala () was one of the Mahajanapadas of ancient India. It emerged as a small state during the Late Vedic period and became (along with Magadha) one of the earliest states to transition from a lineage ...

.Hindus around the world celebrate Ram Navami today
DNA, 8 April 2014 * Basanti Puja (Chaiti Navratri) * Til Sakraait * Naag Ponchami * Barsaait *

Vishwakarma Puja Vishvakarma Puja (), also rendered Vishvakarma Jayanti, is a Hindu observance dedicated to Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods. It falls on the date of Kanya Sankranti of the Hindu calendar. It is generally celebrated every year between 16 ...

: In Mithila, Holi starts from Sarsatti Puja(Bosant Ponchami) and ends on Phagun Purnima. Maithils Celebrated Holi for 40 Days. Also Offering Gulaal to Shiva and Gauri on Moha Shivratri. * Poos Kalipuja: Celebrated on Poos Omabasya in Mithila. *

Maha Shivratri Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually to worship the deity Shiva, between February and March. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is observed on the fourteenth day of the first half (night start with darkness - ...

: Maithil celebrates Moha Shivaratri in Phagun and Saavan Maas.

Tourist Places

Begusarai district in Bihar offers diverse attractions ranging from ecological wonders to historic temples and museums.

Naulakha Temple

Naulakha Temple, established in 1953 by Saint Mahavir Das, stands on the banks of the Ganges in Bishanpur village, about 12 km northeast of Begusarai town. Constructed entirely of local sandstone, the temple features a distinctive nine-pinnacled (nava-lakha) shikhara, from which it derives its name. Its sanctum houses idols of Radha–Krishna, Shiva, and Durga, and the annual Purnima fair each Kartik (October–November) attracts thousands of devotees for ritual baths (Ganga Snan) and kirtans. The Bihar government maintains the precinct, which offers panoramic river vistas and features recently installed ghats for improved pilgrim access.

Muniswar Mandir

Located in the heart of Begusarai town near the municipal park, Muniswar Mandir is an ancient Shiva temple dating to the Pāla period (8th–12th CE). Archaeological fragments—such as lotus-mandala carvings and lakhuri-tile sections—suggest successive renovations, most recently in 1978. The temple hosts large crowds during Mahashivaratri, when local priests perform all-night jagrans and processions. Conservation efforts by the Bihar State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums in 2019 stabilized its earthen plinth and restored weathered bas-reliefs.

Jaimangla Garh Temple

Jaimangla Garh, also known as Jai Mangla Dham, is an island temple dedicated to Chandi Mangla Devi on the southern edge of Kanwar Lake (25 km from Begusarai). Archaeological excavations have unearthed coins dating to 721 CE and Buddhist sculptures, indicating origins in the Pala period, with significant 15th-century renovations by Oinwar patrons. The temple is a focal point during Navratri and Chhath, and is maintained by the Begusarai district administration.\

Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary

The Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary (locally Kabartal) is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow wetland, situated 22 km northwest of Begusarai town in Manjhaul block. Covering approximately 2,620 ha, it was designated Bihar’s first Ramsar site in November 2020. Formed by a meander of the Burhi Gandak River, the sanctuary hosts over 394 animal species—including 221 avian species (58 migratory)—and five critically endangered vultures such as the red-headed vulture (*Sarcogyps calvus*) and the sociable lapwing (*Vanellus gregarius*). Seasonal flooding during the monsoon mitigates regional inundation, while dry-season recedence supports agriculture. Ecotourists visit for boating and birdwatching from October to March, when migratory populations peak.

Rajendra Setu (Simaria Bridge)

Rajendra Setu, also known as Simaria Bridge, is the first rail-cum-road bridge across the Ganges in independent India. Commissioned in May 1959 and spanning 2 km between Mokama (Patna district) and Simaria Ghat (Begusarai district), it carries a single-line rail track above and a two-lane roadway below. Designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s team and built by Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Company, the bridge pioneered steel-girder construction in India. In 2019, NHAI restricted heavy vehicles due to structural wear, prompting ongoing rehabilitation work. A parallel six-lane highway bridge (Mokama–Begusarai) is slated for completion in early 2025.

Begusarai Museum

Situated near Lohia Nagar railway crossing, the Begusarai Museum (est. 1979) exhibits over 1,500 artifacts, from Ashokan-era coins to British-period paintings. Highlights include a life-size Buddha statue dating to the Gupta era and a 17th-century Persian manuscript. The museum’s recent catalogue (2022) organized items by period and type, aiding researchers in regional art history. Educational workshops are held quarterly in collaboration with Patna University’s Department of History.

Kashi Prasad Jaiswal Archaeological Museum

Founded in September 1947 at Ganesh Dutt College by Prof. R.K. Choudhary, this college-run museum preserves regional archaeological finds—Buddhist chaitya-doorframes, Pāla-era Navagraha sculptures, and Mauryan-period terracottas. Its 2018 conservation survey led to the restoration of 120 artefacts and the installation of climate-controlled display cases. Open to the public on weekdays, it serves as a key resource for the study of Mithila’s material culture.

Simaria Ghat

Simaria Ghat on the north bank of the Ganges, 12 km from Begusarai, is revered as the Kartik Kalpavas site established by King Janaka in Treta Yuga. The annual Simaria Mela (October–November) draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims for sacred baths, devotional discourses, and the offering of *diyas*. A 2023 state initiative upgraded the ghats with reinforced steps, LED lighting, and erosion-control barriers.

Education

Colleges: * Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar College of_Engineering (A government engineering college) * Ganesh Dutt College (Affiliated with Lalit Narayan Mithila University) * Shree Krishna Mahila College (A women's college in Begusarai) * RCS College * Government Polytechnic Barauni * BP Inter College Begusarai (Inter college level education) * A.P.M. College Barauni Schools: * Doon Public School * BR DAV Public School, Begusarai * St. Joseph Public School, Begusarai * St. Paul's School, Begusarai * Kendriya Vidyalaya, Begusarai * St. Jude's Vidyalaya * Mount Litera Zee School, Begusarai * Delhi Public School, Begusarai * Sarvoday Vidyalaya Begusarai * Carmel School Begusarai

Notable people

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar 1999 stamp of India

* Ajit Anjum, journalist * Radha Krishna Choudhary, Indian historian, thinker, and writer * Shaibal Gupta, Indian social scientist and political economist, Padma Shri receiver, founder of Asian Development Research Institute * Kranti Prakash Jha, actor, model *

Sriti Jha Sriti Jha (born 26 February 1986) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi television. Jha earned wider recognition with her portrayal of Pragya Arora Mehra in '' Kumkum Bhagya''. She is a recipient of several accolades including two ...

, actress * Ramendra Kumar,National President of AITUC * Rishi Kumar (soldier),young Indian Army officer from Begusarai, Bihar, who was martyred while serving in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district during a patrol operation * Manoj Kumar Mishra, known for his work on

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* Mathura Prasad Mishra, member of

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and

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* Shyam Nandan Prasad Mishra,

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of India * Kajal Raghwani, one of the highest paid

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actress * Rafiuddin Raz, Pakistani poet * Krishna Sahi,

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Minister of Education (India), Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Minister of Commerce and Industry (India), Minister of Heavy Industries, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution * Balmiki Prasad Singh, writer, former IAS officer, former

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* Bhola Singh, politician * Lalit Vijay Singh,

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Notes

References

Works cited

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External links

District website of Begusarai
{{Settlements in Begusarai district Cities and towns in Begusarai district Caravanserais in India