Hajipur हाजीपुर
—  city :: headquarters of vaishali district  —
Hajipur Location of Hajipur in Bihar and India
Coordinates	25°41′N 85°13′E / 25.68°N 85.22°E / 25.68; 85.22Coordinates: 25°41′N 85°13′E / 25.68°N 85.22°E / 25.68; 85.22
Country	India
State	Bihar
District(s)	Vaishali
Parliamentary constituency	Hajipur
Assembly constituency	Hajipur
Population	119,276 (2001[update])
Sex ratio	1.0870 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 46 metres (151 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 844101 • Telephone • +91- 6224- XX XX XX
Website	vaishali.bih.nic.in/

Hajipur (Hindi: हाजीपुर),Urdu: حاجی پور ) is the headquarters of Vaishali district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous for producing bananas, and has a modern railway zonal office. Patna, the capital of Bihar is only 10 km from Hajipur. Mahatma Gandhi Setu, one of the longest bridges in the world, links it to Patna.

Origin of name[link]

The town is known by the name of Hajipur as it was founded by a King of Bengal named Haji Ilyas Shah who ruled between 1345 to 1358 A.D. Inside the fort built by this king in Hajipur there is a mosque called Jama Masjid, a plain building measuring 84.5 ft (25.8 m) long and 33.5 ft (10.2 m) broad.

In ancient times it was called Ukkacala.

History[link]

In the ancient time, it was known as Ukkacala and was the first village to come after crossing River Ganges at Patna. The village of Hajipur gained significance, as it was the venue of one of the discourses given by Lord Buddha. Buddha preached the Cula Goplalaka Sutta, a Middle Length Discourse, here. Along with that, it is also of interest because a portion of Ananda's ashes were enshrined in the town, the closest disciple of Lord Buddha.Ananda acted as the Buddha's personal attendant for twenty years and outlived him by several decades.^[1] Hajipur, earlier in British India was a small town in muzaffarpur district of Bengal situated on the confluence of the Ganges and gandak. Hajipur figures conspicuously in the history of struggles between Akbar and his rebellious Afghan governors of Bengal.

Hajipur (Vaishali)-find its origin way back in history from the mahabharata period. It is the place where democracy found its origin around 600BC.Ancient Lichhavi republic was established in this land only. It is the place where Lord Mahavir took birth and Gautam Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his Parinirvana. It is also renowned as the land of Ambapali (Amrapali), the great Indian courtesan.

Geography and climate[link]

Geography[link]

Hajipur is the headquarters of Vaishali after its separation from Muzaffarpur on 12/10/1972. It is located at 25°41′N 85°13′E / 25.68°N 85.22°E / 25.68; 85.22.^[2] It has an average elevation of 46 metres (150 ft). The district has 3 subdivisions, 16 blocks, 191 Gram Panchyat & 1638 villages and is surrounded by Muzaffarpur (North), Patna (South), Samastipur (East) and Saran (West).

The Hajipur town being bounded by Narayani Gandak river in the west and holy Ganges in the south, has scope of further expansion in east and north direction only. Very Good network of rail, road and water transport exists in the town connecting it with other parts of district as well as state and country. Famous Mahatma Gandhi Setu (5575m long, Prestressed box culvert type RCC bridge) over river Ganges connects it with Patna, the state capital while another rail and road bridge over Gandak connects it with Sonepur.

One of the important interest is Hajipur Sadar Hospital in the middle space of township.

Climate[link]

The plain terrain of town and its nearby places is famous for banana, Litchi and mango plantations. The region looks green with plants and trees growing in semi-tropical monsoon climate. However, months of May–June are extremely hot and December–January are very cold.

Demographics[link]

As of 2001 India census,^[4] Hajipur had a population of 119,276. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Hajipur has an average literacy rate of 60%, close to the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 67%, and female literacy is 51%. In Hajipur, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places of interest[link]

Ramchaura Mandir.^[5]

The Ramchaura Mandir is on top of the Aananda Stupa. A Hindu temple, Pataleshwara Nath is situated on the western outskirts of Hajipur. Go to the centre of town and ask for the way to Ramchaura. The temple on the top of the stupa is called Ramchaura Mandir. A famous temple named Budi Maai is in Ismailpur (Harauli) village of Hajipur.

Kachari maidan.^[6] A place for all the sports related action in Hajipur.

• Mahadev Math in Rajason situated on the bank of river Ganges. It is also a historical temple.

• Maamu Bhanja (Mazaar of maamu bhanja) a Muslim pilgrimage near jadhua on hajipur mahnar road has many old history. every year an urs celebrates here.

Kaun Haara Ghat.^[7]

It is considered one of the main ghats of Ganga-Gandak, where worshiping and cremation has been performed for centuries. This ghat has got its name based on an ancient legend. According to this legend, "The famous fight of Gaja(elephant)-Graah (crocodile), which is well covered in Indian scrdiptures, is the reason behind people asking -kaun haara. Hence the name. Scriptures tell that Lord Vishnu had to interfere in the fight to save his devotee Gajaraj, who was being drowned by crocodile. Both Gaja and Grah were gandharavas. But due to some curse they became Gaja and Graah. Lord Visnu killed Graah to give him instant salvation, and saved life Of Gajaraj. The depiction Of fighting Gaja Graah is an emblem for the city, and is prominently shown on the Hajipur railway station's dome, and other notable places.

Nepali Mandir.^[8]

West of Hajipur, on the confluence of the Gangas and the Gandak is situated this unique Shaivite shrine. Made in the late medieval period (18th century), by (Mathabar Singh Thapa) one of the army commanders of Nepal, the temple brings-in a fresh pagoda-style architecture of the Himalayan Kingdom to the plains of the Ganges. This temple is built largely of wood. Another distinctive feature of this temple is its fine wooden carving, which includes, of others, generous erotic scenes. Both in style and finish, largely drawn in from the Himalayan world of architecture, Nepali Temple at Hajipur remains quite singular and inimitable.

Mahatma Gandhi Setu.^[9]

The Mahatma Gandhi Setu (bridge) is the important link between north and south Bihar. It has been constructed over the Ganges near village Jadhua and connects Hajipur with Patna. This is one of longest river bridge having length of 6.75 km. The four lane prestressed RCC bridge was commissioned into service during the year 1982. Traveller get an enthralling experience and panoramic view of lush green banana plantations by Crossing the bridge.

Shri Maha Prabhuji's Baithakji at Helabazar, Hajipur.^[10]

Lord Krishna Temple (Aacharya Prabhuji Ki Baithak) is one of the oldest temple of Hajipur which is managed by the trusty of Gujrat.^[11] There are 84 Mahaprabhuji Baithaks in India. Shri Mahaprabhuji graced this earth for 52 years and 2 months during which thrice aapshri toured India barefoot only to spread the principles of Pushtimarg.^[12] Conducting Shrimad Bhagwat seminars, debating with scholars and heads of other religions and establishing the ethics of “Shudhadvaita Brahmavada” was a great task that aapshri undertook. Till date also innumerable vaishnavs travel by rail and road to visit these Baithaks, at times travelling on hazardous roads leading to remotely situated Baithaks in forests and on mountains and take immense divine pleasure in paying respects to Shri Mahaprabhuji and performing any given tasks (Seva).^[13]

Sonepur Fair.^[14]

Located opposite Hajipur, is a small place of Sonepur where fortnight long cattle fair is held every year starting from Kartik full moon day (October/November). The place goes lively at the onset of winter with the mass holy deep in river Gandak by Hindu at Kaun-hara Ghat. Besides being claimed as the biggest animal fair in Asia, the fair entertain visitors with circus, Tamasha (folk plays), Nautanki (folk dances) and sell everything from elephants to birds; agricultural equipments to vanity items; winter garments to wooden furnitures. Government Department of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture etc. organises training and exihibitions for the farmers coming from all over. The visitors can stay in hotels at Hajipur or they can hire luxury Swiss cottages erected on sand dunes beside river Gandak. The tent and cottages are provided by State Tourism Department only during fair.

Vaishali Mahotsava.^[15]

Ancient village of Vaishali is located 35 km North-West of Hajipur. The place can be reached by road and offers many archeological places to see which includes Buddha Stupa, Ashokan Piller, Abhisek Puskarani (coronation Tank of Vajji Rulers) etc. All the places can be seen during day long visit by arranging a private transport. Vaishali Mahotsava (great celebration) is held every year on Baisakh Purnima (Full Moon Day of 1st Hindu Month) during mid-April to celebrate the birth anniversary of 24th Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavir who born here in the village Kundalpur, 4 km from Vaishali. The soil of this land is blessed by the visit of Lord Buddha twice during 3rd century BC.

Hazrat Anjan Peer Saha Baba - It is located 4 km from gadai sarai. It is founded by Hazrat Anjaan Peer Saha Baba in 1780 AD. Many of famous leaders visited this place.

Transport[link]

Rail link

Hajipur is the headquarters of East Central Railway Zone. Three rail lines connect it to Muzaffarpur, Chhapra, and Barauni. Important trains like Guwahati Rajdhani Express (2235/2236), Vaishali Express (2553/2554),Bihar Sampark Kranti Express (2565/2566), Garib Rath Express (2203/2204), Swatantrata Senani Express (2561/2562), Sabarmati Express, Lohit Express, Lichhavi Express (4005/4006) and all other trains passing through this route have stoppages here.

Air

Patna Airport - 13.2 miles (21.2 km). Patna airport is well connected through road. Buses, taxis, auto available 24*7.

Roads

Hajipur is connected to other parts of India through national and state highways. The major highways are:

• National Highway 19 (NH 19) touches the city and connects it to Chhapra which further joins Ghazipur city in U.P. NH 19 starts from Patna and is connected further with Gaya and BodhGaya through state highway.
• National Highway 77 (NH 77) connects Hajipur to Sonbarsa (Nepal border) via Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi.
• National Highway 103 (NH 103) Starts from Hajipur and joins NH 28A at Musri Gharari (Samastipur) via Jandaha.

Bus services are available from Hajipur to Patna (10 km), Muzaffarpur (52.5 km), Chhapra (60 km), Siwan (123 km), Samastipur (65 km), Motihari (136 km), Bettiah etc.

Direction Board[link]

	Vaishali	Muzaffarpur	Samastipur
	Chhapra		Barauni
		Hajipur    East
	Arrah	Patna	Bihar Sarif

Education and research[link]

Hajipur has a high literacy rate in Bihar.

Notable Institutes[link]

• Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (Hajipur, India), under the department of chemicals and petrochemicals, ministry of chemicals and fertilizers, Government of India.
• Institute of Hotel Management - Hajipur ^[16], and
• The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur - India.

Hajipur has many schools & colleges, some of them acclaimed nationally. These institutes cater over ten thousand students. Below are some of the schools and colleges in the city.

Name of Colleges[link]

B.M.D. College, B.S. Inter-College, CIPET, Chaurasiya Raj Kishore Mahavidyalaya, Deo Chand College, Jamunilal College, Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Institute of Hotel Management & Applied Nutrition, Kent Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), RBS college, R.N. College, Sukhdew Mukhlal College, S N S College, Teachers Training College, Vaishali Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Women's College, ANM Training School, SPYNET Computers (Wardhan Educational & Development Society), Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, R. R. college.

Name of the Schools[link]

Paramount School, Bharat Bharti Bal Vidyalaya, Children's paradise, Christ Church High School, Central Public School, DAV Public School, Dighi High School,Dr. Zakir Hussain Academy, G.A.Inter School (Near Gandok River), Green Field Public High School, Green Garden Public School, Guru Vasisth Vidyayan, Gyandeep Central School, Gyan Jyoti Public School, Girls High School, Hi-Tech Public School, Indian Public School, Jai Govind High School, Jai Mata Di Public School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kids Care Public School, Mount Caramel Public School, Oasis Public School, Oxford High School, P.K.Jha Residential High School, Prem High School, Raj Kishor High School, R.K Middle School, Royel Model Residential School, R.S. PUBLIC SCHOOL, R.S. Kids, Sawmi Viveka Nand Shiksha Niketan, Sahyogi High School, Residential Students' Academy, Saraswati Vidya Mandir, SKS Seminary, Sri Mulkjada Singh High School, St. Paul's High School, St. John's Academy, Bishop Public School, Surajdeo Memorial School, Town High School, Vaishali Central School - Rajason, Vikas Vidyala, Xavier's School, Tiny Tot School, Shemford School, Vidya Vihar Vidyalaya, Sagar Academy School, Jai Tara Public School, Shri K.D. High school, Shanti Raj Gyan Niketan-Rajason, Sant Shree Public School - Rajason, Mission Public School - Rajason, Ideal Public School - Pakauli, Janta High School - Dharampur, Middle School Rajason, Vaishali Public School - Madhurapur, Jai Govind Higher Secondary School - Pakauli.

Research[link]

NIPER Hajipur work has been published in an international journal. "Comparative modeling of HGPRT enzyme of L. donovani and binding affinities of different analogs of GMP". [Int. J. Biol. Macromol]^[17]

Media[link]

Hindi and English newspapers are easily available in the city, including Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Prabhat Khabar and The Times of India.

TV programming is provided by regional news channels like Sahara Samay, ETV Bihar and Jharkhand. There are several news programmes broadcast by local cable operators in city areas.

Hajipur has the following FM radio stations:

• Radio Mirchi Patna 98.3 and
• Vividh Bharati (All India Radio) is broadcast on 100.8 FM.

Gallery (Hajipur - Vaishali Tourism)[link]

References[link]

Shiv Kumar 'Batalvi' (Punjabi: ਸ਼ਿਵ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਬਟਾਲਵੀ) (1936–1973) was a noted Punjabi language poet, who was most known for his romantic poetry, noted for its heightened passion, pathos, separation and lover's agony ^[1]

He became the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967, given by Sahitya Akademi (India's National Academy of Letters), for his epic verse play based on the ancient legend of Puran Bhagat, Loona (1965),^[2] now considered a masterpiece in modern Punjabi literature,^[3] and which also created a new genre, of modern Punjabi kissa.^[4] Today, his poetry stands in equal footing, amongst that by stalwarts of modern Punjabi poetry, like Mohan Singh and Amrita Pritam,^[5] all of whom are popular on both sides of India-Pakistan border.^[6]

Biography[link]

Shiv Kumar was born in a Saraswat Brahmin family on 23 July 1936 (though a few documents related to him state October 7th, 1937 as his DOB), in village Bara Pind Lohtian, Shakargarh Tehsil, Sialkot District (now in Punjab province, Pakistan),^[7] to Pandit Krishan Gopal, village tehsildar in the revenue department, and Shanti Devi, a housewife.

In 1947, when he was just 11, his family moved to Batala Gurdaspur district after partition of India, where his father continued his work as a patwari and young Shiv received his primary education.^[8] Allegedly, he was a dreamy child, often vanishing for the duration of the day, to be found lying under trees by the riverbank close to the Mandir or Hindu temple outside the village, lost in a brown reverie. He appears to have been fascinated by local renditions of the Hindu Epic Ramayana, as well as wandering Minstrel singers, Snake Charmers & the like - which feature as metaphors in his poetry, giving it a uniquely rural flavor.

Education[link]

He completed his matriculation in 1953, from Punjab University, and enrolled in the F.Sc. program at Baring Union Christian College, Batala, though before completing his degree he moved to S.N. College, Qadian, where he joined the Arts program more suited to his persona, though he left that too in the second year. Thereafter he joined a school at Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh to do a diploma in Civil Engineering, here again he left it in the middle.^[9] Next he studied for some time at Govt. Ripudaman College, Nabha.

Struggles With Conventional Matrimony[link]

He fell in love with the daughter of the noted Punjabi writer Gurbaksh Singh Preetlari who was married off to a UK citizen because of caste differences between the two. It was during this time that he turned increasingly to alcohol for solace, allegedly writing the poem :"Ajj Din Chhadeya Tere Rang Varga" [ "Today dawned colored like your complexion..."] while standing outside a "Theka Sharab Desi" [Liquor Vend], waiting for it to open so he could buy his booze. He remained unlucky in love, and bereavement for love loss reflected intensely in his poetry.In early 1967, he got married, to a Brahmin girl, Aruna, of his parents & family's choosing. According to friends, he only agreed because she had a striking resemblance to his youthful love.

Youngest Recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award[link]

Later in life, his father got a job as patwari at Qadian, it was during this period, that he produced some of his best work. His first anthology of poems was published in 1960, titled Piran da Paraga (The Scarf of Sorrows), which became an instant success. In 1965, he became the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967, for his magnum opus, a verse play Loona (1965).^[10] His poetry recitations, and singing his own verse, made him and his work even more popular amongst the masses.

Soon after his marriage, in 1968, he shifted to Chandigarh, where he joined the State Bank of India, as a PRO. In the following years, bad health plagued him, though he continued to write prolifically.

Struggles With Conventional Life-Span[link]

His writings have always been open about his pronounced death wish,^[11] and on 7 May 1973, he died at his father-in-law's residence, at Kirri Mangyal Pathankot, due to liver cirrhosis, a result of chronic alcoholism, at a young age of 35 years.

Personal life[link]

On 5 February 1967 he married, Aruna,^[12] a Brahmin girl, from Kirri Mangyal, Gurdaspur district, and later the couple had two children, Meharban (1968) and Puja (1969).

Works[link]

• Piran da Paraga (The Scarf of Sorrows) (1960)
• Mainu Vida Karo (Bid Me Farewell) (1963)
• Gazlan Te Geet
• Aarti (Prayer) (1971)
• Lajwanti (Touch Me Not) (1961)
• Atte Dian Chirian (The Sparrows of Flour) (1962).
• Loona (1965)
• Main Te Main (I and Me) (1970)
• Dardmandan Dian Aahin
• Sog
• Alvida (Farewell) (1974)
• Shiv Kumar: Sampuran Kav Sangreh (Complete Works); Lahore Book Shop, Ludhiana.
• Birha Da Sultan,^[13] (A selection from Shiv Kumar Betalvi's poems), Selected by Amrita Pritam, Sahitya Akademi, 1993. ISBN 81-7201-417-1.
• Luna (English), tr. by B.M. Bhatta, Sahitya Akademi, 2005, ISBN 81-260-1873-9.

Legacy[link]

One of his anthology, Alvida (Farewell) was published posthumously in 1974, by the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. 'Shiv Kumar Batalvi Award' for Best Writer, is given each year.^[14][15]

In Media[link]

Many of his poems were sung by Deedar Singh Pardesi. Jagjit Singh-Chitra Singh, and Surinder Kaur, have also sung many of his poems.^[16] Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's rendition of one of his poem "Maye ni Maye" is known for its soulfulness and imagery. In a recent album, Rabbi (2004), by Rabbi Shergill features, his poem, "Ishtihar". Punjabi folk singer, Hans Raj Hans also did a popular album, ‘Gham’, on the poetry of Shiv Kumar. In 2005, a compilation album was released, titled, Ek Kudi Jida Naa Mohabbat... 'Shiv Kumar Batalvi, with numbers sung by Mahendra Kapoor, Jagjit Singh and Asa Singh Mastana.^[17]

In 2004, Punjabi play titled Dardaan Da Darya based on the life of Shiv Kumar was performed at 'Punjab Kala Bhavan', Chandigarh.^[18]

Several of his poems have been adapted for movies, for e.g. "Ajj Din Chhadeya Tere Rang Varga," was adapted in 2009 Hindi movie Love Aaj Kal which became an instant hit.

Excerpts[link]

<poem> Mainu Vida Karo (Bid Me Farewell)

Assan Taan Joban Rutte Marna Mur Jana Assan Bhare Bharaye Hijar Tere di kar Parkarma Assan Taan Joban Rutte Marna

I am going to die in the season of youth, I am going to depart without emptying my contents, After completing a cycle of separation from you, I am going to die in the season of youth.^[9]

</poem>

Further reading[link]

• Makers of Indian Literature: Shiv Kumar Batalvi, by Prof. S.Soze, Published by Sahitya Akademi, 2001. ISBN 81-260-0923-3.
• Shiv Kumar Batalvi : Jeevan Ate Rachna
• Shiv Batalvi: A Solitary and Passionate singer, by Om Prakash Sharma, 1979, Sterling Publishers, New Delhi LCCN: 79-905007.
• Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Jiwan Te Rachna, by Jeet Singh Sitola. LCCN: 83-900413
• Shiv Kumar da Kavi Jagat, by Dharam Pal Singola. LCCN: 79-900386
• Shiv Kumar, Rachna Samsar, by Amarik Singh Punni. LCCN: 90-902390
• Shiv Kumar, Kavi vich Birah; by Surjit Singh Kanwal. LCCN: 88-901976

References[link]

External links[link]

• Shiv Batalvi , www.Shivbatalvi.com
• A biography on Shiv Kumar Batalvi
• Shiv Kumar Batalvi – Life and Poetry - International Journal of Punjab Studies
• Shiv - King of Solitude, www.batalvi.org
• Shiv Kumar Batalvi's village Barapind, Where He was born - Web site of Barapind
• Biography