Introduction
Prior to bifurcation of Siwan and Gopalganj districts in 1992, Saran district with its HQ at Chhapra was one of the biggest and oldest districts of Bihar. The meaning of the word “Saran” corresponds to “asylum” or “refuge” in English. Chinese traveller Xuanzang also refers to Saran in his memoirs.
By 1666, the Dutch established their trade in saltpetre at Chhapra. Prior to 1905, Saran was part of Bengal, Orissa and Assam. It continued to be part of Orissa till 1936.
Places of Interest
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Sonepur
Situated at the confluence of holy rivers Ganga and Gandak, the
place is important because it was here that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are said
to have resolved the fight between Gaj (elephant) and Grah (crocodile). World
famous Harihar Kshetra Mela, organised every year at this place, has been the
centre of attraction for domestic and foreign visitors for years. The place is
about 50 km east of Chhapra town, 10 km west of Hajipur town and about 30 km
south of Patna. It is well connected by road and rail.
Aami
It is the place where Maharaja Daksha and King Surat practised
asceticism. This place has been famous for the temple of goddess Durga. It is
located 28 km east of Chhapra town and about 50 km west of Patna. The nearest
railway station is Dighwara.
Chirand
It is situated 10 km east of Chhapra, the district HQ of the
Saran district, and the same distance south off the Sonepur-Chhapra road. The
discovery of the neolithic culture in 1970 in the Ganga valley was very
significant as till then no neolithic signs had been found in course of
archaeological excavations in northern India. In Chirand, we have for the first
time a neolithic complex in low-lying plains with monsoon climate. ‘Bangali
Baba Ka Mathia’ here is an added attraction.
Silhouri
Situated about 26 km north of Chhapra, this is the place where
Indra and Yamraj took a test of King Shivi. The nearest railway station is
Marhoura on Chhapra-Thawe rail route.
Revelganj
It is situated on Chhapra-Gazipur National Highway. There are
several temples located between eight and thirteen km from Chhapra. Srinath
Temple is one of the important places. On the eve of Kartik Purnima, a
month-long fair, Godhna Semaria Mela’, is organised here every year.
Chhapra Town
Dharmanath temple, Peerbaba Ka Mazar, Ramkrishna Mission Ashram
and Parwati Ashram are some of the important places of the town.
SONS OF THE SOIL
Among the celebrities and freedom fighters, India’s first
president Dr Rajendra Prasad, Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, Maulana Mazharul
Haque, Bhikhari Thakur, Padmashree folk singer Vindhyavasini Devi all belong to
Saran.
HOW TO REACH
By Air:
Nearest Airport
Jaiprakash
Narayan International Airport, Patna (77 kms) Gaya International Airport, Gaya
(About 174 kms)
By
Rail:
Nearest railhead:
Chhapra
is well con-nected by road and rail. Chhapra Junction is one of the important
stations of North Eastern Railway.
Buses ply regularly from Patna, Hajipur and Muzaffarpur to
Chhapra. Roads are in good condition. It’s a two-hour drive from Patna.
By
Road:
Connected
by good roads with all Indian cities.
Where
to Stay:
Hotel Ramdoot, Hotel Coffee House, Hotel Guru Mahima, Hotel Plaza and Hotel
Rajasthan are some of the important hotels at Chhapra where rooms are available
at moderate rates.
WHERE TO EAT:
Mac-Ronalds, Zayaka, Dejee and Nakshtra are some of the important
eateries of Chhapra town.
Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.
Tourist Season:
October to March.
Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to
January).