Introduction
Munger district has a unique historical background. The areas falling under this district are considered a part of the first Aryan settlers’ midland. It has been identified with Modagiri, a place mentioned in the epic Mahabharat. It was the capital of a kingdom in eastern India near Bhanga and Tamralipta. There is also a mention of Modagiri in the ‘Digvijay Parva’ of the Mahabharata, which seems to be the same as Modagiri.
The first authentic historical account of the district finds a mention
in the memoirs of Xuanzang who visited a part of this district towards the
close of the first half of the seventh century AD.
A copper plate known as the ‘Munger Plate’ was discovered in Munger way back in
1780. Mir Kasim conquered Munger and made it his capital till the army of East
India Company captured Munger. MirKasim had to flee through a tunnel made along
the bank of river Ganga near Kastharni Ghat.
Places of Interest
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Bihar Yoga Bharati
It is located within the Ganga Darshan Complex in Munger on a powerful energy
centre, about 172 km from Patna. It is on the top of the hill overlooking the
river Ganga.
It was Swami Shivanand who first had the vision of a yoga university when he
established the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy in Rishikesh. Paramhansa Satyanand,
who established the Ganga Darshan Complex in Munger, carried his inspiration
forward. He has founded and established the Bihar Yoga Bharati, the yoga
university, to preserve and regenerate yogic science. The university imparts
comprehensive yogic education and offers MA, MPhil, PhD and DLitt.
Munger
Fort
The most important of the monuments at Munger is the ancient fort, built on a
rocky eminence projecting into the river Ganges that protects it from west and
partly from the north, the other sides being defended by a deep moat. The
rampart was provided with four gateways, one on each side, and with circular or
octagonal bastions, at regular intervals, carrying the usual battlements. of
the gates only the northern gate, called Lal Darwaza, is somewhat preserved,
with some carved stones built into it, which originally belonged to some Hindu
or Buddhist structure.
Bheembandh
Inside the deep Kharagpur forest, 50 km away from the district HQ, there’s this
scenic spot with a natural waterfall surrounded by hills from three
sides.
Red
Fort
It’s a
historic fort, similar to the Red Fort of Delhi and Agra. It has original
bricks and ancientstructurebut it is bereft of its original tower clock which
got dismantled during the 1934 earthquake.
Chandisthan
It’s a small temple situated in the cave of a hillock on the northern flank of
river Ganga, three km from the district HQ. A large number of devotees worship
the eyeball that is fitted inside the temple and revere it as the eye of
goddess Parvati. legend has it that this is the site where one of the eyes of
Goddedss Parvati fell while her body was being carried by lord Shiva on his
shoulder. Astrologers and tantriks from across the country gather here during
Navaratra in September-October every year for meditation.
Shaheed
Bag
It is believed that the maximum number of freedom fighters who
laid their lives during the 1942 movement belonged to Munger. Several young
boys were killed at Tarapur by the Tommies while they were hoisting the
Tricolour. There’s a Shaheed Bag inside the fort premises to commemorate the
historic event.
Peer
Naph
The body of an ancient Sufi fakir is believed to be buried on a hillock on the
southern gate of Munger Fort. This place has been renovated and a magnificent
mosque has come up there. It is known as Peer Napha Saheb’s mosque. Hundreds of
persons pay their respect at this mosque, especially on Fridays.
FAIRS&
FESTIVALS
Maaghi
Purnima Mela
The fair is held at Sita Kund every year for a month, beginning
on the Maaghi Purnima day. This fair is famous for sale of wooden furniture of
all varieties at affordable prices. Traders from Katihar, Purnia and Saharsa in
Bihar and UP and Assam participate in the fair along with their products.
Shivaratri Mela
It is an important fair. Elephants and horses are adorned with ancient attires
and costumes. lakhs of people assemble here on Maha shivaratri to watch a
special play based on the mythological marriage of lord Shiva with goddess
Parvati.
Sita-Kund
It’s a hot water spring, the water of which cools only for an hour on the day
of Maaghi Purnima. But no one knows at what time the water cools. This hot
spring, six km from the district HQ, is now enclosed in a masonry reservoir and
is visited by a large number of pilgrims every day, particularly during the
full moon of Maagh.
HOW
TO REACH
By Air:
Nearest Airport
Jamalpur
Junction is the main railway station from where Munger, the district HQ, is
situated at a distance of six km. Buses, private taxis and three wheelers ply
round the clock from Jamalpur to Munger.
Munger is also connected by road to major cities of Bihar
By Rail:
Nearest railhead
Jamalpur
By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.
Where to Stay:
State Tourism Corporation’s and Private Hotels, Rest houses and
Dharmshalas at Munger.
Hotel Raj, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 228731, 225376
Centre Point, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 220600
Sitaria Hotel, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 222508, 228209
Hotel Namita, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 228680
Murari Hotel, STD Code: 06152, Phone: 261289
In Emergency, Contact, STD Code: 06152
District Magistrate: 222401 (Res), 222402 (Off)
Superintendent of Police: 222405 (Res), 222406 (Off)
Sub-divisional Officer: 222403
Medical Emergencies,Contact, STD Code: 06152
Government Sadar Hospital: 220568
Sevayan Nursing Home: 220412
Dr. K.K.Bajpayee: 222888
Dr. Anirudh Prasad: 222334
Dr. Sunil Gupta: 226539
Dr. Rana Pratap Singh: 222853
Dr. Rupa Prasad: 222746, 222398
Dr. Sunil Kumar Singh: 222173, 221364
Dr. Jogendra Kumar: 9430449751
Dr. Sudhir Prasad: 222714
Dr. J.D.Singh: 222608
Dr. R.K.Gupta: 220177
Dr. J.D.Singh: 222608
Dr. R.K.Gupta: 220177
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).
