Bhagalpur is a city and municipal corporation in the Bihar state of Eastern India. Bhagalpur is one of the oldest districts of Bihar located in the Southern region. It is situated in the plane of the Ganga basin at the height of 141 feet above sea level. It covers an area of 2569.50 sq. km. and lies between 25-07' - 25-30' N Latitude and between 86- 37 ' - 87-30 'E Longitude. It is the administrative headquarters of the Bhagalpur District. Bhagalpur is acclaimed the world over for its silk products and it is known in India as the "Silk City". Bhagalpur is the distorted form of Bhagdatpuram as it was called during the apex of Anga Kingdom and has been the seat of power since.
Municipal
Currently (2013) Bhagalpur municipal has following area (Map)
Thabalpur
Lodipur
Jicho
Sardho
Sarmaspur
Khoda
Sikandarpur
Ishaqchack
Sabour
Khankitta
Rajpur
Jhurkhuriya
Fatehpur
Bahadurpur
Barari
Tilkamanjhi
Bhikhanpur
Adampur
Khanjarpur
Sarai
Urdubajar
Hussainpur
Tatarpur
Sahibgunj
Nathnagar
Champanagar
Boundary
The district boundary is as follows:
North : Khagaria, Medhepura, Purnea and Katihar
South : Banka
East : Sahebganj and Godda
West : Munger
Sub-Divisions
The district comprises of three administrative sub-divisions.
1. Bhagalpur Sadar Sub-Division
2. Kahalgaon Sub-Division
3. Navgachia Sub-Division
The districts consists of 16 Blocks and 16 Anchals. It has 242 panchayats and 1536 villeges. There are altogether 250 post office and 125 Banks etc.
The name of blocks, sub-division wise as follows:
Bhagalpur Sadar Kahalgaon Navgachia
Jagdishpur Sanhoula Navgachia
Nathnagar Kahalgaon Kharik
Sultanganj Pirpaiti Narayanpur
Shahkund Gopalpur
Goradih Bihpur
Sabour Ismailpur
Rangra Chowk
Climate:
The city has extreme climates. It is very warm during the summers and temperatures go up to 45 degrees centigrade, while the winters are cold. It receives a good amount of rain .Urban area enjoys Ganga river while rural part face flood related problem .
Economy:
The main economic sources in the district are agriculture. Bhagalpur has been known for its growth of Paddy, Maize and Lentils. The other crops grown here are rice, corn, barley; wheat, oilseeds, and sugarcane. There is a silk culture institute and agricultural research station here. The main industries here are Tusser Silk and Thermal Power. It is also the road and railroad junction. Industries of cloth, woolen weaving and sugar milling are found here. Handicrafts made of china clay, fireclay, and mica are sold here and exported too.
Education:
The city has been a centre of cultural education due to the influence of Emperor Ashoka. There is also a sericulture institute and agricultural-research station here along with an engineering college and medical college. It also has the Bhagalpur University.
Tourism:
There are various historical and natural sites to explore here. These include Mandar Hill, Madhusudan Temple, Shive Mandir & Masjit, which has both a temple and a mosque together, Chandan Dam and Vikramashila are some of the places to see in Bhagalpur. Also kuppa ghat situated on bank of holi rever Ganga is a place of worship and sprituality. Maharishi Menhi Das , the spiritual teacher has founded this shrine. His Smarak is an attrictive place to visit. other sites includes Pravachan bhawan, ashram asthal, Under ground cave across river Ganga and peak from where
sunset in Ganga river can be seen with asthetic pleasure.
History
Early civilizations have flourished along the fertile banks of the Ganges river. Bhagalpur has often been referred to as Bhagaddat-Puram in ancient Sanskrit literature such as the Ramayana, Mahabharatha and Panchtantra. The religious festival of "Vish-hari Puja" or "the worship of the snake queen" traces its roots back hundreds of years and is still celebrated every year with thousands of believers and snake charmers offering milk to the Nag (the snake King) and Nageen (The snake Queen).