| Introduction | Places of Interest | How to Reach |
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Kawar Lake
This is the state's most important natural wetland. Situated some 20 km north of Begusarai
town on the Begusarai-Garhpura road, the lake is a state government-notified bird sanctuary
spread over an area of 63 sq km which has a dense forest cover.
Every winter during November-March, the lake plays host to thousands of migratory birds
of over 100 species. Some of them are of rare variety, hailing from as far as the central Asian
and Himalayan regions. A bliss for bird watchers, the spot has been a favorite for noted
ornithologists, including Salim Ali. |
| Jaimangalagarh |
| Situated against the picturesque background of Kawar Lake, Jaimangalagarh has the history of being an important centre of administration, art and culture during the Pala period.
Archaeological explorations have revealed that it was an important Buddhist centre. Here's also
an ancient temple where people worship Goddess Sarvamangala and organise a fair every
Tuesday and Saturday. There's also a small government guest house here. |
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| Naulaga |
| Situated about 20 km north of Begusarai town on the Begusarai-Birpur road, Naulagarh is
another important historical and archaeological site. It was an important centre of art, culture
and administration during the Pala period. There are evidences of continued history of the
place since as early as the Mauryan period. |
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| Barauni Refinery Ecological Park |
| Situated 8 km west of Begusarai town near the Barauni Refinery, the park has been developed by the Barauni Refinery. The green cover given to a wide area is a major ecological relief
in this industrial belt. The park, which extends support to aquatic and animal life, is also the
winter destination of a large number of migratory birds. |
| HERITAGE |
| Harsai Stupas |
| Situated near Jaimangalagarh is a cluster of four stupas, explored only recently by archaeologists. Preliminary studies indicate these stupas date back to the post-Gupta period and
belong to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. The Archaeological Survey of India has shown willingness for their preservation as an important historical momonument. |
| Radhe Shyam Temple |
Situated 5 km west of Begusarai town on National Highway 31 at a place called Ulao, this
temple is more than a century old and is embellished with exquisite murals of rich Rajasthani
Shekhawati Art of painting. The theme of the paintings is based on the Ramayana, the
Mahabharata and other Hindu epics.
Panch Mandir Barauni Refinery
Panch Mandir, another temple situated in close proximity to the Radhe Shyam Temple, is
replete with Pala-era statues of various gods and goddesses and other artifacts of the same
period. The Shivalinga in the temple also belongs to the Pala period.
Museums
The KP Jayaswal Radha Krishna Chaudhary Memorial Archaeological Museum, situated on
the local G D College premises, has on display many statues and artifacts found during various
archaeological excavations. There's also a Government Museum at Lohia Nagar.
Son of The Soil
Famous Hindi poet, Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, belonged to Simaria village in the
district. There's a bust of the poet installed in the village to commemorate his contributions to
the Hindi literature. The Dinkar Jayanti Samaroh Samiti, of which the Begusarai district magistrate is the ex-officio head, organises a Dinkar anniversary function at the Dinkar Bhawan in
Begusarai town every year on September 23. Literary doyens of Hindi from across the country
attend the function at which two Hindi litterateurs are feted.
Fairs & Festivals
The month-long Simaria Mela, organised on the bank of river Ganga at Simaria Ghat during October-November every year, draws thousands of devotees from Bhutan and Nepal. The
devotees stay in thatched houses and take a dip in the river as there's a widespread belief that
a dip in the Ganga during the period washes all sins. The atmosphere becomes supremely religious during the period, and the festivities end with Chhath festival. |
