COST SHEET

ITINERARY

DAY 1:- CHAPRA

Arrival at Chapra Railway Station and a warm welcome by our representative. Transfer to Hotel Midtown. After Breakfast Proceed for Full Day Siteseeing of Places including Ambika Bhawani temple which is just 37 kms far away from the city( Temple Dedicated to Godess Durga and claimed to be a Shaktipeeth), Chirand 18kms.(remains of Pashan age), Sonepur 26 kms( Large no. of temples, Asia's largest cattle fair, Gaj-Grah fight). En route lunch. Evening free for shopping. Depart back to hotel for Overnight Stay.

DAY 2:- CHAPRA

After Breakfast proceed for full day sight seeing of Places including Gautam Sthan 8.3 kms (Purification of Ahilya), Silhauri 31.1kms ( Mentioned in Ram Charitmanas and Shiva Purana), Marhaura 5.4 kms. (Garhdevi Temple). Return to Chapra.Enroute lunch. Evening free for leisure and shopping at markets such as Hathua Market, Sahebganj e.t.c. Transfer to Railway station for onwards Journey.

MARHAURA

It is one of the famous city of Chapra with iconic view of Garhdevi Temple, a very famous temple of Chapra witnessing huge crowd specially on the ocassion of Durga Puja. Devotees have strong belief on this temple and often visit the temple to get blessings from the deity.

A Panormic View of the temple

SILHAURI

This is an important place as per the child Episode of Shiv Puran and Ram charitra Manas. The mohbhan of Narad depicts the place to be here. This ancient place is 28 km away from Marhowra. On every Shivratary mela is organized here during which the devotes of Baba Shilanath come to pay their obeisances. A large no. of Devotees from various parts of Bihar and other States come to take the darshan.

CHIRAND

Chirand is situated 11 km south east of the district headquarter near Doriganj Bazar at the north bank of river Ghaghra. The result of the excavation there reveals about four thousand years old developed culture of Prehistoric era. Inhabitants of Chirand were engaged in Animal Husbandry, agriculture and hunting. In whole of India new Pashan age culture was firstly revealed here. Chirand had become an important urban place.

CONTACTS

In case of any Problems, Queries or Information one may contact to:-

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation

Bir Chand Patel Path, Patna

Pin-800-001,Bihar, India

Phone:-+612250604, +916122506075

Tourist Information Centre:- +91232662

WHERE TO STAY?

HOTEL MIDTOWN
Srinandan Road Municiple Chowk,Chapra
Phone:- 06152-245276

Interior View Of Room 

Conference Centre

HOTEL RAMDOOT

Chhapa,Chapra H.O, 841301

Phone:-06152-320206,244784

Room View Of Ramdoot Hotel

HOTEL INDRALOK

Leh Baazar, Salempur, Chapra, 841301
Phone:-06152-245349

Budget Room

A typical Budget Room

FACTS AND FIGURES

Chapra at a Glance
District	Chapra (Saran)
Division	Saran
State	Bihar
Country	India
STD Code	06152
Postal Code	841301
Nearest Airport	Patna (85 Kms.)
Area	2641 sq Kms.
Population	32,48,701 (2001 census)
Sex Ratio	966
Railway Station Code	Chapra Jn. (CPR), Chapra Kachery (CI), Sonepur (SEE)
Literacy Rate	51.80% (2001 census)
Sub Division	Chapra, Sonepur, Marhaura
Language Spoken	Hindi, Bhojpuri
University	Jai Prakash Vishwavidyalaya, Chapra
Member of Legislature	Shri Randhir Singh
Member Of Parliament	Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy
Major Festival	Chhath Parv, Holi, Diwali, Dusshera, Makar Sakranti, Teej and Eid
Famous Personalities	Dr. Rajendra Prasad (First President of India), Loknayak Jai praksh Narayan, Bhikhari Thakur (Shakespeare of Bhojpuri), Chitragupt (Musician)
Major Rail Links	Delhi, Mumbai, Howrah, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jamutawi, Varanasi, Barauni, Guwahati, Amritsar, Pune, Lucknow
Major Temples	Ambika Bhawani, Ami (Dighwara)
	Dharmnath Mandir, Chapra
	Kot devi, chapra,
	Gautam Asthan, revelganj
	Garhdevi Mandir
	Shiv Temple, Silhauri,
	Baba Mahendranath Temple, Menhdar
	Hariharnath Temple, Sonepur
	Panch mandir, Chapra
Major Industries	Mortorn confectionary, Marhuara. (Closed)
	Saran Engineering Company Ltd, Marhuara. (Closed)
	Cawnpore sugar works Ltd, Marhuara.(Closed)
	Rail wheel Factory, Bela, Chapra
	Locomotive manufacturing unit, Marhuara
Places of Archeological Interest	Chirand,
	Ashoka Pillar, Maker
Places of tourist interest	Ami, Sonepur, Dhorh Ashram, Gautam Asthan, Silhauri, Dadhichi Ashram, Chirand and Maker
Major River	Ganga, Gandak, Ghaghara (Saryug)
Major Crops	Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Sugarcane

Map

GAUTAM STHAN

Ahilya Uddhar sthal

The Ashram of Gautam Rishi is situated 5 km west of Chapra As per religious belief the purification of Ahalya was meted out here. In the great epic Ramayan, there is mention of Gautam Rishi who had cursed his wife who turned into stone. Apparently she became a human again when Lord Rama touched her.

A view of Gautam sthan 

SONEPUR

Internationally famous for the Asia's largest cattle fair held on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.It is also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela and it attracts visitors from all over Asia. it is also the head quarters of Sonepur Anchal. Sonepur is a Nagar Panchayat and is noted for its Railways platform which is one of the largest in India. So far as religious aspect of Sonepur Mela is concerned, special significance is owing to the temple of shree Hariharnath and the site of the battle of Gaj-Grah and rescue of the former by Hari During Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan or ceremonial bathing in the Ganga is held by Hindus to be unusually efficacious. On the day of full moon (Kartik Purnima) immense crowd assembles and take bath. The Mela commences on that day and lasts for more than a fortnight.

The Shiva temple, Kali temple and other temples and historical religious monuments are situated here and social and economical activities are at the highest peak during the Mela period. People come here to pay their oblation to the lords and thus its importance is not within Sonepur of Bihar rather it is of India and world fame.

HISTORY

Originally, the venue of the fair was Hajipur and only the performance of the puja used to take place at the Harihar Nath temple of Sonepur. However, under the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the venue of the fair got shifted to Sonepur. The temple of Harihar Nath is believed to have been originally built by Lord Rama, on his way to the court of King Janak to win the hand of Mata Sita. It is further said that Raja Man Singh later got the temple repaired. The Harihar Nath temple, as it stands today, was built by Raja Ram Narain, an influential person during the late Mughal period.
Gajendhra Moksha legend is associated with the temple in Sonepur. It involves the story of king Indrayamuna and the Gandharva chief Huhu, who were turned into an elephant and a crocodile respectively by the curse of great sages Agasthya and Dewala muni. One day the elephant's leg was caught by the crocodile.It is said that the location was in Nepal. It is said that both of them fought hard for many years with their herds and while fighting,they came to the place near this temple. But ultimately the King Elephant weakened and took the lotus flower from river in its trunk and prayed to the supreme god Vishnu (Hari) to save him. Vishnu heard his prayer and cut down the crocodile with his Chakra. But the touch of the chakra released Huhu from the curse.Vishnu also released Indrayamuna from his curse and took him to his abode Vaikuntha.
Since Sonepur is situated at the convergence of the sacred rivers Ganges and Gandak, the Hindus regard it as a holy site. One of the purposes of the people visiting the Sonepur Cattle Fair, apart from the fair, is to take a holy dip at the convergence and pay respects at the Hariharnath Temple.

THE FAIR TRADE

Many farm animals can be bought at the Sonepur mela from all breeds of dogs, buffaloes, donkeys, ponies,Persian horses, rabbits, goats and even the occasional camel. Many varieties of birds and poultry are also available. The area that attracts all, however, is the Haathi Bazaar where elephants are lined up for sale. The Sonepur Fair is the only place where such a large number of elephants are traded - although they cannot legally be sold. Numerous stalls are also set up at the grounds of the Sonepur Cattle Fair. One will find a wide variety of goods in these stalls, ranging from garments, to weapons and furniture, toys, utensils andagricultural implements, jewelry and handicrafts. Major attraction is the sight of numerous elephants, beautifully decorated for the purpose of sale.

Stunts Performed in the Fair 

TRANSPORTATION

Sonepur is easily accessible by Roadways and Railways. Moreover, it is only 25 kilometers from Bihar's Capital Patna, which is well connected by Airways, Railways and Roadways to the other parts of the country. During the time of Fair, BSTDC also organizes Ferries from Patna to Sonepur. There are various taxi and car rental services that provide private transport to expats, tourists, with driver to Sonepur mela and back.

Ashoka Pillar

The Ashoka Pillar is located about 33 km from Chhapra the place where Lord Buddha is said to have his made his 13th stop on his way to attaining nirvana. It is belived that it is here that he converted Amrapali, a local courtesan and famous historical figure, into a Buddhist saint. The place is now a tourist attraction for Buddhists. The place is very well-maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. At Chirand near Chapra ancient Bones were found. Today this place is visited by a large no. of Buddhist followers from several parts of the country.

Photo Gallery

A Map Of Saran District

Chapra Junction

D.M Office

Rajendra College

Rajendra Stadium

Lord Shiva Statue at Aami Temple

Aami Temple

Lord Durga at Ambika Bhawani Temple

AMBIKA BHAWANI TEMPLE(AAMI)

Idol of the Godess

The place is situated about 37 km east of Chapra and 4 km west of Dighwara. It is said that in ancient times there was a Dirgh dwar near Dighwara Railway station and the place came to be known as Dighwara. In Aami there is an old temple known as Amba asthan .This temple is dedicated to Lord Durga. Near the temple there is a garden and a deep and broad well in which water remains all over the year and it never dries up. The believer from far off come to pay oblation in the established in her memory over this Yagya Kunda. The believers from far off come to pay oblation in the Navratra of April and October. Water offered here by lacs of People vanishes in the Kunda.

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE

This temple is claimed to be a Shaktipeeth.As the legend has it, Durga Saptshati said that when disillusioned with the state of affairs of wordly practices, Raja Surath and Samadhi Vaishya went to the ashram of Medhamuni. He advised them to worship goddess Durga who controls the entire cosmos.

Both went to the riverside and made pinds of clay and worshipped her. Goddess Durga responded to their prayer and appeared to fulfil their wishes.

This is the only place in the country that matches the narration in Durga Saptshati. Shakti Ank of the religious book Kalyan also confirms that this particular place is a shaktipeeth.

The Durga temple alongside a river at Kankhal in Haridwar, too, is said to be the worship place of these two people. However, the idol of Durga is not made of clay there.

Though the temple of Daksha Prajapati is situated at Kankhal, Aami is said to be the yagya sthal — pyre of Prajapati where his daughter Parvati, wife of lord Shiva gave her life after jumping into the fire.

She did it since she could not take the insult of Shiva. The puranas and related ancient stories say that this temple is situated on the pyre place of Daksha Prajapati.

Page 130 of Saran Gudgetier also affirms that this was the place of Raja Prajapati and the prayer spot of Raja Surath and Samadhi Vaishya.

It is said that after Parvati jumped in the pyre, Shiva took her corpse and started a taandav dance to bring the world to an end.

Seeing the dance, Lord Vishnu started cutting parts of Parvati’s body to mellow down Shiva. Wherever Parvati’s body parts fell, those places are considered to be shaktipeeths.

In Aami, the Kati-Pradesh (middle portion) of Parvati fell. Here the idol is in the shape of vulva with nine pinds.

A very strange speciality is that this temple is situated at a place from where Lord Shiva’s Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Vishvanath temple in Varanasi and Vaidyanath Dham in Deoghar are at equal distance.

Main entrance of the temple

ACCESSIBILITY

This Place is quiet accessible through all of the modes of transportation:-

ROADWAYS:- From the state capital Patna it is the place that comes in the route of Chapra, Siwan and Gopalganj. so Buses going to these districts are carrying passenger upto Aami  however it is advised that before boarding to this place one should confirm about the stopage of bus with the bus condutor.
From Hajipur Auto Rickshaw going to Dighwara is also the option. from Dighwara one can get Tanga or Rickshaw as the distance is very short.


AIRWAYS:- Nearest Airport is Patna


RAILWAYS:- Nearest railway station is Dighwara after that option of roadway is there.

Massive Idol of Lord Shiva inside the Premises of temple

ABOUT CHAPRA

Chhapra is a beautiful city that boasts of a long History, from the ancient times itself. It is also a place that synonymous with the scenic beauty of nature. Its pristine setting away from away from the noise of big cosmopolitan cities make it an attractive tourist place for people who are interested in History and culture. People looking to visit can certainly take pick of different places. Since the town is well connected to neighboring towns and cities, it makes travel easier for people as well.
Chhapra is famous for its Bhojpuri heritage. Bhojpuri is dialect of this place. Ara (Arrah), Ballia (Balia), Chapra and Deoria, the Bhojpuri heartland, are known as "ABCD" of India due to their people's congruence of language and culture. It was constituted a municipality in 1864. The history as mentioned in the 'Ain-E-Akbari records Saran as one of the six Sarkars (Revenue Divisions) constituting the province of Bihar including Saran and Champaran. These two were later combined to form a single unit named Saran later on its name became CHAPRA.
Chhapra is also a place of top guns. Jai Prakash Narayan (stalwart of Indian politics), Dr. Rajendra Prasad (First President of India) , Bhikhari Thakur (shakespeare of Bhojpuri), Mazaharul Haq, Chitragupta (the famous music composer of Bollywood, etc hailed from CHAPRA. The town is well connected with other parts of Bihar because of a good communication network.The nearest airport is the Patna Airport.The Chhapra Railway Station is on the Gorakhpur-Siwan-Hajipur-Muzaffarpur-Barauni and Varanasi-Ballia-Chapra-Thawe line. National Highway 85 and NH 19 has its route through Chhapra. National Highway 101 and National Highway 102 originate from Chhapra.

Chapra Railway Station

Saran District is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India. The district is a part of Saran Division, is also known as Chapra district after the headquarters of the district - Chapra. Saran district occupies an area of 2,641 square kilometers (1,020 sq mi),there are a few villages in saran which are known for its historical and social significance. one of those villages is Rampur Kallan which is situated at the distance of around 10 km north of Chapra town. This village played a commendable role in freedom movement . Sardar Mangal singh was widely known for his contribution to the freedom movement

Chapra Railway Station