Munger district General information
Munger district is one of the thirty-seven districts of Bihar state in eastern India. Munger town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Munger district is a part of Munger Division. The district occupies an area of 1419.7 km².
Origin Of Name
The district is named after its headquarters, Munger. There are several traditions regarding the etymology of Munger. According to one tradition, the present name of the town is derived from its ancient name Mudgagiri, which is mentioned in the Mahbharata as well as the Munger copperlate inscription of Devapala. According to another tradition, the name of the town is derived from either sage Mudgala or Maudgalyayana, a disciple of Buddha. However, General Cunnigham had strong suspicion that the original name of the town was connected with the Mundas, who are the earliest residents of this region and C.E.A. Oldham thinks it was probably derived from Munigriha (the abode of the Muni).
History
The territory occupied by the present day Munger district was a part of Anga mahajanapada. The Mahabharata says that it was ruled by Karna. Mudgagiri (Munger) was the capital of the Pala empire. Bengal Nawab Mir Kasim fought one of the last battles before the East India Company captured the eastern India. The Fort built by him has three gates and the Ganga on its four sides. Munger was known as Monghyr throughout British rule. In the early years of British rule Monghyr formed a part of Bhagalpur, and was not created a separate district till 1832.
Geography
Munger district is so located in the southern Bihar and Munger town, its headquarters is located on the southern bank of the Ganges. The district lies between 24°20' and 25°30' north latitudes and between 85°37' and 87°30' east longitudes. The average height from the sea level is 30 to 65 m.
Demography
The district has a population of 1,135,499 (male 604662, female 530837). The urban population is 316586, while the rural population is 818913 (2001 census). The literacy rate is 60.11% (male 70.68%, female 47.97%) (2001 census).
Rivers
The major rivers of this district are the Ganga, the Mohane, the Harohar and the Kiul.
Climate
There are three distinct seasons in this zone, summer (March to May), monsoon (June to September) and winter (October to February). Average annual rainfall of this district is 1146 mm (average of 53 years).
Agriculture
Total cultivable land area in this district is 8600 ha. Main agricultural products of this district are paddy, wheat and lentils.
Industry
The earliest industrial unit, the Railways workshop at Jamalpur was established on February 8, 1862. Other major industries in this district include the cigarette plant of the ITC at Basdeopur and the gun manufacturing units at Munger.
Tourist Place
CHANDIKA ASTAHAN: On the sky of religion, Munger is one of the Bright Star. Chandi Asthan one out of the Sixty-four shakti peeths is situated in Munger. On the Northeast corner of Munger, Chandi Asthan is just 2 one kilometer away from the Munger town. Being a Siddhpith Chandi Asthan is considered to be one of the most sacred and sanctified temples, as important as Kamakshya temple near Gauhati. Legendary stories says that it was to save the world from the anger of Lord Shiva, as he took the corpse of Sati and began dancing in the “Tandav Mudra”, as a result of which the earth began to shake and the whole creation was about to destroy, Lord Vishnu managed to cut Sati’s corpse in 64 pieces by his Sudarshan Chakra.
Kastaharni Ghat: In the sixth century after Christ, a Hindu sage, named Mudgal Muni, appeared in the city and established two shrines, one at a rock at Kashtaharini Ghat.In the 26the Adhyaya (chapter) of Adi Kanda of the valmiki’s Ramayana, it is mentioned that both Ramchandra and his brother Lakshmana on their way back from the encounter with Taraka, the demoness, took rest at the spot. The relaxation they had, gave rise to the name of Kashtaharini Ghat stands.
Pir Shah Nafah Shrine: In the present fort area the oldest building inside the fort is a sacred Muhammdan shrine built on an elevated piece of ground near the southern gate. It is said that it was a mazar of a Pir or Saint whose name is still unknown. He is said to have traveled from Persia to Ajmer and from there came down to Munger under the instructions from Khwaza Moin-Uddin Chisti- the famous Sufi Saint and Lived at Munger for many years and also died here in 596 A.H, corresponding to 1177 A.D. He was buried in an obscure place near the ramparts and with the lapse of years exact burial place was forgotten. Ultimately, in 1497 A.D. when the ramparts of the fort being repaired by the Governor, Prince Danyal.
Sita Kund: This place has always been the one, which creates a lot of inquisitiveness among the visitors, as well as it gives a lot of pleasure too. The place is situated 4 miles east of the Munger town. It contains hot springs known as Sita Kund, besides this there is a Hindu temple and to the north is a reservoir of cold water, known as Ramkund, while to the west there were three more polls called after the three brothers of Ram, namely Lakshman Kund, Bharat Kund, and Satrughan Kund.
MANPATHAR (SITA CHARAN): Very close to Kastaharni Ghat there is another place of interest called. Manpathar. It is a rock in the bed of river about two miles away from the fort. The Rock contains the impression of two feet, which is supposed to be the feet of Sita when she touched the rock in crossing the Ganga. It is 250 meter long and 30 meter wide. There is a small Mandir at that place.
Ucheswar Nath: In Kharagpur area, there is a very important temple of Lord Shiva which is famous as Ucheswar Nath . It is also important for Santhals and a public fair is held here,where is Santhal boys and a girls marry, according to their tribal custom.