Gorakhpur

**Gorakhpur**
	Gorakhpur
	Gorakhpur Location of Gorakhpur; in Uttar Pradesh and India
Coordinates	26°33′0″N 83°9′0″E / 26.55°N 83.15°E
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District(s)	Gorakhpur
Population; • Density	3,769,456 (2001); • 1,082 /km2 (2,802 /sq mi)
Sex ratio	959 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area	3,483.8 km2 (1,345 sq mi)
Climate; Temperature; • Summer; • Winter	; • 26 °C (79 °F); • 40 °C (104 °F); • 18 °C (64 °F)
• Pincode	• 2730XX
• Telephone	• +91-551
• Vehicle	• UP 53
Website	http://gorakhpur.nic.in

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Gorakhpur (Hindi: गोरखपुर, Urdu: گورکھپور) is a city in the eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, near the border with Nepal. It is the administrative headquarters of Gorakhpur District and Gorakhpur Division. Hindi, Urdu and Bhojpuri are the main languages.

Gorakhpur is famous as a religious centre: the city was home to Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Sikh saints and is named after the medieval saint Gorakshanath. Gorakhnath Temple is still the seat of the Nath sect. It is also the Birth place of the great saint Paramhansa Yogananda. The city is also home to many historic Buddhist sites and the Gita Press, a publisher of Hindu religious texts.

In the 20th century, Gorakhpur was a focal point in the Indian independence movement. Today, the city is also a business centre, hosting the headquarters of the North Eastern Railways, previously known as Bengal Nagpur Railways, and an industrial area, GIDA (Gorakhpur Development Authority) 15 km from the old town.

[edit] District statistics

Geographical Area 3,483.8 km²
Total Population(2008) 8,156,610
Sex Ratio (2001) 959
Rural Population ( 80.40% ) (2001)3,030,865
Urban Population ( 19.60% ) (2001)738,591
Total Literates ( 58.45% ) (2008) 22,429,538

[edit] Origin of name

The city and district of Gorakhpur are named after a renowned ascetic saint, Gorakshanath, the chief disciple of the yogi Matsyendranath. Together, Matsyendranath and Gorakshanath founded the Nath Sampradaya line of saints. Gorakhnath Temple is said to stand on the spot where Gorakshanath practiced Hatha Yoga to develop self-control.

[edit] History

In ancient times the geographical area of Gorakhpur included the modern districts of Basti, Deoria, Kushinagar, Azamgarh. According to Vedic writings, the earliest known monarch ruling over this region with his capital at Ayodhya was Iksvaku, founder of the Solar dynasty. The solar dynasty produced a number of kings; Rama of the Ramayana is most well-known. The entire region was an important centre of Aryan culture and civilization, a part of the famous kingdoms of Koshala and Mall, two of the sixteen Mahajanapadas (states) in 6th century BCE India.

Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism, who was born at Kapilvastu near Gorakhpur, renounced his princely clothing at the confluence of the rivers Rapti and Rohini, near Gorakhpur, before setting out on his quest of truth in 600 BCE. Later he died in the courtyard of Mall King Sastipal Mall at his capital Kushinara which is now known as Kushinagar, there is a monument to this effect at Kushinagar even today. The city is also associated with the travels of Lord Buddha's contemporary Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Lord Mahavira was born at a place not very far from Gorakhpur. Later he took his mahaparinirvan at his maternal uncle's palace at Pava which is about 15 kilometer from Kushinagar(Pavapuri and Kushinar were the twin capital of Mall dynasty which was part 16 Mahajanpads of ancient India).The Malls were a powerful clan of eastern India[2] at the time of Gautama Buddha and they are frequently mentioned in Buddhist and Jaina works. The Mahabharata (II.30.3) mentions that the second Pandava Bhima is said to have conquered the chief of the Mall in course of his expedition to eastern India. The Mahabharata (VI.9.46) mentions Malls along with the Angas, Vangas, and Kalingas as eastern tribes.[2] The Malls were republican people with their dominion consisting of nine territories (Kalpa Sutra; Nirayavali Sutra), one of each of the nine confederated clans.

Gorakhnath Mandir, in Gorakhpur

After the Iksvaku dynasty was conquered by Magadha's Nanda Dynasty in the 4th century BC, Gorakhpur became in turn part of the Maurya, Shunga, Kushana, Gupta and Harsha empires. The great emperor of India Chandragupta maurya belonged to Moriyas, a Kshatriya (warrior) clan of a little ancient republic of Pippalivana located between Rummindei in the Nepali Tarai and Kasia in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

In the 10th century, the Tharu king Mausen of Madan Singh ruled over Gorakhpur city and the adjoining area. Gorakhpur was also birth place of King Vikas Sankrityayan ^[1].

In medieval times, the city was home to the medieval Hindu saint Gorakshanath, who gave the city its name. The date of Gorakshanath's birth has not yet been settled, but he probably lived in the twelfth century. The site of his samādhi (ecstasy) at Gorakhpur attracts a large number of pilgrims every year.

In the 12th century, the Gorakhpur region, as much of northern India, was conquered by the Muslim ruler Muhammad Ghori. The region remained under the influence of Muslim rulers, such as Qutb-ud-din Aybak and Bahadur Shah, for some centuries. In the early 16th century, the mystic poet and famous saint Kabir lived and worked in Maghar, a village 20 km from Gorakhpur, where his burial place still attracts many pilgrims.

On Akbar's reorganisation of the empire in the 16th century, Gorakhpur gave its name to one of the five Sarkars (administrative units) in the province of Awadh.

Gorakhpur came under direct British control in 1803. It was one of major centers of the 1857 uprising, and later played a major role in the Indian independence movement.

Gorakhpur district was the scene of the Chauri Chaura incident of February 4, 1922, which was a turning point in the history of India's freedom struggle. Enraged by police atrocities, a crowd of 2,000 people burnt down the Chauri-Chaura Police Station, killing nineteen policemen. In response to this violence, Mahatma Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement that he had launched in 1920 and fasted for 21 days, until he was satisfied that all Non-Cooperation Movement activities had ceased. It was in Gorakhpur Jail that Ram Prasad Bismil was hanged for taking active part in the fight against the British rule.

In 1934, an earthquake (8.1 on the Richter scale) caused much damage in the city.

Two other important events in the district took place in 1942, shortly after the famous Quit India Resolution was proclaimed on August 8. On August 9, Jawaharlal Nehru was arrested and tried in this district; he spent the next three years in prison. At Doharia kala (in Sahjanwa Tehsil) on August 23, a protest meeting was held against the British Government. Government forces opened fire unprovoked, killing nine and injuring hundreds. A Shaheed Smarak memorial stands on the spot today.

It is also the birth place of Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan. It is also known for being the head of north eastern railways(NER). Late Sachindra Nath Sanyal (Very few people to have undertaken Transportation for Life twice), who was the founder of Hindusthan Republican Army, which later on transformed into INA (Azad Hind Fauz) was founded by him. He spent his last life as a destitute, neglected by all, in a place in the city, when he was stricken by TB. The place today is known as Betiahata. A large Multistory residential building stands today on the spot, owned by Sahara. Also Karma Bhumi of Late Jitendra Nath Sanyal, the Revolutionarist, who spent seven years in jail, against the British, was associated in Lahore Conspiracy case, written a book on Sardar Bhagat Singh was imprisoned by the British. The most interesting chapter is Indian air base which is destroyed by a Pakistani spy with his six followers in 1974, that spy known as Abu Shuja Abu Waqar (real name: Saleem) after returned back from India, later wrote a book named "Ghazi" in which he claimed that more than 200 IAF personnal were killed. Fraque Gorakhpuri,hocky player Prem Maya and R P Singh,famours wrestler Ramasrya Pahelwan and comedian Asit Sen are some of the eminent personalities associated with Gorakhpur. In fact Premchand, the famous hindi writer composed some of his major works here.

[edit] Geography

It is located on the bank of river Rapti, a Ganges tributary originating in Nepal that sometimes causes severe floods. The Rapti is interconnected through many other small rivers following meandering courses across the Gangetic Plain. There is also a big lake called "Ramgarh Tal", which has its own story of formation. It has many other small villages located around the city. In the outer skirts of the city farming is very much prevalent. It has a good rainfall every year. It is also the way to the famous tourist spot and pilgrimage site Kushinagar, where the Buddha died. Many tourists come here to visit this place.

[edit] Economy

The economy of Gorakhpur is based on the service-industry. There is no production industry. People from all over Purvanchal (Eastern U.P) migrate to the city for better education, medical and other facilities which are better compared to villages.
With a good geographical location and sub-urban to urban background, the city's economy is definitely on a rise but only in service - sector. The city is famous for handwoven fabric made on a Hathkargha, a hand-operated loom, and Terracota products but there is on care-taker of that for greater commercial perspective. There are branches of all nationalized banks as well as of private banks like ICICI, HDFC, AXIS and IDBI Bank in the city.

High water mark of the city, "Golghar", in almost the geographical center of the city includes several major shops, hotels, banks, and restaurants, as well as the Baldev Plaza and City shopping malls. Baldev Plaza is the oldest and largest shopping mall in the region. Other Malls, such as Crossroads mall, can also be found in adjoining Baxipur area. City Mall holds a 3 screen SRS Multiplex which is an attraction for movie lovers. Buxipur area accounts for one of the biggest book markets of North Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

[edit] Society and culture

[edit] People

The original inhabitants of Gorakhpur are known for their amicable behaviour and civility. The major class composition is Kayasth,Brahmins and Rajputs. However in the recent times many people from Bihar have started settlling in there.

[edit] Literature

The mystic poet and famous saint Kabir (1440–1518) lived and worked in Maghar, a village 20 km from Gorakhpur. Here, most of his poems urging his countrymen to live in peace and religious harmony, were composed. Kabir's burial place in Maghar attracts a large number of pilgrims.

Munshi Premchand (1880–1936), one of India's great Hindi novelists, lived in Gorakhpur. The house where he lived and wrote still stands in a park named Munshi Premchand Park.

Firaq Gorakhpuri (1896–1982) (Raghupati Sahay), the famous Urdu poet, grew up in Gorakhpur, where his childhood home still stands. He later moved to Allahabad where he was a professor of English at Allahabad University.

Famous Poet and critic, Majnoon Gorakhpuri, is also from Gorakhpur

Urdu poet Mohd. Umar Khan Umar, a disciple of renowned Shair Dagh Dehelvi, also belonged to Gorakhpur. A collection of his selected poetry entitled Bada-i- Kuhna (The Old Wine) has recently been published.

Gorakhpur is also the home to the Gita Press, publishers of many Hindu holy texts, including the Bhagavad Gita. The Press was the first to publish the text as a book; prior to this the Gita existed solely in the oral tradition of the Brahmin.Gita press holds a place in the guiness book of world reecords as the largest publisher of religious books in the world in terms of volume. The publishing company is located in a building with marble walls inscribed with the 18 chapters of the Gita, and hung with paintings depicting the lives of Rama and Krishna.

[edit] Landmarks

[edit] Religious

Imam Bara, Miyan Bazar
Shahi Jama Masjid, Urdu Bazar
Gorakhnath Temple, a monastery dedicated to Saint Gorakshanath.
Lord Buddha Sangrahalaya, a Buddhist museum.
Maghar In Sant Kabir Nagar - The place where saint Kabir died.
Kushinagar - The place where Lord Buddha died.
Pavapuri - The place where Mahavira took his Nirvana.
Gorakhpur, Bhudiya Maai Mandir
Gorakhpur Lehra Devi Mandir, Farenda now known as Ananda Nagar at Gorakhpur Sonauli Road
Gorakhpur Tarkulha Devi Mandir, Gorakpur
Gita Vatika Mandir
Geeta Press
Shani Dev Mandir, Humayunpur
Vishnu Mandir, Shahpur
Shiv Mandir, Rustampur.
Shiv Mandir Jafra Bazaar, Bare Kazipur
Sri Ram Janaki Mandir temple, Manashpuram, Azad Chauk
Mansarovar Shiv Mandir, Near Ramleela Maidan
Kali Mandir Temple, Daudpur, Gorakhpur
St. Joseph's Church, Civil Lines
Rahul Sankrityayan museum.
Munshi Premchand Park
Suraj Kund - Sun pond and temple.
Railway Museum
Gita Press
Ramgarh Lake
Tara Mandal
Bahadur Shah Zafar Colony-Ellahibagh

[edit] Industry

Soil is very fertile in this part of country so it is impossible to get big part of land for industry which suits agriculture most. Government has taken over land from farmers to build GIDA as industrial area which still have some dispute.

Due to corruption, less and erratic electric supply industrial growth is in state of negligence. All the industrialist from Gorakhpur have shifted their base to western U.P. and invested in other part of country. If a person wants to open a industrial firm it will take at least 2-3 Years to complete all the government formalities.

There are few industries in gida namely:

Parle Agro
Azam Rubber Products (ARP) Ltd, GIDA, Gorakhpur
India Glycols Limited (IGL), GIDA, Gorakhpur
Hi-Tech Medical Products, GIDA, Gorakhpur
Vinod Chemicals
A.B.R. Petro Products Ltd., GIDA, Gorakhpur.
Jai Laxmi Solvents Pvt. Ltd.Gorakhpur
National Ply wood
Ankur Udyog Ltd., Nakha No. 2
Gallant Ispat Ltd. GIDA
Jalanjee Polytex Ltd. Near Industrial Estate

[edit] Places of interest

Gorakhnath Mandir (Temple)
Shahid Smarak (Martyr Memorial) of Chauri Chaura reminding the memories of patriotism of 1922.
Taramandal Planetarium (founded by then chief minister Late Sri Vir Bahadur Singh)
Tarkullaha DEVI (Indian great warrior of freedom Shaeed Bandhu Singh was sentenced to death by English government here)
Munshi Premchand Park, Betia Hata
Hanuman Mandir and Sai Temple, Betia Hata
Laldiggi Park
Kushinagar
Ambedkar Park
Vinod Van - Mini Zoo
Ram Garh Tal - A Lake
Geeta Press
Nehru Park
The Indian Air Force
The GRD (Gorkha Recruitment Depot)
Geeta Vatika
Water Park, Near Tara Mandal (Biggest water park in UP, under construction)
Rail museum
Indira Bal Vihar, Golghar
Buddha Sangrahalai (Buddha Museum)

[edit] Transport

The three-wheeled, pedal powered cycle rickshaw is the most common mode of transportation in the city. Bus services are provided by the Gorakhpur Mahanagar Bus Seva. In addition there are auto rickshaws, cars & taxicabs. Hind Travels provide nice cabs.

City has a sometimes extreme weather conditions usually in rains but usually its good.

International tourists who are on the Buddhist Pilgrimage Circuit visit Gorakhpur on their way to Kushinagar where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (final death). It is located 52 km from Gorakhpur on National Highway 28.

Gorakhpur railway station is the headquarters of India's North East Railway. It connects to almost every major city in India. Direct trains connect to Pune, Chennai, Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Amritsar, Jammu, Guwahati and other distant parts of the nation. All major cities of India are directly connected by trains through Gorakhpur. The station offers Class A railway station facilities.

Major national highways intersect at Gorakhpur, including NH 28 and 29. Some important distances are: Kushinagar 50km, Lucknow 276 km, Varanasi 231 km, Allahabad 339 km, Agra 624km, Delhi 783 km, Gwalior 730km, Bhopal 922 km and Mumbai 1690 km. Frequent bus services are available for most of these cities. Considerable improvement in this aspect is expected after the completion of the Golden Quadrilateral road project that enhances Gorakhpur's road connectivity.

[edit] Air transport

Gorakhpur is served by an Airport located 6 km east from the city centre. It caters primarily to Indian Air Force traffic. A small number of domestic airlines including Jetlite, Kingfisher and Spicejet operate civilian aviation services to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Allahabad and elsewhere. Gorakhpur is also host to many tourists who use it as a hub to travel to Lord Buddha's pilgrimage sites.

[edit] Shoping Malls

The City Mall, Park Road - Golghar
Cross Roads-The Mall, Bank road.

[edit] Main cinema halls

Vijay Talkies
Jubilee Talkies
Menka Talkies
Indralok Talkies
Raj Cinema
Jhankar Talkies
Chhaya Talkies
SRS Cinemas (in city mall)
Manas Talkies
Tarang Talkies
United Talkies (reserved for Bhojpuri films)
Maya Talkies (closed, converting into cineplex)

[edit] Main Schools, Colleges and Universities

DDU University, BRD Medical College and MMM Engineering College are there from decades. There are also some newly opened private colleges like Institute of Technology and Management, GIDA and a Purvanchal Dental College, GIDA.The city also has some good Schools famous in nearby regions. Among them major are G.N.National Public School, Saraswati Shishu Mandir Sr. Secondary School, St. Joseph's School, Carmel School, N.E.R. Sr. Secondary School, Little Flower School, Central Academy, St. Jude's School and St. Paul's School.

AniClick Animation Institute www.AniClick.in
Shishu Shiksha Sadan, Purdilpur.
Shishu Gyan Mandir, Dilejakpur.
Army School , Kunraghat (under renovation)
Central Acadmey, Taramandal Road.
Metropolitan school , Sariya ,Medical college Road
Sarswati Shishu Mandir, Pakkibagh(Est. 1952)
Govt. Jublee Inter College
Pillars Public School www.thepillars.in
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University
Madan Mohan Malaviya Engineering College
Institute of Technology & Management, GIDA
B.R.D. Medical College
Purvanchal Dental College
St. Andrew's College (Est. 1898)
D.A.V. Degree College
M.G. Degree College
Carmel Girls Inter College
St. Joseph's School, Civil Lines
St. Paul's School
Little Flower School, Dharampur
Springer Public School
Central Academy
Little Flower School Chargawan
Amar Singh Public School, Alinagar , Gorakhpur
GN National Public School, Gorakhnath
Maharana Pratap Inter College, Civil Lines, Gorakhpur
Vikas Bharti
Mahatma Gandhi Inter College
Government Jubilee Inter College
Sarswati Shishu Mandir S.S. School, Subhashchandra Bose Nagar
Mian Sahab Islamia Inter college, Buxipur
Islamia P.G college, Buxipur
H.P.Children's Academy
Naval's Academy
M.P. Inter College
Kendriya Vidyalya
N.E.Railway Sr. Secondary School
N.E.Railway Boys Inter College
N.E.Railway Girls Inter College
Marwar Inter College
FCI Inter College
A.D. Girls Inter College
Virendra Nath Ganguly Memorial School
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
St. Xavier's Public School
St. Joseph's School
DOEACC/CEDTI Gorakhpur, MMMEC Campus.
Buddha Institute of Technology
Ashish Modern School, Betihata.

[edit] References

^ Gorakhpur is the birth place of not only King Vikas Sankrityayan Ji but also of Saraswati Shishu Mandir

Central model school were Dr P K Upadhyay studied from 1971–1975

Rashtriya Inter College,Bauliya Railway Colony.

[edit] External links

[0] Gorakhpur is the birth place of not only King Vikas Sankrityayan Ji but also of Saraswati Shishu Mandir

[1]