Katihar

Katihar Katihar
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	175,169

Katihar is a city and a municipality in Katihar district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the administrative headquarters of Katihar district. The city is important as a crucial Northeast Frontier Railway junction.

Geography

Katihar is located at 25.53°N 87.58°E / 25.53; 87.58. It has an average elevation of 20 metres (65 feet). The main rivers of the District are mighty Ganga (Southern boundary, 25 Kilometers from Katihar Town), magnificient Kosi(Western boundary, 30 Kilometers from Katihar Town) and beautiful Mahananda besides many other small rivers like Kari Kosi (Flowing by the side of Katihar town), Kamla etc. The Chhat celebration at the bank of Kari Kosi is enchanting. The Kosi( Sorrow of Bihar) merges with Ganga at the South-West boundary of Katihar District. This District shares boundary with two states i.e. Jharkhand at the Southern Side and West Bengal at the Eastern Side. The Bangla Desh lies around 80 Kms east of Katihar town and Nepal lies around 100 Kms north of Katihar Town. There is rail connectivity to both the borders from Katihar railway station. The Hills of Jharkhand near the southern Bank of Ganga is even visible from Katihar Town on a clear day. Its proximity to the Himalayas in the North, Jharkhand plateu in the South and a multiple of rivers combined with good rainfall gives it a distinct climate which can be termed more or less pleasant during most of the year. The rainy season flood is an annual feature.

Demographics

As of 2001 India censusTemplate:GR, Katihar had a population of 175,169. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Katihar has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 70%, and female literacy is 55%. In Katihar, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Economics

The major source of living is agriculture but there are few industries as well named as MWS produucing agricultural equipments.Apart from it there are two jute mills and two flour mill are worth mentioning. The Jute Mills known as Purana Mill and Naya Mill once shaped the characterstics of town. Of late there has been lock outs, re-opening of the Mills but the jute industry is in bad shape. The rice industry is a flourishing business in the Katihar town. The cloth market here dealing in cotton and sarees is very vibrant and caters to nearby districts and the bordering countries of Nepal and Bangladesh. There are also a couple of old cycle trading companies with huge turnover. Paper Mart is an old reputed establishment dealing in Paper, Printing Inks, Office, School Stationery, Authorised Government Suppliers and Wedding Cards.Aparts pharmacueticals business is also pretty good with huge turnover. The main crops are paddy, jute, makhana, banana, wheat and pulses. The agriculture is the main stay of District but due to frequent floods, no proper irrigation facility and poor or no electric supply has hampered the rural area dependent upon agriculture. There is large scale migration of poor people to the various cities of India in search of job.

Landmarks

The two notable landmarks are the Durga Sthan and the Kali Sthan. Centrally located is the Post office. There are four cinema halls Shyama Talkies, Prakash Talkies, Hardayal Talkies & the Vasant Talkies.apart from that there is ramakrishna mission vidya mandir in r.k.m.v road which is really a place of culture and knowledge.

Places of Interest

Chowki ( http://fazle.sulekha.com/blog/post/2006/04/katihar-famous-for-its-bucolic-beauty.htm) => At about 40 km north-east from Katihar town. Nearby places :: Kadwa, Sonaili, Baliharpur. The village is versatile in all aspects. People from almost all caste and religion live here as a common fraternity. The main source of living is agriculture and business. There is one market(Haat-truly eccentric) in the eastern part of the village. The haat is condsidered to be the pivotal of all the business related interests.People from nearby villages often visit the same for shopping. The river Mahananda is located at about two kilometres towards east-north. The riverbed of Mahananda is so beautifully laid out that its beauty is enchanting.

Majheli=>At about 22 km east from Katihar town. Nearby places :: Sonaili, Bastol, Pranpur. The village is also versatile in all aspects. People from almost all castes live here as a common fraternity. Peoples from different religions like Shershahbadi, Mandal are staying together. Main source of living is agriculture and business.Some people are working in state government. The river Mahananda is about 10 km east of the village. Village ALAPOKHER , situated 30 km north of Katihar town, very near to Mahananda river. A village of modern time which is producing so many educationist including doctors , engineers, academicians.it is also known as brain of katihar.

References

Village ALAPOKHER , situated 30 km north of Katihar town, very near to Mahananda river. A village of modern time which is producing so many educationist including doctors , engineers, academicians.