Bithoor
| Bithoor Brahmavart | |
|---|---|
| town | |
|
Brahmavart Ghat Picture taken on Shivaratri day shows the pilgrims about to start their two-day austerity trek. | |
  Bithoor Location in Uttar Pradesh, India | |
| Coordinates: 26°36′46″N 80°16′19″E / 26.6127°N 80.2719°ECoordinates: 26°36′46″N 80°16′19″E / 26.6127°N 80.2719°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| District | Kanpur |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 9,647 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi, urdu, Awadhi & English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Telephone code | 0512 |
| Vehicle registration | UP-78 |
| Website | Official Website |
Bithoor or Bithur is a small town in Kanpur District, 23.4 kilometres (14.5 mi) by road north of the centre of Kanpur city, in Uttar Pradesh, India. Bithoor is situated on the right bank of the Ganga, and is the centre of Hindu pilgrimage. According to Hindu mythology Bithur is the birthplace of Ram's sons Luv and Kush.The city is enlisted as a municipality of Kanpur Metropolitan Area.
History
Bithoor has been closely associated with the Indian independence movement, especially the Indian Rebellion of 1857. It was at one time home to many of the rebellion's most prominent characters including the Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmi Bai. During the British Raj, Bithur used to be part of Cawnpore district (now Kanpur) in the United Provinces. The last of the Peshwas, Baji Rao II, was banished to Bithur; his adopted son, Nana Sahib, made the town his headquarters. Bithur was captured by General Havelock on July 19, 1857.[1] The town was laid waste by the British who razed Nana Sahib's palace and the temples in the town in retaliation for the brutal killing of over 300 British men, women and children who had been lured out of their defences at Cawnpore with a promise of truce during the Siege of Cawnpore.[2][3]
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[4] Bithoor had a population of 9647. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Bithoor has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 70% and female literacy of 53%. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Notable landmarks
- Valmiki Ashram
Some of the most significant moments of Hindu religion and mythology are said to be created here, as being the place of the forest-rendezvous of Sita after Lord Rama left her, the birthplace of Lav and Kush, the site where the Ramayana was written.
- Brahmavart Ghat
This is the holiest of the holy ghats of Bithoor. According to Hindu scriptures Lord Brahma came to Utpalaranya, as it was known then, for the creation of mankind. The place which first witnessed the creation of mankind came to be known as Brahmavarta or the seat of Brahma. The disciples of Lord Brahma pray at the altar of the 'Wooden Slippers' after a ritual bath. Later Brahma installed a Shivalinga which is still worshipped as Brahmeshwar Mahadeva at the principal ghat of Bithoor, the Brahmavarta Ghat. hide A nail of the horse shoe embedded in the steps of the Ghat is an object of special reverence for devotees, considered to be of Brahma's horse, while going for Ashwamedha Yajna. On the completion of the yajna, the forests of Utpalaranya became known as Brahmavarta, from which the popular name, Bithoor is derived.
- Patthar Ghat
The redstone ghat whose foundation stone was laid by the minister of Avadh, Tikait Rai, is a symbol of incomparable art and architecture. There is a massive Shiv temple where the Shivling is made of 'Kasaauti' stone.
- Dhruva Teela
In later centuries Brahmavarta flourished as a capital of the kingdom of Utpalaranya, over which ruled the emperor Uttanpad. His son Dhruva penanced here in order to please Brahma. God was so pleased that he not only appeared but granted him a divine boon—to shine for all time to come as a star. The place is pointed out to be Dhruva Teela.
ISKCON Temple, Kanpur is a part of the worldwide International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) movement, which is a Non profit, Social welfare & Spiritual organization engaged in propagating the teachings & values of the great ancient literatures of our Vedic heritage.We are a Charitable Trust dedicated to promoting individual and global peace, harmony and prosperity by spreading the message of divine love and fraternity given in the Vedic texts of ancient India.
ISKCON originates under Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya which is one of main disciplic lineage under Vaishnavism's four main disciplic lineages (sampradayas). His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada originally started ISKCON movement worldwide in 1966. Since then the trust has brought spiritual joy, integrity and dignity to the lives of millions of people worldwide.
Address-Sri Sri Radha Madhav Mandir, Mainawati Marg, Post Kheora, Bithur Road, Kanpur Nawabganj, Uttar Pradesh, India 208002.
Website-www.iskconkanpur.com.
- Siddhidham Ashram
Siddidham Ashram, also known as Sudhanshu ji Maharaj Ashram is under "Vishva Shanti Mission" organisation which is run by Sudhanshu ji Maharaj. It is situated on Bithoor road. The ashram has a big campus. There is also a Radha Krishna temple and an artificial Kailash Mountain.
Apart from these, there are some other landmarks as well, such as the Ram Janki temple, Lav-Kush temple, Sai Baba temple, Haridham Ashram, Jahangir Mosque and Nana Saheb Smarak.
See also
References
- ↑ Shashi, S. S. (1996). Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. Anmol Publications. p. 183. ISBN 978-81-7041-859-7. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
- ↑
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bithur". Encyclopædia Britannica 4 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. - ↑ Gupta, Pratul Chandra (1963). Nana Sahib and the Rising at Cawnpore. Clarendon Press. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
External links
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Media related to Bithoor at Wikimedia Commons
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