Buxar District

Buxar District is an administrative district of Bihar. The district has its headquarters at Buxar. The total area occupied by the district is 1624 sq km. Buxar is located at 25 degree 34 minutes north and 85 degree 58 minutes east. It has an average elevation of 56 metres (183 feet) above the sea level. The rivers flowing through the district are Ganga River and Karmnasha River. The present district of Buxar consists of areas under Buxar Sadar and Dumraon Sub-Division of the old Bhojpur district and came in existence in the year 1991. Buxar District is bounded on the north by Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, on the south by Rohtas district, on the west by Ghazipur district and Ballia districts, and on the east by Bhojpur district.

History of Buxar district is interesting since it involves mythological elements. Originally, Buxar was known as `Karush`, `Siddhashram`, `Vedgarbhapuri`, `VyaghraSar`, `Chaitrath` or `Tapovan`. Historians are of the opinion that the history of the district of Buxar is quite ancient since its origin can be traced as even before the age of the Ramayana. The term Buxar has been derived from the word `VyaghraSar`. Mythological belief states that Rishi Durvasha had cursed Rishi Vedshira due to which his face had turned into that of a tiger. However, it is said that Rishi Vedshira was able to retain his original face after he had bathed in a sacred tank. Vyaghra Sar was the name of this water tank.

This mythological legend has also asserted that the sage Vishwamitra, who was the family guru (teacher) of Lord Rama, lived in a sacred ashram which was present on the river bank of Ganga which is near the present-day area of Buxar district. Buxar is also the region where according to the epic of Ramayana, Lord Rama had attacked and killed the demonness or `Rakshasi` Tadika. Apart from this, Lord Rama and his brother Laxman are said to have received their teachings at the area of Buxar. Another legend also describes that the wife of Gautam Rishi, known as Ahilya had got back her human body at the touch of Lord Rama near this very place. Ahirauli is the modern name of this area and is located at a distance of six kilometers from Buxar.

Geography of Buxar District is characterized by a moderate climate. The hot weather begins from the middle of March when hot westerly winds begin to blow during the day. The months of April and May are extremely hot; normally the monsoon sets in by the third week of June and continues till the end of September. The cold weather begins from November and lasts till the beginning of March, January is the coldest month when the temperature comes down as low as 10 degree Celsius. The district experiences maximum rain during the months of July and August. Due to deforestation, the forest area of this district is very thin. Firewood is the most important among the forest products. The mineral resources of this district are negligible.

The important wholesale markets in the district are at Buxar and Dumraon. Further, there are different types of small scale and cottage industries located in Buxar District.