East Champaran District

East Champaran District is a district of Bihar with Motihari as its administrative headquarters. East Champaran District is located between longitude 84 degree 30 minutes and 85 degree 16 minutes east and latitude 26 degree 16 minutes and 27 degree 1 minute north. This district is surrounded by Nepal in its north, by Sheohar and Sitamarhi District in its east, by Muzaffarpur and Gopalganj District in its south and by West Champaran District and Gopalganj District in its west. According to 2001 Census, East Champaran District has a population of approximately 3,933,636. East Champaran District is situated at a distance of 170 km from Patna.

Champaran District was created in the year 1866. On 1st of December, 1971 Champaran district was split up into two districts, namely East Champaran and West Champaran. The name Champaran owes its origin to Champa-aranya or Champkatanys. Champa or Champaka means Magnolia and "aranya" means forest. Hence, Champaranya means Forest of Magnolia (Champa) trees. The history of East Champaran is a part of parent Champaran district. In the prehistoric period, Champaran constituted a part of the ancient kingdom of Videha. The Aryan Videhas were ordained to settle east of the Gandak or Narayani River. History of East Champaran District also includes Medieval Period. During the end of the rule of the Mughal dynasty, Champaran witnessed ravages of contending armies. History of East Champaran District also states that with Bengal, Champaran passed into the hands of British East India Company in 1764. However, in the beginning of 1857 movement the position of British army was precarious. The later history of the district is linked with the saga of exploitation of the indigo planters.

Geography of East Champaran District includes several rivers like Gandak River, Sikarhana River, Bagmati River, Lal Bakeya River, Tilawe River, Kachna River, Motia River, Tiur River and Dhanauti River. The district enjoys a moderate climate with maximum temperature reaching up to 46 degree Celsius and minimum temperature of 5 degree Celsius. Average annual rainfall of the district is 1241.6 mm.

Tourism in East Champaran district is a significant contributor to the tourism industry in the Indian state of Bihar as it includes a series of attractive tourist locales like Mehsi, Gaighat, the `mazar` of Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Abdul Aziz, Phenhara and many others. East Champaran district possesses a beautiful garden, which is said to impart a sense of tranquillity to its visitors. Mahatma Gandhi had initiated a movement termed as `Champaran Andolan` in this district. East Champaran`s `Baba ki Mithai Shop`, (a sweet shop) is quite famous for its delicious refreshments.

Mehsi, which is a point of entry to East Champaran consists of many interesting tourist spots which are located on the eastern side of the railway station. The village of Gaighat contains fertile tracts of agricultural land and is connected to Harshidhi by a road and is also linked to Bettiah through a bypass. Gaighat village is located at a distance of about 15 km from the western side of Motihari, the headquarters of the district. Some unique tourist destinations present here involve the `Nagrik Pustakalaya` which is an ancient library, Tirhut Vidyalaya which is a high school belonging to the British Raj and Mirza Halim Shah mosque, Dargah. There are orchards of mangoes and lichi which might also impress several tourists. The intellectual writer Rajkamal Chaudhary is believed to have been born in Mehsi.

A fair known as `Miladun Nabi` which is held on the 11th Faisli Vaishakha, following the `dua` and `Salat-o-Salam` is also a very popular feature of East Champaran district. `Milad-e-Nabi` and `Chader Poshi` are other important rituals which are practised in these regions of the nation. Afters prayers or dua is offered, the devotees are offered lunch at this gathering. The town of Phenhara possesses an old middle school. Historical records claim that Mahatma Gandhi had paid a visit to this area once.

The Kesariya Stupa, which is referred to as the `Deura` in the local dialect, is considered one of the most ancient stupas found here. The Satyagraha Movement was started by Gandhi from this district, wherein Barharwa Lakhansen represents a tiny village in the block of Dhaka. Along-with his wife Kasturba Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi had opened a school in this district in the year 1917 and this institution is said to be the oldest school in East Champaran. History also bears testimony to the fact that this school was once visited by Kasturba Gandhi who taught the fundamental principles of education conceptualized by her husband Gandhi.

Popularly called the `Gateway to Nepal`, Raxaul is an important town of the district of East Champaran and is the border between the countries of Nepal and India. Now, Raxaul is the Sub-divisional town under the control of East Champaran district. The renowned advocate of High Court, who was known as Manjur Alam belongs to Raxaul town. The second biggest city of the country of Nepal, known as Birganj is situated at a distance of about 3 kms from the town of Raxaul.

Adapur is a town in East Champaran district, which had a Police Station, Railway Station, Block and Prakhand. Jihuli and Lauria Nandangarh are other significant tourist locations in East Champaran district. Lauria Nandangarh is an interesting historical site located here. The world`s very first democracy, known as `Luchhawi Ganrajay` is known to be represented by Lauria Nandangarh. The town of Jihuli is famous for its temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.