Imp. Arc Sites Page: 03.
Important Archaeological And Tourist Sites
- JAIMANGALPUR
(86° 09’ 18/25° 35’ 40”)
Manjhaul
Cheriya Bariyarpur
Begusarai
20 Km.South, South – East from Begusarai district headquarters.
Jaimanglagarh is famous not only for its archaeological importance. It is a historical site related to the religious sentiments of people of this region. It has ample reputation as the Shaktipeeth. Goddess Jaimangalain local tradition is believed to fulfill the wishes of devotees. The sculpture of Vishnu is placed in another temple just in the northern side of the old Goddess temple. It is said that the area of the mound was entirely covered with forest, which was helpful in Tantra- practices.
The vast Kawar lake touching the foot of the mound presents a remarkable landscape to the viewers.
Overall the site has immense potency to be developed as a tourist place. On the one hand the Jaimanglagarh mound, the sculptures, the set of Herson stupa across the lake and the other smaller mounds surrounding it reflect its archaeological prominence, the vast lake, its Bio- diversity and its profoundness to be the shelter of thousands of migrant birds in winters proclaim it to be developed as a eco- tourist centre. .Having such important sites in a periphery of only four square kilometers this site should be developed as a tourist complex.
Jaimanglagarh Mound – 1000 m x 800m x 5m. (Approx)
NBP, Black ware, Blackslipped red ware (Plain and Polished)
Dish, Plate, Storage vessel , Pan , Cook ware, Water jar, Bowl, Deep Pan.
Jaimangalpur is situated on the southern flank of the vast Kawar Lake. It is poularly known as Jaimangalgarh. The topology and the height of the mound is remarkable.
Jaimangalgarh is infact a set of two mounds. The western part is separated by a chanel from the main eastern part. The eastern has evidence of fortification. It is large in size. At present the temple of mata Jaimangala, for which the site enjoys the great popularity in local tradition, is situated on this southern part. The variety of potshreds can be seen everywhere on both mounds. (N.B.P. black polished ware, Redware etc.). It seems that the fortified southern part used to remain the residential premises of the royal family whereas the northern might be associated to officials. It is important to notice that there are few other mounds across the Kawar Lake surrounding the main mound. One is towards south while the other is towards East. The cultural sequence of the both mounds seems to be almost same and both of them seem to come into existence just after the main site. The Harsan stupa is towards East and at least another two mounds namely Kanti Dih and Sakra Bad lie in the same direction. In short, at least four smaller mounds and the stupa fall in the periphera of 2 Km .
Sculpture – Black stone, Pala period.
Four handed Vishnu standing sambhanga. A well decorated crown over head. Ajamulambi Mala (garland), right lower hand exposed frontward in Abhaymudra while upper left holding the Shudarshan Chakra. Gada placed downward between the lower armpit. Upper left hand holding the shankha upward while lower holds the shrifala. Under this arm holding shrifala is sitting Garuda Dev in worshiping posture (Aradhaya mudra). The sculpture seems to represent the matured pala or Rajputa period.
- HARSAI STUPA (Herson)
(86˚10’40”/25˚36’20”)
Harsai
Manjhaul
20 Kms North from Begusarai district headquarters.
Stupa
Archaeological Site
Only one smaller Stupa of southern part seems to be intact due to thick vegetation cover. The main stupa has been cut almost to half.
Diameter – 110 m
It consist of four stupas having the largest in the centre and there equidistant smaller in three directions, one each in the west, north and south. The completely clay built stupa use to have a hard outer most surface built by bricks-dust etc. (surkhi)This Bajralepit’ stupa consists of a three strate architectures. ‘Mahavansh’ has reference of such stupas. The finding of such remarkable stupa is significant for the history of the region. It must be seen in the contexet of Buddha’s visit to Anguttarap as referred in the “Majjhim Nikaya”.
- KABERLAKE (Birds Sanctuary)
Manjhaul, Begusarai
It is one of the largest lake of India. It expands in a vast area of 64 square K.M. situated in the Manjhaul subdivision of the district., Jaimangalgarh is situated on the southern flank of the vast Kawar lake .Kaber lake is a shelter of hundreds of species of domestic and migrant birds. Birds from Siberia and Himalayan region can be seen here during winter season. The famous archaeologist Salim Ali resided here for his research work and was influenced with life protection Act 197 and a proclamation was made by the government to develop it as a Bird Sanctuary but years have passed with the hope in the eyes of local people.
Birds including different species of Cranes, Doves, Hawks, Fowls, Quails etc. and a variety of aquatic plants create a wonderful scene here in the winter and spring.
- MASURIYA DIH
(86° 11’ 17/25° 27’ 22”)
Sankh
Begusarai
10 Km. North – East from Begusarai district headquarters.
Mound – 150m x 200m x 5m.
The landscape and topology of this site is remarkable. It is situated in the western corner of the famous kola chaur, which is created by some distributaries of river Ganges like Deoki, Koyal etc. The variety of potshreds in surface finding is enough to prove this site the oldest in the region. Some of the pot – sherds seem to be representing even Neolithic culture. Water confluence here even at present catches attention. All around the Kola chaur we can locate important archaeological sites. The Black and Red ware site of Damdama is to its East. Some other sites are Kaith, SangoKothi, Cheriya Dih, Kusmahaut etc.
NBP, Blackware, Red slipped, Black slipped, Red ware.
Storage vessel, cookware, Bowl, Plate, Basin, Water jar etc. and vessels with thick and heavycore.
- SAWAT DIH
Sawat
Chaurahi
Khudawandpur
39 K.M. North from Begusarai district headquarters.
Mound - 450m x 300m x 3m.
Red ware, N.B.P., Black slipped, inner grey outer red ware.
storage vessels, Deep bowl, Bowl, Plate, cook ware.
- KHODAWANPUR DIH
Musahri
Khodawandpur
45 K.M. North from Begusarai district headquarters.
Mound - 500m x 300m x 2m.
Red ware, N.B.P., Slipped ware.
storage vessels, Open mouth bowl, Plate, Deep bowl.
- BIRTH PLACE OF RASHTRAKAVI RAMDHARI SINGH 'DINKAR'
Simaria, Begusarai
The name of Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’ (1908-74) needs no introduction to the literary – world. Begusarai is fortunate enough to produce such a star of literary sky. Simaria gram, situated at the south – eastern boundary of the district, has this glory. The house in which Dinkar was born has been renovated recently.
- NAULAKKHA TEMPLE
Bishnupur, Begusarai
A renovated temple spending Rs. 9 lakhs in 1952 can be seen in Bishnupur of the district Headquarter. The renovation work was completed by Mahanth Mahavir Das. The present temple is famous for its glittering look due to use of Makrana and Italian tiles.
It is said that in the middle decade of 17th century, Mahanth Deer Das Ji of Ramanadi tradition had built a temple here. The temple is constructed in a large campus bearing area of 150m x 100m.
- ANKURI NATH TEMPLE
Ulao, Begusarai
Ankuri Nath Mahadev Panch Mandir is about 4 K.M. west from Begusarai H.Q. It is about 1½ K.M. south from N.H. – 31. At present this temple bears the Panchayatan style of architecture. The original temple made of stone is in the centre. The central temple bearing a broken Shivling seems to be made during late Rajputa Period. The rectangular plan of this central architecture is important over a platform of 5m x 2.60m x. it is almost 10m high.
The temple is of Aryan style. Main temple – square 2.60m x 2.60m. The door of main sanctum is invest.
Four temples in each corner has been constructed somewhere in the 20th century.
Formerly it was known as Ankuri Nath Simaria Mahadev.
- SIMARIYA MELA (Fair)
Simariya, Begusarai.
Simariya is about 20 Kms. From Begusarai District headquarters.
Situated on the Northern flank of the holy river Ganga, Simariya is the Gateway of North Bihar as far as the Railway cum roadway is concerned . The sanctity of the Ganges is unquestionable where ever it passes through but few holy- places beside it have earned more sacred identity. Simariya is one of them. The Kartika - Mela here has been recognized as State- Fair.
The Kalpavas on the bank of river Ganges has been appreciated even in the “Matsyamahapuran” ( chapter 108 ). Pilgrims from all over the Mithilanchal,West Bengal, Orissa and even from the downs of Nepal use to come here in the month long Kalpavas on the bank of Ganges. It seems that the bank of the Ganges cited in the poems of Vidyapati might be Simariya. The continuous flow of devotees from heart of Mithila to Simariya supports this assumption.
It should also be kept in mind that the famous Ankurinath temple, few miles north to Simariya , is also known as Ankurinath Simariya Mahadeva. It is possible that river Ganges used to flow from there and Simariya might have been few miles Northern.
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