Saharsa District
On 1 April, 1954 that Saharsa district was carved out of Bhagalpur district. Earlier Saharsa district was within Bhagalpur Division. Kosi Division was formed on 2 October 1972, comprising Saharsa, Purnia and Katihar district, with its headquarters at Saharsa.
Saharsa district consists of 2 subdivisions, viz. Saharsa Sadar and Simri Bakhtiarpur. The district consists of 10 development blocks and anchals each.
How To Reach
By Air(Airport):-
Saharsa does not have public transportation links by air.There is an air strip reserved for government use but no commercial flights exist. Nearest airport is Patna Airport about 190 km.
By Rail :-
Saharsa is strategically located in the East Central Railway line on the Khagaria – Mansi – Saharsa – Forbesganj section with Railway Station as Saharsa.
By Road :-
Well connected to other city through National Highway -106,107 SH- 59,66, Other important roads are: Jkaranpur Rajanpur Road, Panchgachia Nauhatta Rd, Sour Bazar Patarghat Rd, Ramgannia Sonbarsa Road. Saharsa is about 184 km from Patna.
Popular tourist destinations
SAUR BAZAR BLOCK
Ma durga shakti peeth (Swami Durgananda Saraswati ):- It is situated about 7 km east of Saharsa in Baijnathpur.
Matsyagandha Mandir :- The barren water logged area called Matsya Gandha Lake in Saharsa town has been developed as a beautiful place commonly known as Matsyagandha Mandir.The construction of Rakta Kali temple and an oval shaped temple with 64 deities (known as 64 – Yogini) engraved on the inner walls of temple, attracts devotees from far-off places. The Bihar Government has established a beautiful tourist complex at this place.
Sanjay Gandhi Park:-
KAHARA BLOCK
Thakur Badi (Parari):- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Devnagopal:-The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Gorho Dih:- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Rahua (Tulsiahi):- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Mohanpur Dih:- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Diwari Asthan:- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Medieval. Chainpur:- According to Jayaswal Research Institute Archaeological Explorations this site belongs to Early medieval period.
Sri Aadi kali Asthan(Chainpur, Middle) :-
Ugna Mahadev Mandir(Chainpur,East):-
Durga Mandir(Chainpur)
Vishnu sthan(Chainpur):-
Radha Krishna Kuti(Chainpur):-
KATAIYA BLOCK
Gangora Bihara:- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Bela:- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Aukahi Dih (Daurama):- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Bhairab Ashan (Bihara):- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Patauri (Panchgachhia):- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Beltari Dih (Purikh):- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Barahasher:- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval.
MAHISHI BLOCK
Ugratara temple (Ugratara Asthan):- It is situated at a distance of about 16 Kms west of Saharsa in village Mahishi. Ugratara is also known as Maha-Cina-Tara and this later Buddhistic image has been imported into India from Tibet through Nepal. Ugratara is an image of Tantric culture.The cult of Tantrism has had a great development in the district of Saharsa. On either side of the main deity, there are two smaller female deities which are worshipped by the people as Ekjatanad Nil Saraswati. Within the temple precincts there are a large number of smaller images, which are also worshipped.
According to Jayaswal Research Institute Archaeological Explorations this site belongs to Early medieval period.
Mandan Bharti Asthan (Mandan Mishra Dham):- It is situated in Mahishi village about 16 km from west of Saharsa . According to the legend it was the place of Mandan Misra, a great philosopher of the Eighth Century. It is here that Shankaracharya came from the south and had a philosophic discussion first with Mandan Misra and then with his wife Bharati Devi. The story mentions that Sankaracharya first met a maid servant filling up her pitcher from a tank and asked her where Mandan Misra lived. The maid servant replied in Sanskrit that he should go a little farther and when he could find a village on the same path where even the birds talk Sanskrit , Mandan Misra lived there.Sankaracharya was amazed and followed the direction and came to Maheshi. He had a philosophic discussion (Shastrarth) and Mandan Misra was defeated. Bharti, wife of Mandan Mishra, who was also a great scholar, was named as Judge for the discourse. Bharati Devi told Sankaracharya that he had to defeat her also who was the other half of Mandan Misra. Sankaracharya agreed and Bharati Devi put some questions based on sexology. Sankaracharya could not reply as he did not know anything of sexology, and went back to equip him.The body was left and the soul went into some one else to get an inkling of sexology. Sankaracharya subsequently defeated Bharati Devi in the discussion. The villagers still show a mound at Maheshi village and mention that the philosophic discussion took place at that site.
Kandaha Sun Temple :- It is situated in Kandaha village about 12 km west of Saharsa. It is an important religious and historical place . It was built in 1435 (Shaka Era 1357) by a devotee named Vamshadhara under the reign of the renowned ruler of Mithila, Narasimhadeva of Karnata dynasty.The image installed in the temple is the idol of sun god riding seven horsed chariot, has been carved on a single granite slab.A Sanskrit inscription, installed on the door-frame of the temple, which a deciphered by historians, confirm that this sun temple was built during the period of king Narasimha Dev of Karnata dynasty who ruled over Mithila in the 12th century. It is said that a brutal Mughal emperor named Kalapahad had damaged the temple which was however renovated by the famous saint poet Laxminath Gosai. The image installed in the sanctum is huge, but considerably defaced and fragmented.
According to Jayaswal Research Institute Archaeological Explorations this site belongs to Early medieval period.
Laxminath Gosai Sthal (Babaji kuti):- It is situated in Bangoan village which is hardly 9 Km away from the district head quarters. The famous saint Laxminath Gosai is a poet . The huge banyan tree under which the remains of Laxminath Gosai Ji have been preserved is the centre of great reverence for the people of the district. Bangaon is a large village and has an Inspection Bungalow also.
Karu Khirhari temple (Mahpura):- Situated near Mahpura village, 2 Km away from Mahishi block office on the eastern bank of Kosi River. Saint Karu Khirhar who is said to have attained divinity by virtue of his Shiv-Bhakti a dedication to Cows. People from all walks of life come to offer milk to Karu Baba. It has survived on the slaughter of the turbulent river. Recently the Bihar Government has announced to develop Karu Khirhar temple as a major tourist spot.
SIMRI BAKHTIYARPUR BLOCK
Baba Mateshwar Nath (kathon):- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Chakbharo:- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period Early medieval. Natti Garh:- The KP Jayaswal Research Institute, during in the course of its Archaeological Explorations brought to light the site period NBPW phase.
SONBARSA BLOCK
Chandika Sthan(Biratpur):- Chandika Sthan with ancient temple of goddess Chandi is situated in Biratpur village about 40 km southeast of Saharsa on NH 107. Temple was made by Pran devi wife of king Pran Singh of Jalseema. The tantric Scholars and devotees attach much significance to this Chandi temple, which is said to form an equilateral triangle with Katyayani temple near Dhamara ghat and Tara temple at Mahishi.
There are seven ponds around this temple .It is said that they were dug by demon who tried to marry goddess chandi Chinmastika but could not do so because the ponds could not be completely dug before the sun rise in the morning.There is a small kund by the side of the temple .Water powered by hundreds of devotees daily flows down to the kund and it is absorbed there without overflowing.
It is said that this village is also associated with King Birat of the Mahabharata age. During exile the Pandavas had lived here for 12 years.This is the place where Kichak brother-in-law of Birat was murdered by Bhim, because of trying abduction of Draupadi. It is substantiated by the fact that a horse jin (lagam) of 60 kg and one foot wear of about 18ft length was found during an excavation near the place. Long size bricks and stone slabs were also found during the excavation. Stone plate memorials of Kichak and Pandawas are seen at bit distance from the temple place near Jalseema. During excavation in the adjacent Biratpur village of Sonbarsa Raj, there are also some memories of Bodh dharma, which can be said that there is also an infusion of Bodh Dharma.
Sonbarsa Raj (Raj Mahal):- It was a zamindari during the British Raj ruled Gandaria sub clan of Parmar Rajputs. The last titular zamindar Maharaja Hari Ballabh died without son and succeeded by his daughter’s son, who was from Rajawat Sept of Kachhwaha clan in the Jaipur State of Rajasthan.
NAUHATTA BLOCK
Dewan Ban Mandir:- This temple is situated in Shapur-Majhoul . It consists a Shiv Ling . It is said that the Ling was established by Maharaja Shalivahan in 100 BC. The Hindus celebrate a festival called jitiya after the name of Jimut Bahan who was the son of Maharaja Shalivahan. Description of this place is found in Shri Puran. The ancient shrine at Dewan Ban was washed away by the turbulent Koshi river. The local people have however build another temple in the adjacent area .
Rajeshwar Asthan (Nauhatta):- It is situated about on 20 km East – North of Saharsa Panchgachia Nauhatta Road. It is very old village, important since the time of Mughals and is presently the headquarters of the block of the same name. The village has a ‘Shiva temple’ about 80 feet in height.The temple which was damaged in the earthquake of 1934 was reconstructed by Raja Srinand Singh of Srinagar Estate.It is belived that whatever people ask here in temple,they get.There was a interesting history in the origin of this temple. The god Shiva give a night dream to the King named Pratap Singh and tell him that I am under the tree and if you remove the soil from there, you will get a Stone that is I. He arose up and go to that place and remove soil from there with the help of many persons and got a stone.There is a grave of Madho Singh on an earthen mound about 50 feet high. Madho Singh had become a martyr in the battle of Ladri Ghat.
Darhara:- There ia a famous Lord Shiva Temple.
KAHRA BLOCK
SATTAR KATIYA BLOCK
Ukahi :- It contains an ancient image of goddess Durga. According to a legend one Sone Lala Jha dreamt that he had received divine instruction to excavate a particular place. The image was found at that very spot and latter established in the temple. A fair is held on the day of Maha Ashtami Puja every year.
Sihaul Durga Mandir(van devi):-