Saharsa

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Saharsa | type = city | latd = 25.88 | longd = 86.6
locator_position = right | state_name = Bihar
district = Saharsa
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 41
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 124,015| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Saharsa is a city and a municipality in Saharsa district in the Indian state of Bihar in northeast India, east of the Kosi River. It is the administrative headquarters of the Saharsa District, and is in the Kosi Division. Sahrasa is also the name of the Parliamentary constituency, which contains the city and a major part of the district. The origin of the name "Saharsa" is unknown.

Geography

Saharsa is located at coord|25.88|N|86.6|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/34/Saharsa.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Saharsa] ] . It has an average elevation of 41 metres (134 feet).

Saharsa and its surrounding areas are a flat alluvial plain forming part of the Kosi (Dudh Kosi) river basin. This makes the land very fertile. However, frequent changes in the course of the Kosi River, one of the largest tributaries of the Ganges, [http://ponce.sdsu.edu/kosi_river_india.html] [http://www.himalmag.com/apr2001/essay2.html] have led to soil erosion. Flooding is a major reason for the poor connectivity of the area as bridges tend to get washed away [http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/natural_hazards/floods/floods001.htm] . Major flooding occurs almost annually, causing a significant loss of life and property [http://www.indiadaily.org/entry/13-districts-457-villages-drown-in-flood-in-bihar/] . The famous conversation between mandan Mishra and Shankracharya had taken place in mahishi in Saharsa.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Saharsa had a population of 124,015. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Saharsa has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 64.4%: male literacy is 66%(national average:75.6%), and female literacy is 48%(national average:54.2%). In Saharsa, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Agriculture

* Food Crop: Paddy
* Cash Crop: Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb) [http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/Lake2002abs/ses124.html]

Industry

* Jute Factory

Rivers

*Kosi and its tributaries [http://disc.gsfc.nasa.gov/geomorphology/GEO_4/GEO_PLATE_F-19.HTML]

Communication Links

Saharsa is connected by railway and roadways to other major towns in Bihar. National Highway NH - 107 connects it to Maheshkhunt and Purnia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Highways_in_India] . The rural road network is in need of improvement [http://www.omms.nic.in/citizens/dynamic/imsreport/CostAnalysisPerKM.asp?state=BR&cmbstate=Bihar&district=29&cmbdistrict=Saharsa&year=&cmbyear=&reportlevel=2] .

Sahrsa does not have transportation links by air or waterways, but train connections can be made. In early 2006, a much awaited broad gauge line connected it to Khagaria on the New Delhi-Guwahati main line. In early 2006, a weekly train was started to connect it to the national capital, New Delhi. In October 2006, a low fare completely air conditioned weekly train, christened the "Garib Rath" (Poor's Chariot), has been started to connect Saharsa to Amritsar, with much fanfare [http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/sep/30rail.htm] . Earlier there was only a metre gauge line on the Khagaria - Mansi - Saharsa - Forbesganj section of East Central railway [http://www.wikimapia.org/666268/ WikiMapia] ).

The city is also served by India Post. Its Postal Code is: 852201.

Landline telephone services have been augmented by cellular services; the quality deteriorates as one moves away from the city centre. Internet connectivity is still very basic: a few cyber cafes provide limited broad band service, and internet service in private homes is only beginning.

Tourist Places

*MatasyaGandha Lake
*Rajeshwar Asthan Nowhatta
*Tara Asthan
*Chandi Asthan, Viratpur
*Karu Khirhar
*Maheshi [http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/maheshi/page3.htm]
*Singheshwar Sthan [http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/singheshwarsthan/index.htm]
*Sun temple kandaha [http://wikimapia.org/5616590/hi/]
*ma durga shaktipeeth baijnathpur (swami durganand sharshswati )

Language and Culture

*Maithili
*Hindi

Rajeshwar Ashtan

Rajeshwar Asthan is a very big temple situated in Nowhatta.People come here from all around the world.Nowhatta has a big market where people come from other places for marketing.Nowhatta has very great history.This is the place of Shaheed Madhav singh who was a great patriot of the nation.

Miscellaneous

*RTO District: Saharsa: BR-19 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_RTO_districts_in_India#BR_.E2.80.94_Bihar]
*Railway Station: Saharsa Junction (Samastipur Division of [http://www.ecr.indianrail.gov.in/ East Central Railway] - erstwhile North Eastern Railway [http://www.ner.railnet.gov.in/] )
*Station Code: SHC [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_railway_stations_in_India]
*STD Code: 06478

See also

* Bihar train disaster (1981)

References

External links

* [http://www.worldbank.org/lsms/country/india/UP-Bihar%20SLC%20introduction.pdf World Bank, "Living Standards Measurement Study"]