Begusarai

關於Begusarai

Begusarai is a city in the Indian state of Bihar and the administrative headquarters of the Begusarai district. The district lies on the northern bank of the river Ganges in the Mithila region of India.

Begusarai is home to Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, an important wetland and a sanctuary for migrating birds. It has been declared a Ramsar Site, signifying its international importance. The city is known for its rich folk culture and local festivals, reflecting the traditions of Bihar. It is the cultural capital of Mithila.

The origin of the name Begusarai is subject to two primary etymological theories:

Begu's Sarai: One theory posits that the name derives from a man named "Begu", a devotee of Bari Durga Maharani, who served as the caretaker of the town's historic marketplace, known as Sarai.

Begum's Sarai: Alternatively, it is suggested that the name originates from the combination of "Begum" (queen) and "Sarai" (inn). This theory proposes that a "Begum" from Bhagalpur regularly undertook a month-long pilgrimage to Simaria Ghat on the Ganges River, and the location of her temporary residence became known as Begum's Sarai, eventually evolving into Begusarai.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA. Photography via Wikimedia Commons.