Barhalganj
Barhalganj बड़हलगंज | |
---|---|
city | |
![]() ![]() Barhalganj Location in Uttar Pradesh, India | |
Coordinates: 26°17′N 83°30′E / 26.283°N 83.500°ECoordinates: 26°17′N 83°30′E / 26.283°N 83.500°E | |
Country |
![]() |
State | Uttar Pradesh |
District | Gorakhpur |
Population (2001) | |
• Total | 126,618 |
Languages | |
• Official | Hindi |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Barhalganj (बड़हलगंज) is a town in the municipality of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The town is surrounded by several rivers, which are of religious significance to the Hindu population in Uttar Pradesh. Barhalganj is situated on the left bank of the Ghaghra river, a tributary of the Ganges, and the town is connected to the district of Mau by a bridge over the Saryu river.
The town of Barhalganj is situated along NH-29, which links the holy city of Varanasi to the India-Nepal border town of Nautanwa.
Demographics
India's 2001 census[1] indicated that Barhalganj had a population of 19,171. Males constituted 52% of the population and females 48%, with 16% of the population under 6 years of age.
![](../I/m/Chart_of_Barhalganj_with_literacy_and_population_rate_as_of_2001.png)
Barhalganj(block - as a whole) has a population of 126,618 people with male as 64,023 and female, 62,595. There are also 38,878 literates with 28,211 male and 10,667 females. [2]
Barhalganj has an average literacy rate of 80%, which is significantly higher than the national Indian literacy average of 59.5%. A significant gender imbalance is reflected in the town's overall literacy rates: literacy rates are 58% amongst males, and 42% amongst females.[3]
Development
Although significant development of Barhalganj by the Uttar Pradesh state government began in April 1958, in 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj identified the district of Gorakhpur as India's 250th most impoverished district.
Barhalganj is under the administrative responsibility of Gorakhpur district headquarters, and is one of 34 districts in Uttar Pradesh receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).[4]
Economy and services
The town has a Bazaar that attracts people from nearby villages and towns. Saris purchased at Barhalganj's market are highly coveted within the Gorakpur district. Barhalganj has national and international banking facilities including the State Bank of India, Purvanchal Bank (Formerly known as Purvanchal Gramin Bank), Oriental Bank of Commerce, the Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank,Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) and the Punjab National Bank.Purvanchal Bank is sponsored by the State Bank of India. State Bank of India Barhalganj Branch is known as the largest rural branch of the State Bank of India.
Sports
Cricket is the most popular sport in Barhalganj. Barhalganj claims to be one of the first Indian towns to have held an annual local cricket tournament, the Veenu Mankad Tournament during the 1960s and 1970s. The town has produced national and international cricket players like Vijay Yadav.[5]
Cremation Ghat
Hindu pilgrims are drawn to the Muktipath Barahalganj.,[6] a traditional Hindu crematorium ground on the banks of the sacred Sarayu river, founded by the Muktipath Wale Baba (a Hindu spiritual leader). The Muktipath is one of the most famous cremation ghats in India, desired as a cremation place by millions of Hindus who believe the ghats of the Sarayu river will imbue them with luck in the after life.
Traditional Hindu cremation rituals involve a series of complicated processes, including chanting mantras and reciting Hindu prayers to support the deceased person's release from the cycle of reincarnation.
References
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ↑ "Gorakhpur Administration". gorakhpur.nic.in. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ↑ "District Census 2011". Official Census of India 2011. Census2011.co.in. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- ↑ Gorakhpur district#cite note-brgf-2
- ↑ "Vijay Yadav". ESPN Cric Info. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- ↑ "Muktipath Photo Gallery" (in Hindi). muktipath.org. Retrieved 18 June 2012.