Bithoor

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Brahmavart Ghat. The small temple in the middle of the stairs is the spot about which the universe rotates (literally, brahmAvart = brahma, universe + Avarta rotation). Picture taken on Shivaratri day shows the pilgrims about to start their two-day austerity trek.

Bithoor (Brahmavarta) is a centre of Hindu pilgrimage in Kanpur District near Kanpur city, in Uttar Pradesh, India. Bithoor has been referred to as Brahmavarta in the Puranas, and is the center of Brahman (universe). This is where, according to Hindu mythology, Brahma, the god of creation, commenced creation of the world. Brahma is also believed to have enshrined here a lingam of Shiva, which is still worshiped as the deity Brahmeshwar Mahadeva. In some ancient texts, Bithoor has been referred to as the Utpalaranya.

[edit] Introduction

The quiet and beautiful township of Bithoor is situated on the Kannauj Road, 27 km from Kanpur. Situated on the banks of the Ganga, this tranquil spot is of considerable historical and religious importance.

[edit] Ancient

According to Hindu scriptures Lord Brahma came to Utpalaranya, as it was known then, for the creation of mankind. The place, which witnessed the creation of mankind, came to be known as Brahmavarta, or the seat of Brahma. Later Brahma installed a Shivalinga, worshipped today as Brahmeshwar Mahadeva at the principal Ghat of Bithoor, the Brahmavarta Ghat. A nail of a horseshoe, embedded in the steps of the ghat, is considered to be dropped from Brahma's horse while the horse was going for Ashwamedha Yajna; this is an object of special reverence for devotees. On the completion of the Yajna, the forests of Utpalaranya became known as Brahmavarta, from which the popular name Bithoor is derived. In later centuries Brahmavarta flourished as the capital of the kingdom of Utpalaranya, over which ruled the emperor Uttanpad. His son Dhruva made penance here in order to please Brahma. The place is pointed out to be Dhruva Teela.

There is a small pool inside Valmiki Ashram, famous as Sita-Kund. Sita 'Rasoi' (Sita's kitchen) is still preserved, near which stands 'Swarga Naseinee' or Deep Malika Stambha, studded with niches all around for illumination. The tower has about 48 steps leading to its top, surmounted by a cupola, where one can have a panoramic view of the entire area.

[edit] Post 17th Century

Bithoor does not find much mention in the historical texts and remains largely obscure, only to regain prominence in the 18th century. During 1753-75 under the rule of Nawab Shuja-ud-daula the administration of Bithoor was entrusted to Almas Ali Khan, who erected a mosque near Lakshman Ghat on the right bank of Ganga.

Bithoor was the capital of the Pargana from 1811 to 1819. After the departure of the courts, the place was assigned as a residence to Baji Rao, the deposed Peshwa. The palace of Nana Sahib was reduced to rubble by the British in 1857 and the only traces remaining of it are some large well heads and broken palace walls.

The existing Valmiki temple in Bithoor is said to have been rebuilt by Baji Rao Peshwa in the 19th century.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Indian Rebellion of 1857

Bithoor has been closely associated with the Indian independence movement, especially the war of 1857. It was at one time home to many of the rebellion's most prominent characters including the Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmi Bai.

During the British Raj, Bithur used to be part of Cawnpore district (now Kanpur) in the United Provinces. The last of the Peshwas, Baji Rao II, was banished to Bithur; his adopted son, Nana Sahib, made the town his headquarters.

Bithur was captured by Havelock on July 19, 1857. The town was laid waste by the British who razed Nana Sahib's palace and the temples in the town in retaliation for the brutal killing of over 500 British men, women and children who had been lured out of their defences at Cawnpore with a promise of truce.

[edit] In and around Bithoor

• Valmiki Ashram, deriving its name from the sage Valmiki, is located at a height and is accessible by a flight of stairs, which is known as the stairway to heaven. From the location of the Ashram, one can have a panoramic view of Bithoor.
• Brahmavart Ghat is considered the holiest of the ghats of Bithoor. Devotees of Lord Brahma pray at the altar of the Wooden Slippers after taking a ceremonial bath in the Ganga river. A peg sticking out of a small temple is the axis around which the universe is turning.
• Patthar Ghat, a ghat built of redstone and founded by Tikait Rai, a minister of Awadh State, has a temple by its side, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shivlinga in the temple is made of Kasauti, the philosopher's stone.
• Dhruva teela is the place where the child Dhruva is believed to have meditated single-mindedly as he stood on one leg. As a reward, the God granted Dhruva the divine boon to shine for all time as a star. According to Hindu mythology, Dhruv continues to shine as a star called Dhruv-tara, that is, polar star.

Other places of interest in and around Bithoor include temples of Ram-Janki, Luv-Kush; an Ashram known as Haridham (the abode of Hari, the Vishnu), and a monument dedicated to Nana Rao.

[edit] Recent developments

Recently, at Dhruv Teela, Digital Gangetic Plains- Media Lab (an IIT Kanpur initiative) has established a direct link from IIT Kanpur.

The research at MLA Kanpur-Lucknow lab will demonstrate the application of recent developments in Wireless LAN technologies for rural connectivity by provisioning wireless Internet along the Kanpur-Lucknow corridor.

[edit] How to get there

Air : The nearest airports are chakeri Airport, Kanpur. The latter has become operational since January 1996 and is serviced by some private airlines.

Rail : Kalyanpur is the nearest station, but serviced only by passenger trains. Kanpur Central is the most suitable station for Bithoor.

Road : Major road distances are : Kanpur - 22 km, Lucknow - 109 km, Agra - 308 km, Kannauj - 103 km, Sankisa - 166 km, Delhi - 430 km, Allahabad - 224 km, Ayodhya - 252 km.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[1], Bithoor had a population of 9647. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Bithoor has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 70% and female literacy of 53%. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. bithoor is a tourist place.

[edit] External links

• Incredible India - site dedicated to tourism in India
• UP Tourism - site with information on Uttar Pradesh

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.