Mirzapur

Mirzapur
Mizrapur from the Ganges
Mirzapur Location of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh and India
Coordinates	25°09′N 82°35′E / 25.15°N 82.58°E / 25.15; 82.58
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District(s)	Mirzapur
Population	205,264 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 80 m (262 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 231001 • Telephone • +5442

Mirzapur pronunciation (help·info) (Hindi: मिर्ज़ापुर, Urdu: مرزا پور) is a city in the heart of North India, nearly 650 km between Delhi and Kolkata and also equidistant from Allahabad and Varanasi. Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Mirzapur has a population of a little over 205,264 (2001 census) and is renowned for its famous carpet and brassware industry. It is a city with several spots around it including many hills such as Rajdari, Devdari, Lakhaniyadari, and Windom fall range and Sirshi. It is the headquarter of Mirzapur District. Indian Standard Time is calculated from the clock tower in Mirzapur which is nearly exactly on the reference longitude of Indian Standard Time at 82.5°, within 4 angular minutes, a property shared by Tuni, a town in Andhra Pradesh^[1].

History

Reports suggest that Mirzapur was a commercial city, being situated on the banks of the river Ganges. These reports are backed by the Naar Ghat, a carved stone with rates of toll taxes of Ashokan times inscribed on it. Most of the city was established by English officers, and so places are named after Englishmen like Wellesleyganj (Lord Wellesley), Mukeri Bazar (Lord Mercury), Dankeen Ganj (Mr. Danseen), and a famous waterfall of the city, Windham Water Fall (Mr. Windham). The Municipal Corporation building was also built by the English Government.

On the outskirts of the area, there is a patch of forest that contains ancient wall paintings, called Lekhania Dari and there are small rapids at the place. This has made it a popular picnic spot among residents of nearby cities. The forest area is still inhabited by some tribes. Possibly, ten tribes are still present in the region.

The indigenous ruler Sheikh Mirza was captured by the British government, and so the city was documented by the British as Mirzapur due to the name of its ruler. Some information about an ancient city near the local Kachhawa Bazar has also been found, but is awaiting concrete proof. Near the Kachhawa Bazar an ancient temple of lord Shiva in Larawak village. It is locally believed that this temple was build in Treta Yug during Ramawataar. This temple is so attarctive in architecture point of view and all the design of stone is just like the Khajuraho. Now this temple is protected and supervised by Archeological survey of India (ASI). This temple gives a lot of information about the ancient life cycle of the human. This temple is located in the heart of the Larawak village.

It is also locally believed that the Mirzapur was founded by Raja Nanner and was known as Girijapur, but after the British conquest it came to be known as Mirzapur. The earliest mention of the town is found in the writings of Tieffenthaler, who drew up his description of the country between 1760 and 1770. He mentioned it under the name of Mirzapur, especially as a great mart. In the records of Jonathan Duncan, who was a resident of Varanasi, frequent mention is made of the place as Mirzapur. Before 1 April, 1989, Mirzapur was the largest district of India. Mirzapur is also a Naxalite hot spot.

Geography

Mirzapur is located at 25°09′N 82°35′E / 25.15°N 82.58°E / 25.15; 82.58^[2]. It has an average elevation of 80 metres (265 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census^[3], Mirzapur had a population of 205,264. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Mirzapur has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 69%, and female literacy is 54%. In Mirzapur, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Commerce

The main business in Mirzapur is carpet manufacturing. Manufacturers range from very small (with less than $100,000 in assets) to medium sized (with around $10M in assets). Most of the carpets are sold internationally as India has a limited market for carpets. The second main business is of metal pots.

Vindhyachal

A few miles away from this city is a site of pilgrimage to Hindus known as Vindhyachal where according to the mythology a part of Sati (an avatar of Durga) fell. The river Ganges flows through this city. Other sites of pilgrimage include Kali Khoh (literally 'the cave of the Goddess Kali') where a statue of the Kali has a mouth formed in the shape of a cave, hence the name. Very close to the city is a waterfall.

The city itself has many Ghats (steps to a river). There are a few cinema-halls. At first look the city appears to be a confluence of town, village and city life. Bijli or electricity supply is now regular up to some extent.

Culture of the city

A shopping street in Mirzapur

Culture means life full with the color of etiquette. Etiquette is produced by soul, sayings and service. Every culture has its own philosophy and thoughts. Only that culture is said to be great which serves people and society, as its ambitions.

Mirzapur has a culture which is complete in itself from this point of view. This is full of ganga-jamuni (belonging to the Ganga and Yamuna rivers) life style, and is called Hindustani culture., languages, music, and folk dances and regional poetry. That is why the civilization that develops here is a combination of rural and urban life styles which can be easily felt and seen in the style of local languages and behavior.

1) The life style: Words are not enough to describe the life style and language of Mirzapur. On one side of the coin is information about dhoti, kurta and a towel (gamachhaa) (the local style also called the GANWAAR style of dress) on shoulders of men; the other side of this cultural coin shows the scented regional perfumes and earrings on women along with sarees, kara (bracelets), bangles, bajuband (arm bands), kakani, in hands and hasali (thick silver neck rings) on the neck, bichhiya (toe rings) on the toes, kanachadi in the ears put on kardhani (a knitted silver belt) in the waist. Mirzapuri is the local language.

2) Festivals of the city: It is well known that culture develops only where there is economical growth and historical evidence proves that Mirzapur was one of the ancient commercial cities. The cultural meets and festivals along with local geo-psychological behavior has had its impact on the Mirzapur culture which is very much diverse in nature, self-developed and ancient. In context of these things kajali songs, in the festivals, jeevitputrika (jutiya), Ganga Deshahara, lalahi chattha, shardiya and vasantik navratra, ojhala ka mela (a fair at the Ojhla Bridge), lohandi ka mela (fair), the famous Vindhya Mahotsava, horaha gaderi ka mela, litti bati ka mela, and maa bhandari ka mela (various fairs at different places on different occasions). Nature has tried to help its local people to enjoy the above said occasions with full support.

3) Kajari Mahotsava: It is among the famous festivals of Mirzapur. Respected all over India, kajali took birth here. King Kantit Naresh's daughter Kajali loved her husband very much and sang songs in the moment of separation from her husband, although she could not meet her husband throughout her life and died, yet she remains alive through these deep sad-love songs. Her voice and songs impress Mirzapur locals very much, so they remember her through this festival paying homage to her.

4) Lohandi Mela: 2 km south of Mirzapur an old temple of Lord Hanuman is decorated with light (ghee ke deeye) on kartik purnima and every Saturday in the month of Saawan (Hindu month of rain in the middle of July–August), a big fair is arranged. The attraction is tattoo design.

5) Ojhala Mela: Ojhala is the current name of the Ujjvala River. A fair used to be arranged regularly here since 1920, which is a sign of bravery and the only place in India where betting is legal on the days of the fair. This has been discontinued since there isnt enough water at the bridge for the various water sports that used to take place.

6) Vindhyavasini Jayanti Samaaroh: Started in 1971, this musical program is arranged by the Government where renowned Indian vocal and folk artists give real presentations and worship the goddess Vindhyavasini.

7) Deep Mahotsava: Celebrated on the day of Diwali, all the Ganga ghats are decorated with lights (ghee ke deeye); locals have immense pleasure celebrating this on kartik amavasya.

8) Jhoolanotsava: In the month of Saawan celebrated by locals during rain, this Jhoolanotsava is celebrated with swings in the branches of trees for five days. Shree Dwarkadheesh Temple, Ganga Jamuna Saraswati Temple and Kunj Bhawan are decorated.it is very good place

Chunar

About 32 km from Mirzapur is the famous fortress of Chunar.

There are some rock paintings in Mizapur district.

References

External links

• Mirzapur website by a Dutch
• Mirzapur City Official Website
• Weather in Mirzapur