Place of Interest

PLACES OF INTEREST

Bakhira

It is situated on the road from Mehndawal to Khalilabad in Lat. 26 55' N. and Long. 83 5' E., 16 km. north of the tahsil headquarters and about 18 km. from the district headquarters. Other roads lead to Gorakhpur in south-east and to Bansi and Rudhauli in north-east. Bakhira is particularly known on account of the great lake , Moti Jhil (or Badhanchh Tal), which extends to a few kilometers to the east. The name Moti Jhil is said to have been bestowed upon it by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan, who frequently resorted here for hunting. Bakhira is a market village, but the name is commonly applied to the bazar of Baghnagar, practically, an adjoining site , and the two are always treated as one, Bakhira was formerly the capital of a large domain granted by raja Sarbjit Singh of Bansi to an illegitimate son. In course of time the Babus of Bakhira acquired an independent position. In Buchanan's time their fort was strongly defended by a mud rampart, with a ditch and bamboo hedge. In the freedom struggle Babu Ram Pratap Singh made himself conspicuous by attacking and destroying the Bakhira police-station; and for this and other offences he was hanged and his lands forfeited to the government. According to the census of 1971 it had a population of 294 persons and covered area of 70.01 ha. Market is held here twice a week, the main article of trade being agricultural produce, generally food-grains, brought by cultivators, the arrival of wheat in the busy season being in the range of 100 to 150 quintals per market day. Bakhira is also noted for the brass and bronze metal work. The whole sale dealers from Mirzapur, Varanasi and Moradabad visit this place and generally purchase new utensils against old scrap.

Hainsar

Hainsar lies in Lat. 26 33' N. and Long 83 3' E., at a distance of about 4.8 km. east of Dhanghata and about 32 km. from district headquarters. The Ghaghra flows at some distance to the south. At the time of the first freedom struggle Hainsar (Hardo) belonged to a Suryavansi named Lal Jagat Bahadur. On account of his active participation in the struggle, his property was confiscated and bestowed on loyal to the rulers. A weekly market is held here on every Tuesday and Friday and considerable business is done in food-grains, cloth, and the blankets which are manufactured here. Its importance had grown on account of the river born traffic which passed through it. The place had a population of 2766 and covered an area of 91.4 ha. It has a post-office, a junior Basic school, a senior Basic school and a dispensary. It falls under Dhanghata police-station and is the head-quarters of the development block of the same name.

KHALILABAD

Khalilabad lies in Lat. 26 47'N. and Long. 83 4' E., on the road from Faizabad to Gorakhpur. It is the headquarters of this new district Sant Kabir Nagar. The place derives its name from its founder, Qazi Khailil-ur-Rahman, who was appointed chakladar of Gorakhpur about 1860. At present this place is more famous for its handloom cloth market, popularly known as Bardahia Bazar. The tahsil building, situated to the south of the road to Gorakhpur, is an imposing structure created after the first freedom struggle in 1857 in which the place was sacked.

Maghar

The town is situated in Lat. 26 45'N. and Long. 83 8'E., on the main road from Gorakhpur to Faizabad at a distance of about 7 km. south-west of the district headquarters. Maghar, a place of considerable antiquity, is not of much present day importance, except as a place of pilgrimage. It is celebrated as containing the cenotaph and shrine of saint poet Kabir. The shrine is still an object of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Musalmans. He undoubtedly attacked both creeds unsparingly, yet both agree that he was holy man, in whose teaching was some thing akin to their own faith, and that he was worthy of worship. Both flock with equal devotion to his shrine., regarding which many local legends are current. One story related that in the course of his wanderings he reached Maghar, where he probably died. His disciples disputed over his body, the different parties desiring to perform the last rites as directed by the precepts of their creeds. The quarrel was considered fruitless as it was believed that he was alive and living at Vrindaban near Mathura. It is said that he sent words to open his grave, and when the grave was opened, nothing was found but a delectable fragrance. The traditional date for this event is 1274, though Kabir did not really die till about 1450. His shrine was, however, created forthwith. The shrine was rebuilt by Nawab Fidai Khan, who garrisoned Maghar about 1567. According to another theory, Bijli Khan, the adopted son of Pahar Khan of Ghazipur is described as rebuilder of the edifice. The custody of the shrine from the beginning remained with a Julaha family and its maintenance was provided for by the revenue free grant of a village in pargana Maghar east.

TAMA(TAMESHWAR NATH)

The village of Tama is situated in Lat. 26 degree 42' N. and Long. 83 degree 7' E., at a distance of about 8 Km. from district headquarters. It is famous for its Mahadev temple(TAMESHWAR NATH), the idol of which is said to have suddenly sprung up in the forest near the village. It was discovered by herdsmen and has since been an object of peculiar sanctity. A fair is held here on the occasion of Shivratri, which is attended by about 31,000 persons. The idol formerly stood in the open surrounded by a plinth, but eventually one of the Bansi rajas erected a temple over it at the same time excavating a well and a large tank with the flight of stone steps. He also planted a mango grove and placed some Goshains of Unaula in Gorakhpur in charge, giving them the revenue free grant of a whole village.