Jaimangalagarh (जयमंगला गढ़) is a major tourist destination and bird sanctuary of Bihar. It is surrounded by Kabar Lake , where every year lakhs of birds come from all over the country and abroad. There is a famous temple of Mata Jayamangala here. Also known as Monkey Island as there are many monkeys found on this island.
History
It is believed that this was the stronghold of King Jaimangal. At present, research on its historicity is going on. The site, is clearly quite ancient since even without proper excavations, it has yielded artefacts dating back to the 5th century B.C.Tourist Places
The temple of Jayamangala Mata “Salt Satyagraha Path” is located about one kilometer away from the main road. Situated about 22 kms from Begusarai atop a mound on the edge of the Kabar lake, considered as one of the largest freshwater oxbow lakes in Asia, the ancient temple, with present structure dating back to the 9th-10th centuries A.D, is mentioned in the historical texts of Mithila and is associated with several legends in local folklore. The temple of Jaimangla, was repaired by one Noonos Babu of Shakarpura in 1894, who also got erected a pucca house for pilgrims. It was mentioned that the temple was reputed to be very ancient and attracted pilgrims from other districts as well. There is historic black stone image of Goddess Jaimangla, only a portion of which was visible, being covered with sets of decorative items and clothes. The small enclosure having only one entry door, with the dark interior lit only by a small lamp.
Jaimangalagarh Festival is organized here every year to establish local memories on the world stage. President Shri Ram Nath Kovind was the chief guest of the first Jaimangalagarh Mahotsav .
Jaimangala fort is famous as a tourist destination. It is in the center of Kabar lake. It mentioned that the fort was locally known as Jaimanglagarh, due to temple of Goddess Jaimangla,
Thousands of people come here for Van Bhoj on the occasion of New Year on January 1.
A few kilometers away from here is the historic Salt Satyagraha site of Garhpura – the precious legacy of the freedom struggle and the Karmabhoomi of the great freedom fighter, the first Chief Minister of Akhand Bihar and the creator of modern Bihar “Bihar Kesari” Dr. Shrikrishna Singh (Shribabu).
Baba Harigiri Dham is the famous Shiva temple in Garhpura itself, where Lord Shankar is worshiped every year by lakhs of Shiva devotees.
Kabar Lake
Kabar Lake is a huge fresh water lake. Whose length is about 42 kilometers. Millions of birds come here every year from different countries of the world.
Bird Sanctuary
It is one of the largest bird sanctuary in the world. Killing of birds is prohibited here.
How to Reach
Jaimangalagarh is situated on the historical “Salt Satyagraha Path”, east of Manjhoul in the middle of Begusarai-Garhpura. It is 21 KM from Begusarai district headquarter of Bihar and 4 KM from Manjhoul .