Purnia is the biggest city in the north-eastern part of the state. Bihar, The word ‘Purnia’ translates to ‘full jungle’, ‘Purna’ means ‘full’ and ‘Aranya’ means ‘forest’ in the dialect of Sanskrit. Purnia is a sought-after tourist destination. It is also believed that Purnea received its name from a very old puran mata teample.
Purnia District is one of the thirty-eight districts of the Indian state of Bihar. The city of Purnia is the administrative headquarters of this district. The city of Purnia has continued its tradition of hoisting the national flag at 12:07 am on every Independence Day since 1947. Purnia district is a part of Purnia Division. The district extends northwards from the Ganges river. Purnia is the unofficial capital of Seemanchal due to its financial and educational importance. Three districts were partitioned off from Purnia district: Katihar in 1976, Araria and Kishanganj in 1990. Purnia district has four subdivisions: Purnea Sadar, Banmankhi, Baisi and Dhamdaha.
During the Mughal rule, Purnea was an outlying military province, and its revenue was mostly spent on protecting its borders against tribes from the north and east. After the capture of Calcutta in 1757, Purnia’s local governor raised a rebellion against Siraj ud-Daulah. In 1765, the district became a British possession, along with the rest of Bengal. On February 14, 1770 the district of Purnia in modern history was formed by the East India Company.
Purnia district occupies 3,229 square kilometres (1,247 sq mi), comparable to the Solomon Islands’ Makira Island. It is a depressed tract, consisting for the most part of a rich, loamy alluvial soil. It is traversed by several rivers flowing from the Himalayas, which afford great advantages of irrigation and water-carriage. Its major rivers are the Kosi, the Mahananda, the Suwara Kali, the Kari kosi, the Saura and the Koli. In the west, the soil is thickly covered with sand deposited by changes in the course of the Kosi. Among other rivers are the Mahananda and the Panar. Its major agricultural products are jute and banana.
Culture & Tradition
Purnia is known for its uniquely designed organization, Ramakrishna Mission, where the festival called Durga Puja is celebrated in October.
Some major Hindu temples of Purnea are Puran Devi Temple, which is 5 km away from the main city, the Kali Mandir (Kali Bari) of old Purnia city on the bank of Saura river, the Maata Asthan in Chunapur, Panchmukhi Temple in line bazaar, the Rani Sati Mandir in Kasba, Prahlad Stambh (Narsingh Awtar Mandir) in Banmankhi, and Dhima Shiv Mandir in Dhima, Banmankhi.
The city also has the Darghah of Hazrat Mustafa Jamalul Haque Bandagi, Chimni Bazar. An “Urs” in the form of Mela ( village fair) is organized on the 7th day after Eid-Ul-Azha and continues up to 3 days every year.
The ‘Dargah of Khanquah Alia Mustafia‘ is located 7 km away from the main city. It is famous for spirituality, communal harmony and Sufism. Its history extends for 400 years, when Hazrat Bandagi came from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh visiting several Khanqahs and Dargahs across India. The Darghah is playing a major role to spread culture, education, kindness, secularism and spiritual spirits in Northeast Bihar since its establishment.
Deorhi at Garbanili (Purnea) hosts the ruins of Kala Bhawan the ancient Darbar (Palace) of Raja Kalanand Singh, where his successor still lives.
The Jalalgadh Fort is a place of historical importance situated in Jalalgadh division.
Kichaka Badh: Kichaka Badh is one of the ancient places nearby Thakurganj close to Purnia for explorers.
Lalbalu of Purnia A wide stretch of maidan runs 9 miles (14 km) from Purnia to the east with a small Idgah at one end, on which the devout Muslims assemble for their prayers. Once at this maidan, there was a fight between the mutineers and a band of loyalties led by Commissioner Yule of Bhagalpur in the Sepoy Mutiny days of 11th December 1857.
Kajha Kothi, Kaath Pool, Kamakhya Mandir, Ganga-Darjeeling Road, Dharara, Kursela, Thakurganj, Baghnagar Village, Baladiabari Village, Bandarjhula, Barhar Kothi, Kamalpur, Chakla Area, Baba Varuneshwar Dham, Barijangarh, Kisanganj City, Catholic Church and Pir Baba Ka Mazar, are other tourist attractions in and around Purnea.
Best Time to Visit
All weather is good for travel however, it is better to avoid monsoon period when this area witnesses ample rainfall.
How to Reach
By Air
The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport in Silliguri of West Bengal. Travelers will have no trouble getting here as its well connected by road with Silliguri.
By Train
The nearest railway station is Purnea Railway Station. Purnia Junction Railway Station is located in the Purnia District of Bihar, India. As part of the North Frontier Railways’ Katihar Junction, it maintains excellent connection across the northern section of the nation. One of the most important railway stations in India is Katihar Junction. Purnia Court and Ranipatra are two nearby rail heads. Purnia Banmankhi Passenger, Jogbani Katihar Passenger, Katihar Jogbani Passenger, Seemanchal Express, and Kolkata Chitpur-Jogbani Express are among the almost four express trains that pass by this station.
By Road
National highways connect Purnia with famous international tourist destinations by road like Biratnagar in neighboring country Nepal; Queen of Hills Darjeeling and other hill stations nearby. Cities of Kishanganj, Araria and Katihar are easily accessible from Purnia city. Follow the four-lane road towards Jogbani Nepal from the Purnea District Headquarter. After 20 kilometres, Kasba block will appear, which is located on the city’s major road next to the block headquarters.
Shopping in Purnea
Being one of the oldest cities of this region and a fast developing city, Purnia welcomes you with ample options to explore this area for your unique shopping varieties. You can also buy variety of gifts, cloths or whatever you like from big shopping areas in Bhatta Bazaar, Line Bazaar & Gulab Bagh area and or in the rest parts of city. Spend some time in the bazaars here and buy local stuffs for gifting your near and dear ones. The district headquarters offer you best shopping options that you were looking for. Buy quality items and enjoy your time during Purnia stay.
Where to Stay
Hotel Kaushaki
Address: Kalibari Road, Purnia (Bihar) – 854301
Phone No: Not Available
Hotel Centre Point
Address: RN Shaw Road, Choudhary Market, Bhatta bazaar, Purnia (Bihar) – 854301
Phone No: Not Available
Hotel Harsha
Address: Bhatta Bazaar, Purnia (Bihar) – 854301
Phone No: Not Available
Hotel Sanjay
Address: Bhatta Bazaar, Purnia (Bihar) – 854301
Phone No: Not Available
Tourism Department
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation
(A Govt. of Bihar Undertaking)
Bir Chand Patel Path,
Patna.
PIN-800 001.
Bihar. India.
TOLL FREE NUMBER- 1800-3456-112,+916122506048+916122506048, +916122506075+916122506075,+91-8544418305
Tourist Information Center in Purnia
Sri Sushil Kr. Sharma
District Public Relation Officer, Purnia (Bihar)
Mobile; +91 9504200874+91 9504200874
Phone: +91-612-2225411+91-612-2225411,
Fax: +91-612-2506218.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Web Site: https://bstdc.bih.nic.in/
District Magistrate & Collector
Sri Rajesh Kumar, I.A.S.
Purnia District
Mobile No: 94309704779430970477
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website: https://purnea.nic.in/