Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
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Bilaspur
Chhattisgarh • India |
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| District(s) | Bilaspur District |
| Coordinates | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
6,376.76 km² (2,462 mi²) • 262 m (860 ft) |
| Population • Density |
330,291 (2001) • 322 person/km² |
| Mayor | Ashok Pingle |
| Codes • Postal • Telephone • UN/locode • Vehicle |
• 495001 • +07752 • INBOM • CG10 |
| Website: www.bilaspur.nic.in | |
See Bilaspur for disambiguation
Bilaspur is known as the "Dhaan Ka Katora", which means Rice Bowl in Hindi, of the Chhattisgarh region in the Bilaspur District, India. It is the third-largest city in the state with a population of 265,178 (agglomeration 330,291) (2001 census). The High Court of Chhattisgarh is located here. It is the headquarters of Bilaspur District and is located 111 km (69 mi) north of the state capital of Raipur. Besides this it is also the headquarters of the South East Central Railway which comprises the Bilaspur, Nagpur and Raipur divisions.
Bilaspur is situated on the banks of the Arpa River which originates from the high hills of the Maikal Range of central India. This dolomite rich region is surrounded by lush green forests in the north and the coal mines of Hasdeo valley in the east. Bilaspur is known for its aromatic Doobraj rice, handloom woven colorful soft Kosa silk Saris, and more for its rich, varied and colorful culture.
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[edit] History
It is said that the city was founded by a fisher-woman named Bilasa in the 17th century, and as a tribute to that, the city is named after her. Historically, Bilaspur was a part of Kalchuri dynasty of Ratanpur. The city, however, came into prominence around 1741, the year of the Maratha Empire invasion, when a Mahratta official took up his abode there and began to build a fort which was never completed. The populace of Bilaspur suffered heavily during the famine of 1896-1897, during which the city experienced the highest death rate of the region.
Guru Ghasidas, (1756-1836) started a religious movement Satnamis meaning the worshippers of Satnam or God between 1820 and 1830. He belonged to the Dalit caste of Chamar, or the leather-ware artisans. Bilaspur has a university named as Guru Ghasidas University.
The city was taken over by the British East India Company of Great Britain in the year 1854 when the then ruler of the region of the Mahratta kingdom died heirless.
[edit] Description
The city now, is spread over about 30 km² (12 mi²). Over the years, Bilaspur has developed with wide roads, cafes, hotels, street lighting and some beautiful squares. However the last decade has seen large scale unregulated urbanization and residential and commercial expansion, over straining the water resources and generally defunct civic amenities due to its indifferent officials and politicians.
The downtown is called Gol Bazaar (Circular Market). Gol Bazaar and Sadar Bazaar are buzzing and vibrant but overcrowded with slow moving traffic. In contrast there are some newly developed areas as well. Electricity is government regulated and frequent power cuts have become a routine especially during the summer months. The sewerage and drainage system is practically nonexistent, so much so, that like any other Indian town even the first shower of monsoon floods many areas.
The climate is pleasant and mild in the winter (10 °C, 50 °F). There are medium rains in the monsoon season. The summers are very hot and dry (maximum temperature 45+ °C, 113 °F, maximum humidity 90%).
The main languages spoken are Chhattisgarhi and Hindi, while Bengali, Sindhi and English is spoken by only a few.
[edit] Geography
Bilaspur is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 264 metres (866 feet).
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Bilaspur had a population of 265,178. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Bilaspur has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 83% and female literacy of 69%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Tourism
Places of interest in and around Bilaspur include:
- Sirpur and Malhar, which are of historical significance, as they were visited by Xuanzang, the Chinese historian
- Tala, 20 km away, is famous for Rudra Shiva
- Pali with Lord Shiva temple
- Janjigir with incomplete Lord Vishnu temple
- Kharod with Lakshmaneswar temple
- Sheorinarayan with Lord Rama temple
- Singhpur cave with pre-historic paintings
- Bhoramdeb said to be mini Khajuraho
- Rajim famous for Lord Rajiv Lochan
- Ratanpur for its Mahamaya temple
- Narmada River and Son River originate from Amarkantak
- Kanan Pendari
Besides having places associated with its ancient and cultural heritage, the city is also famous for its wildlife variety. This is because of its situation within the state. It is reputed for having some of the densest forests in the country and an even spread of hills and rivers. One of the places worth visiting is the Achanakmar Wildife Sanctuary. Famous for the variety of its wildlife, the sanctuary is spread over an area of 551 km² (213 mi²) and was setup in 1975 under the Wildlife Protection Act. The sanctuary is 55 km (34 mi) away form Bilaspur and is closed during the monsoon season.
Within the sanctuary the presence of guar (Indian Bison) and tigers are very much in evidence, as reported by the multiple sightings by the visitors. Other animals include the leopard, chital, panthera, striped hyena, canis, sloth bear, dhole, sambar deer, nilgai, Indian four-horned antelope and chinkara populate the sanctuary in equal numbers.
Trips to the sanctuary can be organized via private taxi operators. A place to stay is the Panther Cottage, Malhaar where there is a beautiful stone carved historical temple ruin.
Located 55 km (34 mi) away is Khutaghat, where there is a dam and reservoir and it is possible to stay in the prebooked Irrigation Department. The beautifully located "Hill Top Rest House" overlooking the vast expanse of the blue water reservoir is chosen by many for accommodation. The Khudia Dam, which is 75 km (47 mi) away from the city, is equally beautiful but more remote.
Places of interest within the city include Vivekanand Uddyaan (a city Park), Kaanan Pindary zoo (8 km, 5 mi), Ramkrishna Ashram (5 km 3 mi), Arpa River Chat Puja Ghat.
The city celebrates all the major festivals of India. There are some local festivals such as the colorful Rout Dance (November). The city has a multicultural mix of locals and people that have migrated from Sindh (Pakistan), Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, etc. The city publishes four morning and one evening daily newspapers in Hindi. The town has been the home of some famous literary personalities including Sri Srikant Verma (Hindi) and Sri. Bimal Mitra (Bengali).
Local memorabilia include the handicrafts that are available in Khadi Bhawan, near Satyam Cinema. Kosa silk saris and cloth are available in Sadar Bazaar.
The best time to visit is from October to March. However, one can visit it anytime of the year to shop and to enjoy the diversity of the culture which is very different from other parts of the country and for the better for sure.
[edit] Transportation
Bilaspur is a regional hub for the railway system. It is well connected to the rest of the country through the Indian Railways. The Rajdhani Express connects Bilaspur to New Delhi. The station is on main Mumbai-Kolkata (Calcutta) rail line. It is the originating station for many trains to Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur, Kochi (Cochin), Mumbai, Chennai (formerly Madras), Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad and to other major cities in India.
The city is connected with Mumbai and Kolkata via Raipur through National Highway network. Bilaspur is on NH-200 connecting Raipur and Raigarh on either side.
Three-wheeled, black and yellow Auto rickshaws, referred to as autos, is a popular form of transport. They are metered and can accommodate up to three passengers. Local transportation also includes human pulled Cycle Rickshaws, horse drawn Tongas.
There are regular buses and taxis that connect to all nearby towns and cities.
Bilaspur Airport is at Chakarbhatta, 10 km away. It is not served by any scheduled airline. The nearest airport that has regular flights for Delhi, Nagpur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai, is at Raipur, 110 km (68 mi) away.
[edit] Hospitals
- Chattisgarh Institute of Medical Science
- Mission Hospital
- S.E.C.RAILWAY Hospital
- Apollo Hospital
[edit] Education
Bilaspur has developed as a centre of education for Chhattisgarh with students from all over the state coming to Bilaspur to study for engineering, medical and administrative officers' competitive exams. Recently two big schools were started in Bilaspur. Along with the older schools, which provided excellent education, these new schools make Bilaspur the center for primary education too.
[edit] Educational Institutes
[edit] Universities
- Guru Ghasidas University
- Pandit Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University
[edit] Colleges
- GGU Institute of Technology
- Chattisgarh Institute of Medical Science
- New Horizon Dental College and Research Institute
- The SLT Institute of Pharmaceuticals Science
- GGU Institute of Management
- Chowksey Engineering College
- CMD College
- DP Vipra College
- Govt Engineering College
- J. K. Institute of Pharmacy, Karbala Road, Bilaspur
- Govt Girls PG College
- Shanti Niketan College
- DLS College
- Naveen Kanya Mahavidalaya
[edit] Schools
- St. Xaviers School
- Kendriya Vidyalay
- Jain International High School
- DAV Public School
- Delhi Public School
- Don Bosco Public School
- Bengali Higher Secondary School
- Bharat Mata Higher Secondary School
- Bharatmata English Medium School
- Burgess English Medium School
- Christian English School
- Government Multipurpose Higher Secondary School
- Maharashi Vidya Mandir
- Mohanty English Medium School
- Normal School
- Pushparaj English Medium School
- SEC Railway English Medium school
- Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir
- Sheffer School
- St. Francis Hr. Sec. School
- St. Joseph Convent
- Devaki Nandan Higher Secondary School
- Shanti Niketan Public School
- Mission Higher Secondary School
[edit] Features
- Hotels: There are many budget and mid-level hotels, but the most expensive hotel is Central Point.
- Medical facilities: One government medical college and hospital, India's famed Apollo Hospital and many private nursing homes and clinics.
- Banks: All major Indian Banks have branches and ATMs in the city. Very few shops accept credit cards.
