BITHOOR TOURIST PLACE

BITHOOR TOURIST PLACE

Just 22 Kilometers from the industrial metropolis for Kanpur on the Kannauj road, lies the quiet and beautiful township of Bithoor. Far from the hustle and bustle and madding crowds of Kanpur, Bithoor offers a tranquil spot suffused with historical and religious significance.

• Area : 05 sq. km
• Population : 9647 (2001 census)
• Altitude : 126 mtrs. above sea level.
• Season : October-March
• Clothing (Summer) : Cottons
• Clothing (Winter) : Woolens
• Language : Hindi
• Festivals : Kartik Poornima Magh Poornima, Makar Sankranti Mela,Bithoor Mahoshav.

ABOUT THE CITY

Just 22 Kilometers from the industrial metropolis for Kanpur on the Kannauj road, lies the quiet and beautiful township of Bithoor. Far from the hustle and bustle and madding crowds of Kanpur, Bithoor offers a tranquil spot suffused with historical and religious significance.

Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganga river, Bithoor dates back to an ancient time in the country's history. In fact, its glorious past is wrapped in legends and fables. A legend in Hindu mythology has it that after the destruction of the Universe and the reconstruction of the of Galaxy by the Lord Vishnu, Bithoor was chosen by Lord Brahma, the Creator, as his abode.

Incidentally, Bithoor is also the poignant setting where Sita was left by Lord Rama to lead her life in exile. It is also the site where Sant Valmiki meditated and later wrote the timeless epic Ramayana. At the same time, it is also known as the auspicious place where Lord Rama's twin sons Lav and Kush were born. It was here that under the guidance of Sant Valmiki, the twins spent their childhood and were initiated into the technique of war and politics and finally, it is the place where the two sons were reunited with their father in a spirit of joy and peace. It is perhaps for this reason that the place is also known as Ramale.

Bithoor is believed to be the place where Dhruv (the legendary child who grew up to be a revered saint, shining in the sky as an eternal star) had his first opportunity for a divine visitation and practice meditation.

In more recent times, Bithoor has thrown up historical figures such as Rani Laxmi Bai and Nana Saheb Peshwa, who played an instrumental role in the country's freedom struggle. These immortal fighters embodied the spirit of patriotism, valour and national pride, remembered with reverence by countless generations. It was  here that they spent their childhood and learnt their first lessons of warfare, culminating into the backdrop from where the first salvoes of the Great Mutiny of 1857 were fired.

Bithoor offers not only a trip back into history to relive those great moments but also a spot where the nature's beauty can be enjoyed in various manners, like boating, or just a quiet stroll among the religious and historical temples.

PLACE OF INTEREST

Valmiki Ashram

Some of the most significant moments of Hindu religion and mythology are said to be created here, as being the place of the forest-rendezvous of Sita after Lord Rama left her, the birth-place of Lavand Kush, the site where the Ramayana was written. Located at a height, one has to climb some stairs, known as 'stairway to heaven', to arrive at the Ashram, from where a panoramic view of Bithoor spreads out.

Brahmavart Ghat

This is the holiest of the holy ghats of Bithoor, where the disciples of Lord Brahma pray at the alter of the 'Wooden Slippers' after a ritual bath.

Patthar Ghat

The redstone ghat whose foundation stone was laid by the minister of Avadh, Tikait Rai, is a symbol of incomparable art and architecture. There is a massive Shiv temple where the Shivling is made of 'Kasaauti' stone.

Dhruva Teela

This is the fabled spot where the child Dhruv meditated single-mindedly on one leg. God was so pleased that he not only appeared but granted him a divine boon--to shine for all time to come as a star.

Apart from these, there are some other landmarks as well, such as the Ram Janki temple, Lav-Kush temple, Haridham Ashram and Nana Saheb Smarak