Bihar and Green flash: Difference between pages

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Difference between pages)
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Manoj nav (talk | contribs)
1,652 edits
→‎History: added image
 
m decap section title
 
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Green flashes''' and '''green rays''' are rare [[optical phenomena]] that occur shortly after [[sunset]] or before [[sunrise]], when a [[green]] spot is visible for a short period of [[time]] above the [[sun]], or a green ray shoots up from the sunset point.
{{otheruses}}
[[Image:Big green flash.JPG|thumb|300px|right|A larger than usual green flash in Santa Cruz]]
{{Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
[[Image:Inferior Mirage green flash.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Stages of a green flash]]
<!--Title bar-->
[[Image:GreenFlash.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mock Mirage green flash observed in San Francisco]]
|type =state
[[Image:Green flashsf.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mock Mirage green flash observed in San Francisco]]
|native_name =Bihar
[[Image:Green flash 02-09-08.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mock Mirage green flash observed in San Francisco]]
|state_name =Bihar, India
[[Image:Green flash and mock mirage.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mock Mirage green flash observed in San Francisco]]
|nickname ="The Land of Buddha and Mahavira"
[[Image:Green rim of the setting sun.jpg|Upper rim is green and lower rim is red|thumb|250px]]
<!-- skyline -->
Green flashes can be observed from any [[altitude]] (even from an aircraft). They are usually seen at an unobstructed [[horizon]], such as over the [[ocean]], but are possible over cloud-tops and mountain-tops as well.
|skyline = Mahabodhitemple.jpg
|skyline_caption = The [[Mahabodhi Temple]], <small>among the four holy sites related to the life of the [[Lord Buddha]]</small> and [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]<ref name="Mahabodhi_Temple">{{cite web
<!-- -->|title=UNESCO Website
<!-- -->|URL=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1056
<!-- -->|work=[[UNESCO]]
<!-- -->|publisher= [[UNESCO]]
<!-- -->|date= [[June 26]], [[2002]]
<!-- -->|accessdate= 2002-06-26}}</ref>


==Explanation==
<!--Map and Locator-->
The reason for a green flash lies in [[refraction]] of [[light]] (as in a [[prism (optics)|prism]]) in the [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]]: light moves more slowly in the lower, denser air than in the thinner air above, so sunlight rays follow paths that curve slightly, in the same direction as the curvature of the [[Earth]]. Higher frequency light (green/blue) curves more than lower frequency light (red/orange), so green/blue rays from the upper limb of the setting sun remain visible after the red rays are obstructed by the curvature of the earth.
|base_map=India_Bihar_locator_map.svg
|base_map_label = yes
|locator_position = right
|inset_map_marker = yes
|map_caption = Map of Bihar


Green flashes are enhanced by [[inversion (meteorology)|atmospheric inversions]], which increase the density gradient in the atmosphere, and therefore increase refraction. A green flash is more likely to be seen in clear air, when more of the light from the setting sun reaches the observer without being scattered. We might expect to see a [[blue]] flash, but the blue is preferentially scattered out of our line of sight and remaining light ends up looking [[green]].
<!--Geography-->
|latd = 25.37
|longd =85.13
|area_total =94164
|area_total_cite =<sup>'''†'''</sup>
|area_rank =12th
|area_magnitude =10


With slight [[magnification]] a green rim on the top limb of the [[sun|solar disk]] can be seen on most clear-day sunsets. However the flash or ray effects require a stronger layering of the atmosphere and a [[mirage]] which serves to magnify the green for a fraction of a second to a couple of seconds.
<!--Climate-->
|climate = ETh
|precip = 1200
|temp_annual = 27
|temp_winter = 10
|temp_summer = 34


==Types of green flashes==
<!--Demographics-->
The green flash is actually a group of phenomena, some of which are listed below:<ref name="young">Young, A. [http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/papers/Zenit/glance.html "Green flashes at a glance"] (2006), San Diego State University page. Retrieved on 09/05/07.</ref>
|population_total =82,998,509
|population_total_cite =<ref name="GOI_2001">{{cite web
<!-- -->|title = census of india
<!-- -->|url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/
<!-- -->|work = [[Census of India 2001]]
<!-- -->|publisher = [[Government of India]]
<!-- -->|date = [[27 May]] [[2002]]
<!-- -->|accessdate = 2007-04-14}}</ref>
|population_year =2001
|population_density =880
|population_rank =3rd
|official_languages =[[Hindi]], [[English language|English]], [[Urdu]] [[Bhojpuri]]and [[Maithili]]
|population_density_cite=<ref name="GOI_2001"/>
|sex_ratio = 919
|literacy = 47.0
|literacy_male = 59.7
|literacy_female = 33.1


<!--Main settlements (cities, towns, etc.)-->
|capital =[[Patna]]
|largest_city =[[Patna]]
|largest_metro =[[Patna]]
|region =[[Anga|Angika Region]], [[Bhojpuri Region]], [[Magadh|Magadh Region]], [[Mithila|Mithila Region]]
|division =[[Patna Division|Patna]], [[Tirhut Division|Tirhut]], [[Saran Division|Saran]], [[Darbhanga Division|Darbhanga]], [[Kosi Division|Kosi]], [[Purnia Division|Purnia]], [[Bhagalpur Division|Bhagalpur]], [[Munger Division|Munger]], [[Magadh Division|Magadh]]
|districts =[[List_of_districts_of_India#Bihar_.28BR.29|38]]

<!--Government-->
|leader_title_1 =[[Governors of Bihar|Governor]]
|leader_name_1 =Raghunanthanlal Bhatia
|leader_title_2 =[[Chief Ministers of Bihar|Chief Minister]]
|leader_name_2 =Nitish Kumar
|leader_title_3 =[[Deputy Chief Minister]]
|leader_name_3 =Sushil Kumar Modi
|established_title =[[Bihar]]
|established_date =[[1912]]
|legislature_type =Bicameral
|legislature_strength =243 + 96
|parliament_const =[[14th_Lok_Sabha#Bihar|parliamentary constituencies in Bihar]]
|jurisdiction_title_1 =[[High Courts of India|High Court]]
|jurisdiction_name_1 =[[Patna High Court]]
|jurisdiction_title_2 =[[District Courts of India]]

<!--blank-->
|blank_title_2 = Governing body
|blank_value_2 = [[Government of India]], [[Government of Bihar]]

<!--Codes-->
|abbreviation = IN.BR
|unlocode = INBR
|vehicle_code_range = BR

<!--website-->
|website=gov.bih.nic.in

<!--Portal-->
|portal = Bihar

<!--Footnotes-->
|footnotes = <small><references/></small>


<!--Seal-->
|seal =BiharSeal.jpg
|seal_caption =Seal of Bihar
|seal_size =100px

<!--Internal/miscellaneous-->
|coord_title = yes
|autocat = no
|}}

'''Bihar''' ([[Hindi]]:बिहार, [[Urdu]]: بہار, {{IPA2|bɪhaːr}}, {{audio|Bihar.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a [[States and territories of India|state]] in [[East India|eastern India]]<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| title = State Profile
| publisher = Bihar Government website
| url=http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/default.htm
| accessdate = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| title = Food riots, anger as floods swamp South Asia
| publisher = Reuters India
| url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-35134220080822
| accessdate = }}</ref>. Bihar, which is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size and 3rd largest by population, has close to 85 per cent rural population. Almost 58 per cent of [[Bihari people|Bihari]]s are below 25 years of age<ref name="economic_strangulation">{{cite web
| last = Guruswamy
| first = Mohan
| authorlink = http://cpasindia.org/about/mg.html
| coauthors = Kaul Abhishek
| title = The Economic Strangulation of Bihar
| work =
| publisher = Centre for Policy Alternatives, New Delhi, India
| date = [[2003-12-15]]
| url = http://cpasindia.org/reports/02-Economic-Strangulation-Bihar.pdf
| format = pdf
| doi =
| accessdate = }}</ref>, which is the highest in [[India]]. It is a land–locked state, although the outlet to the sea through the port of [[Kolkata]] is not far away. Bihar lies mid-way between the humid [[West Bengal]] in the east and the sub humid [[Uttar Pradesh]] in the west which provides it with a transitional position in respect of climate, economy and culture. It is bounded by the country [[Nepal]] in the north and by [[Jharkhand]] in the south. The Bihar plain is divided into two unequal halves by the river [[Ganga]] which flows through the middle from west to east. Bihar has notified forest area of 6,764.14 km², which is 7.1 per cent <ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| title = State Profile
| publisher = Gov. of India
| url=http://india.gov.in/knowindia/st_bihar.php
| accessdate = }}</ref> of its geographical area. [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] are the official languages of the state, whilst the majority of the people speak one of the Bihari languages (once considered to be [[dialects]] of [[Hindi]]) - [[Bhojpuri]], [[Magadhi]], [[Maithili]] or [[Angika]].

Ancient Bihar, also called [[Magadha]], was a center of power, learning and culture in Ancient India. From [[Magadha]] arose [[India]]'s first empire, the [[Maurya empire]] as well as one of the world's greatest [[Pacifism|pacifist]] religion, [[Buddhism]]. [[Magadha]] empires, notably under the [[Maurya]] and [[Gupta]] dynasties, unified large parts of northern South Asia under a central rule <ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| title = The History of Bihar
| publisher = Bihar Government website
| url=http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/history.htm
| accessdate = }}</ref>. Its capital [[Patna]], earlier known as [[History of Patna|Pataliputra]], was an important center of Indian [[civilization]].

Today Bihar lags behind the other Indian states in human <ref>{{cite web
| first = Planning Commission of the Union Government
| title = National Human Development Report
| publisher = Planning Commission of the Union Government
| date = 2001
| url = http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/genrep/nhdrep/nhdch1.pdf
| accessdate = 2008-08-10}}</ref> and economic development terms, <ref>{{cite web
| first = The Times of India
| title = Bihar's 'first' Economic Survey Report tabled
| publisher = The Times of India
| date = 2007
| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/Cities/Patna/Bihars_first_Economic_Survey_Report_tabled/articleshow/1729260.cms
| accessdate = 2008-08-10}}</ref>, whilst ethnic Biharis living in other states of India are victims of racist hate crimes<ref>{{cite web
| first = Arab News
| title = Manmohan Condemns Killings in Assam
| publisher = Arab News
| date = 2007
| url = http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=99741&d=13&m=8&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
| accessdate = 2008-08-13}}</ref> and prejudice.<ref>{{cite web
| first = Smita Mishra
| title = Bihar… on the road to freedom
| publisher = Zee News
| date = 2008
| url = http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=463365&sid=NAT
| accessdate = 2008-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| first = The Times of India
| title = Biharis an unwanted lot: Bal Thackeray
| publisher = The Times of India
| date = 2008
| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2840902,prtpage-1.cms
| accessdate = 2008-03-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| first = The Times of India
| title = 'Bihari' has become an abuse
| publisher = The Times of India
| date = 2008
| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Review/Bihari_has_become_an_abuse/articleshow/3347091.cms
| accessdate = 2008-08-10}}</ref> Economists and social scientists claim that this is a direct result of the skewed policies of the central government like freight equalisation policy <ref>{{Citation
| first = Arvind N.| last = Das
| author-link = http://www.lib.virginia.edu/area-studies/SouthAsia/arvindndas.html
| title = The Republic of Bihar
| place = India
| publisher = Penguin Books
| year = 1992
| isbn = 0140123512 }}</ref> <ref name="saibal">{{cite news
| last = Goswami
| first = Urmi A
| title = 'Bihar Needs an Icon, a person who stands above his caste'(Dr Shaibal Gupta - Rediff Interview)
| publisher = Rediff
| date = [[2005-02-16]]
| url = http://www.rediff.com/election/2005/feb/16inter2.htm
| accessdate = 2005-02-16 }}</ref>, its apathy towards Bihar<ref>{{cite web
| last = Guruswamy
| first = Mohan
| authorlink = http://cpasindia.org/about/mg.html
| coauthors = Baitha Ramnis Attar, Mohanty Jeevan Prakash
| title = Centrally Planned Inequality, the Tale of Two States – Punjab and Bihar
| work =
| publisher = Centre for Policy Alternatives, New Delhi, India
| date = [[2004-06-15]]
| url = http://cpasindia.org/reports/07-Centrally-Planned-Inequality-Punjab-Bihar.pdf
| format = pdf
| doi =
| accessdate = }}</ref> <ref>{{cite web
| last = Guruswamy
| first = Mohan
| authorlink = http://cpasindia.org/about/mg.html
| coauthors = Mohanty Jeevan Prakash
| title = The De-urbanisation of Bihar
| work =
| publisher = Centre for Policy Alternatives, New Delhi, India
| date = [[2004-02-15]]
| url = http://cpasindia.org/reports/03-De-urbanisation-Bihar.pdf
| format = pdf
| doi =
| accessdate = }}</ref> <ref name="economic_strangulation"/>, lack of [[Bihari people|Bihari]] sub-[[nationalism]] (resulting in no spokesperson for the state) <ref>{{cite web
| last = Gupta
| first = Shaibal
| title = BIHAR : IDENTITY And DEVELOPMENT
| publisher = Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), Patna
| url=http://www.bihartimes.com/articles/shaibal/biharidentity.html
| accessdate = 2006-04-30 }}</ref> <ref name="saibal"/>, and the [[Permanent Settlement]] of 1793 by the [[British East India Company]] <ref name="saibal"/>. The current state government has however made significant strides in improving governance<ref>{{cite web
| first = Aditi
| last = Phadnis
| title = Lalu in the red
| publisher = Business Standard
| date = 2008
| url = http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=329655
| accessdate = 2008-08-10}}</ref>.
The improved governance has led to an economic revival<ref name="bihar_basher">{{cite news
| last = Goswami
| first = Urmi A
| title = Biharis get work at home, bashers realise their worth
| publisher = The Economic Times
| date = [[2008-06-17]]
| url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Biharis_get_work_at_home_bashers_realise_their_worth/articleshow/3135697.cms
| accessdate = 2008-06-17 }}</ref> in the state through increased investment in infrastructure, better health care facilities, greater emphasis on education, and a reduction in crime and corruption.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Sharma
| first = Supriya
| coauthors = Jha, Abhay Mohan
| title = Bihar witnesses a quiet transformation
| publisher = NDTV
| date = [[2008-07-15]]
| url = http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080057141
| accessdate = 2008-07-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Jha
| first = Abhay Mohan
| title = English makes inroads in Bihar villages
| publisher = NDTV
| date = [[2008-03-08]]
| url = http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080043399&ch=3/8/2008%2011:32:00%20AM
| accessdate = 2008-03-08 }}</ref>Indian<ref>{{cite news
| last = Modi
| first = Ajay
| coauthors = Katakey, Rakteem
| title = Reliance, Tata, Bharti eye Bihar sugar mills
| publisher = Business Standard
| date = [[2007-12-06]]
| url = http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=306668
| accessdate = 2007-12-06 }}</ref> and global business and economic leaders feel that Bihar now has good opportunity for sustainable [[economic development]], and as such have shown interest in investing in the state.<ref>{{cite news
| last = PTI
| title = Global agencies show interest in Bihar growth
| publisher = The Economic Times
| date = [[2008-02-18]]
| url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Indicators/Global_agencies_show_interest_in_Bihar_growth/articleshow/2792145.cms
| accessdate = 2008-02-18 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Chaudhary
| first = Pranava K
| title = Reliance keen to invest in Bihar
| publisher = The Times of India
| date = [[2007-10-20]]
| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Reliance_keen_to_invest_in_Bihar/articleshow/2475741.cms
| accessdate = 2007-10-20 }}</ref>

==Etymology of the name==

The name '''''Bihar''''' is derived from the Sanskrit '''''vihār''''' <ref>"Foreign invaders often used abandoned viharas as military cantonments; the word Bihar may have come from the large number of viharas thus employed in the area that later became Bihar. Originally Bihar was name of a town, which was headquarter of the Muslim invaders in the Magadha region in the medieval period. The town still exists and is called Bihar or [[Bihar Sharif|Bihar Sharif]] ([[Nalanda District]]). Later on the headquarter was shifted from Bihar to Patana (current [[Patna]]) by [[Sher Shah Suri]] and the whole [[Magadha]] region was called Bihar."</ref> ([[Devanagari]]: िवहार), means "abode". The region roughly encompassing the present state was dotted with Buddhist [[vihara]], which were the abodes of Buddhist monks in the ancient and medieval period.

==History==
{{main|History of Bihar}}
{{seealso|Timeline for Bihar|Magadha|Decline of Buddhism in India}}
<!-- PLEASE CROSS CHECK CHANGES HERE WITH TEXT AT [[History of Bihar]] -->
[[Image:Lightmatter buddha3.jpg|150px||left|thumb|A stone image of the [[Buddha]].]]
Bihar was called [[Magadha]] in ancient times. From Magadha arose two world religions, [[Jainism]] and [[Buddhism]]. The first Indian empire, the Maurya empire, originated from Magadha, with its capital at Patliputra (modern Patna) in [[325 BC]]. The Mauryan Emperor, [[Ashoka]], is believed to be one of the greatest rulers of [[India]] and the world. Bihar remained an important place of power, culture and education during the next one thousand years. The [[Vikramshila]] and [[Nalanda]] [[University|Universities]], were among the oldest and best centres of education in ancient India. It must be mentioned here that the boundaries of ancient Mauryan empire extended up to the present day Afghanistan which was unparelled in Indian history.

[[Buddhism]] flourished till 400CE. The period between the 400 CE and 1000 CE saw gains by [[Hinduism]] at the expense of [[Buddhism]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/history/history_2.shtml Online BBC News Article: Religion & Ethics - Hinduism],BBC News, 2 January 2007</ref>
[[Image:Ashoka2.jpg|100px|left|thumb|[[Ashoka|Emperor Ashoka the Great]]<small>(a depiction)</small>]]

Muhammad Bin Bakhtiar Khilji, a [[Pashtun]] and general of [[Muhammad Ghori]], captured Bihar in 12th century. Many of the [[viharas]] and the famed universities of [[Nalanda]] and [[Vikramshila]] were destroyed in this period.<ref>Gopal Ram, Rule [http://books.google.co.in/books?id=wVr_f_gXOX4C&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=Muhammad+Bin+Bakhtiar+Khilji+Nalanda&source=web&ots=_TrRHU6udw&sig=sA2dXp9hON7KQcfYUrsy51kEqYI&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA20,M1 Hindu Culture During and After Muslim], pp. 20, "Some invaders, like Bakhtiar Khilji, who did not know the value of books and art objects, destroyed them in large numbers and also the famous Nalanda ..."</ref><ref>The Maha-Bodhi By Maha Bodhi Society, Calcutta (page 8) </ref>

The State saw a brief period of glory for six years during the rule of another Bihari ruler, an ethnic Pashtun by parentage, [[Sher Shah Suri]], who was from [[Sasaram]] and built the longest road of the [[Indian subcontinent]], the [[Grand Trunk Road]]. The economic reforms carried out by Sher Shah, like the introduction of Rupee and Custom Duties, is still used in the Republic of India.

During 1557-1576, [[Akbar]], the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor, annexed Bihar and Bengal to his empire. With the decline of the Mughals, Bihar passed under the control of the [[Nawabs of Bengal]]. Thus, the medieval period was mostly one of anonymous provincial existence.

[[Image:Nalanda_University.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Site of [[Nalanda University]]]]
The 10th and the last ''Guru'' of [[Sikhism]], [[Guru Gobind Singh]] was born in Patna.

After the Battle of Buxar (1764), the [[British East India Company]] obtained the diwani rights (rights to administer and collect revenue, or tax administration / collection) for Bihar, [[Bengal]] and [[Orissa]]. From this point, Bihar remained a part the [[Bengal Presidency]] of the [[British Raj]] until 1912, when the province of [[Bihar and Orissa]] was carved out as a separate [[province]]. In 1935, certain portions of Bihar were reorganised into the separate province of Orissa.

[[Kunwar Singh|Babu Kunwar Singh]] of Jagdishpur and his army, as well as countless other persons from Bihar, contributed to the [[Indian rebellion of 1857|India's First War of Independence]] (1857), also called the [[Sepoy Mutiny]] by some historians.

<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Dr.Rajendra.Prasad.jpg|right|thumb|Dr. Rajendra Prasad, 1st President of India]] -->
Resurgence in the history of Bihar came during the struggle for India's independence. It was from Bihar that Mahatma Gandhi launched his civil-disobedience movement, [[Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha|Champaran Satyagraha]], which ultimately led to India's independence. [[Raj Kumar Shukla]] drew the attention of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] to the exploitation of the peasants by European indigo planters. [[Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha|Champaran Satyagraha]] received the spontaneous support from many [[Bihari]]s, including Dr.[[Rajendra Prasad]], who ultimately became the first [[President of India]], [[Sri Krishna Sinha]] who became the first Chief Minister of Bihar, Dr. [[Anugrah Narayan Sinha]], who ultimately became the <ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Alpha/DR.A.N.%20SINGH
| title=First Bihar Deputy CM cum Finance Minister;Dr. A N Sinha
|author=Indian Post
| publisher=official Website
| accessdate=2008-05-20
}}</ref>first Deputy Chief Minister cum [[Finance Minister]] of [[Bihar]] and [[Brajkishore Prasad]].

In North and Central Bihar, [[peasant]]s movement was an important side effect of the freedom movement. This movement aimed at overthrowing the fedual [[Zamindari|zamindari]] system instituted by [[Britisher]]s. It was being led by [[Swami Sahajanand Saraswati]] and his followers Pandit Yamuna Karjee, Rahul Sankritayan and others. Pandit Yamuna Karjee along with Rahul Sankritayan and a few others started publishing a Hindi weekly [[Hunkar]] from Bihar, in 1940. Hunkar later became the mouthpiece of the peasant movement and the agrarian movement in Bihar and was instrumental in spreading the movement. The peasant movement later spread to other parts of the country and helped in digging out the British roots in the Indian society by overthrowing the [[Zamindari|zamindari]] system.

Bihar's contribution in the Indian freedom struggle has been immense with outstanding leaders like [[Swami Sahajanand Saraswati]], Dr. [[Rajendra Prasad]],<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/freedom/congress/c127.htm
| title=Great freedom Fighters
|author=Kamat
| publisher=Kamat's archive
| accessdate=2006-02-25
}}
</ref>[[Sri Krishna Sinha]],[[Anugrah Narayan Sinha]] ,[[Mulana Mazharul Haque]],[[Jayaprakash Narayan]],[[Satyendra Narayan Sinha]],[[Basawon Singh (Sinha)|Basawon Singh]],[[Rameshwar Prasad Sinha]],[[Yogendra Shukla]], [[Sheel Bhadra Yajee]], Pandit Yamuna Karjee and many others who worked for [[India]]'s freedom relentlessly and helped in the upliftment of the underprivileged masses. [[Khudiram Bose]], [[Upendra Narayan Jha "Azad"]], [[Prafulla Chaki]] and [[Baikuntha Shukla]] were active in revolutionary movement in Bihar.

In 2000, 18 administrative districts of Bihar were separated to form the state of [[Jharkhand]]. [http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9357251] In 2005, the RJD lost power in elections bringing in to government [[Nitish Kumar]] and the NDA. [[Bihari]] migrant workers have faced violence and prejudice in many parts of India, like Maharashtra, the North East, and Punjab.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2781266,prtpage-1.cms
| title=Scared Biharis arrive from Mumbai
| author=Kumod Verma
| publisher=The Times of India
| accessdate=2008-02-14
}}</ref> and Assam<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/11/AR2007081100464_pf.html
| title=30 Killed in Northeast Violence in India
| author=WASBIR HUSSAIN
| publisher=Washington Post
| accessdate=2006-02-25
}}</ref>.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.patnadaily.com/news2007/jan/010507/biharis_killed_in_assam.html
| title=40 Bihari Workers Killed by ULFA Activists in Assam
| author=Patnadaily
| publisher=Patnadaily.com
| accessdate=2006-01-06
}}</ref>

{{seealso|2008 attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra}}

==Geography & climate==
[[Image:Biharimap.png|thumb|250px|right|Map of Bihar]]

'''Geography''': Bihar is mainly a vast stretch of very fertile flat land. It is drained by the [[Ganges River]], including northern tributaries [[Gandaki|Gandak]] and [[Koshi River|Koshi]] originating in the [[Geography of Nepal|Nepal]] [[Himalayas]] and the [[Bagmati]] originating in the [[Kathmandu Valley]] that regularly [[2008 Bihar flood|inundate]] parts of the Bihar plains. Other Ganges tributaries are the [[Son]], [[Budhi Gandak]], Chandan, Orhani and [[Falgu River|Falgu]]. The [[Himalayas]] begin at [[Siwaliks|foothills]] a short distance inside Nepal but influence Bihar's landforms, climate, hydrology and [[Mithila|culture]]. Central parts of Bihar have some small hills, for example the [[Rajgir hills]]. To the south is the Chota Nagpur plateau, which was part of Bihar until 2000 but now is part of a separate state called Jharkhand.

'''Climate''': Bihar is mildly cold in the winter (the lowest temperatures being around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius; 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Winter months are December and January. It is hot in the summer (with average highs around 35-40 Celsius; 95-105 Fahrenheit). April to mid June are the hot months. The monsoon months of June, July, August, and September see good rainfall. October & November and February & March have pleasant climate.

==Demographics==
Bihar has close to 90 per cent rural population. Almost 58 per cent of Biharis are below 25 years age, which is highest in India. [[Hinduism]] is practiced by 83.2% of the population and forms the majority religion in the state.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/ Indian Census]</ref> [[Islam]] is practiced by 16.5% of the population, and other religions less than 0.5%.<ref name=autogenerated1 />
Since ancient times Bihar has attracted migrants and settlers including [[Aryan]]s, [[Bengal]]is, [[Turk]]s from [[Central Asia]], [[Persian people|Persian]]s, [[Afghan]]s and [[Punjabi]] [[Hindu]] Refugees during the [[Partition of India]] in 1947. <ref>[http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/Religion_WhizMap1/housemap.htm Census GIS HouseHold<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Government and administration==
{| class="wikitable" border="1" align="right" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="260" style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #F4F5F6; border: 1px #C6C7C8 solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%"
| colspan="3" bgcolor="#C2D6E5" align="center" | ''' Bihar State Symbols ''' <ref>[http://www.webindia123.com/bihar/index.htm Bihar - Land, People, Festival, Arts, Tourism, Economy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
|-
| '''[[State bird]]''' || [[Image:Coraciasbenghalensis.svg|40px]]|| India roller
|-
| '''[[State animal]]''' ||[[Image:GaurLyd2.png|40px ]]|| Gaur
|-
| '''[[State flower]]''' ||[[Image:Bauhinia Acuminata.jpg|40px]]|| Kanchnar
|-
| '''[[State tree]]''' || [[Image:Pipal.jpg|40px]]|| Peepal
|}
[[Image:Secretariat Building patna.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Secretariat Building, [[Patna]]]]
The constitutional head of the Government of Bihar is the [[Governor]], who is appointed by the [[President of India]]. The real executive power rests with the [[Chief Minister]] and the cabinet. The political party or the coalition of political parties having a majority in the [[Legislative Assembly]] forms the Government.

The current incumbent, Chief Minister [[Nitish Kumar]], succeeded [[Rabri Devi]], wife of the Former Chief Minister [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]] (also known as Laloo Prasad) (currently Cabinet Minister for Railways) in 2005.

The head of the bureaucracy of the State is called the Chief Secretary. Under him is a hierarchy of officials drawn from the [[Indian Administrative Service]], [[Indian Police Service]], and different wings of the State [[Civil Service]]s. The [[judiciary]] is headed by the Chief Justice. Bihar has a High Court which has been functioning since [[1916]]. All the branches of the government are located in the state capital, Patna.

The state is divided into 9 divisions and 38 districts, for administrative purposes. The various divisions are [[Patna Division|Patna]], [[Tirhut Division|Tirhut]], [[Saran Division|Saran]], [[Darbhanga Division|Darbhanga]], [[Kosi Division|Kosi]], [[Purnia Division|Purnia]], [[Bhagalpur Division|Bhagalpur]], [[Munger Division|Munger]] and [[Magadh Division]].
{{see also|Divisions of Bihar|Districts of Bihar}}

----

{| class="navbox" width="97%"
!colspan="12" style="padding:0.3em 0; line-height:1.2em; font-size:110%;"| Largest cities in Bihar<br/>{{nobold|<small>(2001 Census of India estimate)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/India-Bihar.html |title=Bihar |publisher=Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner |date=2007-03-18 |accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref></small>}}
|-
! Rank !! City !! District !! Population !! Rank !! City !! District !! Population !! rowspan=11 | <!--{{Tnavbar|Largest cities in Bihar|plain=1}}-->
[[Image:Patna.jpg|thumb|border|150px|Patna]]
|-
| align=center | 01 ||align=left | '''[[Patna]]''' || [[Patna district|Patna]] || 1,366,444 || align=center | 06 ||align=left | '''[[Bihar-E-Sharif|Biharsarif]]''' || [[Nalanda district|Nalanda]] || 232,071
|-
| align=center | 02 ||align=left | '''[[Gaya]]''' || [[Gaya district|Gaya]] || 385,432 || align=center | 07 ||align=left | '''[[Ara]]''' || [[Bhojpur District|Bhojpur]] || 203,380
|-
| align=center | 03 ||align=left | '''[[Bhagalpur]]''' || [[Bhagalpur district|Bhagalpur]] || 340,767 || align=center | 08 || align=left | '''[[Munger]]''' || [[Munger district|Munger]] || 188,050
|-
| align=center | 04 ||align=left | '''[[Muzaffarpur]]''' || [[Muzaffarpur district|Muzaffarpur]] || 305,525 || align=center | 09 ||align=left | '''[[Chapra]]''' || [[Saran district|Saran]] || 179,190
|-
| align=center | 05 ||align=left | '''[[Darbhanga]]''' || [[Darbhanga district|Darbhanga]] || 267,348 || align=center | 10 ||align=left | '''[[Katihar]]''' || [[Katihar district|Katihar]] || 175,199
|-
|}

==Politics==
{{main|Politics of Bihar}}
[[Image:JP SK rally.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Jayaprakash Narayan|JP]] called for Sampurna Kranti - total revolution - at a historic rally of students at [[Patna]]'s [[Gandhi Maidan]] on the 5th of June, 1975]]
Bihar was an important part of India's struggle for independence. Gandhi became the mass leader only after the Champaran Satyagraha that he launched on the repeated request of a local leader, Rajkumar Shukla, he was supported by great illumanaries like Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha and Brajkishore Prasad. After independence also, when India was falling into an autocratic rule during the regime of [[Indira Gandhi]], the main thrust to the movement to hold elections came from Bihar under the leadership of [[Jaya Prakash Narayan]].

This did result in two things:

1. The famous identity of Bihar (From the word Vihar meaning monasteries) representing a glorious past was lost. Its voice often used to get lost in the din of regional clamor of other states, specially the linguistic states like Uttarpradesh, Madhyapradesh etc.

2. Bihar gained an anti establishment image. The establishment oriented press often projected the state as indiscipline and anarchy.

Since the regional identity was slowly getting sidelined , its place was taken up by caste based politics, power initially being in the hands of the Brahmins, Bhumihar Brahmins and Rajputs. After Independence the power was shared by the two great gandhians Dr. [[Sri Krishna Sinha]] who later became the first chief minister of Bihar and Dr. [[Anugrah Narayan Sinha]] who decidedly was next to him in the cabinet and served as the first deputy chief minister cum finance minister of Bihar.In late 60's death of late Mr. Lalit Narayan Mishra (who was killed by a hand grenade attack for which central leadership is blamed most of the time) pronounced the end of indigenous work oriented mass leaders. For two decades congress ruled the state with the help of puppet chief ministries hand in glove with the central government (Mrs. Indira Gandhi) ignoring the welfare of the people of the state. It was the time when a prominent leader like Satyendra Narayan Sinha took sides with the [[Janata Party]] and deserted congress from where his political roots originated, following the ideological differences with the congress. Idealism did assert itself in the politics from time to time, viz, 1977 when a wave defeated the entrenched Congress Party and then again in 1989 when Janata Dal came to power on an anti corruption wave. In between, the socialist movement tried to break the stranglehold of the status quoits under the leadership of Mahamaya Prasad Sinha and [[Karpoori Thakur]]. Unfortunately, this could not flourish, partly due to the impractical idealism of these leaders and partly due to the machinations of the central leaders of the Congress Party who felt threatened by a large politically aware state.

<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Nitish Kumar On India Today Cover.JPG|left|150px|thumb|[[Nitish Kumar]], Chief Minister of Bihar, on [[India Today]] cover page]] -->
[[Janata Dal]] came to power in the state in 1990 on the back of its victory at the national stage in 1989. [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]] became [[Chief Minister]] after winning the race of legislative party leadership by a slender margin against Ram Sundar Das, a former chief minister from the Janata Party and close to eminent Janata Party leaders like Chandrashekhar and S N Sinha. Later, Lalu gained popularity with the masses through a series of popular and populist measures. The principled socialists, [[Nitish Kumar]] included, gradually left him and Lalu was the uncrowned king by 1995 as both Chief Minister as well as the President of his party, [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]]. He was a charismatic leader who had people's support and Bihar had got such a person as the chief minister after a long time. But he couldn't bring the derailed wagon of development of the state on to the track. When corruption charges got serious, he quit the post of CM but anointed his wife as the CM and ruled through proxy. In this period, the administration deteriorated fast.

In 2005, as disaffection reached a crescendo among the masses, middle classes included, the RJD was voted out of power and Laloo Prasad lost an election to a coalition headed by his previous ally and now rival [[Nitish Kumar]]. Nitish Kumar has regained Bihar's true identity which is the place from where people who changed the world come like Gautam Buddha or Asoka or the Sikh Gurus. People love him and he is desperate to put Bihar in the mainstream development path. Despite the separation of financially richer Jharkhand, Bihar has actually seen more positive growth in recent years.

Currentlly, there are two main political formations: the NDA which comprises [[Janata Dal]] and [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] led coalition which also has the [[Indian National Congress]]. There are myriad other political formations. [[Ram Vilas Paswan]] led [[Lok Janshakti Party]] is a constituent of the UPA at the centre, but does not see eye to eye with [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]]'s RJD in Bihar. Bihar People's Party is a small political formation in north Bihar. The [[Communist Party of India]] had a strong presence in Bihar at one time, but has got weakened now. CPM and Forward Bloc have minor presence. Ultra left parties like CPML, Party Unity etc have presence in pockets and are at war with the state.

See ''[[:Category:Political parties in Bihar|Political parties in Bihar]]''

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Bihar}}

[[Image:Lychee.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Bihar accounts for 65 per cent of India's annual litchi production<ref>{{cite web
| first = ANAND ST DAS
| title = Distressed Delicacy
| publisher = Tehelka
| date = 2008
| url = http://www.tehelka.com/story_main39.asp?filename=Bu050708distresseddelicacy.asp
| accessdate = 2008-09-29}}</ref>]]
[[Image:Paddy field Bihar.JPG|right|200px|thumb|A Paddy field near [[Saharsa]], Bihar]]
The economy of Bihar is largely service orientated, but it also has a significant agricultural base. The state also has a small industrial sector. As of today, agriculture accounts for 35%, industry 9% and service 55% of the economy of the state<ref>http://industries.bih.nic.in/Slides01/Presentation.pdf</ref> Manufacturing has performed very poorly in the state over the last 5 years, with an average growth rate of 0.38% compared to India's 7.8%.<ref>http://industries.bih.nic.in/Slides01/Presentation.pdf</ref>

[[Bihar]] has significant levels of production for the products of [[mango]], [[guava]], [[litchi]], [[pineapple]], [[brinjal]], [[cauliflower]], [[bhindi]], and [[cabbage]] in India.<ref>http://industries.bih.nic.in/</ref> Despite the states leading role in food production, investment in [[irrigation]] and other agriculture facilities has been inadequate in the past.

The state has a [[per capita income]] of $148 a year against India's average of $997 and 30.6% of the state's population lives below the poverty line against India's average of 22.15%. However, [[Bihar]]'s GSDP grew by 18% over the period 2006-2007, which was higher then in the past 10 years.<ref>http://mospi.nic.in/6_gsdp_cur_9394ser.htm</ref>.

The Finance Ministry has given top priority to create investment opportunities for big industrial houses like Reliance. Further developments have taken place in the growth of small industries, improvements in IT infrastructure, the new software park in Patna, and the completion of the expressway from the Purvanchal border through Bihar to Jharkhand. In August 2008, a Patna registered company called the ''Security and Intelligence Services (SIS) India Limited''<ref>http://www.sisindia.com/history.htm</ref> took over the Australian guard and mobile patrol services business of American conglomerate, United Technologies Corp (UTC). SIS remains rooted, registered and taxed in Bihar"<ref>{{cite web
| first = Faizan Ahmad
| title = Bihar security firm sets foot in Australia
| publisher = The Times of India
| date = 2008
| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Bihar_security_firm_sets_foot_in_Australia/articleshow/3401009.cms
| accessdate = 2008-08-25}}</ref>. The capital city, Patna, is one of the better off cities in India when measured by per capita income.
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! All India
! Patna
! Bengaluru
! Greater Mumbai
! Delhi
! Kolkata
! Hyderabad
|-
| Rs 22,946<ref name="patna_prosperity">{{cite web
| first = Aditi Nigam
| title = For Bihar, P stands for Patna and prosperity
| publisher = The Financial Express
| date = 2008
| url = http://www.financialexpress.com/news/For-Bihar-P-stands-for-Patna-and-prosperity/293289/
| accessdate = 2008-04-07}}</ref>
| '''Rs 31,441'''<ref name="patna_prosperity"/>
| Rs 29,394 <ref name="Deccan_Herald">{{cite web
| first = DH News Service
| title = Bangaloreans make less moolah than others
| publisher = Deccan Herald
| date = 2008
| url = http://www.deccanherald.com/DeccanHerald.com/Content/Feb72008/scroll2008020750898.asp?section=updatenews
| accessdate = 2008-08-10}}</ref>
| Rs 40,768 <ref name="Deccan_Herald"/>
| Rs 43,155 <ref name="Deccan_Herald"/>
| Rs 27,868 <ref name="Deccan_Herald"/>
| Rs 28,768 <ref name="Deccan_Herald"/>
|}

Average Per Capital Income

===Macro-economic trend===
This is a chart of trend of gross state domestic product of Bihar at market prices<ref>[http://mospi.nic.in/mospi_nad_main.htm estimated]</ref> by ''Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation'' with figures in millions of Indian Rupees.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Type !! Characteristics !! Conditions !! Best seen from...
! Year || Gross State Domestic Product
|- style="background:mintcream"
| Inferior-mirage flash || Joule's "last glimpse"; oval, flattened below. Lasts 1 or 2 seconds. || Surface warmer than the overlying air || Close to [[sea level]]
|-
|-
| Mock-mirage flash || Indentations seem to "pinch off" a thin, pointy strip from the upper limb of the Sun. Lasts 1 or 2 seconds. || Atmospheric inversion layer below eye level; surface colder than air. || The higher the eye, the more likely; flash is most obvious when the eye is just above the inversion.
| 1980 || 73,530{{ref|1}}
|- style="background:mintcream"
| Sub-[[Atmospheric duct|duct]] flash || Large upper part of an [[hourglass]]-shaped Sun turns green for up to 15 seconds. || Observer below a strong [[Inversion (meteorology)|atmospheric inversion]] || In a narrow height interval just below a duct (can occur at any height)
|-
|-
| Green ray || Green beam of light either shooting up or seen immediately after sundown. Usually few degrees long, lasting several seconds. || Hazy air and a bright green flash acting as a light source || Unknown
| 1985 || 142,950{{ref|1}}
|-
| 1990 || 264,290{{ref|1}}
|-
| 1995 || 244,830
|-
| 2000 || 469,430
|-
| 2008 || 568,450
|}
|}


The majority of flashes observed are inferior-mirage or mock-mirage ones, with the others constituting only 1% of reports. Some types not listed in the table above, such as the [[cloud]]-top flash (seen as the sun sinks into a coastal [[fog]], or at distant [[cumulus cloud]]s), are not understood.<ref name="young" />
{{note|1}} includes Jharkhand


===Blue flashes===
Very occasionally, the amount of blue light is sufficient to be visible as a "blue flash".<ref name="bbc">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/understanding/greenflash.shtml "The Green Flash], BBC Weather online. Retrieved on 09/05/07.</ref> The term should not be confused with the similar usage of [[blue flash]] referring to the blue light seen in [[Nuclear reaction|nuclear]] [[criticality accident]]s.
{{commonscat|Green Flash}}


===Green flashes in fiction===
This phenomenon features as a major plot device in the [[Walt Disney Pictures]] film [[Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End]]. In the movie's back story, the green flash is fictionalised, becoming an occurance of legendary quality that is rumoured to signify a soul returning from the dead. Later in the film, this concept is further expanded, and the flash is revealed to signal when a trapped spirit escapes from its imprisonment in [[Davy Jones' Locker]] (see [[Geography of Pirates of the Caribbean]]), a feat achieved by the film's main characters. However, the size and scale of the flash depicted in the film is greatly exaggerated.


There is also reference to mysterious green light in [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]]'s ''[[The Great Gatsby]]''.
==Culture and contemporary life ==
{{seealso|Culture of Angika Region|Culture of Bhojpuri Region|Culture of Magadh Region|Culture of Mithila Region}}


=== Festivals ===
==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
[[Chhath]], also called '''Dala Chhath''' - is an ancient and major festival in Bihar, and is celebrated twice a year: once in the summers, called the ''Chaiti Chhath'', and once around a week after Deepawali, called the ''Kartik Chhath''. The latter is more popular because winters are the usual festive season in North India, and Chhath being an arduous observance requiring the worshippers to fast without water for more than 24 hours, is easier to do in the Indian winters. Chhath is the worship of the Sun God. Wherever people from Bihar have migrated, they have taken with them the tradition of Chhath. This is a ritual bathing festival that follows a period of abstenance and ritual segregation of the worshipper from the main household for two days. On the eve of Chhath, houses are scrupulously cleaned and so are the surroundings. The ritual bathing and worship of the Sun God takes place, performed twice: once in the evening and once on the crack of the dawn, usually on the banks of a flowing river, or a common large water body. The occasion is almost a carnival, and besides every worshipper, usually women, who are mostly the main ladies of the household, there are numerous participants and onlookers, all willing to help and receive the blessings of the worshipper. Ritual rendition of regional folk songs, carried on through oral transmission from mothers and mothers-in-law to daughters and daughters-in-law, are sung on this occasion for several days on the go. These songs are a great mirror of the culture, social structure, mythology and history of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Chhath being celebrated at the crack of the dawn is a beautiful, elating spiritual experience connecting the modern Indian to his ancient cultural roots.
* [http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/index.html A Green Flash Page], Andrew T. Young's page with comprehensive explanations and simulations.
[[Image:Chatt Ghat.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A Typical View of the Chhatt Ghat in a village in Bihar (Jagannathpur,[[Muzaffarpur]])]]
* [http://www.atoptics.co.uk/atoptics/gf1.htm Green Flash - Atmospheric Optics], explanations and image gallery, Les Cowley's Atmospheric Optics site.

* [http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040321.html A Green Flash] from [[Astronomy Picture of the Day]], [[NASA]].
{{main|Chhath}}
* [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10913792/displaymode/1107/s/2/framenumber/5/ Green flash picture] released by the European Southern Observatory ([[ESO]]) May 2, 2008. Conditions for seeing green flashes are nearly ideal at the ESO in Chile, and they are seen regularly.

Chhath is celebrated around a week after the festival of [[Diwali]]. However, the two festivals are not connected, mythologically speaking. While [[Diwali]] celebrates the return of Lord [[Rama]] after the battle with the demon king [[Ravana]], Chhath is an ancient festival supposedly started by the King of [[Anga]] [[Desh]] (modern Bhagalpur region in Bihar) named [[Karna]]. [[Karna]] is a powerful character in the ancient Indian epic the [[Mahabharata]].

Chhath is also celebrated by a great number of people in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

[[Teej]] and [[Chitragupta]] [[Puja]] are other local festivals celebrated with fervour in Bihar.

Among ritual observances, the month long [[Shravan]]i [[Mela]] held along a 108 kilometre route linking the towns of [[Sultanganj]] and [[Deoghar]] (now in [[Jharkhand]] state) is of great significance. Shravani Mela is organised every year in the Hindu month of [[Shravan]], that is the lunar month of July-August. Pilgrims, known as ''Kanwarias'', wear saffron coloured clothes and collect water from a sacred [[Ghat]] (river bank) at [[Sultanganj]], walking the 108 km stretch barefooted to the town of [[Deoghar]] to bathe a sacred [[Shiva]]-[[Linga]]. The observance draws thousands of people to the town of [[Deoghar]] from all over India.

[[Bihula-Bishari]] [[Puja]] of Anga region also is a great festival of Bihar.

The [[Sonepur]] cattle fair is a month long event starting approximately half a month after Deepawali and is considered the largest cattle fair in [[Asia]]. It is held on the banks of the [[Son River]] in the town of [[Sonepur]]. The constraints of the changing times and new laws governing the sale of animals and prohibiting the trafficking in exotic birds and beasts have eroded the once-upon-a-time magic of the fair.

Apart from Chhath, all major festivals of India are celebrated in Bihar, such as [[Makar Sankranti]], [[Saraswati]] [[Puja]], [[Holi]], [[Eid-ul-Fitr]], [[Eid-ul-Adha]] (often called Eid-ul-Zuha in the [[Indian Subcontinent]]), [[Muharram]], [[Ram Navami]], [[Rath yatra]], [[Rakshabandhan]], [[Maha Shivaratri]], [[Durga Puja]], [[Diwali]], [[Laxmi]] [[Puja]], [[X'mas|Christmas]], [[Mahavir Jayanti]], [[Buddha Purnima]], [[Chitragupta]] [[Puja]], and several other local festivals as well.

===Folksongs & music===
{{main|Music of Bihar}}

Apart from a strong contribution to the Indian (Hindustani) classical music (for example, Bihar has produced musicians like [[Bharat Ratna]] [[Ustad Bismillah Khan]] and [[dhrupad]] singers like the Malliks ([[Darbhanga]] Gharana) and the Mishras ([[Bettiah]] Gharana)) , Bihar has a very old tradition of beautiful folk songs, sung during important family occasions, such as marriage, birth ceremonies, festivals, etc. They are sung mainly in group settings without the help of many musical instruments, though [[Dholak]],Bansuri , and occasionally [[Tabla]] and [[Harmonium]] are used.

Bihar also has a tradition of lively Holi songs known as 'Phagua', filled with fun rhythms.

During the 19th century, when the condition of Bihar worsened under the British misrule, many Biharis had to migrate as indentured labourers to West Indian islands, Fiji, and Mauritius. During this time many sad plays and songs called biraha became very popular, in the Bhojpur area. Dramas on that theme continue to be popular in the theaters of Patna.

===Dances of Bihar===
Dance forms of Bihar are another expression of rich traditions and ethnic identity. There are several folk dance forms that can keep one enthralled, such as dhobi nach, jhumarnach, manjhi, gondnach, jitiyanach, more morni, dom-domin, bhuiababa, rah baba, kathghorwa nach, jat jatin, launda nach, bamar nach, jharni, jhijhia, natua nach, bidapad nach, sohrai nach, and gond nach.
===Folk theatre===
Theatre is another form in which the Bihari culture expresses itself. Some forms of theater with rich traditions are Bidesia, Reshma-Chuharmal, Bihula-Bisahari, Bahura-Gorin, Raja Salhesh, Sama Chakeva, and Dom Kach. All of these theatre forms originate in the [[Anga]] or Ang area of Bihar.

===Religion===
[[Image:Tapodarama.jpg|right|thumb|Hindus bathing in the the hotsprings at Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, [[Rajgir]]. In ancient times, hot springs used to be the site of the Tapodarama, a [[Buddhist]] monastery at the time of [[Gautama Buddha]]. It is said that King [[Bimbisara]] also used to take his bath here sometimes.]]

[[Image:S1985.2.2a.jpg|left|thumb|[[Mahavir]], as Guru folio from a manuscript]]

{{bar box
|title=Religion in Bihar
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=religion
|right1=percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|Hinduism|orange|83.2}}
{{bar percent|Islam|green|16.5}}
{{bar percent|Other|gray|0.3}}
}}

[[Gautam Buddha]] attained [[Bodhi|Enlightenment]] at [[Bodh Gaya]], a town located in the modern day district of [[Gaya District|Gaya]]. [[Mahavira]], the 24<sup>th</sup> and the last [[Tirthankara]] of [[Jainism]], was born in [[Vaishali]].

A typical [[Bihari people|Bihari]] household would begin the day with religious devotion. The blowing of a conch shell heralds the dawn of a new day while somewhere in the distance; a [[Hindu]] priest intones the ancient incantations. The low-pitched chanting of a [[Buddhist monk]] or the tolling of a church bell reminds people to pay their salutations to god.

In Bihar, every aspect of life is suffused with religious significance and its manifestations abound in every corner of the state. While shrines are located everywhere - at the foot of trees, roadsides, etc, religious symbols or images of deities can be found in the most obscure or the most public places. From the dashboard of a dilapidated taxi to the plush office of a top executive, holy symbols or idols have their place.

[[Hinduism]] being the main religion of the state, most of the [[festival]]s stem from it. There are many variations on the festival theme. While some are celebrated all over the state, others are observed only in certain areas. But Bihar being so diverse, different regions and religions have something to celebrate at sometime or the other during the year. So festivals take place round the year.

On arrival in any part of this state, a tourist finds around him evidence of the extent to which religion enters into the daily life of the people. The calendar is strewn with festivals and fairs of different communities living together. Many of these are officially recognized by the days on which they take place being proclaimed as Government holidays.

The battle cries of the [[Bihar Regiment]], consisting of 17 battalions, are "Jai [[Bajrang Bali]]" (''Victory to [[Hanuman|Lord Hanuman]]'').

Dariya Sahib, was a saint (who was born in [[Shahabad District|Shahabad]] in the 1700s) influenced by [[Kabir]]das and Dharamdas, united the Hindu and Muslim communities. Dariya Sahib, like many other Bhakti saints, is known as Dariyadas. He was listed by Brahm Sankar Misra as one of India's greatest saints.<ref> Juergensmeyer, P. 29 ''Radhasoami Reality:'' </ref> Many of his followers believe that he is the reincarnation of Kabir.<ref> Atreya, P. 66 ''Darshana International'' </ref>

===Language & literature===

{{main|Angika|Bhojpuri|Magadhi|Maithili}}
{{seealso|Bihari languages|Urdu Language in Bihar|Magadhi Prakrit}}

{| class="wikitable" | align="right"
|-
! colspan="3" | Languages of Bihar<ref name= "Dhanesh"/><ref> [http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm Census Data 2001]</ref>
|-
! Language || Language family || Speakers (%)
|-
| [[Hindi]] || [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]] || 73.12%
|-
| [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] || Indo-Aryan || 15%
|-
| [[Magahi language|Magahi]] || Indo-Aryan || 14%
|-
| [[Maithili language|Maithili]] || Indo-Aryan || 14.27%
|-
| [[Bajjika language|Bajjika]] || Indo-Aryan ||
|-
| [[Urdu]] || Indo-Aryan || 11.41%
|-
| [[Bengali language|Bengali]] || Indo-Aryan || 0.53%
|-
| [[Santali language|Santali]] || [[Austro-Asiatic languages|Austro-Asiatic]] || 0.47%
|}

[[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] are the official languages of the state, whilst the majority of the people speak one of the [[Bihari languages]] - [[Bhojpuri]], [[Magadhi]], [[Maithili]] or [[Angika]]. [[Bihari languages]] were once mistakenly thought to be dialects of [[Hindi]], but they has been more recently shown to be descendant of the language of the erstwhile [[Magadha]] kingdom - [[Magadhi Prakrit]], along with [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Assamese language|Assamese]], and [[Oriya language|Oriya]].

The number of speakers of [[Bihari languages]] are difficult to indicate because of unreliable sources. In the urban region most educated speakers of the language name [[Hindi]] as their language because this is what they use in formal contexts and believe it to be the appropriate response because of unawareness. The uneducated and the rural population of the region return [[Hindi]] as the generic name for their language. <ref name= "Dhanesh" >Jain Dhanesh, Cardona George, The Indo-Aryan Languages, pp500, "..the number of speakers of Bihari languages are difficult to indicate because of unreliable sources. In the urban region most educated speakers of the language name Hindi as their language because this is what they use in formal contexts and believe it to be the appropriate response because of unawareness. The uneducated and the rural population of the region return Hindi as the generic name for their language."</ref>

Despite of the large number of speakers of [[Bihari languages]], they have not been constitutionally recognized in [[India]]. [[Hindi]] is the language used for educational and official matters in Bihar.<ref>http://www.diehardindian.com/demogrph/moredemo/histlang.htm</ref> These languages was legally absorbed under the subordinate label of [[Hindi|HINDI]] in the 1961 Census. Such state and national politics are creating conditions for language endangerments.<ref>{{cite conference
| last = Verma
| first = Mahandra K.
| coauthors =
| title = Language Endangerment and Indian languages : An exploration and a critique
| booktitle = Linguistic Structure and Language Dynamics in South Asia
| place =
| date =
| url = http://books.google.co.in/books?id=tcfJY7kANo8C&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=awadhi+and+magahi+languages&source=web&ots=CXhEbrAUH5&sig=e3GeSyfuGmTbRXtRK-vT100cFAQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA3,M1
| accessdate = }}</ref>

The first success for spreading [[Hindi]] occurred in Bihar in 1881, when [[Hindi]] displaced [[Urdu]] as the sole official language of the [[province]]. In this struggle between competing [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]], the potential claims of the three large mother tongues in the region - [[Magahi]], [[Bhojpuri]] and [[Maithili]] were ignored. After independence [[Hindi]] was again given the sole official status through the Bihar Official Language Act, 1950. <ref> Brass Paul R., ''The Politics of India Since Independence'', Cambridge University Press, pp. 183</ref>

The relationship of [[Maithili]] community with [[Bhojpuri]] and [[Magahi]] communities – the immediate neighbors have been neither very pleasant nor very hostile. These two groups have rather been very envious of the series of achievements – both literary and socio-political. But [[Maithili]] has been the only one among them which has been trying to constantly deny superimposition of Hindi over her identity. The other two have given up their claims and have resigned to accept the status of dialects of [[Hindi]].

Bihar has produced a number of writers of Hindi, including Raja Radhika Raman Singh, Shiva Pujan Sahay, Divakar Prasad Vidyarthy, [[Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar']], [[Ram Briksh Benipuri]], [[Phanishwar Nath 'Renu']], [[Gopal Singh "Nepali"]] and Baba [[Nagarjun]]. [[Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan]], the great writer and [[Buddhist]] scholar, was born in [[U.P.]] but spent his life in the land of [[Lord Buddha]], i.e., Bihar.[[Hrishikesh Sulabh]] is the prominent writer of the new generation. He is short story writer, playwright and theatre critic. Arun Kamal and Aalok Dhanwa are the well-known poets. Different regional languages also have produced some prominent poets and authors.

[[Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay]], who is among the greatest writers in [[Bangla]], resided for some time in Bihar. Of late, the latest Indian writer in English, [[Upamanyu Chatterjee]] also hails from Patna in Bihar.

[[Devaki Nandan Khatri]], who rose to fame at the beginning of the 20th century on account of his novels such as ''[[Chandrakanta (novel)|Chandrakanta]]'' and ''Chandrakanta Santati'', was born in [[Muzaffarpur]], Bihar. [[Vidyapati|Vidyapati Thakur]] is the most renowned poet of Maithili (c. 14-15th century).
[[Urdu]] is one of the important languages of Bihar. It became the second official language in the undivided State of Bihar since [[16 August]] [[1989]].

==Media in Bihar==

===Newspapers===
*[http://jaibihar.com JaiBihar.com]
*[[Dainik Jagran]]
*[[Hindustan]]
*[[Navbharat Times]]
*[[Aaj]]
*[[Prabhat Khabar]]
*[[Bihar Times]],e-paper
*[[Patna Daily]],e-paper
*[[The Times of India]]
*[[The Economic Times]]

===Television===
===Cinema===
Bihar has a robust cinema industry for the Bhojpuri language. There is also a small Maithili and Angika film industry. First Bhojpuri Film was ''Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadaibo''. "Lagi nahin chute ram" was the alltime superhit Bhojpuri film which was released against "Mugle Azam" but was a superhit in all the eastern and northern sector. [[Nadiya Ke Paar]] is among the most famous [[Bhojpuri]] movies.

Ramayan Tiwari, popularly known as Tiwari, was the first major Bihari film actor. He played the villain and various [[Mythology|mythological]] characters in more than 200 films. He was followed by his son Bhushan Tiwari, also a renowned actor, who played the villain in more than 100 movies.

The first [[Maithili language|Maithili]] movie was ''Kanyadan'' (released in 1965 & Directed by Phani Majumdar), of which a significant portion was made in the Maithili language.

==Cuisine==
{{main|Cuisine of Bihar}}

The cuisine of Bihar for the Hindu upper and middle classes is predominantly [[vegetarian]], although some of the Hindu classes do eat meat. The Muslims in Bihar however do generally eat meat as well as vegetables.

The staple food is [[bhat]], [[dal]], [[roti]], [[tarkari]] and [[achar]]. It is prepared from [[rice]], [[lentil]]s, [[flour|wheat flour]], [[vegetable]]s, and [[Indian pickle|pickle]]. The traditional cooking medium is [[mustard oil]]. [[Khichdi]], a broth of rice and lentils seasoned with spices and served with several accompanying items, constitutes lthe mid-day meal for most Hindu Biharis on Saturdays.

The favourite dish among Biharis is litti-chokha. Litti is made up of sattu and chokha is made of smashed potatoes, tomatoes, and brinjals.

[[Chitba]] and [[Pitthow]] which are prepared basically from rice, are special foods of the Anga region. [[Tilba]] and [[Chewda]] of [[Katarni rice]] are also special preparations of [[Anga]].

[[Kadhi bari]] is a popular favorite and consists of fried soft dumplings made of [[besan]] ([[gram flour]]) that are cooked in a spicy gravy of [[yoghurt]] and besan. This dish goes very well with plain rice.

Bihar offers a large variety of sweet delicacies which, unlike those from [[Bengal]], are mostly dry. These include [[Anarasa]], [[Belgrami]], [[Chena Murki]], [[Motichoor ke Ladoo]], [[Kala Jamun]], [[Kesaria Peda]], [[Khaja]], [[Khurma]], [[Khubi ki Lai]], [[Laktho]], [[Parwal ki Mithai]], [[Pua]] & [[Mal Pua]], [[Thekua]], [[Murabba]] and [[Tilkut]]. Many of these originate in towns in the vicinity of [[Patna]].

Several other traditional salted snacks and savouries popular in Bihar are [[Chiwra]], [[Dhuska]], Litti, [[Makhana]] and [[Sattu]].

There is a distinctive Bihari flavor to the non-vegetarian cuisine as well, although some of the names of the dishes may be the same as those found in other parts of North India. Roll is a typical Bihari non-vegetarian dish. These are popular and go by the generic name ''[[Roll Bihari]]'' in and around Lexington Avenue (South) in New York City.

Islamic culture and food, with Bihari flavor are also part of Bihar`s unique confluence of cultures. Famous food items include Biharee Kabab, Shami Kabab, Nargisi Kufte, Shabdeg, Yakhnee Biryanee, Motton Biryani, Shaljum Gosht, Baqer Khani, Kuleecha, Naan Rootee, Sawee ka Zarda, Qemamee Sawee, Gajar ka Halwa, Ande ka ZfraniHalwa etc.

==Art==
[[Manjusha Kala]] or [[Angika Art]] of [[Anga]] Region

'''Madhubani painting'''

[[Madhubani]] paintings of Mithila Region is a style of Indian painting, practiced in the Mithila region of Bihar. Tradition states that this style of painting originated at the time of the [[Ramayana]], when King [[Janak]] commissioned artists to do [[painting]]s at the time of [[marriage]] of his daughter, [[Sita]], to [[Lord Ram]].
[[Image:mpbhartidayal.jpg|left|thumb|Madhubani Painting by Bharti Dayal]]

[[Madhubani painting]] has been done traditionally by the women of villages around the present town of [[Madhubani]] (the literal meaning of which is ''forests of honey'') and other areas of [[Mithila]]. The painting was traditionally done on freshly plastered mud wall of huts, but now it is also done on cloth, hand-made paper and canvas.

As [[Madhubani painting]] has remained confined to a compact geographical area and the skills have been passed on through centuries, the content and the style have largely remained the same. Madhubani paintings also use two dimensional imagery, and the colors used are derived from plants. [[Ochre]] and [[lampblack]] are also used for reddish brown and black respectively.

[[Madhubani painting]] mostly depict nature and [[Hindu]] religious motifs, and the themes generally revolve around [[Hindu]] deities like [[Krishna]], [[Rama|Ram]], [[Shiva]], [[Durga]], [[Lakshmi]], and [[Saraswati]]. Natural objects like the sun, the moon, and religious plants like [[tulsi]] are also widely painted, along with scenes from the royal court and social events like weddings. Generally no space is left empty; the gaps are filled by paintings of flowers, animals, birds, and even geometric designs. objects depicted in the walls of kohabar ghar (where newly wed couple see each other in the first night) are symbols of sexual pleasure and procreation.

Traditionally, painting was one of the skills that was passed down from generation to generation in the families of the Mithila Region, mainly by women. The painting was usually done on walls during festivals, religious events, and other milestones of the life-cycle such as birth, [[Upanayanam]] (Sacred thread ceremony), and marriage.

[[Image:City of Patna, on the River Ganges, 19th century.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A painting of the city of Patna, on the River Ganges, <small>Patna School of Painting</small>]]

'''Patna School of Painting''' or '''Patna Qalaam''' or '''company painting'''

[[Patna School of Painting]] or '''Patna Qalaam''', some times also called '''company painting''', sadly does not exist any more. This offshoot of the well-know Mughal Miniature School of Painting flourished in Bihar during early 18th to mid 20th century. The practitioners of this art form were descendants of Hindu artisans of Mughal painting who facing persecution from the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb found refuge, via Murshidabad, in Patna during late 18th century.

They settled in the eastern part of modern Patna, in Patna City, in areas of Lodikatra, the Chowk, Diwan Muhalla, and Machharhatti. They found patronage from th zamindars (landlords) and the British officials. They shared the characteristics of the Mughal painters, but unlike them (whose subjects included only royalty and court scenes), the Patna painters also started painting bazaar scenes. The paintings were executed in [[watercolour]]s on paper and on [[mica]]. Favourite subjects were scenes of [[Indian]] daily life, local rulers, and sets of [[festivals]] and ceremonies. Most successful were the studies of natural life, but the style was generally of a hybrid and undistinguished quality.

[[Image:Chait festival in patna 1800AD.JPG|left|250px|thumb|Watercolour drawing showing the Chaiti [[Chhath]] festival being celebrated on the banks of the Ganges at Patna, by an anonymous artist working in the Patna style, c.1795-1800]]
It is this school of painting that formed the nucleus for the formation of the [[College of arts and crafts Patna|Patna Art School]] under the leadership of Shri Radha Mohan. From a modest beginning in one single room on the Govind Mitra Road in Patna, it has blossomed into the [[College of arts and crafts Patna|Government School of Arts and Crafts]], currently housed in a large building near the Patna Museum. Radha Mohan was a disciple of Shri Mahadev Lal (circa 1860-1942), the last Master of the Patna qalaam. Some examples can be found at the Gallery located in the School mentioned before.

This was not just an artistic expansion, but was indeed a shrewd move! It not only enriched the style of painting, but also brought commercial success among the common citizens including British officers and their wives.

[[College of arts and crafts Patna]] is an important center of Fine Arts in Bihar.

'''Handicrafts'''

The artisans of Bihar have been very skillful in creating articles using local materials. Baskets, cups and saucers made from bamboo-strips or cane reed are painted in vivid colors are commonly found in Bihari homes. A special container woven out of sikki grass in the north, the "pauti", is a sentimental gift that accompanies a bride when she leaves her home after her wedding. Indeed, for the bride, next to the wooden container for "sindoor", namely, the "sinhora", this is a precious gift that she treasures for her entire life.

The weavers of Bihar have been practising their trade for centuries. Among their products in common use are the cotton dhurries and curtains. They are produced by artisans in central Bihar, particularly in the Patna and Bihar-Sharif areas.

These colourful sheets, with motifs of Buddhist artifacts, pictures of birds, animals, and/or flowers, gently wafting in the air through doors and windows, blown by a cool summer breeze, used to be one of the most soothing sights as one approached a home or an office.

Woollen carpets are woven in the Obra area of Aurangabad district. The weavers of the north, particularly in the Madhubani and Darbhanga area, under the influence of Gandhiji, beginning around 1917, after the successful Champaran satyagraha, started spinning cotton on their charkha and producing Khadi cloth by the "miles"! This practice continues. After independence the weavers were organized into Weavers Co-Operatives. Their product is sold through outlets of the Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan.

Bhagalpur is well known for its seri-culture, manufacture of silk yarn and weaving them into lovely products. This silk is of a distinct and special type. It is known as the tussah or tusser silk.

==Education==
{{main|Education in Bihar}}
Historically, Bihar has been a major centre of learning, home to the universities of [[Nalanda]] (one of the earliest universities of India dating back to the fifth century) and [[Vikramshila]]. Unfortunately, that tradition of learning which had its origin from the time of Buddha or perhaps earlier, was lost during the medieval period when it is believed that marauding armies of the invaders destroyed these centres of learning.

Bihar saw a revival of sorts during the later part of the British rule when they established a University at [[Patna University|Patna]] along with a few other centres of high learning, viz. [[Science College, Patna]], Prince of Wales Medical College (now [[Patna Medical College and Hospital]]), and Bihar Engineering College now ([[NIT Patna|National Institute of Technology, Patna]]). However, this early lead got lost in the post independence period when the politicians from Bihar lost out in the race of getting centres of education established in Bihar.

Modern Bihar has a grossly inadequate educational infrastructure creating a huge mismatch between demand and supply. This problem is further compounded by increases in population. The craving for higher education among the general population of Bihar has led to a massive migration of the student community from the state. This has led to a "flooding" of students to seek educational opportunities in other states, such as [[New Delhi]], [[Maharashtra]] and [[Karnataka]], even for graduation level college education.

In spite of the meager investment on education in Bihar, compared to other poorer Indian states, owing to class based reservation (of which Bihar's Pupils have been the main beneficiaries) the students have as a result done very well. Famed national institutes of learning such as IIT, IIM, NITs and AIIMS have always had a good representation from Bihar. There is also thought to be growing discontentment among students of other classes who claim however that pure merit has taken a back seat in the nation's education system as a result of giving reservation to people of backward classes. {{Fact|date=August 2007}}. Other institutions of higher learning, and coveted positions in the government also show a greater share than the percentage of their population. A recent survey by Pratham<ref>[http://www.pratham.org/aserrep.php Pratham .org | Pratham - A Network of Societal Missions to Achieve Universal Primary Education in India<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> rated the absorption of their teaching by the Bihar children better than those in other states. On August 2008, IIT Patna was inaugrated with 109 students from all our India.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Jha
| first = Abhay Mohan
| title = Brand new IIT in Patna impresses all
| publisher = NDTV
| date = [[2008-08-04]]
| url = http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059982
| accessdate = 2008-08-04 }}</ref>.
==Transportation==
Bihar has three airports: [[Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport]], [[Patna, India|Patna]], [[Gaya Airport]], [[Gaya, India|Gaya]] and [[Bhagalpur]] Airport . [[Patna airport]] is connected to [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Kolkata]], [[Lucknow]], and [[Ranchi]]. It is categorized as a restricted international airport, with customs facilities to receive international chartered flights. [[Gaya Airport]], airport is a small international airport connected to [[Colombo]], [[Singapore]], [[Bangkok]] and more.

Bihar is well-connected by railway lines to the rest of India. Most of the towns are interconnected among themselves, and they also are directly connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai. [[Patna]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Darbhanga]], [[Katihar]], [[Barauni]], [[Chhapra]], [[Bhagalpur]] and [[Gaya]] are Bihar's best-connected railway stations.

The state has a vast network of National and State highways.
For Buddhist pilgrims, the best option for travel to Bihar is to reach Patna or Gaya, either by air or train, and then travel to [[Bodh Gaya]], [[Nalanda]], [[Rajgir]] and [[Vaishali]]. [[Sarnath]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] also is not very far.

==Place of Interest==
[[Image:Tourism map of Bihar.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A tourism map of [[Bihar]]]]
{{main|Tourism in Bihar}}
Bihar is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world with history of 3000 years. The rich culture and heritage of Bihar is evident from the innumerable [[ancient]] [[monument]]s that are dotted all over the [[States and territories of India|state]] in [[East India|eastern India]]. Bihar is home of many [[tourist]] attractions. Bihar is visited by scores of tourists from all over the [[World]] all the year round. <ref name="tourism">[http://www.tourism.gov.in/survey/BIHAR%20TOURISM%20ANNUAL%20STATISTICS%20%20REPORT%20Final.pdf Statics [[Tourism in Bihar]] on [[Indian Government]]'s website]</ref>.Around total 6,000,000 (6 [[million]]) [[tourist]] visits Bihar every [[year]].<ref name="tourism"/>

In the earliest day, tourism in region was purely based [[Tourism#Educational tourism|Educational tourism]] as Bihar was home of some prominent ancient universities like [[Nalanda University]] & [[Vikramaśīla University]]<ref>Wriggins, Sally Hovey. ''Xuanzang: A Buddhist Pilgrim on the Silk Road''. Westview Press, 1996. Revised and updated as ''The Silk Road Journey With Xuanzang''. Westview Press, 2003. ISBN 0-8133-6599-6.</ref><ref>[http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/f/fa-hien/f15l/ A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms: Being an account by the Chinese Monk Fa-Hien of his travels in India and Ceylon (A.D. 399-414) in search of the Buddhist Books of Discipline]''. Oxford, Clarendon Press. Reprint: New York, Paragon Book Reprint Corp. 1965. ISBN 0-486-21344-7</ref>.

Bihar one of the most sacred place of various religions like [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhist pilgrimage|Buddhism]], [[Mahaveer#Birth of Prince Vardhaman|Jainism]], [[Takht (Sikhism)|Sikhism]] & [[Tourism in Patna#Islamic Pilgrimages|Islam]], Many [[tourist]] travel to Bihar to visit their [[pilgrimage]].

[[Mahabodhi Temple]], a [[Buddhist]] [[shrine]] and [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] is also situated in Bihar.[[Mahatma Gandhi Setu]], [[Patna]], is one of the [[List of bridges by length|longest bridge in the world.]]

<!------------------------------------------------------------ Start ---------------------------------------------->
<!-------------------------- Table of Archaeological sites and Monuments in Bihar --------------------------------->
<!------------------------------------------------------------ Start ---------------------------------------------->
{| style="style="background: transparent; width: 100%; margin: 0; align: center;"
|-
! <div style="font-size:100%; background-color: #F6F6F6; vertical-align:top;">[[Archaeological]] sites and [[Monument]]s in Bihar</div>
|-
|<!-- Inner Content Table Start -->
{| style="background: transparent; width: 100%; margin: 0;" align="center"
|style="background: transparent; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; text-align: center; width: 25%; " |
''[[Excavation]]''<br>
<small>[[Kumhrar]]·[[Agam Kuan]]·[[Barabar Caves]]·[[Nalanda]]·[[Vikramsila]]</small>

|style="background: transparent; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; text-align: center; width: 25%; " |
''[[Ancient]]'' <Br>
<small> [[Vishnupada Temple]] · [[Mahabodhi Temple]] · [[Sasaram]] · [[Maner Sharif]] · [[Patliputra]] · [[Brahmayoni Hill]] · [[Pretshila Hill]] · [[Ramshila Hill]]</small>

|style="background: transparent; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; text-align: center; width: 25%; " |
''[[Forts]]'' <Br>
<small>[[Rohtasgarh| Rohtasgarh Fort]] · [[Rohtasgarh|Rohtasgarh Fort]] · [[Sasaram| Sasaram Fort]] · [[Palamu|Palamu Fort]] · [[Maner|Maner Fort]] · [[Jalalgarh|Jalalgarh Fort]] · [[RajMahal]]</small>

|style="background: transparent; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; text-align: center; width: 25%; " |
''[[Monuments]]'' <Br>
<small> [[Golghar]] · [[Patna Museum]] · [[Kargil Chowk]] · [[Mahatma Gandhi Setu]]</small>
|}
<!-- Inner Content Table End-->

|}
<!------------------------------------------------------------ END ------------------------------------------------>
<!-------------------------- Table of Archaeological sites and Monuments in Bihar --------------------------------->
<!------------------------------------------------------------ END ------------------------------------------------>
<!------------------------------------------------------------Start------------------------------------------------>
<!-------------------------------------------- Table of Pilgrimage sites in Bihar--------------------------------->
<!------------------------------------------------------------Start------------------------------------------------>
<!-- Outer Title Table Start-->
{| style="background: transparent; width: 100%; margin: 0; " align="center"
|-
! <div style="font-size:100%; background-color:#F6F6F6; vertical-align:top;">[[Pilgrimage]] sites in Bihar</div>
|-
|<!-- Inner Content Table Start -->
{| style="background: transparent; width: 100%; margin: 0;" align="center"
|style="background: transparent; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; text-align: center; width: 25%; " |
''[[Hinduism|Hindu Pilgrimage]]''<br>
<small>[[Mahavir Mandir]] · [[Sitamarhi]] · [[Madhubani]] · [[Punausa]] · [[Buxur]] · [[West Champaran]] · [[Munger]] · [[Jamui]] · [[Darbhanga]] · [[Anga]]</small>
<br>''[[Jain|Jain Pilgrimage]]''<br>
<small> [[Rajgir]] · [[Pawapuri]] · [[Patna|Patliputra]] · [[Arrah]] · [[Vikramasila]]</small>

|style="background: transparent; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; text-align: center; width: 25%; " |
''[[Buddhist Pilgrimage]]s''<br>
<small>[[Mahabodhi Temple]] · [[Bodhi Tree]] ·[[Bodh Gaya]] · [[Gaya]] · [[Vaishali]] · [[Pawapuri]]· [[Nalanda]] · [[Rajgir]] · [[Kesariya]] · [[Vikramshila]] · [[Areraj]] · [[Patna|Patliputra]]</small>

|style="background: transparent; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; text-align: center; width: 25%; " |
''[[Takht (Sikhism)|Sikh Pilgrimage]]''<br>
<small>[[Takht Shri Harmandir Saheb]] · [[Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh|Guru ka Bagh]] · [[Gurdwara Ghai Ghat|Ghai Ghat]] · [[Gurdwara Handi Sahib|Handi Sahib]] · [[Gurdwara Gobind Ghat|Gobind Ghat]] · [[Gurdwara Bal Lila Maini|Bal Lila Maini]]··[[Gurdwara Taksali Sangat|Taksali Sangat]] · [[Gurdwara Guru Bagh|Guru Bagh]] · [[Gurdwara Chacha Phaggu Mal|Chacha Phaggu Mal]] · [[Gurdwara Pakki Sangat|Pakki Sangat]] · [[Gurdwara Bari Sangat Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Chauki|Bari Sangat]]</small>

|style="background: transparent; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em; text-align: center; width: 25%; " |
''[[Islam|Islamic Pilgrimages]]''<br>
<small>[[Sasaram]] · [[Maner Sharif]] · [[Bihar Sharif]] · [[Phulwari Sharif]] · [[Tourism in Patna#Islamic Pilgrimages|Patna]]</small>
<br>''[[Christian| Christian Pilgrimages]]''<br>
<small> [[Padari ki haveli]]</small>

|}
<!-- Inner Content Table End-->
|}

<!------------------------------------------------------------ END ------------------------------------------------>
<!-------------------------------------------- Table of Pilgrimage sites in Bihar--------------------------------->
<!------------------------------------------------------------ END ------------------------------------------------>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<!-- Inner gallery Table start-->
<!--show class="collapsible prettytable" -->
<!--Hide class="prettytable collapsible collapsed" -->
{| class="collapsible prettytable" style="border-color:transparent; background: transparent; width: 100%; margin: 0; text-align: center;" align="center"
|-
! <div style="font-size:120%; color:black; background-color:#FFC569; vertical-align:top;">Photo Gallery </div>
|-
|style="text-align: center; width: 100%; " |
<gallery perrow="4" widths="135px" heights="115px>
Image:Pawapuri Jain Temple.jpg|<small>A view of [[Jain|Jain Temple]] at [[Pawapuri]]</small>
Image: Rajgir Stupa and Monks.jpg|<small>[[Japanese people|Japanese]] [[Budhist|Budhist Monks]] at [[Rajgir]]'s [[Stupa]]</small>
Image:harmander.jpg|<small>A view of [[Takht Shri Harmandir Saheb]], [[Patna]]</small>
Image:Maner tomb.jpg|<small>''Choti Dargah'' at [[Maner Sharif]]</small>
Image:Nalanda University.jpg|<small>[[Excavation]] of [[Nalanda University]]</small>
Image:Mahabodhi_Temple.jpg|<small>[[Mahabodhi Temple]], An [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]</small>
Image:Sasaram-tomb2.jpg|<small>A view of [[Sher Shah Suri Tomb]] at [[Sasaram]]</small>
Image:Patna-ganga.jpg|<small>A view of [[Mahatma Gandhi Setu]] at [[Patna]]</small>
Image:Ganga with old fort in patna.JPG|<small>old [[fort]] near [[River bank| Ganga River Banks]] </small>
Image:Ganga patna tourism.jpg|<small>[[Adventure travel|Adventure tourism]] in [[Ganga]], [[Patna]]
</gallery>

|}

<!-- Inner gallery Table start-->

==References and footnotes==
{{reflist|3}}

==See also==
{{commonscat|Bihar}}
*[[Economy of Bihar]]
*[[Education in Bihar]]
*[[Bihari languages|Bihari Languages]]
*[[Cuisine of Bihar]]
*[[Music of Bihar]]
*[[Bihari Art]]
*[[Bihar Movement]]
*[[List of people from Bihar]]
*[[Divisions of Bihar]]
*[[Districts of Bihar]]
*[[History of Patna]]
*[[Villages in Bihar]]
*[[Discrimination faced by the Bihari community in India]]
*[[Urdu Language in Bihar]]
*[[Koshi River|Sorrow of Bihar]]
*[[Culture of Angika Region]]
*[[Culture of Bhojpuri Region]]
*[[Culture of Magadh Region]]
*[[Culture of Mithila Region]]

==External links==
<!-- No commercial links please -->
* [http://jaibihar.com/ JAIBIHAR.COM - News Analysis, Opinion & Reviews about Bihar - the erstwhile Magadh Empire]
* [http://www.brandbihar.com Accurate and authentic about Bihar State]
* [http://coolbihari.blogspot.com/ Cool Bihari Blog]
* [http://bihar.nic.in/ Official website]
* [http://bihartimes.com BiharTimes ]
* [http://goidirectory.nic.in/bihar.htm Profile at the Government of India website]
* [http://www.prachinbharat.com India's First Multimedia Museum at Nalanda]
* {{wikitravel}}


<Gallery>
{{states and territories of India}}
Image:Mock mirage and green flash 11-14-07.jpg|Mock [[mirage]] sunset and green flash
Image:Green flashes observed in San Francisco in 2007-1.jpg|Some green flashes observed in [[San Francisco]] in 2007
Image:Green flashes of 2007 2.jpg|Some green flashes observed in [[San Francisco]] in 2007
Image:Sunset sequence07-23-06.jpg|Sunset sequence with two green flashes in the second and fourth frames
Image:Sunset sequence09-18-06.jpg|Sunset sequence with green flashes
Image:Inferior mirage green flash.jpg|Inferior [[mirage]] green flash
Image:Green flash sequense 3-15-07.jpg
Image:Sunset021607.jpg
Image:Green flash 121007-1.jpg
Image:Green flashes 12-10-07.jpg|Mock [[mirage]] green flashes in the same sunset
</Gallery>


[[Category:Bihar]]
[[Category:Atmospheric optical phenomena]]
[[Category:States and territories of India]]


[[ar:بيهار]]
[[bg:Зелен лъч]]
[[as:বিহাৰ]]
[[cs:Zelený záblesk]]
[[bn:বিহার]]
[[da:Grønt glimt]]
[[de:Grüner Blitz]]
[[zh-min-nan:Bihar]]
[[be:Біхар]]
[[fr:Rayon vert]]
[[bg:Бихар]]
[[it:Raggio verde]]
[[cs:Bihár]]
[[he:הבזק ירוק]]
[[ja:グリーンフラッシュ]]
[[cy:Bihar]]
[[da:Bihar]]
[[no:Grønne flekker]]
[[de:Bihar]]
[[nn:Grøne flekkar]]
[[dv:ބިހާރު]]
[[pl:Zielony promień]]
[[et:Bihār]]
[[pt:Brilho Verde]]
[[ru:Зелёный луч]]
[[es:Bihar]]
[[fi:Vihreä välähdys]]
[[eo:Biharo]]
[[fa:بیهار]]
[[sv:Gröna blixten]]
[[fr:Bihar]]
[[gl:Bihar]]
[[gu:બિહાર]]
[[ko:비하르 주]]
[[hi:बिहार]]
[[bpy:বিহার]]
[[id:Bihar]]
[[it:Bihar (India)]]
[[he:ביהר]]
[[kn:ಬಿಹಾರ]]
[[ka:ბიჰარი]]
[[lt:Biharas]]
[[hu:Bihár]]
[[ml:ബീഹാര്‍]]
[[mr:बिहार]]
[[ms:Bihar]]
[[nl:Bihar]]
[[new:बिहार]]
[[ja:ビハール州]]
[[no:Bihar]]
[[nn:Bihar]]
[[pl:Bihar]]
[[pt:Bihar]]
[[ro:Bihar]]
[[ru:Бихар]]
[[sa:बिहार]]
[[simple:Bihar]]
[[sr:Бихар]]
[[sh:Bihar]]
[[fi:Bihar]]
[[sv:Bihar]]
[[ta:பீகார்]]
[[te:బీహార్]]
[[th:รัฐพิหาร]]
[[vi:Bihar]]
[[tg:Бӣҳор]]
[[uk:Біхар]]
[[ur:بہار (بھارت)]]
[[zh:比哈尔邦]]

Revision as of 11:45, 3 October 2008

Green flashes and green rays are rare optical phenomena that occur shortly after sunset or before sunrise, when a green spot is visible for a short period of time above the sun, or a green ray shoots up from the sunset point.

A larger than usual green flash in Santa Cruz
Stages of a green flash
Mock Mirage green flash observed in San Francisco
Mock Mirage green flash observed in San Francisco
Mock Mirage green flash observed in San Francisco
Mock Mirage green flash observed in San Francisco
Upper rim is green and lower rim is red

Green flashes can be observed from any altitude (even from an aircraft). They are usually seen at an unobstructed horizon, such as over the ocean, but are possible over cloud-tops and mountain-tops as well.

Explanation

The reason for a green flash lies in refraction of light (as in a prism) in the atmosphere: light moves more slowly in the lower, denser air than in the thinner air above, so sunlight rays follow paths that curve slightly, in the same direction as the curvature of the Earth. Higher frequency light (green/blue) curves more than lower frequency light (red/orange), so green/blue rays from the upper limb of the setting sun remain visible after the red rays are obstructed by the curvature of the earth.

Green flashes are enhanced by atmospheric inversions, which increase the density gradient in the atmosphere, and therefore increase refraction. A green flash is more likely to be seen in clear air, when more of the light from the setting sun reaches the observer without being scattered. We might expect to see a blue flash, but the blue is preferentially scattered out of our line of sight and remaining light ends up looking green.

With slight magnification a green rim on the top limb of the solar disk can be seen on most clear-day sunsets. However the flash or ray effects require a stronger layering of the atmosphere and a mirage which serves to magnify the green for a fraction of a second to a couple of seconds.

Types of green flashes

The green flash is actually a group of phenomena, some of which are listed below:[1]

Type Characteristics Conditions Best seen from...
Inferior-mirage flash Joule's "last glimpse"; oval, flattened below. Lasts 1 or 2 seconds. Surface warmer than the overlying air Close to sea level
Mock-mirage flash Indentations seem to "pinch off" a thin, pointy strip from the upper limb of the Sun. Lasts 1 or 2 seconds. Atmospheric inversion layer below eye level; surface colder than air. The higher the eye, the more likely; flash is most obvious when the eye is just above the inversion.
Sub-duct flash Large upper part of an hourglass-shaped Sun turns green for up to 15 seconds. Observer below a strong atmospheric inversion In a narrow height interval just below a duct (can occur at any height)
Green ray Green beam of light either shooting up or seen immediately after sundown. Usually few degrees long, lasting several seconds. Hazy air and a bright green flash acting as a light source Unknown

The majority of flashes observed are inferior-mirage or mock-mirage ones, with the others constituting only 1% of reports. Some types not listed in the table above, such as the cloud-top flash (seen as the sun sinks into a coastal fog, or at distant cumulus clouds), are not understood.[1]

Blue flashes

Very occasionally, the amount of blue light is sufficient to be visible as a "blue flash".[2] The term should not be confused with the similar usage of blue flash referring to the blue light seen in nuclear criticality accidents.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Green Flash.

Green flashes in fiction

This phenomenon features as a major plot device in the Walt Disney Pictures film Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End. In the movie's back story, the green flash is fictionalised, becoming an occurance of legendary quality that is rumoured to signify a soul returning from the dead. Later in the film, this concept is further expanded, and the flash is revealed to signal when a trapped spirit escapes from its imprisonment in Davy Jones' Locker (see Geography of Pirates of the Caribbean), a feat achieved by the film's main characters. However, the size and scale of the flash depicted in the film is greatly exaggerated.

There is also reference to mysterious green light in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.

References

  1. ^ a b Young, A. "Green flashes at a glance" (2006), San Diego State University page. Retrieved on 09/05/07.
  2. ^ "The Green Flash, BBC Weather online. Retrieved on 09/05/07.

External links

Gallery

  • Mock mirage sunset and green flash
    Mock mirage sunset and green flash
  • Some green flashes observed in San Francisco in 2007
    Some green flashes observed in San Francisco in 2007
  • Some green flashes observed in San Francisco in 2007
    Some green flashes observed in San Francisco in 2007
  • Sunset sequence with two green flashes in the second and fourth frames
    Sunset sequence with two green flashes in the second and fourth frames
  • Sunset sequence with green flashes
    Sunset sequence with green flashes
  • Inferior mirage green flash
    Inferior mirage green flash
  • Mock mirage green flashes in the same sunset
    Mock mirage green flashes in the same sunset
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bihar&oldid=242726422"