Bihar
Demography
Climate
The climate of Bihar is represented by the following seasons :
Cold weather season - December to February
Hot weather season - March to May
Southwest monsoon - June to September
Retreating southwest monsoon - October to November
The highest temperature is often registered in May which is the hottest month in the state.
Cold weather season - December to February
Hot weather season - March to May
Southwest monsoon - June to September
Retreating southwest monsoon - October to November
The highest temperature is often registered in May which is the hottest month in the state.
Education
In ancient Bihar, world famous learning centres, universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila, were located. After their destruction in the 13th century, Bihar has not seen any educational centre of world repute.
Presently, like most parts of India, after 10 years of schooling, students can join 2 years of Intermediate course (or +2 courses) in Arts, Science and Commerce. This is followed by 3 years of degree courses. Some students choose to join 3 years diploma courses offered by Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). There are hardly 5 or 6 institutions imparting professional courses.
Presently, like most parts of India, after 10 years of schooling, students can join 2 years of Intermediate course (or +2 courses) in Arts, Science and Commerce. This is followed by 3 years of degree courses. Some students choose to join 3 years diploma courses offered by Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). There are hardly 5 or 6 institutions imparting professional courses.
Cuisine
The Bihar is famous for its varied and distinct cuisine .All the regions have their own cooking styles and tastes.But most people prefer simple food consisting of bhat(Rice),dal(lentils),roti(wheat),vegetables and achar. Uncooked sprouts soaked in water is also consumed with choora bhunja and Makhana.
The famous jhal moori (puffed rice with sprouts,peanuts and green chillies)is a favouite snack in most parts of the state. Khichdi, the broth of rice and lentils, seasoned with spices, and served with thick curd, chutney, pickles, papads, ghee (clarified butter) and chokha (boiled mashed potatoes, seasoned with finely cut onions, green chilies) constitutes the diet for most people of Bihar.
The famous jhal moori (puffed rice with sprouts,peanuts and green chillies)is a favouite snack in most parts of the state. Khichdi, the broth of rice and lentils, seasoned with spices, and served with thick curd, chutney, pickles, papads, ghee (clarified butter) and chokha (boiled mashed potatoes, seasoned with finely cut onions, green chilies) constitutes the diet for most people of Bihar.
Culture
The cultural life of the traditional Bihar society comprises of art, dance, music, festivals and fairs. Without considering all these aspects the culture seems to be incomplete.
Bihar has a glorious past and a rich cultural heritage. The people of Bihar have preserved their rich tradition. The folk dances of Bihar are extremely enjoyable. Folk music is sung by people to remark some of the important occasions.
The festivals are also celebrated with joy and happiness. The all-important Pitrapaksha Mela also takes place at Gaya in Bihar.
Bihar has a glorious past and a rich cultural heritage. The people of Bihar have preserved their rich tradition. The folk dances of Bihar are extremely enjoyable. Folk music is sung by people to remark some of the important occasions.
The festivals are also celebrated with joy and happiness. The all-important Pitrapaksha Mela also takes place at Gaya in Bihar.
History
Bihar, the ancient land of Buddha, has witnessed golden period of Indian history. It is the same land where the seeds of the first republic were sown and which cultivated the first crop of democracy. Such fertile is the soil that has given birth to innumerous intellectuals which spread the light of knowledge and wisdom not only in the country but in the whole world. The state has its capital at Patna, which is situated on the bank of the holy river Ganga.
Language
Hindhi 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, Assamese, and 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.
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.
Literature
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.
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.
Religion
Religion plays an important part in the life of tribals. Their belief in gods and goddesses, in bhuts and spirits is engrained in them from their childhood. The worship of these supernatural beings is supposed to protect them from all evils and calamities, both natural and supernatural enhance the fertility of their community, domestic animals and agricultural fields. Religion also serves to engender and strengthen group consciousness and solidarity among them.
Every tribal village has in one of its corners a sacred grove called Jaher or sarma.
Every tribal village has in one of its corners a sacred grove called Jaher or sarma.
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