Champaran

Champaran is a historic region which now forms the East Champaran district, and the West Champaran district in Bihar, India. Champaran was part of erstwhile Bhojpuri under celebrated King Janak.

Boundaries

Champaran District was created in 1866. On 1 December 1971 it was split into two districts: Paschim Champaran and Purbi Champaran. The headquarters of Paschim Champaran district is at Bettiah. The headquarters of Purbi Champaran district is at Motihari. Purbi Champaran consists of six subdivisions and twentyseven blocks. Nepal forms its northern boundary, Sitamadhi and Sheohar are to the east while Muzaffarpur lies to the south and with part of Gopalganj bounds it on the west.

Name

The name Champaran derives from Champa-aranya or Champkatanys. Champa or champaka means magnolia and aranya means forest. Hence, Champaranya means forest of magnolia trees. It is believed that the forest was named while its western portion was inhabited by solitary ascetics.

History

Ancient history

Champaran, Chhattisgarh

Champaran, formerly known as Champajharis a village in the Raipur District in the state of Chhattisgarh, India, which lies about 60 km from the state capital of Raipur via Arang

The village is identified with Champaranya and therefore has religious significance as the birthplace of the Saint Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, the reformer and founder of the Vallabh sect also known as Pushtimarg. A temple has been constructed in his honour. Near this is a temple of Champakeshwara Mahadeva. There are 2 Baithakji's of lord Vallabhacharya Chaurasi Bethak.

Attractions

There are two temples dedicated to Shri Mahaprabhuji in Champaran. The first one is known as Prakatya Baithakji Mandir, where seva is performed by Param Pujya Goswami shri Vrajjivanlalji and his 2 sons Goswami Shri Dwarkeshlalji and Shri Purshottamlalji. The second Baithakji is Mool Prakatya that is normally known as Chhatti Baithak. In this temple seva is done by Goswami shri Vallabhlalji and Shri Raghunathlalji (Shri Pinky Bawa) of 5th house of Kamvan. Apart from this there is a Haveli temple dedicated to Shree Girirajji and Shree Balkrishnalalji. A small stream of Mahanadi River flows near the temple which is believed to be from Yamuna river and worshipped. Mahaprabhuji's Prakatya Utsav is celebrated every year on eleventh day of Baisakh and many of followers of the sect gather at the temple to pay homage. The Annual Fair of Champaran is held with great festivities in the month of Magh every year. Large number of pushtimargiya vaishnavs visit champaran every year.