Bithoor- A Temple Town
Location
Bithoor is situated 20 Km from Kanpur city centre.
Best Time to Visit
September to April, as climate is cool during these months.
The Historic Ghats
Bithoor is small village in the rural parts of Kanpur, located on the
banks of Ganges. Religiously important, Bithoor played an important role
in the freedom struggle of India. The place is said to be existing from
the times when the earth was created. According to legends, Brahma came
here to start the human race. Since then Bithoor is also called
Brahmavart, meaning, the place of Brahma. Legend also has it that Sita,
wife of Lord Rama, came to live at the ashram of the sage Valmiki, after
Rama expelled her from Ayodhya. During 1857 war of independence, Nanarao
Peshwa and Tatya Tope made Bithoor as there centre for activities and
stayed in the fort, which is now in ruins. There are many small and big
temples, monuments and historic places in Bithoor. There as many as 30
beautiful ghats in Bithoor.
Attractions
Dhruv Tila
The Dhruv Tila is the historic place, where Dhruva prayed to Brahma. It
is said that Brahma appeared before Dhruva and converted him to a star,
called as Dhruva Taraa (The Pole Star).
Valmiki Ashram
According to legends, Valmiki Ashram used to be the residence of
Valmiki, the writer of epic Ramayana. Sita, after being expelled from
Ayodhya, came to Valmiki Ashram and stayed here for few years. Luv and
Kush, children of Rama and Sita were also born and brought up here.
Ghats
The ghats of Bithoor are very beautiful. Total number ghats is around
30, next in number to ghats of Varanasi. The ghats hosts a large number
of temples.
Brahmavart Ghat
This main ghat in Bithoor has a small temple of Brahma. The Brahma
temple has a small shrine and a metal bar, believed to be streched to
the core of Earth. The ghat is very holy and a bath on this ghat is said
to wash away all the spritual sins.
Forts
Bithoor has also got great importance as great freedom fighters like
Nana Saheb, Tatya Tope and Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi started their
struggle for freedom in the year 1857 from this place only. During his
stay in Bithoor several forts and places were built which are still a
source of inspiration and attraction to the Historian and research
oriented people.
Getting There
One has to reach Kanpur to visit Bithoor. From Kanpur railway station
and airport, one can get taxis, auto-rickshaws and bus to reach Bithoor.
