Hajipur, Administrative center in Vaishali district, India
Hajipur is a city in Vaishali district in the state of Bihar, running along the Gandak River north of where it joins the Ganges. The city sits at approximately 46 meters (150 feet) above sea level and serves as the administrative center of the district.
The present city took shape around 1350 under Haji Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah on the site of ancient Ukkacala, where Buddha delivered teachings. In 1587, the Jami Masjid was built, marking the Islamic influence in the region.
The city takes its name from Haji Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, who founded a settlement here in the 14th century. Today, Hindu worshippers come to the Ramchaura Mandir and Pataleshwar Mandir temples, while the Jami Masjid from 1587 remains a place of prayer for Muslim communities.
The Mahatma Gandhi Bridge links the city to Patna across the Ganges, making travel between the two centers straightforward. Visitors can orient themselves along the riverfront, where temples and mosques are within walking distance of each other.
The city preserves the ashes of Ananda, Buddha's closest disciple, in a shrine of religious importance for Buddhists worldwide. This link to Buddhist history makes the site a lesser known pilgrimage spot alongside the larger Hindu and Islamic places of worship.
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