Bahraich Tourism

Bahraich has vast areas covered in dense forests which is home to various species of flora and fauna. Agriculture is the major occupation of the people in Bahraich and it was considered to be one of the most famous market for grains and pulses during the British period. Bahraich is located 126 meters above sea level at 27.58^o N 81.6^oE. It shares local boundaries with the towns of Sitapur, Gonda, Lakhimpur, Barabanki and Balrampur. It also shares international border with Nepal.

Major Tourist Attractions in Bahraich

Mausoleum of Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud

The tomb of Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud was built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq for Salar Masud, who was a Muslim Conquerer. He was born in Ajmer on 22 January 1015 AD as a heir to Ghazi Salar Sahu. He was also the nephew of the well-known ruler of the Ghaznavid empire, Mahmud of Ghazni. He attacked India in 1031 AD. After raiding several regions in the Northern Plains he and his army marched towards Brahmarchi, the present Bahraich. At that time there stood an ancient temple of Sun God known as Balark temple. Balark was a temple of morning sun as the golden rays of the sun first touched the feet of the deity. The place was of great importance to Hindu pilgrims. He attacked Bahraich and thus started the Battle of Bahraich. Various kshatriya clans participated in this war led by King Suhaldev. Salar Masud was defeated and killed in the battle on 14 June 1033.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq, who ruled the Sultanate of Delhi had great admiration for Salar Masud and he built the tomb. Another belief is that the daughter of Saiyyid Jamal-ud-din, who was blind, built the Dargah on regaining her eyesight after her pilgrimage to this famous Mausoleum and she built a tomb in the place for herself and was buried there. And Firoz Shah has built the compound wall for the Mausoleum and other buildings. Another belief is that the tomb was constructed by the son of Sultan Shams-ud-din-Altamash, Malik Nasir-ud-din-Muhammad.

Dargah is located at distance of 1 kilometre from Bahraich railway station. New moon day of every month and Thursday, Friday and Saturdays are considered to be auspicious time to visit the Dargah. Dargah Sharif Committee manages the administration of this Dargah. A large fair is ceremoniously held in May and June which is attended by pilgrims from various places. Sravasti, at a distance of 48 kilometers and Gonda, at a distance of 65 kilometers are nearby places from which direct bus services are available.

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is established in 1975 and is a part of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. It is located in the Terai region of Bahraich closer to Nepal border. The sanctuary has six divisions out of which two are inhabited by the Tharu tribes and and the other four divisions are located in the core area. It is located at a distance of 86 kilometers by road and 105 kilometers by rail from Bahraich city, 7 kilometers from Nepal border and 205 kilometers from Lucknow. November to June is the ideal time to visit the Sanctuary.

It is home to number of endangered birds and animals. One can spot Rhino, Swamp deer, Wild boar, Jackal, Black buck, Hispid Hare, Gharial, Tiger, Gangetic Dolphin, Bengal florican, Blue Bull, Long-billed and White backed vultures and many other birds and animals. The Sanctuary is connected to Bardila National Park in Nepal across the border. This area is a known tiger habitat. Also it is a world famous region to spot Gharials in its natural habitat. Gangetic dolphins can also be seen along with Gharials. The forest area has abundant Sal and Teak trees, swamps, wetlands and lush grasslands.

Sangharini Temple

The place where this is located was known as Balark Rishi’s Tapasthali. The main deity of this temple is goddess Kali. Shani and Hanuman temples are also in these premises. The temple celebrates four Navaratris and four goddesses are worshiped during these periods based on certain months and their importance. The place is of much religious importance to Hindus.

How to Reach Bahraich

Bahraich is well connected by other regions of Uttar Pradesh by roads. Uttar Pradesh Road Transport Corporation connects to Lucknow in every 15 minutes. It is also connected to Kanpur, Allahabad, Delhi, Agra, Haridwar, Varanasi and Bareilly. Though Bahraich is on the Indian Railway route, it is better connected by roads. Auto Rickshaws are other major mode of local transportation.

Bahraich is 125 kilometers from Lucknow and can be accessed easily by Road. The nearest airport is Amausi in Lucknow, which is at a distance of approximately 140 kilometres. Railway station in Bahraich can accessed by train from Gonda Junction and Bhojipura Junction.