Sant Kabir Nagar district

Area: 06 sq. km. Population: 6000 (2001 census) Altitude:100 mtrs. above sea level Season: October-April Clothing: Summer - Cottons, Winter - Woolens Language: Hindi, English Local Transport: Tempo/Tonga/Rickshaw STD Code:05544 Festival: Budha Poornima (April-May)

Sant Kabir Nagar district (Hindi: ) is one of the 70 districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Khalilabad town is the district headquarters. Sant Kabir Nagar district is a part of Basti Division. The district is bounded on the north by Siddharthnagar and Maharajganj districts, on the east by Gorakhpur district, on the south by Ambedkar Nagar district and on the west by Basti district. The district occupies an area of 1659.15 km2.

Origin of name
The district is named after the 15th century mystic poet Kabir, who lived in Maghar town in the district. One popular legend of his death, which is even taught in schools in India (although in more of a moral context than a historical one), says that after his death his Muslim and Hindu devotees fought over his proper burial rites. The problem arose since Muslim custom called for the burial of their dead, whereas Hindus cremated their dead. The scene is depicted as two groups fighting

around his coffin one claiming that Kabir was a Hindu, and the other claiming that Kabir was a Muslim. However, when they finally open Kabir's coffin, they found the body missing. Instead there was a small book in which the Hindus and Muslims wrote all his sayings that they could remember; some even say a bunch of his favourite flowers were placed. The legend goes on to state that the fighting was resolved, and both groups looked upon the miracle as an act of divine intervention. In Maghar, his tomb or Dargah and Samdhi Mandir still stand side by side.

History
Sant Kabir Nagar district was created on September 5, 1997. The new district comprised 131 villages of erstwhile Basti tahsil of Basti district and 161 villages of erstwhile Bansi tahsil of Siddharthnagar district. Before September 5, 1997 it was the tehsil for Basti District. Today's Piprahwa 22 km from Siddharthnagar is identified with ancient Kapilvastu where Lord Buddha spent the early years of his life. Kapilvastu was the capital of the Shakya clan whose ruler was the father of Lord Buddha, and therefore Lord Buddha is also called as Shakyamuni. The Sakya domain was one of the sixteen independent principalities of the 6th century BC. Prince Gautam, as the Buddha was then known, left his palace in Kapilvastu at the age of 29, and revisited in 12 years later, after attaining enlightenment. Today, Kapilvastu Comprises of Several villages, mainly piprahwa and Ganvaria. A large Stupa stands at the ancient site which is said to have housed the bone relics of Lord Buddha. The presence of these relics is testified by an ancient Brahmi inscription found at Piprahwa. The ruins of the royal palace are spread over a large area.

Divisions
The district has 3 tehsils, Khalilabad, Mehdawal and Dhanghata. There are three Vidhan Sabha constituencies in this district: Khalilabad, Mehdawal and Dhanghata. All of these are part of Sant Kabir Nagar Lok Sabha constituency.

Excursion
Situated on National Highway-28, it is 27 Km. west of Gorakhpur in Sant Kabir Nagar District. The great saint and social reformer of the Middle Ages, 'Sant Kabir Das' passed away here. The 'Mazar' and 'Samadhi Asthal' of Kabir Das are side by side here as a living symbol of communal harmony. This is a good picnic spot with all basic amenities. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a five-days Festival of communal harmoney is organised here every year.