Darbhanga

Understand

Darbhanga (duhr-bhung-gah) is a place known for its cultural traditions in music and it is home to the well-known Darbhanga tradition of Dhrupad singing. Some of the important artistes from this tradition include Pt. Ramchatur Mallik, Pt. Siyaram Tiwari, Pt. Vidur Mallik and others. Most of the famous singers of this ancient classical tradition now stay in the bigger Indian cities and there is not much you can do to explore this heritage.

Darbhanga is also known for its mangoes, especially Maldah variety. It is said that Mughal emperor Akbar planted around 50,000 mango trees Darbhanga and it started a tradition of mango plantation in this region. Not much of the mango produce is exported from here and you can still find fresh succulent mangoes directly picked from orchards.

Maithili is the language spoken in this part of the world and it's a member of Indo-European family. Maithili is one of the 22 official national languages of the country and spoken by around 32 million people in Bihar and the Terai region of Nepal.

Get in

Darbhanga is well connected to other parts of India and Bihar through railway and roads.

Get around

Most reliable and easily available local transport is cycle rickshaw. You can also get shared three-wheelers and buses from the railway and bus terminal. Darbhanga is not a small city and you have to take any means of transport around and see places of attraction.

See

Palaces built by Maharajah of Darbhanga are the most important attractions in Darbhanga. Just a kilometer from bus and train terminal, most of the palaces are located inside a walled campus. There are plenty of temples dedicated to mother Goddess (primarily Kali and Durga) built by erstwhile kings of Darbhanga. Major temples include Shyama Kali Temple and Kankali Temple.

Some of the important palaces are now converted into universities (Lalit Narayan Mithila University and Kameshwar Singh Sanskrit University). Despite decay and chaos all around, you will encounter one of the best examples of Indo-European architectural traditions followed in building these palaces.

Darbhanga Fort is another attraction for outsiders coming to the city. Not much was built inside the fort except a few temples and a house for family deity. Successors of Darbhanga royal clan still stay inside the fort in an almost ruined house surrounded by mango trees.

Darbhanga is also known for its ponds and you will find hundreds of them across this city. Some of the major ones are Harahi (in front of Railway station), Dighi and Gangasagar.

European Library of Mithila University and official library of Sanskrit University are a rich source for someone interested in researching ancient Indian culture and traditions. The library at Sanskrit University is known for its collection of around 5500 ancient manuscripts on subjects like Epic, Philosophy, Vyakaran, Dharmashastra, Agam-Tantra etc.

Kasai Coaching is…

Do

If you are planning to learn Sanskrit or Maithili, Darbhanga is a place for you. There are plenty of courses offered by two universities in Darbhanga for people interested in these languages. Darbhanga is also an ideal place to learn Madhubani painting - one of the richest folk-art traditions of India. Contact locals for a list of good teachers of this art.

Kuseswar Asthan. A famous historical temple of Baba Kuseswar Nath Mahadev. This temple is situated about 60 km of Darbhanga railway station.

Buy

You can buy authentic Mithila paintings really cheap here if you compare the prices from major city hubs like Delhi or Mumbai. Products made of sikki (a local hard grass) are also a good buy.

Eat

Makhana (Gorgon nut or Fox nut) is a local aquatic food product. Puddings and salted delicacies made of makhana are famous in this region. Other local delicacies include chuda-dahi and sattu. For non-vegetarians, fish in mustard paste will be the most rewarding experience.

There are plenty of restaurants across Darbhanga who serve Indian, European and Indian variant of Chinese food. Some of the well known are Rajasthan, Mithai Ghar,Baseraand Paul restaurant at Darbhanga Tower and Ganga Executive club inside Darbhanga Fort.

thumbnail|Jeera puri sabji means fried wheat balls with dry potato curry in spices. You can also taste variety of Mughal dishes like Pulaa, Baqar Khani (a type of bread), Kabaab, Kofta, Nihari, Paya. These are easily available in local restaurants, especially at ramkumar pandit hotel near laheriasarai bus stand.

Drink

You can discuss the whole world over a glass of lassi at any of the lassi counters across this city. Do try out Bhang lassi. Shankaranand Shrbataalaya, near Rose Public School is one of the places you can do so. Other important drink is sattu mixed with water and sugar or salt.

Sleep

Ganga Executive club inside Darbhanga fort is your best bet for reasonable to slightly luxurious accommodation. There are around 75 rooms and many suites here priced from ₹800 to ₹6500. Other important hotels include Aggarwal and Basera at Darbhanga Tower.They are the best in Darbhanga.