Chunar

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?Chunar Uttar Pradesh • India
Chunar
Coordinates: 25°08′N 82°54′E / 25.13, 82.9
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 84 m (276 ft)
District(s)	Mirzapur
Population	33,919 (2001)

Coordinates: 25°08′N 82°54′E / 25.13, 82.9 Chunar, located in Mirzapur District of Uttar Pradesh state, India, is an ancient town. The railway tracks passing through Chunar leads to major destinations of India, including Howrah, Delhi, Tatanagar and Varanasi. National Highway number 7 also passes through Chunar. It is connected to Varanasi, the ancient and pilgrimage city also well-known as Kashi or Benaras, by roads and rails. Chunar is well-known for its pottery work especially clay toys.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 People and place
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

In spite of being a small town, Chunar has a great influence in history. The Chunar Fort was established by Maharaja Vikramaditya, the King of Ujjain, in honour of the stay of his brother Raja Bhrithari. As per Puranas, Hindu book of preachings, the oldest name of Chunar was Charanadri as Lord Vishnu had taken his first step in his Vaman incarnation in the dynasty of Great king Bali in the age of Satyug. It was also well known as Nainagarh.

Chunargarh of 'Chandrakanta', the famous classic novel by Babu Devakinandan Khatri, is only 40 km from the holy city of Varanasi. The Chunar Fort is situated on an extension of the Vindhyan range of mountains, with river Ganga, Ganges, flowing near its base. Various exotic waterfalls and religious worship places attract thousands of tourists and locals.

Chunar is very well known for its pottery industries.

[edit] Geography

Chunar is located at 25.13° N 82.9° E^[1]. It has an average elevation of 84 metres (275 feet).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[2], Chunar had a population of 33,919. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Chunar has an average literacy rate of 57%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 66% and, female literacy is 47%. In Chunar, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] People and place

People here are humble, simple and down to earth. Primary mode of earning livelihood is agriculture and agri-based business. Agriculture is primarily dependent on the moderate rainfall occurring between July to September, and the area is well connected with water sources by means of canals. Local dramas and melas (fun-fair and social gathering during off-time in agriculture primarily focused for entertainment), are favourites of the locals.

Chunar is also a place of tourist interest. A temple of Durga is situated in a cave near in the midst of beautiful sceneries.

Chunar is also known for its communal harmonies. People of all communities live together with peacefully and took part in the each other communal festivals.

Chunar and surrounding villages are majorly populated with Kurmi Kshatriyas, contributing more than 50% of the population.