>Serols at 14:09, 16 September 2021

2021-09-16T14:09:13Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{infobox settlement
| name = Bisrakh
| image_skyline =
| image_caption =
| settlement_type = [[Village]]
| pushpin_map = India
| coordinates = {{coord|28.571298|77.432116|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Bisrakh''' is a village 10 km away of [[Greater Noida]], in the Indian state of [[Uttar Pradesh]].

The locals claim their village to be birthplace of the legendary king [[Ravana]], who rules [[Lanka]] in the epic [[Ramayana]]. During the [[Dussehara]] festival, which celebrates [[Rama]]'s victory over Ravana, effigies of Ravana are burnt in several parts of India. However, in Bisrakh, the nine days of [[Navratra]] ending in Dassehara are observed as a period of mourning when they offer prayers for peace to the soul of Ravana and perform [[Yagna]].<ref name=Elder>{{cite news|title=The Indian Express|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/only-the-elderly-come-to-mourn-ravana-in-birthplace-bisrakh/|work=indianexpress}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hindustan Times|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/ravana-in-noida-a-book-on-greater-noida/article1-1195390.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122149/http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/ravana-in-noida-a-book-on-greater-noida/article1-1195390.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Bisrakh-seeks-funds-for-Ravan-temple/articleshow/44269673.cms}}</ref> Locals believe that if [[Ramlila]] were to be performed in the village, it would trigger the wrath of Ravana on the villagers.

==Location==
Bisrakh is a small village, in the [[Gautam Budh Nagar district]]<ref name=Plan>{{Cite web|url=http://planningcommission.gov.in/reports/sereport/ser/std_smlarea.pdf|title=Project Report: Evaluation of Socio- Economic Development in Small Areas|year=2004|publisher=Planning Commission}}</ref> which adjoins the urban center of Noida, and which still retains an ancient layout consisting of narrow lanes, dirty and potted roads. It is the headquarters of the administrative center of Bishrak Block in western Uttar Pradesh.{{Sfn|Vasudevan|2013|p=35}}<ref name=Elder/><ref>{{cite book|title=Journal of Social and Economic Studies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LwQdAQAAMAAJ|year=1978|publisher=A.N.S. Institute of Social Studies|page=186}}</ref> It is {{Convert|30|km}} away from the national capital, [[New Delhi]].<ref name=Noida/>

==Legends==
[[File:Ravana_British_Museum.jpg|right|thumb|[[Ravana]]]]
According to a local legend, the name of the village is a derivation of [[Vishrava]]s, father of Ravana, who was a famous sage of the ancient times who lived and worshipped [[Shiva]] in this village. [[Ravana]] who was born in this village had spent his early childhood here. Vishravas had found a [[Shiva Linga|linga]] in the forest area and had established the Bisrakh [[Dhaam]] (abode of God) with the linga deified therein where he offered worship.{{Sfn|Vasudevan|2013|p=35}}<ref name=Elder/>

According to [[Hindu mythology]], Vishravas, a [[Brahmin]], had wedded [[Kaikesi]], a [[rakshasa]] princess; Ravana thus had a mix of Brahmin and rakshasa (not demon in Indian mythology rakshasa cannot be literally translated to demon) blood. Vishravas's elder son by his first wife was [[Kubera]], now worshipped as a [[god]] of wealth, who ruled Lanka until Ravana became the king himself.{{Sfn|Vasudevan|2013|p=35}}

According to local belief celebrations of [[Ramlila]] in Bisrakh would invite the wrath of Ravana.<ref>[https://www.bleedingpen.in/2019/12/Bisrakh-the-place-where-ravan-is-devoted.html Bisrakh-Bleeding Pen]</ref> Instead, fire sacrifices or [[Yajna]]s are held during [[Navratra]] festival to the Shiva linga praying homage to Ravana.<ref name=Village>{{Cite news|url=http://www.iamin.in/en/gautam-buddha-nagar/news/ravana-son-soil-believe-locals-noidas-bisrakh-village-39280|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723081106/http://www.iamin.in/en/gautam-buddha-nagar/news/ravana-son-soil-believe-locals-noidas-bisrakh-village-39280|url-status=unfit|archive-date=23 July 2015|title=Ravana is the son of this soil, believe locals of Noida's Bisrakh village |date= 22 July 2014|newspaper=DNA}}</ref>

== Temples ==
Several temples exist in the village that are over 1,000 years old. The [[Swayambhu]] (self manifest) [[Shiva linga]], which was worshiped by Ravana and his father Vishravas, was unearthed more than 100 years ago. It is octagonal in shape. The linga is visible above the surface for {{Convert|2.5|ft}} height and a further {{Convert|8|ft}} length is said to extend below the ground. It is deified in a temple here and worshipped daily. The temple is set near a large [[banyan tree]] and has a courtyard laid with marble.{{Sfn|Vasudevan|2013|p=35}}<ref name=Village/>

A new temple dedicated to Ravana is under construction at a cost of Rs 2 [[crore]]s. This temple will be deified with a {{Convert|42|ft}} Shiva Linga and a {{Convert|5.5|ft}} image of Ravana.<ref name=Noida>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Bisrakh-seeks-funds-for-Ravan-temple/articleshow/44269673.cms|title=Bisrakh seeks funds for Ravan temple Purusharth Aradhak|date =4 October 2014|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>

==Demographics==
According to [[2011 Census of India|2011 Census]], the village has a total population of 5,470 (24.31% consist of [[Scheduled Caste]]) population of 882 families; 2,921 are males and 2,549 females with an average sex ratio of 767 much less than the Uttar Pradesh state average of 902. Literacy rate is 77.58% which is higher than the state's figure of 68.01%.<ref name=census>{{Cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/village/120139-bisrakh-jalalpur-uttar-pradesh.html|title=Bisrakh Jalalpur Population - Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh|publisher=Census2011}}</ref>

==Economy==
The economy of the village and the Bishrakh Block was mainly agriculture to the extent of 70% with the balance 30% related on non-agricultural activities of people such as teachers, administrative and police officials, politicians, carpenters, shopkeepers, barbers, and also agricultural labour. The village, compared to the rest of the Block, has non-farmer elitists, and elite farmers who own land area of 40 [[bigha]]s or more, with the richest farmer owning 300 bighas. However, the economy is still considered "subsistence level." for the village as a whole.{{Sfn|Vasudevan|2013|p=92}}{{Sfn|Sachchidananda|1980|p=160}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last= Sachchidananda |first=Sachchidananda|title=Elite and Development|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VjKcfqnwZtwC&pg=PA160|year=1980|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|pages=160–|id=GGKEY:2QLJ09TPF3U}}
*{{cite book|last= Vasudevan |first=Vandana |title=Urban Villager: Life in an Indian Satellite Town|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hy0nAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA35|date=22 November 2013|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-81-321-1783-4}}

[[Category:Neighbourhoods of Noida]]
[[Category:Villages in Gautam Buddh Nagar district]]

Bisrakh - Revision history

>Serols at 14:09, 16 September 2021