Mainpuri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mainpuri
City
Mainpuri Location in Uttar Pradesh
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District	Mainpuri
Area
• Total	7 km2 (3 sq mi)
Elevation	153 m (502 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	136,557
• Density	19,500/km2 (51,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Hindi
• Native	Braj Bhasha
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	205001
Telephone code	05672
Vehicle registration	UP-84

Mainpuri is a city in the Uttar Pradesh state of India. It is the main city and administrative center of the Mainpuri district. Mainpuri is located northeast of Agra and is about 270 kilometers (168 miles) from New Delhi. The city is part of the Braj region, which is very important to Hindus because it is believed to be the home of Krishna.

In 2011, Mainpuri had a population of 136,557 people living in 24,498 homes.

Geography of Mainpuri

Mainpuri is located along a part of the famous Grand Trunk Road, which is an ancient trade route. It is about 110 kilometers (68 miles) from the city of Agra. The Isan river flows on the east side of the town. The river often overflows during the monsoon season because its bed is quite shallow.

The main street in Mainpuri is a section of the Agra road that runs east to west through the city. This area is the main shopping center, and many public buildings are found here. The railway line and train station are located south of Mainpuri. The Mainpuri railway station was built on land that wasn't good for farming, so it didn't take away valuable farmland.

Historically, Mainpuri was made up of two separate areas: Mainpuri Khas, which was the old town, and Mukhamganj, or Ganj, which was further south on the main road. Mainpuri Khas used to have a wall around it with six gates.

Mainpuri's Climate

Mainpuri experiences a varied climate throughout the year. Summers can be very hot, with temperatures sometimes reaching over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Winters are cooler, with temperatures dropping significantly. The city receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon season, which typically occurs from July to September.

History of Mainpuri

Mainpuri has a long history. According to old stories, a group of Rajputs called the Chauhan Rajputs came to Mainpuri from Asauli between 1363 and 1391. They were joined by fighters from the Mathuriya Brahmans, who later became merchants.

A newer part of town called Mukhamganj was started in 1746 by Raja Jaswant Singh. It was built on the Grand Trunk Road and quickly grew as people moved there from another town called Karimganj. Mukhamganj soon became the main part of Mainpuri.

In 1802, the British set up a civil station (an administrative center) just east of Mainpuri. This made the whole town grow quickly. From 1848 to 1850, and again in the 1870s, many important buildings were constructed in Mainpuri. These included marketplaces, schools, a post office, and a drainage system for the city.

Around the year 1900, there was still a large open area between the town and the train station. At that time, Mainpuri was known for its tarkashi work, which is a special type of woodworking. There was also a busy trade in cotton, grain, iron, and vegetables.

Population Changes Over Time

As of the 2011 census, Mainpuri had a population of 136,557 people. About 52.2% of the population was male and 47.8% was female. Around 12.7% of the population was under 6 years old. The city's literacy rate (people aged 7 and up who can read and write) was 83.4%. Most people in Mainpuri are Hindu, with a significant Muslim population and smaller groups of other religions.

Important Temples

Mainpuri is home to several old and well-known Hindu temples.

• Sheetla Devi Temple: This temple hosts a 20-day fair every year in March or April.
• Bhimsen Mandir: This is an ancient temple dedicated to the god Shiva.
• Falahari Ashram: Located on Jyoti-Devi Road, it has a very rare statue of the goddess Durga with 18 arms.
• Chandeshwar Mandir: Another old Shiva temple on Chandeshwar Road.
• Kale Mahadev and Shweat Mahadev: These are twin Shiva temples also located on Devi Road.
• Hanuman Temple: Thousands of people visit this temple on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Industries in Mainpuri

Mainpuri has several important industries. These include:

• Cotton ginning: This is the process of separating cotton fibers from their seeds.
• Oilseed milling: Extracting oil from seeds like peanuts.
• Lamp and glass manufacturing: Making lamps and glass products.
• Peanut farming: A small but widespread industry in the area.
• Tobacco and wooden sculptures: The town is also known for its tobacco and beautiful wooden carvings.

Many people in Mainpuri rely on agriculture for their daily needs. The agricultural equipment industry is also very important, with companies like Siyaram Agency being leading manufacturers.

Tarkashi Woodwork

Mainpuri is famous for its unique woodwork called tarkashi. This art involves inlaying brass wire into dark shisham wood. Artists gently hammer thin brass strips into carved designs on the wood. They use stencils to create detailed patterns. Common items made with tarkashi include footwear, plates, trays, small boxes, and photo frames. Because it takes a long time to make these items (a plate can take up to 20 days), they can be quite expensive.

Places to Visit

Mainpuri has a few interesting places to visit.

• Fort/Garhi of Mainpuri: This old fort is located in old Mainpuri. It is private property and not a tourist spot.
• Parks:

* Phoolbagh: Located at Jail Chauraha, it has green lawns and fountains. * Lohia Park: Situated at the District Collectorate, it also features green lawns and fountains.

Mainpuri is also known for the sarus crane (Grus antigone). This large bird, called krouncha in India, is seen as a symbol of loyalty in marriage and is celebrated in many myths and legends. There are an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 sarus cranes in India, with many living in the villages of Harwai and Andani in Karhal.

Krouncha, the sarus crane (Grus antigone)

Another interesting place in the Mainpuri District is the Saman Bird Sanctuary. This sanctuary is a winter home for the Siberian crane, which migrates here from November to February. Many different bird species can be found in and around the Saman Bird Sanctuary.

Healthcare in Mainpuri

The main district hospital in Mainpuri is called Maharaja Tej Singh Jila Chikitsalya. Mainpuri Janch Kendra is a registered pathology center that focuses on biotechnology and biochemistry.

Education in Mainpuri

As of 2009, Mainpuri had 61 primary schools, 11 secondary schools, and 4 public libraries.

Engineering College

Government Engineering College, Mainpuri (also known as Rajkiya Engineering College, REC) is a government engineering college in Mainpuri. It is part of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University in Lucknow. The college offers four branches of engineering: computer science, civil, electrical, and mechanical. Each branch can have 63 students. REC is located on the Shikohabad - Mainpuri Road. There is also a government polytechnic college with three engineering branches: electronics, microprocessors, and instrumentation and control.

Getting to Mainpuri

Mainpuri is well-connected to other parts of the state by roads and broad-gauge railway lines. You can visit Mainpuri by train. Currently, two trains, the Kalindi Express and the Kanpur Anand Vihar Express, connect Mainpuri to Delhi and Kanpur. The city is also linked by railways to Farrukhabad, Shikohabad, Etawah, and Kanpur.

Major cities within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of Mainpuri include Agra, Delhi, Bareilly, Meerut, Firozabad, Shikohabad, Etawah, Jhansi, Gwalior, and Kanpur. The Agra Lucknow Expressway also connects Mainpuri to Lucknow.

The closest civil airport is in Agra, which is about 110 kilometers (68 miles) away.

See also

In Spanish: Mainpuri para niños