Bareilly
Bareilly (Hindi: बरेली, Urdu: بریلی) is a prominent city in Bareilly district in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Standing on the Ramganga river, it is the capital of the Bareilly division and the geographical region Rohilkhand. It is located 252 kilometres (157 mi) north of state capital, Lucknow and 250 kilometres (155 mi) east of national capital New Delhi.
A leading regional city, Bareilly is a powerful influence over regional commerce, finance, culture, art, fashion, research, education, and entertainment. It is also a center for the manufacture of furniture and for trade in cotton, grain, and sugar. The city's population in 2001 was 699,839. Geographically it forms the outer gateway to enter Uttarakhand State.
This fast-growing city is also known as Bans-Bareilly (Bansaldev & Baraldev). Though Bareilly is also a production center for cane (Bans) furniture, but it is just a coincidence. The name Bans Bareilly is not derived from its big bans (bamboo) market.It derived after the name of two prince named Bansaldev & Baraldev (Son of Local King).
In recent past, Bareilly has given three eminent personalities- Waseem Barelvi (world renowned Urdu poet), Priyanka Chopra (former miss world and famous young Bollywood actor hailed from this city) and Imran Khan (won a Gold medal in shooting in the 19th Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi.
Bareilly is also famous by the names of "Nath Nagri" by the Hindus. The name Nath Nagri is derived out the presence of a lot of Lord Shiva Temples (Bhole Nath Temples) including Alakha Nath, Trivati Nath, Madhi Nath, Dhopeshwar Nath temples, Bankhandi Nath and Pasupati Nath. It is also famous for Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Fazil-e-Barelvi's Dargah all over the world and is also called "Bareilly Shareef" by Muslims.
The city is also famous for its Zari work (a type of embroidery or fabric decoration), 'Jhumka' - an intricate ear-rings or ear-pendants, Surma (Kohl and Manja. Manja (the glass powder coated kite flying and fighting string) called 'Luddhi Manja'. This manja thrives on a secret recipe of rice, fevicol and glass, all in good quantity, that results in it being lethal should any other manja come in contact with it