Ballia is a district in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It comes under the Azamgarh division. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people. The district headquarters as well as the commercial market are at Ballia City. Ballia, Rasra, Bairiya, Sikandarpur, and Belthara are the five tehsils that come under this district. One government sugar mill and one cotton weaving industry are present at Rasra which is the second most important city of the district after Ballia. Besides agriculture, small industries are also run here. Maniar is the major manufacturer and exporter of Bindis. Bhojpuri is the main language spoken. Ballia City has a municipal board. The city is bordered by the junction of the Ganga and the Ghaghara on the eastern side. The city is 76 kilometers away from Ghazipur and 150 kilometers from Varanasi.

Ballia History

Mangal Pandey, the great nationalist and a well-known freedom fighter was born here. Chittu Pandey, the Indian hero of the Quit India Movement and Ram Pujan Singh, another freedom fighter were also from Ballia. It is also believed that it is the birth town of Maharshi Bhrigu. Hindi and Bhojpuri are the major languages spoken. Former Prime minister of India Late Chandra Shekhar was a native of Ibrahimpatti in Ballia district. This is land is very fertile owing to the two rivers that flow through it, Ganga and Ghaghara.

Ballia contributed a lot in Indias freedom struggle and hence also referred to as Baghi Ballia. Ballia was recognized in 1857 during the struggle on the nation for independence when Mangal Pandey came forward. He was born in the Nagwa village of Ballia district. The district did get independence in 1942 for a short period when the locals overthrew the British government and set up an administration under Chittu Pandey.

Ballia Culture

Ballia also holds religious significance for the Hindus. It has both big and small temples. A famous temple called the Bhrigu temple in Bhrigu Ashram is a situated here. It is said that Bhrigu Muni used to reside here. According to the Hindu mythology, he was the one who hit Lord Vishnu in the chest. Behind the Ashram is the old course of Ganga. An annual fest called Dadri Mela is held every year and hordes of people from all over the world come to visit it.

Ballia Tourism

Tourist places in Ballia
Surha Taal
Sahid Smarak
Brigu Mandir
Dardari Mela 
Basant Vihar Jeera Basti, Botanical Garden type
Sri. Chain Ram baba Temple, Sahatvar Ballia
Sri. Khapdia Baba Temple, Lalganj, Ballia
Sri. Vigyan Dev Jee Maharaj Temple, Poor Pakdi, Ballia
Sri. Kameshwar Dham ,Karron , Ballia
Sri. Jangli Baba mandir
Mangla Bhawani mandir, Ujiwar, Ballia
Jai Prakash Nagar Samark, Jai Prakash Nagar, Ballia