Sitamarhi. Geeta Bhawan located in Dumra, Sitamarhi is not just a building, but a living evidence of history, culture and freedom movement. In 1959, Sanwaliya Babu’s house was converted into a library of religious books and it was named ‘Geeta Bhawan’. On its establishment, great people like the country’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Maharishi Purushottam Das Tandon and Shivanand Ji Maharaj had sent recommendation letters and expressed their good wishes. That recommendation letter is still safe in the building, which makes it even more proud.
Big leaders used to stay here
The specialty of Geeta Bhawan is not only its library, but also the history of the country’s big leaders staying here. Dr. Rajendra Prasad came here for the first time in 1931. Due to Sanwaliya Babu’s relation with Dr. Rajendra Prasad, he used to stay here whenever he came to Sitamarhi. Sanwaliya Babu’s grandson Dr. Anand Prakash Verma confirms his coming here thrice.
He tells that his grandfather also got inspiration from Dr. Rajendra Prasad to join Bapu and actively participate in the freedom movement. Rajendra Babu was his family relative because Sanwaliya Babu was a resident of Buxar, his house was burnt by the British, so he came to Sitamarhi with his family.
Big plans were made sitting here
The history of Geeta Bhawan is witness to many important chapters of the freedom movement. Many plans for Champaran Movement, Salt Movement and struggle against the British were made sitting here. Mahatma Gandhi has also stayed here. It is said that major plans regarding the direction in which the movement against the British should proceed were made in the meetings of this building. This place was a special center of freedom seekers at that time, from where many activities were led.
There are also rare things from the British era here
Many rare relics related to Gandhiji are still safe in Geeta Bhawan. These include the letters written by Bapu, the fountain pen he used, the typewriter, Bapu’s iron bed, the chair and table of that time. Even the radio of the British era is still safe, the sound of which gradually becomes louder as it gets heated. All these things are being preserved very carefully by Dr. Anand Prakash Verma and his wife Mamta Verma, due to which this place has become a special attraction for researchers and history lovers.
has become a research site
This center of knowledge and culture still holds the treasure of thousands of books. Along with Vedas, Richas, religious books, about 5 thousand rare books of Hindi, English, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi and Arabic languages are kept here. There are many books which are no longer available in general libraries. This is why Geeta Bhawan has become a unique place for studies, research and cultural experience.
heritage for future generations
This historical place of Sitamarhi has left its indelible mark from the freedom movement to literature, culture and education. Self. Sanwaliya Bihari Verma, who was the first Legislative Councilor of the district and a freedom fighter, had made many important strategies of the movement while sitting here. In 1923, on Gandhiji’s suggestion, he left his government job and started practicing law and devoted his life to serving the country.
Today Geeta Bhavan contains within itself a rare chapter of their struggle, the legacy of Gandhi-Rajendra Prasad and India’s independence history. This heritage remains a source of inspiration for the coming generations.
