Gorakhpu is Situated on the basin of rivers Rapti and Rohini. The geographical shape of the Gorakhpur City is of bowl. The west of the city is guarded by cool Rapti river while the east is associated with excel Sal Forest, giving the divine sense of peace with cool breeze every moment. The south is showered with the power of excellence, in shape of greenish Ramgarh Tal and north is the plinth of city's advancement.
The present district of Gorakhpur, 265 Kms east of capital Lucknow, on National Highway -28 lies between Latitude 26° 46´ N and Longitude 83° 22´ E, covers the geographical area of 3483.8 Sq. km. It is bounded by districts Mahrajganj in the north, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh and Mau in the south, Kushinagar and Deoria in the east and Sant Kabirnagar in the west. Gorakhpur is an important centre of Eastern U.P. It is the headquarter of North-Eastern Railway. Air Force Station, and the main terminus for Kushinagar, Kapilvastu and Nepal.
Rail : Gorakhpur is well connected with all major cities of India. It has computer- reservation facility. Details of Important trains connecting Gorakhpur is given below :
Roadways : Frequent road-transport is available for all major cities of U.P. The main Bus-stand is near railway station . Buses are available since early in the morning (3.00 Am) till late night, from Gorakhpur to Sanauli. Also, frequent service is available for other routes like Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi etc. Link service for taking the Sharjah plane is also available, twice a week i.e. Sunday and Wednesday at 6.00 am.
Air : Air Force Station is 8 Km. from the railway station. On 8th March, 2003 it has been inaugurated as a commercial airport. Daily flights are available from Gorakhpur to Delhi and and Calcutta via Lucknow. The timings of the flight available at present are :
Another airstrip of U.P. Civil Aviation is also available in Kasia, 55 km. from Gorakhpur in Kushinagar district. Nearest other commercial Airports are Lucknow and Varanasi.
Terracotta Town Situated at a distance of 9 to 17 km from Gorakhpur city, there are many villages, which are famous for terracotta products.
One of the main features of Gorakhpur's culture is a tradition of folk-songs and folk-dances. Folk-songs are also performed at various festivals during the year. Thekaharwa is sung at Deepawali, the Alha and the kajari during the rainy and winter nights, and the Phaag during Holi.One of the biggest part of Gorakhpur’s culture is the tradition of folk-songs and folk-dances. This is a very artistic vivid part of Gorakhpur’s culture. After a long day of work they unwind with singing and dancing. They have different dances and songs for special occasions also. Folk-songs are performed at different festivals and seasons during the year. They sing the kaharwa at Deepawali, the Alha, Kajri,k Barahmasi during the rainy and winter nights, and the Phaag during Holi. The people of Gorakhpur use the harmonium, dholak, manjira, mridung, nagara, thali, and nagara as musical instruments when they perform. Some of the most popular folk-dances is saved for the special occasion of festivals, fairs, and marriages to celebrate. Gorakhpur’s heritage of songs and dances is an important part of their culture.
Traditional cuisine includes platters of Galawati and Kakori kababs in Oudh and fish. Wheat, rice, gram, maize, and pulses along with curd, milk, vegetables, ghee and vegetable oils, constitute the items of daily food, rice being the staple food of the people.
4 Km. from Gorakhpur Jn. Rly. Station on Nepal Road. It is one of the most prominent and magnificent temples of this area. A one month-long "Makar Sankranti Mela" is organised here every year commencing on 14th January. Several lakhs of pilgrims and tourists visit the temple during the Mela.
3 Km. from Rly. Station on Medical College Road, it has a full-size status of Lord Vishnu made of Kasauti (Black) stone. It belongs to Pal dynasty of 12th Century A.D. This status was taken to Great Britain by the British rulers. But the Queen of Majhauli Raj fought a case in Privy Council of U.K. and regained the same. The traditional 'Ram Lila' is organised here every year on the occasion of 'Dusshera'.
4 km. from Rly. Station, it is situated at Reti Chowk. All 18 parts of "SHREE MADBHAGWAT GITA" is written on the marble-walls. Other wall-hangings and painting reveal the events of life of Lord Rama & Krishna. All sorts of hindu religious books and handloom-textiles are sold here on subsidised rates.
9 km. from Rly. Station, it is situated on NH-28, just ahead of Air Force station. A suitable place for picnic.
3 km. from Rly. Station, it is situated on Pipraich road. There are enchanting statues of Radha-Krishna.
3 km. from Rly. Station, it is huge lake of 1700 acres. It is a good tourist place having a Water Sports Complex, Buddha Museum, Planetarium, Tourist Bungalow, Champa Vihar Park and Circuit House.
Near Rly. Station.
Gorakhpur is proud of having a galaxy of personalities who brought in national and international accolate and glory to the district through their best services in different walks of life. Even today, they are immortalized with institutions named after them.
BABA RAGHAVDAS
Raghvendra Rao (original name), born in pune, a staunch patriot and an eminent social worker is popularly known as the Gandhi of Poorvanchal. He aroused cultural and national feelings, spread out education, served the poorest / lepers and sacrificed his life for the socio- economic betterment of the people of Purvanchal. In recognition to his service the medical college is named after him. Also for the shelter of lepers, Kushth Sewa Ashram was set up by him, 1951 at Gorakhpur. The noble saint and philosopher left for his heavenly abode on 15th January, 1958.
RAMPRASAD BISMIL (1897-1927)
Born in Shajahanpur, Ramprasad Bismil was a great revolutionary and believed in armed struggle against the British ruler. As the main accused in the famous Kakori Conspiracy Case (1925) he was hanged to death in Gorakhpur District Jail on 19th Dec.1927. He wrote his autobiography in jail, his last words being " I wish the downfall of the British Empire". His martyrdom at prime age inspired the people of Gorakhpur particularly and the nation to advance the freedom struggle to its logical end.
BABU BANDHU SINGH
The first great freedom fighter of Gorakhpur, waged Guerilla War with the Britishers, was at last arrested through an informer and hanged at Alinagar Chowk, Gorakhpur on 12th Aug. 1857. His supreme sacrifice remained a perpetual source of inspiration for the people of Gorakhpur till the attainment of freedom.
FIRAQ GORAKHPURI
Original name Raghupati Sahay, a noted Urdu poet, recipient of Gyanpeeth Award belonged to Gorakhpur.
PREM CHAND
Original name Ganpat Rai, World famous Hindi Writer, was born in Varanasi but Gorakhpur was his work-place. As a writer he got recognition from Gorakhpur during his stay as an Asst. teacher and Hostel Superintendent (1916-1921).
HANUMAN PRASAD PODDAR
Hanuman Prasad Poddar, lovingly called as Bhaijee, a multifacent personality, an editor of famous religious magazine 'Kalyan' is remembered for his untiring efforts to propogate and disseminate Hindu religion across the world.
MAHANT DIGVIJAYNATH
One of the famous founder of the Hindu Maha Sabha, a great nationalist and follower of yogi Gorakhnath, was closely associated with the famous Gorakhnath temple and established a number of educational institutions in the city. His contribution to the establishment of Gorakhpur University is significant.
Pt. S.N.M. TRIPATHI
Pt. Surti Narayan Mani Tripathi was the First ICS of UP State. He has held many important posts including the post of District Magistrate - Gorakhpur. That was the time when Pt. S.N.M. Tripathi took a vow to build an University in Gorakhpur. He was the Founder President of the Gorakhpur University. Other personalities like Mahant Digvijaynath, Shri Hanuman Prasad Poddar, Sardar Majithia were also members of the foundation team.
Pt. Dashrath Prasad Dwivedi
An editor of 'Swadesh' is known for his patriotic writings-editing.
VIR BAHADUR SINGH
Vir Bahadur Singh, real son of the soil, ex. Chief Minister of U.P. and Central Cabinet Minister of Communication, is widely remembered as the architect of modern Gorakhpur. Gorakhpur is indebted to him for ushering a series of developmental activities, the prominent being upgradation of the city Gorakhpur to B class and Nagar Nigam, creation of Gorakhpur Development Authority, construction of residential colonies, openeing of Sports College, Mahila I.T.I. and Navodaya Vidhyalaya, ambitous Ramgarh Project, Entertainment and Amusement Parks and widening of Roads.
Sir Surjit Singh Majithia
An Industrialist, founder of Sardar Nagar Sugar Mill and others. Sports loving and known for his charitable works.
Dr. Vidya Niwas Misra
Eminent Scholar of Hindi, Sanskrit Litrature resident of Gola Tehsil of Gorakhpur District. Padmeshree Awardee.
Smt. Janaki Devi
An Illiterate activist who reformed the people of many villages and is popular for her Social Activities. Resident of a Village of Pipraich Block, District Magistrate of Gorakhpur felicitated her alongwith other officials and public personalities.
Daler Mehndi
Popular Punjabi Singer, started his carrier from Gorakhpur District.
Jafar Gorakhpuri
Popular Filmy Song Writer known for his song 'Bada Lutfa tha jab .....' , belongs to Gorakhpur.
Syed Modi
An ace badminton player of Gorakhpur, eight times national champion(1980-87), recipient of Arjuna Award, winner of Gold Medal in Common Wealth Games(1982), bronze medalist of Asian games (1982), took participation in several international tournaments. He was known as the great stroke player both on forehand and backhand. Unfortunately, his promising life was cut short by the cruel assasin's bullet on 28th June. 1988.
NARENDRA HIRWANI
Narendra Hirwani, born and brought up in Gorakhpur but played Ranji for M.P. State, is the youngest cricket test player and became crickecters of the year (1988). National record of taking maximum number of wickets (16 for 136) in test match( against west Indies at Madras) goes to his credit.
Prem Maya
Hockey Player, represented and captained Indian Women Hockey team. Arjun Awardee.
Late Shri. Janardan Singh
Bharat Bhim and famous wrestler from Gorakhpur.
Panne Lal Yadav
India Fame Wrestler, represented India, in India and abroad. Yash Bahrti Awardee.
Ram Ashray Yadav, Chandra Vijay Singh, Janardan Yadav
Wrestlers, represented India Railways Team as well as Indian Team. All are Yash Bharti Awardee.
Bihar became the first state in India to have separate web page for every city and village in the state on its website www.brandbihar.com (Now www.brandbharat.com)
See the record in Limca Book of Records 2012 on Page No. 217