# Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh

Pratapgarh, also called Belha or Bela Pratapgarh, is a town and municipality in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Pratapgarh district, part of the Prayagraj division, formerly known as Allahabad.

## Etymology

Pratapgarh was the name of a fort built by Sanat Kumar Singh (SO(MM) CWS NCL), a local king, at Rampur. Later, the area around the fort started to be known as Pratapgarh.

## Demographics

According to the 2011 census, the Pratapgarh urban area had a total population of 91,204, including Bela Pratapgarh's 76,133 and Pratapgarh NP's 15,071, with a total of 46,960 males and 44,244 females.

### Religion

Religion in Pratapgarh (2011 census) :
| Religion | Religion | Percent | Percent |
| Hinduism | Hinduism | 64.58% | 64.58% |
| Islam | Islam | 33.28% | 33.28% |
| Others | Others | 2.14% | 2.14% |
Majority in Pratapgarh are followers of Hinduism, with Muslims forming the second largest majority. The town also has significant populations of Christians and Sikhs.

## Economy

In 2006, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Pratapgarh one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Primarily, an agragrian district, for a while now, Pratapgarh has risen in ranks as the top producer of Aonla (Amla). The fruit grown here is sold all over India and the world in the form of sweets and medicines.

## Attractions
### Bhakti Mandir

Bhakti Mandir is a Hindu temple established by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. It is located in Kunda, Pratapgarh. The temple was inaugurated in November 2005. The temple features life-size deities of Shri Radha-Krishna and Shri Sita-Ram. The temple is managed by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat.

### Bakhshi Talab

This pond is in the Raniganj tehsil of village Hussainpur, which is also known as Pakka Talab or Bakshi Talab. This pond is believed to be before the British era. It is made from cooked lime. It was built by the zamindar (Bakshi Sao). This pond is situated on the Dehlupur Raniganj main road. The water of this pond has not dried up till date and there is a deep well in the middle of the pond, which directly connects this pond with Hades. This is a very big fish in the pond.A separate bath has been made for women to bathe in this pond

### Bela Devi Temple

The Belha Devi Temple is one of the important temples, situated in Pratapgarh, on the banks of River Sai on the western side of the Prayagraj-Ayodhya road. Here, Mother Goddess Belha or 'Belha Mai' is worshiped by devotees.

### Kisan Devta Mandir

Pratapgarh district has the world's first temple dedicated to farmers, named Kisan Devta Mandir. In this district, farmers are revered as gods. The temple was established by Shailendra Yogi, a homoeopathic doctor, in Sarai Mahesh village of Patti tehsil of Pratapgarh in 2015. The six feet tall idol made of sandstone and holding a plough is accompanied by an idol of Kisan Devi.

### Maa Barahi Devi Dham (Chauharjan Devi)

A temple dedicated to Maa Barahi in Pratapgarh. is also known as Chauharjan Devi.

## Transport
### Airport

The nearest airport Prayagraj Airport is at a distance of about 55 kilometres.

### Railways

Railway is the main transport form in this district and some junctions are Pratapgarh, Chilbila and Bhupia Mau. Pratapgarh Junction railway station handles 42 trains daily.

### Road

* Prayagraj -Ayodhya Highway (NH-330)
* Lucknow Varanasi highway (NH-31)
* Delhupur Raniganj Patti Akbarpur highway (SH-128)
* Ganga Expressway
* Prayagraj Unchahar Lucknow Highway

## Education
### Schools

* Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, Pratapgarh
* St.Anthony's Inter college,Pratapgarh

## Gallery

* Shani Dev Temple
* View of river Bakulahi from the Shani Dev Temple
* Chauharjan Devi (Maa Barahi) Temple
* Kamakshi Devi Temple, Kamasin