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{{See also|Ostinato#Indian classical music}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Lehara
|native_name = लेहरा
|native_name_lang = 
|other_name = Nehra; Nehra West; Nehra East
|settlement_type = Village
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|pushpin_map = India Bihar#India#Asia#Earth
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|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Bihar, India
|pushpin_label_position = right
|coordinates = {{Coord|26.148880841920764|N|86.10276956725744|E|display=inline,title}}
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|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
|subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Bihar]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]]
|subdivision_type3 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
|subdivision_name3 = [[Darbhanga district|Darbhanga]]
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|government_type = [[Gram Panchayat]]
|governing_body = *[[Nehra East]],
*[[Nehra West]]
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|population_as_of = 2011
|population_total = 17373<ref>https://www.cencus2011.co.i/data/village/227122-lehara-bihar.html {{Dead link|date=March 2022}}</ref>
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_note =
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|demographics_type1 = Languages
|demographics1_title1 = Official
|demographics1_info1 = [[Maithili language|Maithili]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Urdu language|Urdu]]
|timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
|utc_offset1 = +5:30
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|postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|Pin Code]]
|postal_code = 847233
|area_code_type = Telephone/STD code
|area_code = 06272
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|iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-BR]]
| registration_plate = BR-07
|blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
|blank1_info_sec1 = [[Darbhanga (Lok Sabha constituency)|Darbhanga]]
|blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
|blank2_info_sec1 = [[Darbhanga Rural (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Darbhanga Rural]]
|website = {{URL|darbhanga.bih.nic.in}}
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}}

'''Lehara,''' also known as '''Nehra''', is a large village and significant commercial hub situated in the [[Manigachhi Assembly constituency|Manigachhi]] block of [[Darbhanga district]] in the state of [[Bihar]], [[India]].<ref name="BiharPrasad">{{cite book|author1=India. superintendent of census operations, Bihar|author2=Sjivraj Deo Prasad|title=District census handbook, Bihar|year=1965|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WFwjAQAAMAAJ|publisher=Govt. of Bihar|pages=141, 173, 56}}</ref>

== Governance ==
The village is administratively divided into two distinct [[Gram Panchayats]] to facilitate local governance:

*[[Nehra East]] (Nehra Purvi): This panchayat manages the eastern section and recently underwent development with the construction of a new [[Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan]].

*[[Nehra West]] (Nehra Pashchimi): This covers the western administrative area and manages separate state and central development schemes.

== Geography and demographics ==
*Location & Administration: It falls under the [[Manigachhi Assembly constituency]] and is part of the [[Darbhanga division]].

*Postal Code: The Pincode for Nehra is 847233.

*Connectivity: The village is approachable by all-weather roads and has its own police station, the Nehra Police Station.<ref>https://darbhanga.nic.in/whoswho/sho-nehra-op-2/</ref>

== Political significance ==
Nehra gained national media attention for being the "village of sons-in-law" (Sasural) to two prominent [[Members of Parliament]] (MP):

*[[Gopal Jee Thakur]]: Current [[BJP]] MP from [[Darbhanga (Lok Sabha constituency)|Darbhanga]]

*[[Kirti Azad]]: Former Darbhanga MP and current [[Trinamool Congress|TMC]] MP from [[West Bengal]].
== Economy and infrastructure ==
*[[Agriculture]]: The primary occupation remains agriculture, with a focus on local produce.
*[[Education]]: The village is an educational center for the block, housing High School Nehra and several primary schools like P.S. Nehra.
*[[Banking]]: The village is well-served by major financial institutions, including branches of [[Punjab National Bank]] and [[State Bank of India]].

== History ==
The history of Nehra is deeply intertwined with the broader history of the [[Mithila region]] and the influence of the [[Darbhanga Raj]]. While formal [[archaeological]] excavations are limited, the village's historical identity is defined by its [[landownership]] patterns and educational foundations.

=== Zamindari Era & Darbhanga Raj ===
During the [[British Raj]], Nehra was an integral part of the [[Darbhanga Raj]], one of the largest [[zamindari]] estates in India.

*Estate Influence: Much of the village's early [[infrastructure]] and land distribution were managed under the patronage of the [[Maharaja of Darbhanga]].

*Rajokhar Pokhar: This historic pond, central to the village, is believed to have been excavated during the reign of the [[royal family]] to serve as a [[perennial]] water source for the community and [[religious]] [[rituals]].

=== Pre-Independence educational growth ===
Unlike many surrounding rural areas, Nehra established itself as a center for learning well before 1947.

*[[High School Nehra]] (1949): Founded just after [[independence]], this institution was the result of local [[philanthropic]] efforts and [[land]] donations from prominent village families aimed at modernizing the region through [[education]].

*Scholarly Tradition: The village has a long history of producing [[scholars]] in [[Maithili Language|Maithili]] and [[Sanskrit]], contributing to the intellectual movement of [[Mithilanchal]].

=== Political evolution ===
Nehra’s history is unique due to its high-profile matrimonial connections, which shifted its status from a quiet agrarian village to a politically significant "VIP Village."

*The "Sasural" Legacy: The village gained national fame as the marital home for leaders like [[Kirti Azad]] (former MP and [[1983 World Cup winner]]) and [[Gopal Jee Thakur]]. This status historically accelerated local [[Community development|development]] projects, such as [[electrified]] [[railway lines]] and paved [[roads]].

=== Administrative transition ===
Originally a single administrative block, the village was eventually split into [[Nehra East]] and [[Nehra West]] to manage its growing population and the complex logistics of the [[Manigachhi Assembly constituency|Manigachhi]] Block.
== Education ==
Nehra serves as an educational hub for the [[Manigachhi Assembly constituency|Manigachhi block]], with several long-standing [[government]] and private institutions.

=== Higher education ===
The village is home to a significant constituent college of [[Lalit Narayan Mithila University]] (LNMU):

*Jayanand College ([[J.N. College, Nehra]]): A government-funded co-educational institution established to provide [[undergraduate]] courses in [[Commerce]], [[Science]] and [[Arts]]. It serves a large student population from Nehra and surrounding villages.

=== Secondary and senior secondary schools ===
There are separate large-scale government high schools for boys and girls:

*[[High School Nehra]]: Established in 1949, it is one of the oldest schools in the district, offering grades 9 to 12. It features a government building, a playground, and a library with over 700 books.

*[[Project Girls High School Nehra]]: Founded in 1985, it provides dedicated secondary education (grades 9–12) for female students.

=== Primary and middle schools ===
The village has a network of schools serving younger students, often categorized by locality:

*M.S. Nehra Girls: A government middle school (Grades 1–8) established in 1950.

*M.S. Nehra Balak: A central cluster school that oversees approximately 15 other small schools in the area.

*Primary School (P.S.) Nehra: A co-educational government primary school (Grades 1–5).

*Locality-based Schools: There are several smaller units like NPS Nehra (Yadav Tol) and Ps Rajwara Tole Nehra.

=== Private institutions ===
Several private schools offer English-medium education.

== J. N. College, Nehra: History ==
The history of higher education in Nehra is synonymous with
Jayanand College (often abbreviated as J.N. College), which transformed the village into a regional academic hub.

=== Foundation and early history ===
*Establishment: Jayanand College was founded in 1970 through the collective efforts of local [[Visionary|visionaries]] and [[philanthropists]] who wanted to provide higher education to the [[rural]] youth of the Manigachhi block.

*Naming: The college was named in honour of [[Pt. Jayanand Jha]], a respected figure in the region.

*University Affiliation: Initially started as a private initiative, it later became a [[Constituent]] Unit of [[Lalit Narayan Mithila University|Lalit Narayan Mithila University (LNMU), Darbhanga]]. This transition allowed the college to receive government funding and follow a standardised curriculum. [[J.N. College Nehra]] Official Website.

=== Growth and academic expansion ===
*[[Diversification (marketing strategy)|Diversification]]: While it began with a focus on [[Liberal Arts]], the college expanded to include a full Science Faculty, offering [[undergraduate degrees]] (B.A., B.Com and B.Sc. Honours) in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, and Zoology.

*Catering to the Hinterland: Historically, the college served as the primary destination for students from nearby villages like Raghopur, Haripur, Bishanpur, Paithan Kabai, and Manigachhi, who previously had to travel to [[Darbhanga|Darbhanga city]] for higher studies.

=== Political and social impact ===
*Student Politics: Given the village’s reputation for political awareness, the college has been a breeding ground for local [[leadership]] and student activism within the [[Mithila region]].

*Modernisation: In recent decades, the college has integrated vocational elements and improved its infrastructure, including a dedicated library and laboratory facilities to meet the standards set by the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] (UGC).
== Culture ==
Nehra is deeply rooted in the [[Mithilanchal|Mithila cultural]] heritage, known for its blend of traditional religious practices and a unique social reputation within the district.

The village is known for its traditional celebrations, particularly the [[Chhath]] festival held at the local Rajokhar Pokhar, which attracts devotees from across the [[Mithila region|Mithilanchal region]].

=== Regional identity===
*The "Paris of Mithilanchal": Locally, Nehra is often affectionately referred to as the “Paris of Mithilanchal”, a nickname that reflects its status as a well-developed, bustling village with urban-like amenities and a vibrant local market.

*Social Connectivity The village holds a unique social status as the Sasural (matrimonial home) of multiple high-profile [[political leaders]], leading to its reputation as a well-connected and politically aware community.
=== Religious landmarks ===
The village is home to several significant [[religious]] sites that serve as centers for communal gatherings:

*Rajokhar Pokhar: A large local pond central to the village's identity. It is the primary site for the [[Chhath Puja]] festival, where thousands of devotees gather to offer prayers to the [[Sun God]].

*[[Temples]]: Notable local shrines include the Mahavir Sthan, and several Shiva and Durga temples located within the Nehra West and East administrative areas.

=== Festivals and traditions ===
*Mithila Traditions: Residents participate in traditional [[Mithila folk festivals]] such as [[Sama Chakeva]] (celebrating brother-sister bonds) and [[Madhushravani]].

*[[Art and Craft]]: Like much of the Darbhanga district, the village is influenced by [[Mithila Painting|Mithila (Madhubani) painting]] and local handicrafts such as [[Sikki-Mauni]] (grass-weaving) and [[clay-toy]] making.

*[[Cuisine]]: Traditional [[Maithil]] food is a staple, with local specialties including [[Makhana]] (fox nuts), varieties of river [[fish]], and unique vegetable preparations like [[Tarua]] (vegetable fritters).

=== Annual fairs ===
Annual fairs (Melas) are common during major festivals like [[Kartik Purnima]], [[Rama Navami]], [[Janmashtami]] and [[Durga Puja]], serving as both religious events and vital social-commercial hubs for the surrounding smaller hamlets.
== See also ==

* [[List of villages in Darbhanga district]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Villages in Darbhanga district]]
[[Category:Long stubs with short prose]]

{{Darbhanga-geo-stub}}

Lehara - Revision history

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