Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya The Mahabodhi Temple (literally: "Great Awakening Temple"), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, Buddhist temple in Bodhgaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The temple stands in the east to the Mahabodhi tree. Its architectural effect is superb. Its basement is 48 square feet and it rises in the form of a cylindrical pyramid till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 170 ft, and on the top of the temple are chatras, which symbolise sovereignty of religion. Ruins Of Nalanda University Nalanda is about 90 km southeast of Patna. Although its history goes back to the times of the Buddha, the university at Nalanda was founded in the 5th century CE, and it flourished for the next 700 years. Its decline began in the late Pala period, but the final blow was the invasion by Bakhtiyar Khilji around 1200 CE. The subjects that were taught at Nalanda included Buddhist scriptures (of both the Mahayana and Hinayana schools), philosophy, theology, metaphysics, logic, grammar, astronomy and medicine. Chinese travellers Hiuen-Tsang and I-Tsing had written detailed accounts about the university. Ghora Katora Ghora Katora Lake is a beautiful spot near Rajgir. It is said that the horses of the kings of Rajgir used to drink water here. The shape of the lake resembles that of a horse and the lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides. It is located near World Peace Pagoda. Surrounded by hills, the lake looks picturesque and makes for an ideal trip. Horse carts or tongas and bicycles help tourists reach them. One can enjoy boating here. It is a very relaxing place and all one can hear is the sound of wind and water. SHER SHAH SURI TOMB The Tomb of Sher Shah Suri is situated at Sasaram in Rohtas district of Bihar. Sher Shah Suri’s tomb is a majestic example of ancient architecture. It has elements of Indo-Islamic architecture which include large open courtyards, high domes, and pillars; it has hints of Afghan architecture as well. This beautiful structure is a three-storeyed high mausoleum (approximately one hundred and twenty-two feet). It stands in the middle of an artificial square-shaped lake. TAKHAT SRI HARIMANDIR JI PATNA SAHIB Takhat Sri Harimandir Sahib Ji Patna Sahib is considered the second-holiest Takhat. Revered as the birthplace of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, it is one of the five seats of temporal authority of the Sikhs and has been consecrated by three Sikh Gurus. A symbol of valour and fearlessness, the shrine inspires great piety in pilgrims and holds pride of place in the glorious heritage of Patna city. Takhat Sri Harimandir Sahib Ji also known as Patna Sahib. Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir Vishwa Shanti Stupa is also called the Peace Pagoda. It is located at the highest point of Ratnagiri hill, at an altitude of 400 m in Rajgir, qualifying its serene charm as divine. Built completely with marble, the stupa comprises four golden statues of Lord Buddha, each representing his life periods of birth, enlightenment, preaching and death. There is a ropeway which helps tourists reach Vishwa Shanti Stupa atop Ratnagiri hill. The other way to reach this stupa is a serpentine staircase. ASHOKAN PILLAR Kolhua is a famous Buddhist excavation site situated approximately 65 km North-West of Patna. The excavations have revealed the famous Ashokan Pillar having a statue of a lion on the top. Excavations also revealed many other articles related to Buddhism. Emperor Ashoka built the Lion Pillar at Kolhua. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund. This pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon. Barabar Caves Barabar hills is unarguably the most sought-after tourist destination of Jehanabad district. It’s home to the world’s oldest surviving caves. Being a rare historical site today this has become an international tourist destination and attracts a fair number of foreign tourists every year. It is located near Makhdumpur village of Jehanabad district. For thousands of years, these caves remained as religious centers for innumerable Jain monks, but there are historical records to prove that even Gautama Buddha meditated in these caves. It has the special echo effect feature; which means that any sound made here lasts for 3 minutes. Maner Sharif Maner is a small town located 25 km (16 miles) west of Patna on NH 30, in Bihar. Maner Sharif shelters two very popular Muslim tombs: of Sufi saint Makhdoom Yahya Maneri, known as the Bari Dargah (the great shrine), and that of Makhdum Shah Daulat, popularly called Chhoti Dargah (the small shrine). There is a big dome on the top whose ceiling is full of different markings depicted from the Quran. In the mediaeval time, Maner Sharif used to be the principal site of learning and knowledge in the region. Jal Mandir The Jal Mandir (literally water temple) marks the spot where Lord Mahavira was cremated. It is said that there was such a huge demand for ashes from his funeral pyre that Jal mandir, as the name suggests, is a temple in the middle of a lake blooming with lotuses. The main deity of the beautiful temple is a very old “Charan Paduka” of Lord Mahavira. It marks the spot where the mortal remains of Lord Mahavira were cremated. It is believed that this temple was built by King Nandivardhan, the elder brother of Lord Mahavira. Mandar Hill Mandar Hill, a panoramic landscape of 800-ft-high granite hill, situated 50 km from Bhagalpur city, is associated with the legendary amritmanthana or churning of nectar from the sea. Legend has it that the hill was used by Gods to churn the ocean for procuring nectar. Basuki Nag, a holy snake, offered himself to serve as the rope, and the hill has an impression of the coil on it. Tutula Bhawani Tutula Bhawani (also Tutrahi or Titula Dham) is located near Tilauthu and approximately 20 km southwest from Dehri-on-Sone. From north-west and south-east, these are two large mountains.The two large mountains converge to create a green valley, which stretches to 1 mile. There's a spring falling in the middle and from the middle of the valley a kachuar river flows. All this creates a fascinating scene. Valmiki Tiger Reserve Valmiki Tiger Reserve forms the easternmost limit of the Himalayan Terai forests in India and is the only tiger reserve of Bihar. Situated in the Gangetic plains, the forest has a combination of bhabar and terai tracts. Valmiki Tiger Reserve lies in the north-western (mostly in the West Champaran) district of Bihar. Name of the district has been derived from two words Champa and Aranya, meaning Forest of Champa trees. The sanctuary is reported to shelter 250 species of birds, 53 mammals, 145 birds, 26 reptiles and 13 amphibians. 80-Ft Buddha Statue The 80-ft Buddha statue is one of the many stops in the Buddhist pilgrimage and tourist routes in Bodhgaya, Bihar (India). The great statue is a mix of sandstone blocks and red granite. It is possibly the largest in India and was consecrated on 18 November 1989 by the 14th Dalai Lama. The foundation stone for the statue was placed in 1982. Ruins Of Vikramshila Situated at Antichak in Kahalgaon sub-division, 38 km from Bhagalpur, the ancient Vikramshila University was famous as a centre of learning during the Pala dynasty. The university was established by King Dharmpala. Two things impressed Dharmpala and motivated him to establish the university; first, the rocky hillock anchored around the confluence of the Kosi and Ganga rivers at Bateshwar Sthan was not only a scenic attraction but also a popular Tantric site. Second, the Ganga here was Uttar Vahini (flowing northwards) and as such, the place was a pilgrim center which drew large crowds during Varsavardhana. Vishnupad Temple The temple was erected during 1787 by Queen Ahilyabai. A beautiful sacred place on the banks of Phalgu river, it is surrounded by rugged rocks on three sides and water on the fourth side. The second-largest city of Bihar is that ancient city which has been talked about in Ramayana (where Lord Rama went to Gaya to do pind-daan of his father Dashrath) and Mahabharata. It has also witnessed the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha. Following this, Gaya is a home to the legendary Vishnupad Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Golghar Golghar, an enormous granary, was built by Captain John Garstin for British army in 1786, after the terrible impact of 1770 famine. The winding stairway around this monument offers a brilliant view of the city and the Ganga flowing nearby. It is pillar-less with a wall of thickness of 3.6 m at the base height of 29 m. One can climb at the top of the Golghar through the 145 steps of its spiral stairway around it. The spiral staircase was designed to facilitate the passage of the workers who deliver their load through a hole at the top, and descend the other stairs. Manjhar Kund And Dhuan Kund Manjhar Kund and Dhuan Kund waterfalls situated on Kaimur hill, 10 km from Sasaram. According to ancient history, there was the tradition of carrying the Guru Granth Sahib. The people of the Sikh community used to stay in the Manjhar Kund for three days. It is said that the water of the Kund is full of natural minerals and very helpful in digesting food. It is the most beautiful spot and scenic place in Sawan. There is a tradition of fair on the first Sunday after the Raksha Bandhan festival. Kumrahar Park Kumrahar Park, situated in the middle of town, is the ancient heart of the city. Excavations around Patna have uncovered remains of the ancient city of Pataliputra – and the most significant findings were in Kumrahar, where an 80-pillared-hall with a wooden platform and a monastery-cum-hospital was discovered. While the hall was initially thought to be a royal durbar, later archaeological findings revealed that it was an assembly hall for Buddhists built during the time of Ashoka. The monastery-cum-hospital in the park, known as Arogya Vihar, dates to the 4th-5th century CE. A small potsherd with ‘Dharvantareh’ inscribed on it was found at the site. Karkatgarh Waterfall The Karkatgarh Waterfall was a crocodile hunting place for Mughal rulers and British officials who also came to enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna around the place. British officials constructed a dak bungalow with a view on the 300-feet-wide and 100-feet-high waterfall. British official Henry Ramsay mentioned it as the finest fall surrounded by a beautiful scenery. The fall is now part of the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Kaimur mountain range. It is located in the Chainpur block, which is adjacent to the border of Uttar Pradesh.
© Bonjour Media. All Rights Reserved.
