Top Destinations In Bihar

Bihar's antiquity is evident from its name, which is derived from the ancient word "VIHARA" (monastery). It is indeed a land of monasteries. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim and Sikh shrines abound in this ancient land where India's first major empires rose and fell. Where the ruins of the worlds' earliest university slumbers in the void of time. The passage of Ganga, flowing wide and deep enrich the plains of Bihar before distributing in Bengal's deltoid zone.

Among all Indian states, Bihar is the one most intimately linked to the Buddha’s life, resulting in a trail of pilgrimages which have come to be known as the Buddhist circuit. The Buddhist trail begins at the capital city, Patna, where a noteworthy museum contains a collection of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures as well as a terracotta urn said to contain the ashes of Lord Buddha.

The Buddha spent five years at Rajgir after having attained enlightenment, and many of the remains at Rajgir commemorate various incidents related to life of Buddha, the hill of Gridhrakuta being perhaps the most important, as this is where the Buddha delivered most of his sermons. Bodhgaya is the spot where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, with the Mahabodhi Temple marking the precise location.

A monastic university flourished in Bihar (Nalanda) from the 5th to the 11th century. It is said to have contained nine million books, with 2,000 teachers to impart knowledge to 10,000 students who came from all over the Buddhist world. Lord Buddha himself taught here and Hieun Tsang, the 7th century Chinese traveler, was a student. Ongoing excavations have uncovered temples, monasteries and lecture halls. Rajgir, ‘the royal palace’, 12 km south, was the venue for the first Buddhist Council.

This landlocked state of Bihar is surrounded by Nepal, Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and comprises four cultural regions-Bhojpur, Mithila and Magadha and Chotanagpur. Rivers Kosi and Gandak from the north and Sone from the south join the Ganga. In the fertile plains, rice, sugarcane, oilseeds, gram, maize, jute, barley and wheat are cultivated.

Gaya

Gaya is a Hindu pilgrimage hub and a transit point for Buddhist pilgrimage center of Bodhgaya. It is believed that it was here under a tree that Buddha attained enlightenment. Gaya is a busy city situated on the bank of River Phalgu and it is replete with many temples and historic sites dating back to different eras that stand as the evidence to the successful rule of Maurya and Gupta dynasty here. The glory of Gaya was such that even Hiuen Tsang could not resist mentioning it in his travelogues.

Popular places nearby are Bodhgaya, Mahabodhi Temple, Vishnupad Temple, Magla Gauri Shrine, Dungeshwari Cave Temples, Barabar Caves, Bodhi Tree, Chinese Temple and Monastery, Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum, Muchalinda Lake, Thai Temple and Monastery, Royal Bhutan Monastery.

Nalanda

Nalanda is an important site to visit in Bihar. A perfect reflection of the time of flourishing Gupta and Pala period, Nalanda is an acclaimed tourist attraction in Bihar. It is believed that the last and most famous Jain Tirthankara, Mahavira, spent 14 monsoon seasons here. Buddha is said to have delivered lectures near the mango grove in Nalanda. The fame of this education centre was to an extent that Hieun Tsang, the famous Chinese traveller, visited here and stayed for at least two years. Even, I-tsing, another famous Chinese voyager, stayed at Nalanda for about 10 years. Today most parts of Nalanda lie in ruins but the place is surely worth exploring!

Famous Places near Nalanda are Nalanda Archaeological Museum, Xuanzang Memorial Hall, Nalanda Multimedia Museum, Silao, Surajpur Baragaon,Rajgir Dance Festival ( in October).

Patna

Situated on the southern bank of Ganga, Patna is the largest city of Bihar. Better known as Patliputra in ancient India, the city is also believed to be the one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Patna is a pilgrimage for Sikh devotees as it is reckoned to be the birthplace of the last Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee. The city flourished in the period of Haryanka, Nanda, Mauryan, Shunga, Gupta and Pala, and earned fame across India. Today’s Patna is a developing city, which is endeavouring to match up to the modernisation; malls, high-end hotels and theatres have cropped in the city.

Altogether, Patna is a decent destination with most of the modern facilities available. Famous places to visit in Patna are Kumhrar, Didarganj Yakshi, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Gurdwara Pahila Bara, Gurdwara Gobind Ghat, Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh, Gurdwara Bal Leela, Gurdwara Handi Sahib, Padri Ki Haveli, Golghar, Buddha Smriti Park, Patna Museum, Qila House.

Vaishali

Vaishali is an important archaeological site that was once the capital city of Licchavi rulers. Vaishali earned fame as a birthplace of last Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavira It is believed that Mahavira was born and brought up in 6th century BCE in Kundalagram of Republic of Vaishali. Another major event this place was a witness to was the last sermon of Buddha in 483 BCE. Vaishali was a prosperous kingdom during the time of Buddha, it is also known for its beautiful courtesan Amrapali. So, you see, one has enough to recall in Vaishali and adding to its historic charm is the well-preserved Ashokan Pillar. This ancient city finds mention in the travel accounts of eminent Chinese travellers like Fa-hien and Hieun Tsang.

Famous Places near Vaishali are Relic Stupa, Kutagarasala Vihara, Coronation Tank, World Peace Pagoda, Archaeological Survey of India Museum, Bawan Pokhar Temple, Kundalpur, Raja Vishal ka Garh, Choumukhi Mahadeva.