One of the oldest living cities in the world, Patna, the capital of Bihar, stands on the banks of River Ganges, proudly cradling in its heart the city's heritage, patriotism and culture. A bustling city with old neighbourhoods, Patna's heritage spans across two millennia. An epicentre for various religions, the city was the stronghold of several dynasties, and thus boasts a treasure trove of culture and traditions. Patna retains its historic charm, and antiquity whispers at every corner accentuated by a vibrant blend of a multitude of cultures - Buddhist, Sufi, Jain, Sikh and Hindu. With a plethora of heritage structures strewn across its landscape, Patna has a diversity that extends to education and art as well. Many legendary musicians and artists hail from this city, including Pandit Ram Chatur Mallik, Bari Zohrabai, Mushtari Bai, etc. The city is also the birthplace of popular styles of music like the dadra, kajli, khayaal and dhammar. Once the capital of the mighty Mauryan emperor Ashoka, Kusumpura (as Patna was then called), transformed into Pushpapura, followed by Pataliputra and Azeemabad to finally become Patna. During the Indian freedom movement, the city of Patna played a central role. Its Sadaqat Ashram, established by Mahatma Gandhi, was the meeting ground of several freedom fighters. Moreover, a memorial dedicated to patriotic college students, who were shot by the British for hoisting the Indian flag, stands till date to commemorate the sacrifice of the unforgettable heroes. The ashes of Gandhiji were also immersed in the holy Ganges from the Gandhi Ghat located here. Agam Kuan One of the most important early archaeological remains in Patna, the Agam Kuan (well) is located close to the Gulzarbagh railway station. The name means unfathomable well and it is widely believed to be associated with Mauryan emperor Ashoka. It is said that the Agam Kuan was part of king Ashoka's hell chambers and used for purposes of torture. Apparently, fire used to emanate from the well and offenders were thrown into this fiery well. A legend says that it is the site where emperor Ashoka killed his 99 brothers by throwing them into the well. His aim was to be the master of the throne of the Mauryan empire. Another myth says that the bottom of the well is connected to River Ganges. A saint once found a heavy log inside the well which had been lost in the sea earlier and so it was inferred that that the well is connected to the netherworld or patala (hell). There are eight arched windows that offer a peek at the deep waters. Apparently, during emperor Akbar's rule, a roofed structure was built around the well. There are several other fascinating tales related to this well. The Jain monk, Sudarshana, was thrown into the Agam Kuan by king Chand, but legend has it that he floated to the surface, seated on a lotus. The depth was believed to be 105 ft, but during a cleaning project in the 1990s, it was found to be 65 ft. It is said that this well never dries up and the water level fluctuates between 1 and 5 feet. Devotees throw flowers and coins into this well as it is considered auspicious. In olden times, it is said that gold and silver coins were thrown into the Agam Kuan by Mughal officials. Buddha Smriti Park The Buddha Smriti Park was developed by the Government of Bihar to commemorate the 2554th birthday of Lord Buddha. It is an urban oasis sprawling across a generous area of 22 acre. The highlight of the park are two Bodhi trees, planted by the Dalai Lama, which flank a statue of Lord Buddha. Also known as the Buddha Memorial Park, it is located on Frazer Road near Patna Junction, opposite the Mahavir Mandir. Aimed at highlighting the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, the multi-purpose park comprises the Pataliputra Karuna Stupa, a meditation centre, a library with numerous books on Buddhism, a museum as well as a Park of Memories. The 200-ft-high Pataliputra Karuna Stupa is a circular structure that is the most prominent feature of the park. It has several entrances and houses a relic of Lord Buddha, which is one of the eight original relics excavated from Vaishali, in a glass enclosure. There are several other relics, brought by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and several monks from Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea and Sri Lanka, kept in different caskets. The meditation centre is based on the plans of the Nalanda University monasteries. It has 60 cells and one can view the beautiful stupa from each of them. Along with artefacts, there are audio-visual and multimedia presentations about the life and teachings of Buddha in the museum. Eco Park (Rajdhani Vatika) An oasis of green, the beautiful Eco Park, Ecological Park or Rajdhani Vatika, is situated in the heart of the city, amidst bustling government offices. Spread over an expanse of 5 hectare, it is divided into two parts. In the first part, there is an open space for relaxing strolls, covering 1,445 m and a jogging track measuring 1,191 m. Besides, there is a collection of swings and rides that make up a Children’s Corner. Their Recreation Zone is a major attraction with an option of aqua zorbing. One interesting stop is the Cactus Smriti, an artwork by Subodh Gupta, made using kitchen utensils including forks, spoons, bowls and the like. There is another eye-catching sculpture called Raja Shailesh, built by artist Rajat Ghosh. Then there is the passage to the other section of the park which has display boards featuring the different stages of the life of Lord Buddha. The tunnel of sorts also has a circular ramp. There is a lake here where one can enjoy boating. Gandhi Ghat While there are several ghats (stepped banks of a river) on River Ganges in Patna, the Gandhi Ghat is the most popular. It is named after the great leader of the freedom struggle of India, Mahatma Gandhi, whose ashes are believed to have been immersed in Ganga from this ghat. Every weekend, the ghat comes alive as the evening arti (a ritual performed with lamps) of the river is conducted here. Priests dressed in saffron robes, perform the arti, along with prayers and songs. The start of the arti is marked by the blowing of a conch shell. Visitors can also enjoy boat rides at the ghat. The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) runs a river cruise ship, the MV Ganga Vihar, from here. Watching the ritual of the arti unfold from the ship or any hired boat is a memorable experience. Gandhi Maidan A sprawling ground at the centre of the city, spread across 62 acre, the Gandhi Maidan is Patna's most popular landmark. It was here that Mahatma Gandhi held his prayer meetings, when he visited the city. Rows of handsome trees line the periphery of the ground. Today, surrounded by a busy market area, offices and hotels, it hosts several exhibitions and fairs throughout the year, one of the most iconic among them being the annual Patna Book Fair that lasts a fortnight and sees streams of visitors throughout its duration. A statue of Mahatma Gandhi, after whom the ground is named, stands towards the south of Gandhi Maidan. The Republic Day parade as well as the Independence Day ceremony are organised here. Till date, major political rallies are organised from this venue. It is the entry/exit for several major roads of Patna city including Exhibition Road, Frazer Road and Ashok Rajpath. Known as Patna Lawn during the British era, it used to be a golf course from 1824 to 1833. Horse racing was another popular sport that was started here. Gandhi Setu Spanning 5,750 m, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu (also known as Gandhi Setu and Ganga Setu) is India's second-longest bridge. Built across River Ganges, it connects Patna to Hajipur. It spans a length of approximately 5,750 m (or 18,860 ft) and was inaugurated by Indira Gandhi in May 1982, when she was the Prime Minister of the country. Today, it is estimated that over 85,000 vehicles along with 12,000 pedestrians use this bridge on a daily basis. It is almost a lifeline for the people of the state, making it easy for them to cover this long distance in a matter of minutes. There are 45 piers, 121 m in height, that support the bridge and the space left below it is enough to allow a ship to pass through. Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, which is also known as the National Gandhi Museum, is located to the north of Gandhi Maidan on the Ashok Raj Path in Patna. In June 1965, a white statue of Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated at this spot. The museum showcases a picture gallery depicting the life of Gandhiji, a library hall, a conference hall as well as a Gandhi Sahitya Kendra. Gol Ghar Resembling a beehive, this impressive building is situated near the Gandhi Maidan, at the heart of Patna. Literally translated, 'gol ghar' means round house, as the building has a circular shape, with amazingly, no pillars to support it from within. It stands tall at 29 m, with 3.6-m-wide base walls, making it an architectural marvel that’s worth a visit. The structure was built by British army's captain, John Garstin, as a huge granary for his soldiers, when a famine struck this region in 1770. Thousands of people were fed from this giant granary as at one time, it could hold over 13,000 tonne of grains. A staircase, built on the outer part of its wall, was used by porters to carry sacks of grains to the top of the building to fill it. There is a hole on the top into which the grain sacks used to be emptied. Today, the stairway is taken by tourists and city dwellers to reach the top of Gol Ghar and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Ganga river flowing by. Interestingly, Gol Ghar has never been filled to its maximum capacity as there were rumours that the doors of the granary open inwards, making passage impossible in case it is full. It is surrounded by a lush green garden – a perfect place for a family picnic once you have explored the historical monument. The structure is under renovation currently, the aim being to improve its appearance. Indira Gandhi Planetarium The Indira Gandhi Planetarium, also known as Taramandal (or a circle of stars) and Patna Planetarium, is one of the largest planetariums in the country. It showcases many exhibits relating to astronomy and galaxies, along with film shows on astronomy throughout the day. The planetarium boasts a state-of-the-art auditorium, meeting halls, workshop zones and exhibition rooms. There is a dome-shaped projection screen on which the films are screened. The audience needs to look up to see films about the night sky, the stars and the planets, making for a mesmerising experience. These scientific documentaries, about the creation and evolution of planet earth and other celestial bodies are accompanied by good-quality sound systems to enhance the impact. These regular film shows are held four times every day - at 12.30 pm, 2 pm, 3.30 pm and 5 pm. They are known for their educational value besides providing entertainment. Open to general public, the sky theatre where these films are screened has a seating capacity of 276 people. The Indira Gandhi Planetarium is situated inside the Indira Gandhi Science Complex which organises regular seminars and exhibitions, adding to the attractions in the area. While the foundation stone was laid in 1989, the planetarium was officially inaugurated in 1993 by Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was the chief minister of Bihar at that time. Jalan Museum Jalan Museum, also called Qila House, is built on the foundations of the fort of Sher Shah Suri. It houses the private collection of the Jalan family and some of its famed exhibits include a dinner service set that belonged to George III, Napoleon’s four-poster bed, Marie Antoinette’s Sevres porcelain, and several fine examples of Chinese jade and Mughal silver filigree artwork. Prior permission is required to visit the museum. Kesaria Kesaria is located about 114 km from Patna and is an important centre for Buddhist heritage, located on the Buddhist Circuit, in the Champaran district (east). It lies 40 km from Vaishali, while Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is a further 150 km away. It is home to one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, with a height of 104 ft and a base circumference of 1,400 ft. Kesaria is also revered because it was the place where Lord Buddha spent one night before he attained Nirvana (enlightenment). It is believed that the Lichhivis, who were asked to return to Vaishali after his death, built this stupa to commemorate the end-life of Lord Buddha. It is estimated to have been built between 200 AD and 750 AD. Earlier just a large mound, it was excavated in 1998 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The ASI has pegged the original height at 150 ft, which got eroded over the years to 123 ft. Built over six floors, the stupa is home to several statues of Lord Buddha in various postures, including the Bhoomi Sparsha Mudra. These are built using soil and pebbles. Several coins, arrow heads, items of terracotta and copper, earthen lamps, decorative bricks have been unearthed here. Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library The gorgeous Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library is located on the banks of River Ganges, next to the bustling Ashok Rajpath. It is a national library that was opened to the public in 1891. The beauty of its exhibits is that they are one man's collection – assimilated by Mohammad Baksh and then added to by his son Khuda Baksh. Mohammad Baksh gave a collection of 1,400 manuscripts to his son, who turned them into a passion. A special person was hired by Khuda Baksh to travel to Arab countries to source manuscripts that could be added to this collection. In 1888, he got a two-storey building constructed for 4,000 manuscripts and opened it to the general public. Today, the library is visited by scholars from across the globe in search of research material. Apart from a huge collection of Urdu literature, the library houses rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts, Rajput artwork, Mughal paintings, unique items like the holy Quran inscribed on a book merely 25 mm wide and a mix of books and literature from the Moorish University of Cordoba in Spain. One will also find books belonging to the Mughal period that have handmade paintings showcasing the life and culture of those times. There are manuscripts showcasing excellent calligraphy skills, written on palm leaves. Many of these volumes cannot be found elsewhere in the world. There are 21,000 oriental manuscripts and over two-and-a-half lakh books in this library today. The Khuda Baksh Oriental Library was declared as an Institution of National Importance by an act of Parliament in 1969. It is now completely funded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The library has a printing press that prints a journal every three months and a conservation lab to help preserve the ancient manuscripts. Kumhrar Located on the outskirts of Patna, Kumhrar is the site where the archaeological remains of the ancient city of Pataliputra were found. The most striking ruin found is that of an 80-pillared hall made of sandstone, dating back to around 300 BC (the Mauryan period), which is said to be the location of the third Buddhist Council. Pataliputra was ruled by great kings like Ajatasatru (491–459 BC), Chandragupta (321–297 BC) and Ashoka (274–237 BC). Excavations have proven that this magnificent city flourished between 600 BC and 600 AD. For about 1,000 years Pataliputra served as the capital of several great Indian dynasties like Saisunaga, Nanda, Maurya, Sunga and Gupta. It was also one of the most important centres of education, art and culture, commerce and religion. The first prominent account of Pataliputra is found in Indica, a book authored in 300 BC by Megasthenese, the Greek ambassador at the court of Chandragupta Maurya, who mentions the city as Palibothra. According to Megasthenese, the city was shaped like a parallelogram, spreading about 14 km east-west along the Ganges. Its circumference was about 36 km. The city was protected by gigantic wooden stake-walls and a broad and deep moat. Remnants of the wooden stake-wall have been excavated at several locations in Patna, including Lohanipur, Bahadurpur, Sandalpur, Bulandibagh and Kumhrar. Today, Kumhrar has a park and has a museum displaying the excavations. It is located about 6 km from Patna Railway Station. Madhubani Painting Madhubani painting is a rural art form that was developed by the women of the Mithila region of Bihar. Traditionally done with rice paste and twigs, nibs or fingers, today, artists use paper and cloth for the colourful paintings. The paintings mostly depict mythological stories and earlier used to be done by the womenfolk to welcome the gods to their homes. The art form is said to have started at the time of the Ramayana, when King Janak commissioned artists to paint the proceedings of his daughter Sita’s wedding to Lord Rama. You can shop for Madhubani painted wall decor items or sarees in Patna city. In 2018, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) started a drive to depict the state’s heritage with social messages on the walls of the city. Maner About 30 km from Patna lies the small town of Maner, an ancient seat of learning. Among other monuments at Maner stand two important Mohammedan tombs. The first one is that of Makhdoom Yahia or Sheikh Yahia Maneri, known as the Bari Dargah and the other is that of Shah Daulat or Makhdum Daulat, and is called Chhoti Dargah. Ibrahim Khan, the then governor of Bihar, was a disciple of Makhdum Daulat and so, he constructed the monument in 1616 after the death of his spiritual leader in 1608. A gorgeous dome, a ceiling covered with inscriptions from the Quran, an ancient mosque built by Ibrahim Khan back in 1619, and other characteristically Jehangir-era architectural styles can be seen at this mausoleum. The carvings on the walls are exceptionally intricate and beautifully finished. In fact, it is considered to be the finest Mughal monument in Eastern India. It is said that the red and yellow stones used in the construction were brought all the way from Chunar district in Uttar Pradesh. The tomb of Yahiya Maneri lies in a mosque and is connected to the old bed of River Sone through a 400-ft-long tunnel. These tombs are well-known pilgrimage destinations where devotees come to offer a 'chadar' as a mark of their devotion. It is said that the waters of the river are as sweet as sugar and are used to make delicious ghee ladoos. One will also find a Buddhist temple and a Jain temple in Maner. Martyrs' Memorial The Martyr’s Memorial or Shaheed Smarak was constructed in the honour of seven young freedom fighters, who gave up their life during the Quit India Movement of 1942 in the struggle for India’s independence. It is a fairly modern structure that is located opposite the Patna Secretariat (also known as Patna Sachiwalaya or Old Secretariat) in the heart of the city. This life-size sculpture of the seven bravehearts marks the location where these freedom fighters fell after being shot while attempting to hoist the Indian national flag atop the Assembly building. It is believed that Dr Anugrah Narain, a well-known follower of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, was arrested while he tried to unfurl the tricolour in Patna. As a reaction to his arrest, the seven students attempted to hoist the national flag on their own but were killed by the British. The names of the freedom fighters are inscribed on the memorial. Umakant Prasad Sinha (Raman Ji), Ramanand Singh, Satish Prasad Jha, Jagatpati Kumar, Devipada Choudhry, Rajendra Singh and Ramgovind Singh… all of them were the victims of the bullets fired by British soldiers. It is said that the firing was not indiscriminate – the soldiers shot only at the person who was walking with the flag. But as one brave student fell, another came forward to take his place and carry the flag further. In the end, there were seven dead students and around 14 were injured. The foundation stone of the Martyr’s Memorial was laid by Mr Jairam Das Daulatram, the governor of Bihar, on August 15, 1947. The sculpture is made out of bronze, and showcases the seven students clad in dhoti-kurta and a Gandhi cap. One of them is holding the flag while the rest of the students have either fallen down, or are about to collapse. Museums Of Patna The rich heritage of the region is well-documented in its many museums, spread across Patna city. To start with, the Bihar Museum is a swanky steel and granite building that has been created by a Japanese design firm in collaboration with an Indian company. Located on a 13.5-acre-plot, it has a gallery area of 9,500 sq m, with different sections like the Orientation gallery, the Children’s gallery, History galleries and one on the Bihari diaspora. There is an intriguing Visible Storage gallery that showcases terracotta and coin artefacts, among others. The only prominent museum in the city before the Bihar Museum was built, is the grand Patna Museum. It sits in a calm, green garden and is an ideal place to reflect and also learn about the grand history of the city. Built during the British era, the museum houses a splendid collection of Mauryan and Gupta stone sculptures, some beautiful bronze Buddhist statues and early 19th century landscape paintings by Thomas and William Daniells. Jalan Museum, also called Qila House, is built on the foundations of the fort of Sher Shah Suri. It houses the private collection of the Jalan family and some of its famed exhibits include a dinner service set that belonged to George III, Napoleon’s four-poster bed, Marie Antoinette’s Sevres porcelain, and several fine examples of Chinese jade and Mughal silver filigree artwork. Prior permission is required to visit the museum. The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, which is also known as the National Gandhi Museum, is located to the north of Gandhi Maidan on the Ashok Raj Path in Patna. In June 1965, a white statue of Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated at this spot. The museum showcases a picture gallery depicting the life of Gandhiji, a library hall, a conference hall as well as a Gandhi Sahitya Kendra. Padri Ki Haveli Padri Ki Haveli is the oldest church in Bihar and is an important landmark in Patna. It is also known as Visitation of the blessed Virgin Mary and Mansion of Padre. People from all faiths flock to this church for prayer regularly. During Christmas, the Padri Ki Haveli has a festive look and sees a stream of devotees coming in to offer prayers. Padri Ki Haveli was built in 1713 by the Roman Catholics when they came to Bihar. It was re-designed to its present form in 1772 by a Venetian architect called Tirreto who came from Calcutta (now Kolkata) especially for this purpose. Also known as St Mary’s Church, its foundation stone measures 70 ft in length, 40 ft in width and 50 ft in height. It has witnessed many battles like the one between British traders and Nawab Mir Qasim (the ruler of Bengal) and the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. The most fascinating part of this institution’s history is that Mother Teresa received her formal training as a nurse here, in the year 1948. The room where she stayed has been marked and contains several of her belongings including a cot, a table and more. There is a notice board proclaiming: “Mother Teresa, who started her mission of love after undertaking training at Padri Ki Haveli, stayed in this room, 1948." The church bell is an awe-inspiring part of this structure’s architecture and can be seen from a distance. It is considered an architectural wonder and has much intricate detailing and inscriptions. Pathar Ki Masjid Parwez Shah, the son of Mughal emperor Jahangir (Jehangir), built Pathar Ki Masjid on the banks of River Ganga when he was the governor of Bihar. Literally translating into stone mosque, it is widely considered to be one of the few remaining sites displaying Mughal architecture in the city. Also believed to be the oldest mosque in Patna, it displays a medieval-type of architecture and is built on a raised platform with a stunning central dome. There are four small minarets at the corners and two long minarets at the entrance of the mosque. Verses from the Holy Quran grace the inner walls. Despite its small size, it is very popular with devotees and lights up on festivals like Eid, when thousands throng the mosque. Not just Muslims, people from all faiths come to the mosque to offer prayers and find spiritual sustenance. Besides, several other religious functions are held here. In the olden days, it used to be the venue for several social gatherings. Patna Museum Patna Museum sits in a calm, green garden and is an ideal place to reflect and learn about the grand history of the city. Built during the British era, the museum houses a splendid collection of Mauryan and Gupta stone sculptures, some beautiful bronze Buddhist statues and early 19th century landscape paintings by Thomas and William Daniells. Sadaqat Ashram Located approximately 7 km from the airport, on the banks of the Ganga River, the Sadaqat Ashram lies beside the main road of the Digha area in a peaceful area. The Sadaqat Ashram is where India's first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad lived after his retirement in 1962. The last days of his life were spent in the calm environs of this ashram. Today, there is a small museum called the Rajendra Smriti Sangrahalaya that displays his personal belongings as well as several items that were used in India’s freedom struggle. Besides, there are several grand paintings on display. This ashram was established by Mahatma Gandhi in 1921. The land for the ashram, believed to be spread across 20 acres of lush greenery, is said to have been donated by Khairun Miya, who was a friend of Maulana Mazharul Haque, who in turn was a close associate of Gandhiji. Khairun Miya had donated this piece of land to help further the national movement and several important meetings of well-known freedom fighters were held here. Today, the premises also house the Maulana Mazharul Haque library, which has a reading room with a good collection of books. Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park The Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park or the Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udhyan, popular as Patna Zoo, is located at Bailey Road in Patna. Considered the green lung of the city, it was established in 1969. Counted among the largest zoos in the country, it is home to approximately 800 animals of different species as well as numerous varieties of plants and trees. Besides, there is a big pond in the middle from which several jungle trails start, winding through the park. Together, they make this park an exciting and fun exploration experience for people of all ages. The total area of the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park is approximately 153 acre and it is virtually impossible to see the entire park in a single visit. The park is famed for being home to the royal Bengal tiger, besides species of colourful birds, chimpanzees, the one-horned rhinoceros, lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants, a variety of monkeys, deer and hippopotamuses etc. The total wildlife count includes 338 types of mammals, 355 species of birds, and 471 types of reptiles. The park also houses an aquarium with over 30 species of rare fish. It is located in a pond on an artificial island. One needs to purchase additional entry tickets for the aquarium. Other sights of interest include a rose garden, herbal garden, a green house, a children's park, a lake, a tree house and a jungle trail. There is a snake house as well with around 30 varieties of serpents. Separate museums for bats, turtles and owls are also in the offing. Visitors can also go around the park in a five-compartment toy train that runs at regular intervals. There is also the option of boating in the pond here. Sher Shah Suri Masjid Considered a landmark in Patna, it is the biggest mosque of the city. It is well known by the locals as Shershahi. The aim of building it over such a generous space was to ensure that large numbers could gather at this mosque and pray together. Architecture-wise, the mosque is sure to leave one impressed. There is an octagonal stone slab on top of the tomb inside the masjid complex. A big dome lies at the centre of the roof and there are four smaller domes constructed around it, ensuring a unique aesthetic appeal. But there is much more to this grand mosque when it comes to the architecture. The designing of the domes, done so many years ago, has to be commended for its precision. From every angle that you view the domes when you are inside the mosque, you can only see three domes at a time. And, even when you view them standing outside the mosque, you can only view three of the five domes on top of the mosque. This 16th century mosque was built by emperor Sher Shah Suri, who founded an empire, with its capital in Sasaram, in the state of Bihar. He had got the mosque constructed to commemorate his reign. The structure has strong Afghan architectural influences and is one of the many beautiful mosques in Bihar. Many say the great king got the mosque built when he won the battle against Mughal emperor Humanyu. Located to the west of Dhawalpura, at the south-west end of the Purab Darwaza, it was constructed between the years 1540 and 1545. The Sher Shah Suri Masjid is open to visitors on all seven days of the week and has always been well appreciated by tourists from across the world for its beautiful and inspiring architecture. Shri Krishna Science Centre A part of the National Council of Science Museums, the Shri Krishna Science Centre is Bihar’s only regional-level science centre, and also the country’s first. It was established in 1978 and was named after Bihar’s first Chief Minister. Since its founding, it has been promoting the idea of “science education for all” through non-formal means of instruction. It lies towards the south-east of Gandhi Maidan, in a quiet lane. The beautiful garden that lies alongside is also designed to showcase some principles of science. At the entrance is a large and colourful display board with the rotating blades of a windmill prototype and echoes of dinosaur calls. One can see the time based on the location of the sun in the Sun dial at the entrance. Each of the three floors of the main building are dedicated to a specific themes related to science. In the Fun Science Gallery on the ground floor, one will come across several kinds of equipment demonstrating scientific principles. The energy ball, for instance, demonstrates the conversion of energy from one form to another with the help of balls that roll, turn wheels, hit bells and create melodies on a xylophone. Other exhibits include organ pipes, curving train and infinite train, magic tap, lazy tubes, illusive sphere, momentum multiplier etc. There is also a workshop and a conference hall on this floor. The first floor has many sections including the mirror section and the ocean life section. Besides, there is a floating ball that demonstrates Bernoulli’s principle and a vortex that is based on centrifugal force. Along with an auditorium, this floor also has an exhibit of the human evolution. On the third floor are clearly demonstrated the beginning of life on earth. A 3D show is held here during the day after every two hours. Sonepur Mela The annual Sonepur Mela, one of Asia's largest and oldest cattle fairs, is held on Kartik Purnima, which generally falls in the month November, at Sonepur, around 30 km from Patna, at the confluence of Ganges and Gandak rivers. The site is regarded as holy by the Hindus and several visitors take a dip at the point of convergence and then offer prayers at the Hariharnath Temple. It is said that at the fair, horses and elephants for emperor Chandragupta Maurya's army used to be bought here. During the ancient times, cattle traders and buyers used to come from as far as Central Asia. The 14-day fair begins with a puja (ritual) at a temple and devotees always take a bath in the river to mark the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima. Today, the stalls at Sonepur Mela sell everything from garments, furniture and toys to utensils, agricultural implements, jewellery and handicrafts. There are also local musical performances, dances and magic shows to be enjoyed. Also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela, it sees visitors from across Asia. Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib This gurudwara, also known as Patna Sahib, marks the birth site of Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the highly venerated 10 Sikh gurus. Situated in the bustling Harmandir Gali in Patna's old quarters in the Chowk area, this sacred shrine is now known as one of the five takhts (Sikh seats of authority) of Sikhism. It was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the well-known ruler of Punjab. The gurudwara houses several personal belongings of Guru Gobind Singh, which include four iron arrows, weapons, a pair of sandals, and a pangura (cradle) with four stands covered with golden plates, which was the Guru's cradle during his childhood. The "Hukamnamas" of Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Tegh Bahadur are written in a book, which is kept here. The gurudwara sees significant footfalls during the festivities of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
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