About Bihar City

About Bihar City is located in the eastern part of the country and is an entirely land-locked state, although the outlet to the sea through the port of Kolkata is not far away. It shares its borders with Nepal and Jharkhand, Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Jamshedpur and Bokaro are famous for its steel plantations.

About Bihar City

This place is mainly known as a Buddhist circuit and the culture has a very strong influence of Buddhism. Initially, the Buddhist trait starts at Patna. Buddha remained in Rajgir for five years after enlightenment; Hill of Gridhrakuta is also very famous as Buddha delivered most of his sermons from here.

Pataliputra, now Patna, is one of the oldest cities in the state and is one of the main attractions. It was the Magadha Empire’s capital the in 300 BC. Bhodgaya and Rajgir also have their share in the historical importance given to the state.

Bihar has a very old tradition of beautiful folk songs, sung during important family occasions, such as marriage, birth ceremonies, festivals, etc.

Language: Hindi, Bhojpuri

Transport: Road, Rail, Air

Capital: Patna

Important destinations:

Patna:

Patna is one of the oldest inhabited places of the world, situated on the southern banks of Ganges. This state capital was earlier known as Pataliputra. The name derived from Hindu goddesses Patan Devi. The tourist spots here reflect the glorious past of Pataliputra. Ancient monuments and constructions show the rich culture and heritage of Patna. It is one of the finest pilgrimage spots in India since it is home to several holy places such as Hanuman Mandir, Takht Shri Harmandir Saheb and Begum Hajjam's mosque. State Secretariat Building, Patna Planetorium, Golghar, Patna Museum, Zoological and Botanical garden and Padri Ki Haveli are other attractions.


Bodh Gaya:

One of the famous holy places for Hindus, Every year thousands of devotees visit this place. Vishnu temple is the main pilgrim centre of Gaya; it is believed the temple was built on lord Vishnu's footprints. Another believes is that if the final rights are performed in Gaya, the departed soul goes to heaven. Bodh Gaya located in the central part of Bihar. The climate is tropical

Gaya:

Gaya is one of the important holy places for Hindus and thousands of devotees throng this small town every year for pilgrimage. The main pilgrim center in Gaya is the Vishnu temple. Legend has it that this temple was built on Lord Vishnu's footsteps and is thus considered very sacred by the devotees. It is also believed by Hindus that if the final rights are performed in Gaya, the departed soul goes to heaven. Oct to Feb is the best time to visit the city. Inscriptions during King Ashoka's time were found near Gaya.

Vishnu temple was built in the Hindu Shikhar style of architecture and is located on the west bank of Falgu River at the southeastern edge of the town. The Brahmajuni hill is another famous spot. one thousand stone steps will lead the pilgrim to the hill top, from there you can have a full view of Gaya.

Rajgir:

This city situated in Nalanda district. Earlier it was the capital of Magadha. Rajgir means the home of loyalty. This place has been associated with lord Bhudda and Buddhism. The Jivekarmavan monastery was the favorite residence for Buddha. Even Bimbisar gave Venuvan Vihar to Buddha for his residence. It is said that it was at Rajgir that physician treated Buddha, Jivak after he was injured by his cousin Devdatta.The teachings of Buddha was penned down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first Buddhist Council. This is the reason why Rajgir has come up as one of the most important pilgrimage spot. Ajatshatru, Shanti Stupa, Venu Vana, Venu Vana, Karanda Tank, Sonbhandar Caves are some other attractions which you should not miss out.

Vaishali:

Vaishali today is the small village mainly for cultivation. The village is surrounded by mango groves as well as rice fields. The place is well associated with the name of the heroic king Vishal. Vaishali was the centre for trade and commerce during early ages. Jainism also has its origins in Vaishali. Vaishali remains an important pilgrimage centre for both Bhuddists and Jains. This is a very god location for historians and research students foraging for the past.

The double storied Buddhist monastery located in the outskirts of Vaishali. Buddha often discoursed here. He extended spiritual enfranchisement to women by admitting them to the Holy Order which was founded here. Legend has it that on one of his visits, several monkeys dug up a tank for his comfortable stay and offered him a bowl of honey. This is regarded as one of the great incidents in the legends of Buddha, who announced his approaching Nirvana and preached his last sermon here. 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.


Nalanda:

Nalanda, founded in the 5th century AD, is famous as the ancient seat of learning. The ruins of the world's most ancient university lies here which is 62 km from Bodhgaya and 90 km south of Patna. Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous center of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th centuries. Emperor Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples, monasteries and viharas here. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate structures here. An International Center for Buddhist Studies was established here in 1951.

Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex:

The total area is about 14 hectares. It has got beautiful gardens. A central walk way goes south to north divided the building. The monasteries are east of this central alley. The Vihara-1 is the most interesting building with its cells on two floors built around a central courtyard. A small chapel still retains a half broken statue of the Lord Buddha. Nalanda archeological museum is a very interesting place to visit.