Bihar
Explore the charismatic state of state of India which lies along the eastern
Gangetic Plains in North India - Bihar. Encompassing Buddhist Pilgrimage sites,
Bihar becomes one of the famous destination on Indian map. A land that has been
the passing of many dynasties of ancient India, Bihar has also been the birth
place of two treat theologies -Buddhism and Jainism. Explore the land, people,
festivals, crafts, flora which epitomes diversity of the state, and enchant as
well as thrill tourists. Travel to Bihar and experience the magic beholded in
the state.
Bihar, today, is a quaint interface of the old and new. The state boasts of an
incredible range of mineral resources. The coal belt in Bihar is the mainstay of
thermal energy in India. Bihar's modern visage sports some of India's largest
steel and mining industries. Like in all ancient civilizations, the earliest
human settlements in India sprung up around its magnificent rivers. Few rivers
of the world have moulded the culture, economy and personality of the people
dwelling on their banks as the river Ganga has. Cutting straight across Bihar
from west to east, the bounteous Ganga nurtured a veritable fountainhead of
political and cultural civilizations, on its shores, down the millennia.
Getting There :
- By Air: Bihar has two airports – Patna, a domestic airport connected directly to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Ranchi and Gaya airport, a small international airport connected by Indian airlines to Kolkata and Bangkok.
- By Rail: Bihar is very well connected by rail lines to the rest of India. Most of the towns are interconnected and also directly connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai. Patna and Gaya are the best-connected towns.
Fast Facts :
- Area: 173,877 sq km
- Religion: Hinduism (82.42%), Islam (14.80%), Others (2.78%)
- Capital: Patna
- Languages: Hindi, Maithili, Bhojpuri
- Best time to visit: October to March
- Major Cities: Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Pawapuri , Rajgir , Vaishali , Patna , Gaya
Tourist Attractions :
Bodhgaya :
Bodhgaya is
where the Buddha attained enlightenment and gave the world a great religion like
Buddhism. It is very near the capital city of Patna. At a distance of around 125
km one can easily drive down from Patna. The Mahabodhi Temple is where Buddha
attained enlightenment. It has a Peepal tree that is said to have been grown
from the branches of the famed tree. The town houses an Archaeological Museum
and monasteries built by people of many Buddhist countries.
Rajgir :
Rajgir, meaning
"The Royal Palace", (Raja Griha) lays 90 kms South of Patna, and it was the
capital of Magdha Kingdom. Rajgir is a site of great sanctity and significance
for Buddhists. The Gridhakuta Hill, in Rajgir was the seat from where Buddha
delivered many of his sermons. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were
recorded in writing for the first time in the First Buddhist Council held at
Rajgir after the demise of Lord Buddha. Many sites of historical and
archaeological significance surround the Holy city of Rajgir. Bimbisara Jail
reminds one of the devoted Mauryan King Bimbisara being a Buddhist, was
imprisoned by his son Ajatashtru at this place where he spent his last days.
From here he could see Buddha climbing up the Gridhakuta Hill to do his
meditation.
Gaya :
Gaya is
one of the most important pilgrimage places for the Hindus. It is believed that
a Hindu will reach heaven if his last rites are offered under the celebrated
'Akshayabat' or immortal banyan tree, standing in the yard of Vishnupad temple.
Believed to be built on the footsteps of Vishnu, the grand temple was renovated
by Ahalyabai, queen of Indore. Bihar has some of the most sacred Buddhist and
Hindu shrines
Vaishali :
It is held
that the town derives its name from King Vishal, whose heroic deeds are narrated
in the Hindu epic Ramayana. However, history records that around the time
Pataliputra was the centre of political activity in the Gangetic plains,
Vaishali came into existence as centre of the Ganga, it was the seat of the
Republic of Vajji. Vaishali is credited with being the World's First Republic to
have a duly elected assembly of representatives and efficient administration.
Nalanda :
Once a famous
Buddhist university, Nalanda came into prominence about the 5th century A.D. and
was a great centre of learning for about 700 years. There is an array of
monastaries in the east and a row of temples on the west. Nearby is a museum
which has an interesting collection of Antiquities recovered from the site.
