Bihar

The eastern Indian state of Bihar has an indelible place in Indian history of the ancient and medieval period. A seat of ancient civilisations, the state has jealously preserved her heritage for the benefit of upcoming generations. Undoubtedly, a tour to have a glimpse of the preserved heritage would be a rewarding experience.

The sacred river Ganga, cutting Bihar from west to east, bestowed Bihar with such fertility that a host of political and cultural civilisations flourished at different times in history. The name Bihar is derived from Vihara , meaning monastery.

The state has been a major religious centre for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Lord Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya sitting and meditating under the Bodhi tree. The Mahabodhi temple of the place is visited by devotees from all over the world in large numbers. A descendant of the original Bodhi tree still flourishes in Bodhgaya. Nalanda had the renowned Buddhist university in the 5th century AD. The ruins of Nalanda are still a captivating sight. At Vaishali, Lord Mahavira was born and Lord Buddha delivered his last sermons and announced his Mahaprayan. Rajgir is where both Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha spent considerable period of their lives. Pawapuri, sacred to followers of Jain community is the place where Lord Mahavira had breathed his last.

The list does not end there. Champaran in north Bihar figures prominently in the freedom struggle of India. It is from here that Mahatma Gandhi launched a strong movement against Britishers. Aurangabad in south Bihar is another place of historical importance. Vikramshila has the ruins of a Buddhist university and Sasaram has the tomb of Afghan emperor Sher Shah Suri. Patna, the capital city of Bihar and birth place of tenth Sikh Guru, Govind Singh also holds a lot of promises for tourists.

The best buys of Bihar include decorative pieces made out of stone and bead-jewellery. Local handicraft and handloom products are also very attractive. Tilcoot-a kind of sweet, is famous all over the state.

Bihar can be reached easily by air, rail and road. Travelling to the various tourist destinations within Bihar is also a hassle free affair. It is true that Bihar had failed to develop her infrastructure adequately in the past hampering the growth of tourism sector. However, things have vastly improved now. On the north, Bihar shares international boundary with Nepal. To its east and west are the states of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. To the south of Bihar is the newly carved out state of Jharkhand.

A state of tremendous religious importance, a tour to Bihar shall be a great spiritual awakening

Patna

Patna is the capital city of Bihar, is a historical city, which has like Delhi, experienced the trauma and pain of being conquered. The heritage of Patna or Pataliputra as it was known, goes back to two millennia. This city was the seat of administration for many rulers and each of them ascended with a new name for their capital.

Kusumpura became Pushpapura, Patliputra, Azeemabad and now Patna. Pataliputra was the capital of Magadha, a kingdom, which dominated and influenced the politics of India for a long time. Located on the banks where rivers Sone and Ganga merge, this city has witnessed the rules of Chanakya, Chandragupta, Ashoka and the Nanda rulers.

How To Reach -
By Air: Connected with Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Lucknow, Ranchi.
By Rail: Connected to Bombay, Calcutta, Guwahati, Ranchi, Varanasi.
By Road: Nalanda- 90 kms, Rajgir- 102 kms, Pawapuri- 90 kms, Gaya- 172 kms, Bodhgaya- 179 kms, Raxaul- 210 kms, Ranchi- 335 kms, Muzzafarpur- 72 kms, Sasaram- 152 kms, Vaishali- 56 kms, Calcutta- 653 kms, Delhi- 997 kms.

PlacesTo See:
Kumrahar, Golghar, Har Mandir Takht, Martyrs’ memorial, Pathar ki Masjid, Sher Shah Suri Masjid, Khuda Baksh Oriental Library, Patna museum, Jalan museum, Sadaqat Ashram, Maner, Padri ki Haveli, Biological Park, Patna Yoga Vidyalaya, Quila House (Museum), Laxmi Narayan Temple, Pathar-Ki-Masjid, Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Rajendra Museum, Gandhi Museum.

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Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya is located in southern part of Bihar. Situated on the banks of Falgu river, a tributary of river Ganga, Bodhgaya is at a distance of 113 kms from Bihar's capital city of Patna. Bodhgaya is regarded as one of the four holiest places of Buddhism. It is here that Lord Buddha received enlightenment some 2500 years ago. Emperor Ashoka had also built some important Buddhist monuments at Bodhgaya. Tourists cutting across religious lines visit Bodhgaya in large numbers from all parts of the world to pay obeisance to Lord Buddha. Devotees also come to Bodhgaya to engage in Buddhist studies and enroll for courses on Buddhist meditation.

How To Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Gaya- 12 kms. Patna is connected to Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Ranchi & Lucknow.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is Gaya- 12 kms.
By Road: Gaya- 12 kms, Nalanda- 62 kms, Rajgir- 46 kms, Patna- 152 kms, Varanasi- 215 kms, Calcutta- 482 kms.

Places To See:
Mahabodhi Temple, Animeshlocan Chaiyata, Mohanta's Monastery, Ratnagar, Archaeological Museum, Tibetan Monastery, Thai Temple & Monastery, International Buddhist House & Japanese Temple, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, The Burmese Temple, The Chinese Temple & Monastery.

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Gaya

The ancient town of Gaya, located 100 kms south of Patna, is of great significance to Hindus and Budhhists. It is on the bank of Phalgu river. Here Lord Budhha preached the essence of life and Lord Vishnu preached the reality of death. It is believed that this place has been blessed by Lord Vishnu with purificatory powers to the "Atma".

The well known Vishnupad  temple is situated at Andhargaya on the bank of river Phalgu and about 3 Kms from the heart of the town whereas Bodhi briksha (Bodhi tree) and Mahabodhi temple is situated at Bodhgaya which is about 11/ 13 Kms from the heart of the town

Legend has it that a gentle demon named Gaya, appalled by the sorrow caused by death, complained to Vishnu, and as protest died for the world. Impressed by his resolve, Vishnu blessed Gaya with the power to absolve sinners. Like Varanasi, and many other riverside towns, Gaya is a "tirtha" - a crossing across the celestial divide.

How To Reach :

Air : Gaya airport is connected internationaly.Patna airport is 112 Kms
Rail : Gaya Railway station is well connected with New Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, Allahabad & Patna. 
Road : Gaya is connected by road from Patna, Rajgir, Hazaribag, Ranchi. Bihar State transport and private buses ply all the day.

Places To See : Brahma, Deo, Barabar caves, Pawapuri, Parasnath hill, Call of the hills, Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Netarhat, Palamau, Jamshedpur, Damodar Valley, Dhanbad, Bhagalpur, Monghyr.

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Vaishali

The world's first democracy with a duly elected council-- Vajji, had its seat of administration in Vaishali. Being associated with Buddha and Jain Tirthankars, Vaishali has emerged as a historical and scenic place. Lord Buddha came thrice here and also gave his last sermon at Vaishali. Amrapali, a courtesan, gifted a mango grove to Buddha and later she became a Buddhist nun. Vaishali was also the venue for the second Buddhist council, 100 years after the death of Buddha.

Vaishali is also considered to be the birthplace of Jain Tirthankar, Mahavira, by the Swetambar sect of Jains. Many historical monuments and material were found in the excavations at Vaishali.

How To Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Patna, connected to Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Ranchi and Lucknow.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Hajipur.
By Road: Patna- 55 kms, Muzaffarpur- 36 kms and Hajipur- 35 kms

Places To See:
Ashoka Pillar at Kolhua, Buddha Stupa I, Buddha Stupa II, Raja Vishal Ka Ghar, Coronation Tank, Museum, Bawan Pokhar Temple and Harikatora Temple, Miranji Ka Durgah, Kundupur.

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Pawapuri

Pawapuri is also known as Apapuri, it is believed that all sins for a devout Jain end here. Lord Mahavira who was the last Tirthankar breathed his last here around 500 B.C and was cremated on the bank of a large lake, overflowing with beautiful lotuses. Pawapuri, the place where Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, attained his enlightenment is located 38 kms from Rajgir and 90 kms from Patna.

Legend has it that after the cremation of Mahavira, in order to meet the demand for his ashes, a large amount of soil was removed from around the funeral pyre, creating the water-tank. The beautiful marble Jalmandir was later built in the middle of the tank. Jal Mandir, the white marble temple in the middle of this lake, blooming with beautiful lotus flowers affords a breathtakingly enchanting sight. A large number of Jain pilgrims throng here. Samosharan, another Jain temple, is also located here. There are five other temples in the vicinity.