One of the oldest places in the world, with a history spanning around 3,000 years, Bihar has spun a success story in tourism by initiating path-breaking steps the 12th largest state of India geographically, Bihar is amply mentioned in the Vedas, Puranas and epics. It is showered with varied epithets: A land of legends, an important place in India's spiritual and cultural history, the state that gave the world its first republic, and a land of scholars that gifted the world its first residential university. But, that apart,
Bihar Tourism is thinking ahead and not merely banking upon its past glory to boost tourism in the state. Sustainable economic development has led to a paradigm shift in tourism infrastructure in the state, in sync with modern times. World-class hotels; a world-class convention centre; 6,800 kilometres of re-laid roads, 1,600 bridges; malls and multiplexes; a floating restaurant on the River Ganges and a Buddha Park—both in Patna; special packages for the Sonepur Cattle Fair; Volvo luxury buses for taking tourists around the state; developing Nalanda as an international tourist destination on the lines of Bodh Gaya; and the launch of a special tourist train, The Mahaparinirvana, for the Buddhist circuit are some of the path-breaking initiatives taken by Bihar Tourism. Today, tourism is on an expanding spree in Bihar. The ripple effect of all these endeavours has been extremely positive. There has been a quantum jump in the number of tourists, especially foreign tourists, in the state. And one can safely claim that the state could easily be amongst the top ten in India—both for domestic as well as foreign tourists. However, Bihar has been attracting tourists by droves even before the wave of development swept the state. It has a past that can hardly be matched by any other state in India. An array of diverse tourist destinations corroborates Bihar's tourism potential.
A seat of learning
Historically, Bihar has been a major centre of learning. Its contribution in the field of education has been tremendous, since ages. Teachings of Buddhism were delivered through prominent ancient universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila. Nalanda, 90 kilometres southeast of Patna, is the world's first university of higher learning, and was a centre of Buddhist learning in its heydays. Lord Buddha stayed at Nalanda several times. The university attracted students from all over the world, especially from Japan. Korea and Thailand. The ruins of the ancient university still reveal separate compounds and temples in the campus. The Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur district was another significant centre of Buddhist learning.
Holy Trails
The state has many places that are closely linked with Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Sikhism. It gave birth to Buddhism and Jainism, and helped in the growth of Sikhism and Hinduism. Bihar is the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage site In the world. Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment to become Lord Buddha in Bodh Gaya, which is dotted with monasteries.
The Mahabodhi Temple here is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vaishali is the place where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon; it is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. Rajgir was frequented by the Buddha for his meditations. The _Ohs also consider Rajgir as a holy place as Lord Mahavira spent many years there. The Shanti Stupa and the monasteries built by the Japanese devotees on top of the Ratnagiri hill, at Rajgir, are worth a visit. Pawapuri is the place where Lord Mahavira attained nirvana. Bhojpur, Buxar, Gaya, Jam ui, Jehanabad, Madhepura, Madhubani, Munger, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi and West Champaran are part of the Ramayana Circuit. Takhat Shri Harimandir Sahib, in Patna. is a tribute to Guru Gobind Singh—the tenth Sikh Guru who was born here. Patna was also visited many times by Guru Nanak and Guru Tegh Bahadur.
A precious heirloom
Of major significance to the rest of the world are the Madhubani paintings in the MIthila region of Bihar. The paintings now done on cloth, hand-made paper and canvas have nature, Hindu religious motifs and Hindu deities as the recurrent themes. Bihar also has a rich tradition of rock paintings, lacquer works, the paintings of Patna Kalam (works from the Patna School of Paintings), wooden work, wood-carving, pottery, bamboo work, brass work and zari work.
Bihar has made a mark in the performing arts as well. Noted shehnal player and Bharat Ratna recipient, Ustad Bismillah Khan was from the state. Gaya was a centre of excellence for classical music, particularly the Tappo and the Thumri variety.
Celebrations galore
Along with the major Hindu festivals, Bihar celebrates local festivals like Chhath Pooja.Teej. Chitragupta Puja, Shrawani Mela and the Bihula-Bishari Puja. Throughout the year, over ten fairs are organised In Bihar; Sonepur Mela and Pltripaksha Mela being the most famous Held in the month of November every year on the banks of the Son River in the town of Sonepur, the fair is the largest cattle fair In Asia.
The Pitripaksha Mela, or the festival of souls, is a two-week-long fair organised in the months of September and October every year in Gaya, which Is 100 kilometres south of Patna and is an important religious centre for the Hindus. Hindu believers from different parts of India and abroad gather here for pindadaan or offering of prayers for the salvation of their souls.
Patna
This ancient and once powerful city does not merely get highlighted for being the capital of Bihar. it is also a useful base for the Buddhist circuit of Bihar. And, if you were to visit Hajipur, you would he using the 7.5- kilometre-long Mahatma Gandhi Setu—one of the world's longest river bridges that spans the Ganges between Patna and Hajipur. The bridge is one of the landmarks that has brought fame and recognition to Patna. Patna is dotted with historical spots like Kumhrar and Agam Kuan, both related to the Mauryan period. Other must-visits are the Patna Planetarium (one of the largest planetariums in Asia), the Khuda Baksh Oriental Library (which has it rare collection of Persian and Arabic manuscripts), the Golohar .
BIHAR ON YOUR TIPS
Bihar Tourism is thinking ahead and not merely banking upon its past glory to boost tourism in the state. Sustainable economic development has led to a paradigm shift in tourism infrastructure in the state, in sync with modern times. World-class hotels; a world-class convention centre; 6,800 kilometres of re-laid roads, 1,600 bridges; malls and multiplexes; a floating restaurant on the River Ganges and a Buddha Park—both in Patna; special packages for the Sonepur Cattle Fair; Volvo luxury buses for taking tourists around the state; developing Nalanda as an international tourist destination on the lines of Bodh Gaya; and the launch of a special tourist train, The Mahaparinirvana, for the Buddhist circuit are some of the path-breaking initiatives taken by Bihar Tourism. Today, tourism is on an expanding spree in Bihar. The ripple effect of all these endeavours has been extremely positive. There has been a quantum jump in the number of tourists, especially foreign tourists, in the state. And one can safely claim that the state could easily be amongst the top ten in India—both for domestic as well as foreign tourists. However, Bihar has been attracting tourists by droves even before the wave of development swept the state. It has a past that can hardly be matched by any other state in India. An array of diverse tourist destinations corroborates Bihar's tourism potential.
A seat of learning
Historically, Bihar has been a major centre of learning. Its contribution in the field of education has been tremendous, since ages. Teachings of Buddhism were delivered through prominent ancient universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila. Nalanda, 90 kilometres southeast of Patna, is the world's first university of higher learning, and was a centre of Buddhist learning in its heydays. Lord Buddha stayed at Nalanda several times. The university attracted students from all over the world, especially from Japan. Korea and Thailand. The ruins of the ancient university still reveal separate compounds and temples in the campus. The Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur district was another significant centre of Buddhist learning.
Holy Trails
The state has many places that are closely linked with Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Sikhism. It gave birth to Buddhism and Jainism, and helped in the growth of Sikhism and Hinduism. Bihar is the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage site In the world. Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment to become Lord Buddha in Bodh Gaya, which is dotted with monasteries.The Mahabodhi Temple here is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vaishali is the place where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon; it is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. Rajgir was frequented by the Buddha for his meditations. The _Ohs also consider Rajgir as a holy place as Lord Mahavira spent many years there. The Shanti Stupa and the monasteries built by the Japanese devotees on top of the Ratnagiri hill, at Rajgir, are worth a visit. Pawapuri is the place where Lord Mahavira attained nirvana. Bhojpur, Buxar, Gaya, Jam ui, Jehanabad, Madhepura, Madhubani, Munger, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi and West Champaran are part of the Ramayana Circuit. Takhat Shri Harimandir Sahib, in Patna. is a tribute to Guru Gobind Singh—the tenth Sikh Guru who was born here. Patna was also visited many times by Guru Nanak and Guru Tegh Bahadur.
A precious heirloom
Of major significance to the rest of the world are the Madhubani paintings in the MIthila region of Bihar. The paintings now done on cloth, hand-made paper and canvas have nature, Hindu religious motifs and Hindu deities as the recurrent themes. Bihar also has a rich tradition of rock paintings, lacquer works, the paintings of Patna Kalam (works from the Patna School of Paintings), wooden work, wood-carving, pottery, bamboo work, brass work and zari work.Bihar has made a mark in the performing arts as well. Noted shehnal player and Bharat Ratna recipient, Ustad Bismillah Khan was from the state. Gaya was a centre of excellence for classical music, particularly the Tappo and the Thumri variety.
Celebrations galore
Along with the major Hindu festivals, Bihar celebrates local festivals like Chhath Pooja.Teej. Chitragupta Puja, Shrawani Mela and the Bihula-Bishari Puja. Throughout the year, over ten fairs are organised In Bihar; Sonepur Mela and Pltripaksha Mela being the most famous Held in the month of November every year on the banks of the Son River in the town of Sonepur, the fair is the largest cattle fair In Asia.The Pitripaksha Mela, or the festival of souls, is a two-week-long fair organised in the months of September and October every year in Gaya, which Is 100 kilometres south of Patna and is an important religious centre for the Hindus. Hindu believers from different parts of India and abroad gather here for pindadaan or offering of prayers for the salvation of their souls.
Patna
This ancient and once powerful city does not merely get highlighted for being the capital of Bihar. it is also a useful base for the Buddhist circuit of Bihar. And, if you were to visit Hajipur, you would he using the 7.5- kilometre-long Mahatma Gandhi Setu—one of the world's longest river bridges that spans the Ganges between Patna and Hajipur. The bridge is one of the landmarks that has brought fame and recognition to Patna. Patna is dotted with historical spots like Kumhrar and Agam Kuan, both related to the Mauryan period. Other must-visits are the Patna Planetarium (one of the largest planetariums in Asia), the Khuda Baksh Oriental Library (which has it rare collection of Persian and Arabic manuscripts), the Golohar .
BIHAR ON YOUR TIPS
- The name 'Bihar' is derived from the Sanskrit word vihara, which means'abode. The third most-populated state of India is bounded by West Bengal in the east, Uttar Pradesh in the west, Nepal in the north and, Jharkhand in the south. The River Ganga flows through the middle of the state—from the west to the east.
- Bihar has two international airports, Lok Nayaklayaprakash Airport, Patna, and the Gaya Airport, Gaya. The Patna airport is connected to Kolkata, Ranchi, tocknow, Kanpur, Delhi, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Varanasi and Kathmandu. Gaya non international airport connected to Colombo, Singapore, Bangkok, Paro and more.
- A wide network of trains connects Bihar to the rest of India. Most of the cities and towns are also interconnected by the railways. Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Katihar, Barauni and Chhapra are major railway stations.
- The state has a vast network of national and state highways. National Highsvay 30 and 31 connedsVaranasi, Lucknow, New Delhi and Kolkata to Bihar.
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