“HAMERE RAFTER PAR SURAJ KE KIRAN BHE NAAZ KAREE”
Established March 1912
Capital Patna
Total Area 98,940 km2
Ranked (Area) 12th
Total population
Ranked
10.38 Crore
3rd
Languages Hindi, Urdu,
Maithili & Bhojpuri.
Density 1100/km2
Literacy Rate 63.82%
Best time to visit October-March
Climate
( Avg. )
Winter 4° - 10°
Summer 35° - 40°
Bihar earlier knows as Magadha. It was the center of power, learning, and culture in
India for 1000 years.
Nalanda and Vikramshila were centres of learning,which was established in the 5th
& 8th century in Bihar and both were counted as the oldest and truly international
universities.
India's first empire,the
Mauryan empire as well as
Buddhism also arose in the
Bihar. The Mauryan empire,
originated from Magadha in
325 BC.
Sher Shah Suri
from Sasaram,Bihar
took the reins of
North-India.
The Gupta Empire that
originated from Magadha in
240 AD is referred to as the
Golden Age of India. The
capital of Gupta Empire
was Pataliputra.
The 10th and the
last Guru of Sikhi
sm, Guru Gobind
Singh was born
at Patna Sahib
(Patna) in 1666.
history
Sasaram-Tomb of Sher Shah Suri
It was built in memory of Emperor
Sher Shah Suri who defeated the
Mughal Empire and founded the Suri
Empire in northern India.
This tomb is an example of Indo-
Islamic architecture.
It was built between 1540 and 1545.
It is made from red sandstone (122 ft
high).
It stands in the middle of an artificial
lake, which is nearly square.
It is known as the second Taj Mahal of
India.
How to Reach : Sasaram is well
connected both by road and railway.
The NH2 (Grand Trunk Road) passes
through the city.
VAISHALI-PILLAR OF ASHOKA
Vaishali was the capital city of the Licchav.
Ashokan Pillar was constructed by the Great
Emperor Ashoka.
This pillar is made of a finely polished single piece
of red sandstone and cut into a bell shaped capital.
Height of this pillar is18.3 mts.
This pillar is famous because of it being a brick
stupa that commemorate the last sermon
of Lord Buddha.
How to Reach: By Bus Vaishali is well connected
by road to other important cities of Bihar. Patna is
55 km away.
By Rail: Vaishali is well connected with railway
network.
By Air: Patna is the nearest airport from Vaishali at
a distance of 55 km.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, VIKRAMSHILA
The museum is located in Bhagalpur district.
It is build in memory of Vikramshila University.
Vikramshila University was one of the most
important centers of Buddhist learning in India
during the Pala Dynasty, along with Nalanda
University.
A large number of antiquities of different materials,
unearthed from this place in the course of
excavation, are displayed in the site museum.
Opening Hours : 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and
Closed on Friday.
The Vikramshila site is the place for Vikramshila
Mahotsav, which is held annually during the month
of February.
How to Reach: By Road: It is well connected
by road network with Gaya, Patna, Motihari.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is Khalgaon.
By Air: The nearest airport is Patna, 291 km
away.
PATNA- GOL GHAR
View of Patna from Golghar
This is a massive granary situated on the
bank of Ganga.
It was built by Captain John Garstin for
British army in 1786.
The height of this gigantic granary is 105
ft and the walls at the base measure 3.6 m
wide.
There are two stairways with 141 steps
winding around the dome form of the
granary to reach at the top to enjoy the city
view alongside the magnificent river Ganga.
BodhGaya- Mahabodhi temple
Bodh Gaya is the holiest of Buddhist
destinations and a World Heritage Site.
Here around 530 BC, under a pipal, or
bodhi tree, Siddhartha Gotama attained
enlightenment and became the Buddha.
After 200 years, the Buddha attained
enlightenment Buddhist Emperor Asoka
visited Bodh Gaya with the intention of
establishing a monastery and shrine. As
part of the temple.
The bodhi tree behind the temple is
believed to be a descendant of the original.
How to Reach :- By Road Gaya is the nearest
transport hub which is connected with GT Road
By Air Gaya is the nearest airport from Bodh
Gaya. It is located at a distance of 17 Km.
By Rail Gaya is the nearest railhead to Bodh
Gaya at the distance of 17 kilometers.
Patna Sahib-Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib Ji
The Gurdwara Patna Sahib is in remembrance of
the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru
of the Sikhs.
This Gurdwara was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh
(1780-1839), the first Maharja of the Sikh Empire, on
the banks of Ganges river, in Patna.
It was made from white Stones (Marble).
Rajgir
It was the ancient capital city of
the Magadha kings until the 5th
century BC when Ajatashatru
moved the capital to Pataliputra.
Its attraction, The Japanese temple
is beside the Venu Vana. Venu Vana
is an artificial forest.
It is famous for its hot water springs,
locally known as Brahmakund.
Here, The famous Rajgir Mahotsav
celebrate s every year . It is also
known as dance and music festival.
How to reach: Rajgir is easily
accessible by roads from Patna
(100 km) and Gaya (75 km). Rajgir
has also a railway station. The
nearest airport is Patna airport.
Others PLACES TO VISIT
WATER FALLS
It is about 10 km from Kaimur. Kaimur Hill is a small hill
range. The hill range is relatively low and the maximum
height is only around a few hundred meters. The hills
are home to many waterfalls. Some of the main
waterfalls in there region are Keoti Falls, Chachai Falls,
Tobs Falls, and Devadari Falls amongst a few others.
DHUAN KUND
It is about 5 km from sasaram. This is origin point of Kao river which
is also known as THORA NADI. On this point water falls from the
height of 300 fts and get vapourised and condensed feel like FOG.
SHANTI STUPA
Shanti Stupa is located on a 400 meter
high hill in Rajgir. It is built in marble and
on the four corners of the stupa are four
glimmering statues of Buddha. To reach
the top of this hill one has to come
through the “Ropeways”. This place is
also called the GriddhKoot.
Adventure & Wildlife of Bihar
Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve
Spread across 880 sq. km the Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary in the
West Champaran, is the safe home for the tigers. The magnificent
Himalayas provide a backdrop to the Valmikinagar wildlife
sanctuary. The forest here is a mix of extensive Savannah lands
and swamp forests. The leopards and tigers along with the fishing
cats, chitals, sambar, black bucks, langur, sloth bears, gaurs make
the jungle an adventuring destination. The deep wood of Sal,
Asan, Semal, Cane etc. is a pleasant getaway that offers a
breathing space to the soul.
Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary
Rajgir wildlife Sanctuary is 102 km from
Patna. Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary (36sq km),
enclosed by a stretch of little historic hills
linked with Jain and Buddhist history. Rajgir
wildlife sanctuary is rich in leopards, hyenas,
barking deer and nilgais.
Barabar Caves
It was created in Mauryan emperor Ashoka‟s time for the
Ajeevikas (Buddhist monks) 11 km from Makhdumpur.
carved in monolithic hardest granites and have extra
ordinary interior polish to reveal the outstanding skills of
the period. It is a well-maintained stairway leading to the
fantastic caves at the Barabar hill. It caves also have very
highly polished interior which are carved into gigantic
monolithic granite that looks like a huge crocodile from
outside.
Mandar Hill
Close to the Vidyapeeth railway station, about 50 km.
from the main city of Bhagalpur, Mandar hill is a sacred
destination to Jains and Hindus both. At the base of the
hill a large tank having a Vishnu temple at the Centre
with a lotus structure is built in the recent past. In the
memory of the 12th Jain Tirthankara Vasupujya who
attained nirvana here, a temple is built on top of this hill.
On the way to the top an astounding lake settled at the
niche of the black rock is absolutely startling.
Saraswti Puja
Maha Shivaratri
Holi
Ram Navami
Nag Pancham
Durga Puja
Diwali
Chatt Puja
Eid-ul-Fither
Muharram
sab-e-barat
Sonpur Mela
Vaishali Mahotsav
Rajgir Mahotsav
Festivals & Fairs
Chhat Puja
it is celebrate on the
sixth day of the
Hindu lunar month
of Kartik (Oct-Nov).
Nag Panchami
It is the festival of snakes. It
is celebrated on the fifth day
of the brilliant fortnight in
the month of Shravan.
Sonpur Mela
It is the biggest
cattle fair in Asia. it
is a held on Kartik
Poornima
(November).
Teej
It is the festival
celebrated by
women. It dedicated
to Goddess Parvathi
and Lord Shiva.
Rajgir Mahotsav
The famous Rajgir
Mahotsav celebrate s
every year . It is also
known as dance and
music festival.
Holi
It is a religious
spring festival
celebrated by
Hindu as a festival
of colours.
FAMOUS DANCES
Folk Dance
It is performed
during poetry
performance.
Paika Dance
This dance
reminds us of
infantry and its
agility, courage,
and excitement.
Kajari dance
It starts in the
month of „Shravan‟
or the starting of
the monsoon.
Jhijhian dance
This is a ritualistic
dance performed
during no-rain time
and aims at making
the God of rain happy.
Jatra dances
It is a stylized
representation of a
fundamental aspect
of life, which is war
and battle.
Chhau Dance
This is mythological,
as it is mainly based
on epics Ramayana &
Mahabharata.
CUISINES of Bihar
LITTI- CHOKHA
The most favourite
dish among biharis is
LITTI- CHOKHA. Litti
is made up of SATTU
and CHOKHA is of
smashed potato,
tomato, and brinjal.
Thali of Bihar
Some major
cuisines those are
used in all the
seasons such as
Rice, Roti, Daal,
Tarkari and
sweets.
Pittha
It is something like
momos. It could be
either salty or sweet.
Kadhi Bari
It fried soft dumplings
made of besan are cooked
in a spicy gravy of yogurt
and besan. It goes well
over plain rice.
Sweets
Khaja
Malpua
Moti-chur
Anarsa
Non-vegetarian
Motton Biryani
Jhinga Biryaani
Fish curry
Chicken Tandoori
things to buy ?
Traditional Wall Paintings of Mithila
The wall painting seems to have existed from the
epic period. This form of Bihar painting is a form
of mythological mural paintings depicting Hindu
Gods and Goddesses
Madhubani Painting
This form of Bihar painting is exclusively practiced by
the women folk of Mithila region. The paintings
projects the urban essence. Thus most of the tourists
keep this painting in their what to shop in Bihar list.
Stone craft
Stonecraft is Bihar's rich heritage which is from the
ancient sculptures of the Mauryan period. The main
stoneware centre of Bihar is Patharkatti in Gaya district.
This area abounds in the less expensive blue black pot
stone from which images and household articles like the
pestle, medicine grinder are made.
Printed Textiles
Printing is done on cotton, wool and silk in Bihar. Gaya has
the religious textiles with the names or footprints of deities
printed all over in ochre or red. Designs in the chunris of
Bihar ranging from traditional to floral and animal forms are
deserve to be mentioned. In North Bihar at Sursand only
mica (khari) printing is done.
Jhinkana Embroidery
Jhinkana is a form of embroidery in which chain stitch is
used to beautify the items of personal clothing. This stitch is
done on personal garments and the filling-in is done by long
and short satin stitches. The needle makes a light sound
when working its way through the cloth.
Bhagalpuri Silk Saree
Bhagalpuri Silk is a household name in India & is a variety
of Sarees that fascinates everyone with its elegance and
grandeur. This overall natural self-lined silk is beautiful blend
of different textures, style and quality.
DO’S & DONT’S
DO’S
Read culture of Bihar i.e. about their traditions and perception.
Know about the temperature prevailing at the time of visit.
Follow all instructions on roads for safe journey.
Proper planning is to be done to avoid wastage of time.
Keep valuables in hotel locker / safe deposit vaults and get receipt.
Check about photography permission / video filming at any monument.
DONT’S
Avoid travelling to hilly areas and near rivers in rainy season.
Don't encourage beggars.
Don’t travel without tickets in public transports.
Don’t make obscure scenes on roads.
Don't accept food or drink from strangers.
Refrain from showing affection overtly.
Smoking and drinking is not allowed in public places.
How to reach Bihar
By Air :
Patna has regular flights from different cities of India. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai,
Chennai, and Kolkata are linked with Patna with regular flights. Several
Airlines including Air India and Jet Airways serve the city with regular flights.
By Train :
Patna is a major junction of Indian railway and is linked with all the major and
minor cities of India via railway network. Patna has many regular trains from
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore and Chennai.
By Road :
Patna is well connected with all the major cities of Bihar and the rest of India.
An excellent road network links Patna to major cities and tourist destinations
within Bihar. Intra-city road transportation is also good in Patna.
Where To Stay in Bihar
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