BIHAR

“HAMERE RAFTER PAR SURAJ KE KIRAN BHE NAAZ KAREE”

Established March 1912

Capital Patna

Total Area 98,940 km2

Ranked (Area) 12th

Total  populationRanked

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 Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh was born at Patna Sahib (Patna) in 1666.

history

CITIES FAMOUS FOR

HERITAGESasaramVaishaliBodhgayaPatna

SPIRITUALITY BodhgayaRajirPatna

Wild lifeValmikinagarKaimurRajir

ROMANCESasaramKaimurRajir

AdventureWest ChamparanMakhdumpur Bhagalpur

Mahatma Gandhi Setu

Mahabodhi Temple

Rajgir

Kaimur

PLACES TO

VISIT

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 ASHOKAVaishali 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, VIKRAMSHILAThe 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 templeBodh 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 RoadBy 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 VISITWATER 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 KUNDIt 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 STUPAShanti 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 BiharValmiki 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 SanctuaryRajgir 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 CavesIt 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 HillClose 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 PujaMaha ShivaratriHoliRam Navami

Nag PanchamDurga PujaDiwaliChatt Puja

Eid-ul-FitherMuharramsab-e-barat

Sonpur MelaVaishali MahotsavRajgir Mahotsav

Festivals & Fairs

Chhat Pujait is celebrate on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik (Oct-Nov).

Nag PanchamiIt is the festival of snakes. It is celebrated on the fifth day of the brilliant fortnight in the month of Shravan.

Sonpur MelaIt is the biggest cattle fair in Asia. it is a held on Kartik Poornima (November).

TeejIt is the festival celebrated by women. It dedicated to Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva.

Rajgir MahotsavThe famous Rajgir Mahotsav celebrate s every year . It is also known as dance and music festival.

HoliIt is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindu as a festival of colours.

FAMOUS DANCESFolk Dance

It is  performed during poetry performance.

Paika DanceThis dance reminds us of infantry and its agility, courage, and excitement.

Kajari danceIt starts in the month of ‘Shravan’ or the starting of the monsoon.

Jhijhian danceThis is a ritualistic dance performed during no-rain time and aims at making the God of rain happy.

Jatra dancesIt is a stylized representation of a fundamental aspect of life, which is war and battle.

Chhau DanceThis is mythological, as it is mainly based on epics Ramayana & Mahabharata.

CUISINES of BiharLITTI- 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 BiharSome major cuisines those are used in all the seasons such  as Rice, Roti, Daal, Tarkari and sweets. 

 PitthaIt is something like momos. It could be either salty or sweet.

 Kadhi BariIt fried soft dumplings made of besan are cooked in a spicy gravy of yogurt and besan. It goes well over plain rice.

SweetsKhajaMalpuaMoti-churAnarsa

Non-vegetarian Motton BiryaniJhinga BiryaaniFish curryChicken Tandoori

things to buy ?

Traditional Wall Paintings of MithilaThe 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 PaintingThis 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 craftStonecraft 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 TextilesPrinting 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 EmbroideryJhinkana 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 SareeBhagalpuri 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’SDO’SRead 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’SAvoid 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

Welcome Guest House in Bodhgaya is a fully licensed Guest House, offering all the facilities exactly like a Hotel-stay in Bodhgaya. The Homestay has created a friendly, warm and informal atmosphere since 1999.Welcome Guest House provides luxurious and comfortable accomodation in Bodhgaya with the best of services within the traveler's budget.The feature of this homestay is high standard and quality accommodation in Bodhgaya catering to the needs of travellers at reasonable rates. To Know more visit: http://www.theotherhome.com/properties/bed-and-breakfast/bodhgaya/welcome-guest-house.aspx

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