Bihar, situated
in the eastern part of the country, the place that gave
birth to Buddhism and Jainism and helped in the growth
of Sikhism and Hinduism, has a past that is unmatched
anywhere in the world. It was the center of first republic
in the world at Vaishali. The city of Patliputra was
largest and grandest in the world at the height of its
glory. To Bihar's north is the Kingdom of Nepal. On
its other three sides Bihar is surrounded by the Indian
states of Uttar Pradesh to the west, Jharkhand to the
south and West Bengal to the east. Patna is the capital
of Bihar.
Bihar was called Magadha in ancient times. Its capital
Patna, then known as Pataliputra, was the center of
the Mauryan empire, which dominated the Indian subcontinent
from 325 BC to 185 BC. Emperor Ashoka was the most
famous ruler of this dynasty. Bihar remained an important
place of power, culture and education during the next
one thousand years. The Vikramshila and Nalanda Universities,
were among the oldest and best centres of education
in ancient India but got destroyed by wars in the
medieval period.
Tourism
There
is an array of tourist destinations of diverse interests
in the state. Bihar is intimately linked to the Buddha's
life, resulting in a trail of pilgrimages which have
come to be known as the Buddhist circuit. The Buddhist
trail begins at the capital city, Patna, where a noteworthy
museum contains a collection of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.
Weather
The
climate of the state is tropical with hot summers and
cold winters. Monsoon brings medium to high rainfall
and floods several areas in north Bihar. Humidity levels
remain high in north and central Bihar throughout the
summer and monsoon season, making them quite uncomfortable.
Places
of Tourist Interest
Bodhgaya : Bodhgaya
is the place where the Prince Siddharth attained the
supreme enlightenment and became 'The Buddha', the
enlightened one. This the place where the saga of
Buddha began and Buddhism was born here under the
Peepal Tree. Bodhgaya has naturally developed into
the most sacred spot for Buddhists from all over the
world, especially the affluent south East Asia. It
is 13 km. from Gaya town. Apart from a Budhist pilgrimage
destination, Gaya is also an important Centre of Hindu
Pilgrimage where people go to pray for the salvation
of their ancestors.
Nalanda : Nalanda has a very ancient
history. Lord Vardhamana Mahavir and Lord Buddha
frequently visited it in the 6th century BC. During
his sojourns, the Lord Buddha found this place prosperous,
swelling, teeming with population and containing
mango-groves. It is also supposed to be the birthplace
of Sariputra, one of the Chief disciples of the
Lord Buddha. Nalanda, where ruins of the great ancient
university have been excavated, is situated at a
distance of 90 km. south east of Patna by road.
It falls on way to Rajgir. It is also linked by
rail with Patna, Rajgir and Bakhtiyarpur (on Delhi-Howrah
main track). The great stupa flanked by flights
of steps and terraces, votive stupas and beautiful
sculpture give the present day tourists a glimpse
of the past glory that once was Nalanda. Many of
the stupas were two or even three times built one
over the other on the same spot. A row of monastery
sites lies from south to north. By and large all
of them are of the same pattern. But most important
of them is site no.1, entrance of which lies in
the west wall through a large portico of which the
roof rested on pillars.
Patna : Patna, the capital of
the State of Bihar, is an important business centre
of eastern India. More significantly, it is a gateway
to the Buddhist and Jain pilgrim centres of Vaishali,
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodhgaya and Pawapuri. Beneath
the din and bustle of Patna, the capital of Bihar
state, has a fascinating past. Some of the places
of tourist attraction are Gol Ghar , Museum, Harmandirji,
Khuda Baksh Oriental Library, Kumhrar, Martyrs Memorial,
Jalan Museum, Pathar Ki Masjid, Agam Kuan, Biological
Park, Bihar Institute of Handicrafts and Designs,
Birla Mandir, Nawab Shahid-Ka-Maqbara, Pachim Darwaza
and Padri-Ki-Haveli.
Rajgir : Rajgir is south of Nalanda
and sacred to the memory of the founder of both
Buddhism and Jainism. Lord Buddha spent many months
of retreat during the rainy season here, and used
to meditate and preach on Griddhkuta, the 'Hill
of the Vultures'. Lord Mahavir spent fourteen years
of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda. It was in Rajgriha
that Lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons
and converted king Bimbisara of the Magasha Kingdom
and countless others to his creed. Rajgir is located
in a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills. An
aerial ropeway provides the link with a hilltop
stupa "Peace Pagoda" built by the Japanese.
On one of the hills in the cave of Saptparni, was
held the first Buddhist Council. The Saptparni cave
is also the source of the Rajgir Hot Water Springs
that have curative properties and are sacred to
the Hindus.
Festivals
& Events
Basant
Panchami, Shivratri, Raksha Bandhan, Holi, Durga Puja,
Deepawali, Id, Bakrid, Christmas and many more festivals
however big or small are celebrated with enthusiasm
all over Bihar. However, Chatth Puja is the festival
which requires special mention. Almost all civilizations
have worshipped the 'sun god', but it has a unique form
in Bihar. Chatth Puja is the only occasion where the
setting sun is worshipped. The people of Bihar have
immense faith in this festival. It is celebrated twice
a year. Once in Chaitra (according to the Hindu calendar)
which falls in March and in Kartik which falls in November.
For this 4-day festival, people maintain sanctity and
purity from even a month ahead. People celebrate this
festival with immense faith the folk songs sung in the
honour of 'Surya Dev' and 'Chatti Maiyya' can be heard
at every nook and corner the sweetness of the songs
lets you feel the holiness of the festival. Women fast
for the good of their family and the society. Regardless
of the social status, to celebrate this festival only
the faith counts. Though it is a festival of the Hindus,
some of the Muslims also participate actively in the
puja.
When
to Go
The
best time to visit Bihar is from October to March.
Interesting
Fact
Kesaria Stupa, situated
in the Champaran (east) district of Bihar, lies at a
distance of approximately 110 km from the capital city
of Patna. The Kesaria Stupa holds the distinction of
being the largest in the world, standing at a height
of 104 ft.
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