TOP 14 PLACES TO VIST IN BIHAR
01 Bodh Gaya
One of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, Bodhgaya is a village in the state of Bihar. It was here under the Bodhi tree that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The place is bustling with pilgrims all through the year who come to pay their homage in the monasteries, shrines and temples. It also attracts tourists from India and abroad owing to its magnificent Buddha statue, the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree.
Bodh Gaya is the very place that houses the Mahabodhi tree, under which Gautam Buddha meditated and attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi temple built near the Mahabodhi tree is highly revered and it is an enriching experience to visit the temple. One can still find the remnants and descendants of the original Mahabodhi Tree. Bodh Gaya is the single biggest pilgrimage for all sects of Buddhists throughout the world. It is now one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a lot of foreign countries including Japan and China have helped the Indian government in building facilities for the Buddhist pilgrims. Bodh Gaya also has other various temples and monasteries dedicated to Buddhism. Located near the river Neranjana, Bodh Gaya was earlier known as Uruwela. It was also known as Sambodhi, Vajrasana or Mahabodhi until the 18th century CE. A trip to Bodh Gaya provides valuable insights into the culture of Indian religious philosophies and also showcases some architectural masterpieces that would leave one spellbound.
02 Patna
Prospering along the southern banks of river Ganges and set in the conglomerated backdrop of rich ancient heritage and a glorious historical past, Patna boasts of a dominating presence in history and enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest cities in the world. Originally called as Pataliputra, Patna is currently a hot-bed for the culminating political fortunes. In addition to being one of the major and most popular tourist destinations in India- owing to its plethora of artefacts, monuments and grand architectural heritage which provide a peek in the bygone era, this capital city of Bihar also holds significant religious and spiritual importance. It is a gateway to pilgrimage sites of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
The capital city of Bihar, Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. Originally known as Pataliputra, it played a major role in Indian culture and even today has great historical and religious significance. Having belonged to the blue family of cities with a royal heritage, it has an amazing past and various artefacts to provide a peek into the bygone era and also displays a brisk pace of modern development. Located on the banks of river Ganges, Patna is also an important pilgrimage centre and it is close to nearby religious centres of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and the Buddhists like Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, Nalanda and Pawapuri. Patna is also the birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh and hence an important pilgrimage for Sikhs.
03 Nalanda
The most popular Mahavihara of the ancient times, a significant Buddhist seat of academic excellence and a modest pilgrim center, all wrapped in a wisp of spirituality, Nalanda continues to be an equally enriching location in the present. It offers vibrant substance of spirituality, history, culture, architecture, and tourism.
This city houses one of the world’s oldest and finest residential universities which itself was an architectural masterpiece. Although in ruins, the entire complex presents a pretty picture and is flocked by tourists day in and day out. It has “viharas” or monasteries to the east and “chaiyas” or temples to the west. In addition to this, the complex houses a charming little museum, which has a collection of several of original Buddhist stupas, Hindu and Buddhist bronzes, coins, terracotta jars, a sample of burnt rice etc. The district is believed to be a cradle of religions. Apart from Buddhism, it is an important center for Jainism, Hinduism, and Sufism as well. Considering the rich heritage and the historical importance, it is a hot tourist destination.
04 Madhubani
An ancient city, Madhubani in Bihar is known for the richness in art and culture that the district strives for. Mentioned in the Ramayana, the city is known for the world popular Madhubani paintings whose origin lie here.
Madhubani emerged from the Darbhanga district of Bihar in 1972 during the reshuffling of territorial boundaries. This small district is slowly growing as a popular tourist destination among art enthusiasts coming here for Madhubani paintings. With Nepal on the north, Darbhanga to the south, Sitamarhi and Supaul on either side, Madhubani is also an important commercial town in the Madhubani district. The town has multiple temples which are the main attraction points of the town for the locals. However, the town is not very tourist-friendly, and there isn’t much to do if you are thinking of a sightseeing tour
05 Rajgir
Rajgir is town where the air that surrounds its beautiful sceneries carries hints of spirituality and vibrant hues of history with links with both Buddhism and Jainism.
Set in a green valley and surrounded by rocky hills, Rajgir is a spiritual town with natural serenity amongst the dense forests, mysterious caves and springs. Rajgir houses many religious destinations which are majorly dedicated to either Buddhism or Jainism. Both lord Buddha and Lord Mahavir have said to spent time here giving it huge spiritual and religious importance. One can visit various ruins, temples and sites here and also spend some time indulging in its refreshing calmness.
06 Vaishali
Located in the interiors of Bihar, Vaishali is a small district which is also a revered Hindu, Buddhist and Jain worshipping site. It is the city where Lord Mahavir was born. Considered as the first republic of the world, Vaishali is believed to have been named after King Vishal, from the time of Mahabharat.It is also the city where Buddha delivered his last sermon. Surrounded by groves of mango and banana and extensive rice field, it is now a part of Trihut division of Bihar. The village is an important religious and historical attraction site and is flocked by tourists year in and year out.
Lord Buddha has spent a significant time of his life here and he used to visit Vaishali every now and then. Also, his last sermon was held here in Vaishali, which marks the town as an extremely significant center for Buddhism. To mark this event King Ashoka, who embraced Buddhism after the massacre of Kalinga, he decided to erect one of his remarkable pillars here. Apart from Buddhists, Vaishali is revered as a holy place by Jains because it also happens to be Lord Mahavira’s birth place.
Lord Ram’s footprints in Ramchaura temple also builds a strong connection for Hindus as well. Vaishali today is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well as rice fields. However, excavations in the area have brought to light an important historical past. The epic Ramayana tells the story of the heroic King Vishal who ruled here. Historians maintain that one of the world’s first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourished here in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis. And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was the center for trade and industry. Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon.
07 Muzaffarpur
The Litchi Kingdom, Muzaffarpur is located in the Tiruth division of Bihar. Lying on the banks of Burhi Gandak River, along with the rivers Bagmati and Lakhandayee, Muzaffarpur is one of the major towns of Bihar. Being the administrative headquarter of the Muzaffarpur district, the city is a hub for educational and commercial establishments. Muzaffarpur gets the name from a Revenue Officer Muzaffar Khan. The most notable language spoken here is Vajjika while Hindi is used for official purposes.
Muzaffarpur is located 75 kms to the north of the capital city Patna. It is the fourth most populous city of Bihar. Muzaffarpur is famous for the Shahi Lychees produced here. The region majorly has a cultural influence from Hinduism, Islam and Nepali culture. The cuisine of Muzaffarpur is a mixture of the Bihari cuisine as well as some parts of North Indian Cuisine. Kadhi Bari, Ghugni, Choora, Dhuska, Litti, Pittha are some of the traditional dishes and are pretty popular.
The city of Muzaffarpur and its surroundings hold Historical, Political and Natural importance. With its Lychee plantations that compose its gardens into a bliss to the eyes, it balances the environment of the district. The district has played significant roles in the political standpoints and has been historically significant too.
08 Bhagalpur
This historically significant city of Bhagalpur lies on the southern banks of the river Ganges. Bhagalpur, also known as the silk city, it is the 3rd largest city of Bihar. Bhagalpur is well known for being a major educational centre, apart from being the commercial and political centre. With a fast pace of developments, Bhagalpur is on the way to become a Smart City. The City of Bhagalpur nurtures the species of National Aquatic Animal of India, the Gangetic Dolphins with the help of the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.
Bhagalpur City is located at a distance of about 250 km to the east of Patna, the state capital of Bihar. The most commonly spoken language in Bhagalpur is Angika and Hindi, which are also the official languages of the region. The city’s History submerges in various Mythologies, and the line between them is blurred than any normal instance, making it a fascination to be explored.
Tourist Places 