BIHAR: PLACES TO VISIT

Bihar state boasts four historically important sites: Patna (erstwhile capital of Magadha and called Pataliputra), Nalanda, the first live-in university in the world, Vaishali, the first Republic in the world and where democracy originated, and Bodh Gaya, the place where the Budha meditated under a Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment.

BIHAR STATE STATS:

Area: 94,16 sq. km (36,357 sq. mi) Rank: 12th
POPULATION (2011): 103,804,637 Rank: 3rd
CAPITAL CITY: Patna  
LARGEST CITY: Patna  
LITERACY RATE: 63.82% Rank: 28th
HDI: 0.41 Rank: 21st
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Hindi, Urdu  
Official Website: www.gov.beh.nic.in  

 

Please read the article entitled "Tears I Shed for Bihar".

The Resurrection of Nalanda University

The Importance of Patliputra (Patna)

map BIHAR LOCATOR MAP
BIHAR LOCATOR MAP

 

BIHAR TOURIST MAP
BIHAR TOURIST MAP

CENTRAL: Patna: Capital city. (Patliputra, the capital of Emperor Ashoka)

Nalanda: Ruins of the great Nalanda University. A Buddhist center of learning. When the Buddha, Mahavira and Aryabhata I and many other scholars. Princes and Generals were associated with.

nalanda nalanda

 

nalanda

 

nalanda

nalanda
Above are three more views of the ruins of Nalanda University

Vaishali: World's first Republic with duly elected assembly of representatives. Lord Mahavira was born here. Ashoka Pillar at Kolhua.

map

SOUTH: Bodhgaya:

The site where the Buddha attained enlightenment, 13 Km from Gaya town. The Bodhi tree, Mahabodhi temple etc. The most sacred place for Buddhists.

Bodhgaya Bodhgaya

 

Bodhgaya
Gaya: Pilgrim center for Hindus

Bodhgaya

 

FESTIVALS

Chhath:

The one festival that is uniquely associated with Bihar, is the festival of Chhath. It is an ancient Vedic festival, historically native to the Indian subcontinent; it is dedicated to Surya, the solar deity, thanking him for the bounties of life. The worship is also made to Chhathi Maiya, the mother goddess. The rituals are vigorous and observed for four days, including holy bathing, fasting, and abstaining from drinking water, standing in water for long periods, and offering prasad to the rising sun. Environmentalists claim the festival to be the most eco-friendly and transcends the caste system that emerged in the post-Vedic period. It has received a special significance as a folk festival.

 

Bihula:

Bihula is a well-known festival of eastern Bihar and is famous in the district of Bhagalpur. This Puja is also known as Bishari Puja. Bihula Festival is observed every year during the month of August. The devotees of Bhagalpur pray to Goddess Mansa for the welfare of their families. The Bihula Festival patronizes the brilliant Manjusha art which stands on par with the other well-known folk arts of Bihar like the Jadopetiya of Santhal Parganas, and the Madhubani paintings of Mithilanchal.


 

 

STATE SYMBOLS: (COURTESY WIKIPEDIA)

State animal Gaur  
State bird House Sparrow  
State flower Pot Marigold  
State tree Peepal  
State seal   seal

 

TOURIST INFORMATION:

FLIGHTS: http://bihar.com/flight.html
TRAINS: http://bihar.com/train.html

TOURISM: www.bihartourism.gov.in

BIHAR STATE TOURSIM DEPT: Tel: 91-0612-225411
Fax: 91-0612-236218

The Resurrection of Nalanda University

The Importance of Patliputra (Patna)

 

 

BIHAR CUISINE

SIGNATURE DISHES OF BIHAR

                                                        

 

                                                                                    BIHARI LITTI

                                             

 

                                                                                               PITTHA

                          

 

                                                                                SURAN (OLE) CHUTNEY

                                                    

 

 

                                                                                              KHICHDI

                                                                                                        

 

                                                                                   CHEKUA (DESSERT)

                                                      

 

                                                                                       BESAN KI SABZI

               

 

                                                                                  KALA CHANA GHOOMNI

                                                    

 

 

                                                                                          PUA AND SINGAL

                                                                                                       

 

 

                                                                                                       TIL BARFI