Travel to Bihar

Bihar travel and tourism features a large number of tourist destinations spread in various parts of the state. It is located in northern India along the eastern Gangetic Plains. Bihar has a significant place in the cultural history of India for being the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism. Tourists can encounter some of the finest Mughal and Hindu architectural expertise in this place.


Bihar was the cradle of a thriving ancient civilization, an epicenter where some of the major religions of India like Buddhism and Jainism originated and Hinduism gained momentum.

The state draws its name from 'vihara', meaning Buddhist monastery since the place in the past was a major learning centre of Buddhism.
                              
The antiquity of Bihar dates back to some 6the century BC. This is where Bhagwan Mahavira was born in Vaishali and Lord Buddha attained 'enlightenment' under the Bodhi Tree at Bodhgaya . Since then the land has seen the rise and fall of dynasties like - the Guptas, the Palas and the subsequent Muslim rule.
Travel to Bihar
The sacred river of the Ganges flows through the state splitting it into two parts. This has rendered the land fertile and plentiful. Bihar is also rich in minerals underground contributing significantly to the national wealth creation.

Bihar is better known as a pilgrimage destination. A number of Buddhist destinations result in a trail of pilgrimages who travel to Bihar in lure of the old ruins and ancient religious scripts. A lot of people travel to Bihar because of the holy sites of the Jains and the Hindus.

                                     Best time to visit

The ideal time for traveling in Bihar is between October and March when the weather remains salubrious.

                                                 How to Reach Bihar
Conveniently located in the eastern part of India, Bihar is a land-locked state, which has facilitated the communication to Bihar from any part of India. Bihar is well connected to the rest of India with a network of air, road and rail.

How to Reach Bihar is here to help you find ways to reach the city of Bihar.

By Air

Bihar has an airport in its capital city Patna, which is connected by air with Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kolkata. Katmandu, the capital of Nepal also has regular flight connection to Patna.

Major airlines of India, namely: Indian Airlines, Spice Jet, Jet Airways, IndoGo Airlines and other carriers operate regular flights to and from Patna.

By Rail

A large number of major and minor places within the state are networked by train services of Indian Railways. Even the state is serviced by important super fast trains like Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express.

By Road

An extensive network of National Highways Numbers: 2, 23, 28, 30, 31 and 33 and state highways, running through the state, connect it with important cities all over India. Internal road network within the state connects Patna to Vaishali (55 km), Nalanda (90 km), Bodh Gaya (110 km) and other tourist destinations. Bihar State Tourist development Corporation (BSTDC) takes care of the commuting requirements of the tourists traveling to and from the state of Bihar.

Places to See in Bihar

Prestshila Hills
Category : Nature
Gaya is a place known to the Hindus as one of the 'Dhamas' or the most sacred places for pilgrimage and is guarded on one side by the Prestshila Hills, Gaya. On the side opposite to the Prestshila Hills, Gaya lies the Ramshila hills.
Prestshila Hills
The Prestshila Hills, Gaya in Bihar is a legendary place in Bihar. It is said that there used to be a demon called Gaya who was very much shocked at the distress caused by death. He expressed his sorrow to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu was very happy to see that a demon had such a kind heart and gave him a boon by virtue of which he could forgive the sinners.

Prestshila Hills, Gaya of Bihar is situated at a distance of 100 kilometers to the south of Patna. The age old town of Gaya is of tremendous importance to the Hindus as well as the Buddhists.

Pawapuri
Category : History & Culture
Pawapuri in Bihar is a holy place especially for the Jains. It lies at a distance of 38 kilometers from Rajgir and 101 kilometers from Patna. It is the place where Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara and the founder of Jainism breathed his last breath. Pawapuri of Bihar is the place where the great Lord was cremated in about 500 BC.
Pawapuri
The people took away so much of ashes from the places around the funeral pyre of Lord Mahavira that it created a water tank over there. A marble temple called the "Jalmandir" was then constructed in the center of the tank. It is at present a great center of pilgrimage for the Jains in and around Pawapuri. Here you will find also the Jain temple called Samosharan.

The best time to make a trip to Pawapuri is in the months of October to March. While in Pawapuri make it a point to visit the following places:
  • Jalmadir
  • Samosharan
The chief sightseeings from Pawapuri may be planned for:
  • Rajgir
  • Gaya
  • Bodhgaya
People come from far and wide places to Pawapuri of Bihar to see:
  • Rajgir Dance Festival
  • Chath Puja
  • Arts and crafts
You can reach Pawapuri by:
  • Air: Patna is 101 kilometers away and is the nearest airport. Indian Airlines fly from Patna to Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Ranchi as well as Lucknow.

  • Rail: The nearest railway station is Rajgir but the major railhead is at Patna.

  • Road: You can reach there by taking a bus or taxi from Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, etc
Valmiki Nagar 
Category : History & Culture
Valmiki Nagar in Bihar is a small village in the West Champaran. It lies on the Indo Nepal border. The village lies at a distance of 42 kilometers from Bagaha.

Valmiki Nagar

Valmiki Nagar of Bihar houses a Valmiki Ashram after the name of Maharishi Valmiki who was the composer of the great Indian epic, the Ramayana. It is known that he was at first a person who sustained his living on the things snatched away from others when he was used to be called Ratnakara. But later he was repentant and decided to take penance. He was then blessed and instructed to compile the life of the Lord.

A festival is held every year in Valmiki Nagar in Bihar during the time of Makar Sankranti.

The river called Gandak adds to the beauty of the Valmiki Nagar at Bihar. To make the irrigation system more improved, the government has built a barrage on the Gandak river.

BodhgayaBodhgaya

Bodhgaya is the most important pilgrimage center of the Buddhist. Bodhgaya is situated by the Niranjana river which is about 12 kilometers from Gaya in Bihar state. Bodhgaya in Bihar attracts Buddhists from all around the globe to this holy land of Buddha.

Bodhgaya in Bihar was a place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The 'Bodhi tree' or Pipal tree is called the tree of awakening where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and was believed to be destroyed by Mauryan emperor Ashoka. The giant Bodhi Tree that persists at the back of the Maha Bodi Temple is believed to be a part of the original Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya.

Patna
The Patna city is known to be the religious centre of Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Hindus. Home to a varied number of tourist attractions, Patna is known to have had around 2.4 million tourists, as estimated in 2005. It is famous as a religious as well as cultural hub for visitors. 
Patna
The city is world famous for the Patna Sahib Gurudwara, built in remembrance of the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. Various ancient monuments such as the ruins of Pataliputra at Kumhrar and Agam Kuan reflect the historical background of Patna. The Golghar and the Secretariat building are the perfect examples of British architecture.

                                 Shopping in Bihar

Shopping in Bihar also can turn out a delightful experience for a discerning shopper if you know what to buy and where.

Handicrafts of Bihar

Madhubani School of painting is rich tradition in Bihar, is extremely famous handicraft of Bihar. Bihari women generally carry over this school of folk painting from generation to generation. It illustrates mythological themes, incorporating images of local deities as well as Hindu gods and goddesses.

Popular shopping items of Bihar

While shopping in Bihar, you will get get of the following in wide varieties.
  • Stone and bead-jewellery
  • Hand-painted wall hangings
  • Miniatures in paper and leaves
  • Applique work on fabric
  • Stone pottery
  • Bamboo and cane work
  • Wooden stools
  • Leather goods
  • "Tilcoot" - a kind of sweet
 Travel Map of Bihar

Travel Map of Bihar

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