Tourism in Bihar
Bihar is famous for its tourist places, historical monuments, religious and spiritual centres. In order to encourage tourism, Patliputra festival, Vaishali festival, Rajgir festival, Shravani festival are being organised in the state.
The Bihar State Government has divided the state into 8 tourist circuits. These are Buddhist circuit, Ramayana circuit, Sufi circuit, Jain circuit, Sikh circuit, Shiv-Shakti circuit (Shiv circuit and Shakti circuit) and Gandhi circuit. The eight tourist circuits, are explained in detail below:
Buddhist Circuit (Bihar GK in English)
This circuit consist of ancient cities like Vaishali, Patna, Kesaria, Rajgir,Nalanda and Bodhgaya.
Patna
Patna once called Patliputra, the capital of Bihar, is among the world’s oldest capital cities with unbroken history of many centuries as imperial metropolis of the Maurya and the Gupta dynasties.Mauryan relics have been found at Kumhrar, located 5 km East of Patna. Third Buddhist council was convened here in 250 BCE. Ajatshatru had built up fort of Patna while Udayin had set up Patliputra town. It was situated in the North of Kumhrar.
Vaishali
Vaishali is one of the earliest republic in the world (6th century BC). It was here that Buddha preached his last sermon. In 383 BCE, the Second Buddhist council was convened here by king Kalashoka,making it an important place of Buddhist religions. It contains one of the best-preserved pillars of Ashoka in Kolhua topped by a single Asiatic lion which marks Ashoka’s journey to Nepal in 249 BC.
Raja Vishal Ka Garh
It is located to the North of Vaishali. It is a huge mound of 6 feet to 10 feet height.
It is a protected monument and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The place has a huge historical significance believed to be existing since the time of the Vajjis and the Lichhavis. Excavations at the Raja Vishal Ka Garh site have established the presence of human settlement in till 185-73 BC together with artefacts dating back to 600 BC. The site has also revealed traces of a drainage system and objects from the Gupta, Kushana and Shunga periods.
Ashoka Pillar
Ashoka pillar is the most popular sightseeing destination of Vaishali situated near a Buddhist monastery and a coronation tank, named Ramkund. It is also a lion pillar like the other Ashoka pillars but the difference between this Ashoka pillar and other Ashoka pillars is that, this one has only one lion capital. This pillar was built by Emperor Ashoka at Kolhua out of a polished single piece of red sandstone, cut into a bell shaped capital of height of 18.3 m.
The lion capital is placed on the top of this pillar. There is also a nearby brick stupa to this Ashoka pillar which is believed to commemorate the last sermon of Buddha.
Kesaria
Kesaria is a town in the district of East Champaran. It is the home to the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Kesaria Stupa is a Buddhist Stupa in Kesaria. The first construction of the stupa is dated to 3rd century BC. Kesaria has a lofty brick mound capped by a solid brick tower of considerable size, which itself is the remain of a Buddhist stupa.
The mound is a ruin with a diameter of 68 ft at its base and a total height of 5.5 ft. Originally, it was crowned by a pinnacle which must have stood 80 or 90 ft above the ground.General Cunningham dated this monument to AD 200 to 700, and held that it was built upon the ruins of a much older and larger stupa. It is the highest stupa found in the country with a height of about 104 feet from the base. It is located in East Champaran.
Nalanda
It is a great centre of Buddhist learning.Nalanda came into prominence around 5th century AD and was a flourishing university town with over ten thousand scholars and an extensive library.Nalanda flourished under the patronage of the Gupta empire in the 5th and 6th centuries and later under Harsha, the emperor of Kannauj. The ruins of the world’s first Residential university,Nalanda University is spread over 14 hectares of land. It consists of stupas, chaityas,monasteries and central courtyard.
Maniyar Math
It is a cylindrical temple depecting snake. People of Magadha considered the serpent as God, who once satisfied provided rain. The excavation have yielded a lot of characters shaped as shake to which it is still a prevalent practice to provide milk to them.
Bimbisara Jail
This Jail is located about half a km South-East of Maniyar Math. When Bimbisara was imprisoned by his son Ajatshatru, he was able to see Buddha on the Griddhakut hill.
Nav Nalanda Mahavira
It was founded to develop as a centre of higher studies in Pali and Buddhism along the lines of ancient NalandaMahavira. It was established in 1951, and it became Deemed University in 2006.
Archaeological Museum
The Nalanda Archaeological Museum was established in 1917, targeted to preserve the precious items from primordial times. It is situated near the remounts of Nalanda Mahavira.Museum consists of sculptures and statues that are in stucco, stone and terracotta though majority are in Basalt stone. Image and paintings found here belong to Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.
Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall
It was built as a dedication to the Hieun Tsang, the 5th century Chanese traveller. It is located at Nalanda near the main excavation site.
Saptaparni Cave
This is an ancient cave which is connected to Pipla cave through the hill. After six months of Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, the first Mahasangiti was held here.
This Mahasangitis foundation was headed by Buddhist Monk Mahakashyap around 486 BC in Saptaparni cave. In this conference, the teachings of Buddha was divided into Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka.
Jarasandh Ki Baithak
It is located near Vaibhava hill. The large rectangular structure constructed with stone block can be seen at the right side of the Satparni hill. In Mahabharata epic Jarasandh is mention as tyrant king. It is believed traditionally that this place was Jarasandh’s meeting place to discuss royal matters. In Buddhist tradition, this place is reffered as Pipla cave believed to be the meditation place of Buddha and its mention is found in Zuangzang travelogue.
Rajgir
It is located 19 km from Nalanda. It was the ancient capital of Magadha empire.It is a famous Hindu, Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage site. Lord Buddha often visited the monastery here to meditate and to preach. Rajgir is a valley situated between five hills i.e. Vipulgiri, Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, Sonagiri and Vaibhavgiri.Historically, Rajgir has been a very important place, as capital to many empires.
Some famous tourist places of Rajgir :
Stupa of Sariputra The Stupa of Sariputra contains the bones of one of the two chief disciples of Gautam Buddha. Sariputra became a celebrated Arhat after he was able to attain salvation following Buddha’s footsteps. The stupa is of a pyramidal shape, surrounded by pillared structures, typical to Buddhist structures.
Ropeway It is believed to be the oldest ropeway in India. The Rajgir ropeway line is a wonderful excursion in the cradle of nature. It is the only ropeway in existence in the state of Bihar. The single person seater rope line is a thrilling adventure that leads to the top of the scenic Ratnagiri Hill which houses the famous Vishwa Shanti Stupa, also known as the Peace Pagoda. The chairlift ropeway rises to a height of over 1000 feet from the ground level and is a thrilling ride to undertake.
Peace Pagoda A peace Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa which is a monument to inspire peace, designed to provide a focus to people of all races and creeds and to help unite them in their search for world peace.Most of peace pagodas are built under the guidance of Japanese Buddhist Monk.
Venuvan Vihar Venuvan means ‘fragrant bamboo forest’. The site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar was built by king Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the king’s offering to Lord Buddha.
Ajatshatru Fort It is located in Rajgir. It was built by the king Ajatshatru during his rule over the Magadh empire in 6th century BC.He was contemporary to Lord Buddha. It was built in a rectangular shaped with four corners and each corner is covered with stone tower. Ajastshatru fort is regarded as one of the most ancient forts in India.
Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya is the holiest place for the followers of the Buddhist faith all over the world. Situated by the bank of river Niranjana, the place was known as Uruvela in ancient period. King Ashoka was the first to build a temple here.
Near the holy city of Gaya, Buddha attained enlightenment. The tree that had sheltered him came to be known as the Bodhi tree and the place as Bodh Gaya.
Today Bodh Gaya, an important place of pilgrimage, has a number of monasteries, some of them established by Buddhists of Japan, Thailand,Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
In 2002,Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. The temple contains the gilded image of Buddha and is believed to built in third century BC. Temple was repaired and restored by Cunningham and Beglar in 1880.Massive stone railings enclose the temple in its three sides which are 10 ft high. The most sacred tree Bodhi tree (Pipal tree), under which Buddha attained enlightment can also be seen at Bodh Gaya. The present tree is believed to be the offspring of the original tree and is the fourth generation of the tree. Its leaves are considered sacred.
Vajrasana
It is a diamond throne in the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya. It is thought to have been placed by emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan empire between 250-230 BCE at the location where the Budha had reached enlightenment some 200 years earlier.
Bakraur
This village lies in Bodhgaya block on the bank of the river Niranjana about 14 kms South of Gaya. According to Buddhist tradition, Lord Buddha on his penance and eventual enlightement was offered here Kheer (rice pudding) by a village maid Sujata. There is a mound on the village known as Sujata Kutir, believed to cover the site of her original home. This is a Buddhist site and religious place for Buddhism.
The Jewel Walk Shrine
According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha is believed to have walked back and forth between the location of the Animesh Lochan Stupa and the Bodhi tree.
According to the legend, lotus flowers sprung up along this route. This is known as ‘Ratnachakrama’ or as the JewelWalk shrine.
Ramayana Circuit
Just like Buddhism and Jainism, Bihar has various places of religious tourism from the Hindu religion. They are described as follows :
Ramrekha Ghat
It is located in Buxar. According to the legends,Lord Ram Chandra and his younger brother Lakshman with their teacher Rishi Vishwamitra had crossed the Ganga here on their way to Janakpur where he later took part in the Sita Swayambar (the public ceremony of Sita’s marriage).
Ahirauli
It is situated about 5 km North-East of Buxar, this village has a temple of Devi Ahilya.
According to the local tradition, it dates back to the pre-historic ages. Legend is that, Ahilya was transformed into stone as a result of a curse by her husband,Rishi Gautam and she could be redeemed only when Lord Rama visited her place.The Kanwaldah Pokhara also known as Vyaghra Sar is a tourist spot now-a-days.
Singheshwar Sthan
It is located in Madhepura district. It has been the abode of Lord Shiva from the ancient times. Though there are various stories about the establishment of the Singheshwar temple, the one that is widely and popularly accepted, relates to Rishi Shringi.
In ancient time, Singheshwar was situated on the bank of the river Kosi and was surrounded by dense and lush green forest. It was ideally situated for ‘Tapasya’ (Meditation) and it is here that Vibhandak Rishi along with his son Rishi Shringi devoted all his time in deep meditation.
Giddheshwar Temple
It is located in Jamui district. According to local legends, the epic fight between the vulture Jatayu and the demon Ravana took place here on the hill that is situated about 13 km South of Jamui,while the latter was abducting Sita.There is a temple of Lord Shiva,which draws big crowds on the occasion of Shivratri andMaghi-Purnima.
Pretshila Hill
It is situated at a height of 873 ft, about 8 km North-West of Gaya. It literally means the ‘hill of ghosts’ and it is sacred to Yam, the Hindu God of hell and forms one of the sacred places of pilgrimage.On the top of the hill is a small temple dedicated to Yam (The God of death).
Vishnu Pad temple is located along the Falgu river. The temple is marked by a foot print of Lord Vishnu on Black Basalt Rock. The final rituals for the dead takes place here. This place holds special significance in Hindu religion.
Kako
It is situated 10 km East of Jehanabad Railway Station. According to a local legend, Lord Ramchandra’s step mother, Rani Kekaiyi of Ayodhya lived here for some time and the village took its name after her. The village has also a tomb of Hazarat Bibi, Kamal Sahiba, a great Muslim lady Saint.
Tar
It is located in Bhojpur district. This village derives its name from Tarka, a demon killed by Lord Rama. There is an old tank in the village that is believed to be the wrestling ground of Tarka.
Ramchaura Temple
It is situated in Vaishali block, where a fair is held every year on Ram Navami day.
The local tradition has it that Lord Ram Chandra had a stopover here for a bath on his way to Janakpur. There are some marks on stone, which are said to be his footprints.
Ahilya Sthan
This village is situated about 24 km North-West of Darbhanga and about 4 km from Kamtaul Railway Station. It is known for the temple of Ahilya Asthan, which is associated with the well known legend of the sage Gautam and his wife Ahilya as told in the epics and Puranas. Inside the shrine is a flat stone said to contain the footprints of Sita, wife of Rama, as the main object of worship.
Sitamarhi Janki Temple
Panth-Pakar is a banyan tree that is located at a distance of around 8 km from Sitamarhi. Goddess Sita rested under this tree on the way to Ayodhya after her marriage. Sitakund is famous as the place where Goddess Sita took a holy dip.Many temples have been built near Sitakund and are immensely famous for Ramnavami celebrations, a Hindu religious event celebrated here every year. Janki Temple in Sitamarhi is traditionally considered to be the birth place of Sita or Janki.
This temple, however seems to have been built about 100 years ago.Another Janki temple is located at Punaura, 5 km South-West of Sitamarhi.
Phullahar
This village is located in Madhubani district.Here is a temple of Goddess Girija. Sita, the daughter of king Janak, used to come here every day to worship the Goddess. Lord Rama saw her for the first time at this place.
Haleshwar Sthan
This is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva about 3 km North-West of Sitamarhi.
According to myths, the king of Videha on the occasion of Putrayesthi Yajna, founded this temple.
Janki Khurd
It is also known as Janki Garh.This village is situated about 9 km East of Ram Nagar railway station.There is a large mound in the Eastern part of the village. It is a mass of solid brickwork and is 90high. It was probably originally a fort and the remains of fortification can still be seen.The local tradition asserts that it was a fort of King Janak.
Sita Kund
It is located about 6 km East of the Munger town. It is a a hot spring. According to legends, Rama, after rescuing his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana, suspected that she could not have maintained her honour intact, and Sita, to prove her chastity, agreed to enter a blazing fire. She came out of the fiery ordeal unscathed and imparted to the pool in which she bathed, the heat she had absorbed from the fire.
Valmiki Nagar
This is a village on the Indo-Nepal border 42 km North-West of Bagaha to which it is connected by a metalled road. A barrage has been constructed here on the Gandak river for the purpose of irrigation. Besides an old Shiva temple constructed by the Bettiah Raj, there is also an ancient temple of Nara Devi and Gauri Shankar at Valmiki Nagar. There is a Valmiki Ashram, which is said to be the place where Maharshi Valmiki was living.On the occasion of Makar Sankranti every year, a fair is held on the bank of river Gandak.
Other Attractions
Other important areas in this circuit are Revelganj/Godna in Saran district and Ramchura Village in Vaishali district. Rivilganj or Godna is the place where Gautam Rishi’s ashram stood and Ramchura is the place where Lord Rama had a stepover for a bath on the way to Janakpur.
Jain/Tirthankar Circuit
This centre consist of the pilgrimage centres of Jainism. It contains places like Bhojpur, Bhagalpur,Nalanda (Rajgir, Pawapuri) Patna and Muzaffarpur.
Bhagalpur
Champanagar in Bhagalpur is considered as a sacred place of pilgrimage and is also mentioned in Kalpasutra where Mahavira Swamin was born.
Bhojpur
Bisram is located in Bhojpur district. Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara, took rest for a short period at Bisram during his wanderings.
Hence, this place is called as Bisram, which means rest. The place houses a temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira. Jains from across the country visit this place to offer prayers to their Lord.
Nalanda
Kundalpur at Nalanda is beleived to be the birth palce of Gautam Gandharva, first disciple of Mahavira. There are temples of Lord Mahavira, Adinath Swami and Gautam Gandharva. Veerayatan at the foot of Vaibhargiri hill is a centre for education of Jain religion.
Rajgir
In Rajgir, rock cut caves on the Southern face of Vaibhara hill contains figures of Jain tirthankars Padmaprabha, Parsvanatha and Mahavira. The Western cave is called Sonbhandar and is believed to be a treasury of gold. Sonbhandar caves are situated on the Southern slopes of the Vaibhava Hills and feature black stone statues of the first four Jain Tirthankaras and Lord Buddha.
Pawapuri
In Pawapuri or Apapuri is a famous Jain pilgrimage site. Lord Mahavira, the last tirthankar and founder of Jainism, breathed his last at this place. An exquisite marble temple in the middle of a lotus pond, the JalMandir, stands magnificently on a rectangular island. Another Jain temple, called Samosharan is located here, where Lord Mahavira delivered his last teaching. The temple is circular and made up of white marble rocks.
Patna
Kamaldah in Patna has a high mound of brick ruins. Two famous Jain temple stand on the ruins.One is the temple of Sudarshan Swami and other is Mausoleum of Jain saint Sthulabhadra.
Vaishali
Basu Kund in Vaishali is the birth place of Mahavira. It was known as Kundagrama.
Vaniyagrama, the place of Mahavira’s residence was also near Kundagrama. It is considered a sacred place by the Jains.
Banka
Mandar Hill is a small mountain situated in Banka district under Bhagalpur division of state of Bihar. It is 45 km South of Bhagalpur city.Mandar Hill is a great place of pilgrimage. It is about 700 ft high.On top of this hill a Hindu and a Jain temple is situated. The mountain has many references in Hindu mythology known as Mandarachal Parvat. As per references found from Puranas and Mahabharata, this hill was used for churning the ocean to extract the nectar from its bosom (Samudra Manthan).
Other Attractions
Gonavajee in Nawada district has temples of both Digamber Jain and Swetamber Jain sects of Jainism. Kundaghat in Jamui is also considered sacred.
Sufi Circuit
Khankan Emadia
It is located in Patna.Hazrat Pir Muzibullah Quadri had founded this Khankah during 19th century near a tank called Mangal Talab. An urs is held here annually.
Khankah Muzibia
It is located nearly 7 km from Patna Railway Station. It is an important Islamic pilgrimage. It has been always a favourite abode of Sufi saints various times.Hazrat Pir Muzibullah Quadri was one of those in the 18th century. The Khankah Muzibia, founded by him at Phulwari Sharif is called the Bari Khankah.
An old Madarsa here has been the most important centre for teaching of Islamic philosophy since its establishment. Sacred hair of the beard of Paigamber Hazrat Muhammad Saheb are preserved here in Bari Khankah that attracts large number of followers and a big mela is held here every year. There is also an archaeologically important and worth seeing ancient Sangi Masjid (mosque) built of red stones at Phulwari Sharif. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Humayun.
Hasanpura
This village is situated about 21 km South of Siwan on the bank of Dhanai river.
According to tradition,Makhdum Saiyad Hasan Chisti, a saint who came from Arabia to India and settled here, founded this village.He also founded a Khankah (religious institution) here. The village contains remains of a large mosque and tomb of the saint, which is visited by both Hindus and Muslims.
Maner Sharif
It is a large village of historical antiquities, situated in the extreme North-West of Danapur sub-division, about 32 kmWest of Patna on Patna-Arrah Highway. In the early ages,Maner was a centre of learning and it is said that Grammarian Panini, and also Vararuchi, lived and studied here.
Maner contains two well-known Mohammedan tombs, that of Shah Daulat or Makhdum Daulat, known as Chhoti Dargah, and the other that of Sheikh Yahia Maneri or Makhdum Yahia, called the Bari Dargah.Makhdum Daulat died at Maner in 1608, and Ibrahim Khan,Governor of Bihar and one of the saint’s disciple completed the erection of his mausoleum in 1616.
The building is exceptionally fine one, with walls containing carvings of great delicacy and high finish. A great dome crowns it, and the ceiling is covered with carved inscriptions from the Quran. Every detail of it is characteristic of the architecture of Jehangir’s reign, and it is by far the finest monument of the Mughals in Eastern India.
Chhoti Dargah
It is the dargah of Makhdum Hazrat Sultan Ahmed Charampose located in Bihar Sharif (Nalanda). It is the biggest and the oldest building of Mohalla-Amber in the Bihar Sharif Town.Hazrat Makhdum Sultan Ahmed is ranked to a very high order among other Sufi saints and Auliahs. Thousands of people participate in the ‘Urs’ celebrated here in memory of the saint every year.
Hajipur Karbala
It was constructed 175 years ago by Shah Alam. It attracts a large crowd ofMuslims throughout the year.The pace has tombs of Shaista Khan, Bar Khurdar Aulia Saheb, HazratMaohiuddin,Alias Pir Damaria Saheb,Kamaluddin Saheb and Khwaja Mohiuddin Chisti.Mughal emperor Jahangir built the tomb of Syed Haji here.
Dargah Sharif
It is a beautiful double storied mosque was built by Mughal Prince Azim on the banks of Ganges at Mittan Ghat. It was previously called Azimabad during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. This mosque was built for Mulla Mittan who was teacher of the Prince. It was the place from where the great Sufi Saint Hazrat Makhdum Munim used to preach his disciples during the 18th century. The ancient mosque still exists and is popularly known as Dargah Sharif. Every year, after 5 days of the Eid festival, an annual Urs Chiraga is held here when devotees assemble at this Dargah Sharif in great numbers.
Other Attractions
Other important places in this circuit are :
Munger District Tomb of Mulla Muhammad and Pir Pahar.
Vaishali District Tomb of Diwan Shah Ali known as Hazrat Jandaha in Hajipur, tomb of Muslim saint Serukahi.
Rohtas District Tomb of Chandan Shahid, Tomb of Hasan Khan Suri.
Saran District Makhdum Shah’s Dargah.
Gopalganj District Tomb of Mohammad Shah Arzan also known as Kakri Dargah.
Kumhrar Bulandi Bagh (Garden),Gunsar lake, Shah Arzani’s tomb, Imambara.
Shiv Shakti Circuit
In this circuit, the Bihar State Government covers all the temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shakti. The places covered in this circuit :
Baba Koteshwarnath Temple It is situated on the confluence of Morhar and Dargha river in Gaya district. The temple has Sahastra Shiv Ling idol believed to be established by Usha, daughter of king Vanasur of Sonitpur.
Mundeshwari Dham It is an important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shakti.
It is situated in Kaimur district. The temple dates back to 108 AD and is considered one of the oldest temples of India.
Ashok Dham It is located in Lakhisarai district, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is also known as Indradamneshwar Mahadev mandir.
ShyamaMai Temple It is situated in Darbhanga on the cremation spot of the king of Darbhanga, Rameshwar Singh. The temple was built in 1933 by Kameshwar Singh of Darbhanga royal family.
Ajgaibnath Temple It is situated in Sultanganj in Bhagalpur district.
The temple is constructed on a rock that is projected out from the holy river Ganges.
Singheshwar Asthan It is situated in Madhepura district and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Thawe It is a popular pilgrimage site located in Gopalganj.
Ami Ambika Bhawani or Ami temple is situated in Dighwara in Saran district of Bihar. It is a Shaktipeeth and dedicated to Goddess Sati.
ShitlaMata Temple It is situated in Patna and is dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Mahishi Tara Temple It is situated in Mahishi town in Saharsa district and is dedicated to Mahashakti or Bhagwati Tara.
Chandi Asthan It is a Shaktipeeth situated in Sonbarsa block of Saharsa district. It is said that Pandavas and Draupadi spent their Agyatvarsha here.
Siddeshwar Nath It is located in Deoria and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Sikh Circuit
The state of Bihar is associated with Sikhism. The tenth Guru Gobind Singh was born in Patna. The government of Bihar has taken the initiative to connect Sikhism with tourism. The place covered in this circuit :
Gurudwara Guru Ka Bagh It is situated in Patna, 3 km East of Harmandar Sahib. It is the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur alighted in the garden of nobles of Patna Nawab Rahim Baksh and Karim Baksh.
Takht Sri Patna Sahib The Gurudwara Takht Sri Patna Sahib is also known as Harmandar Sahib. It is in Patna and marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji on 22nd December, 1666. It was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Besides being the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, Patna was also visited by Guru Nanak and Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Gurudwara Haudi Sahib It is situated in Danapur, 20 kmWest of old Patna. Family of Guru Tegh Bahadur were fed Khichari here by Mata Jamni Mai.
GurudwaraGaiGhat It is also known as Gurdwara Pahila Bara and is located in Patna.
Gandhi Circuit
Bhitiharwa Ashram It is a village in the Bettiah sub-division under Gaunaha block, West Chanaparan district. This was one of the centres for social work selected by Gandhiji, when he was in Champaran in 1917. At present, there is a Khadi Centre working under direct control of the Bihar Khadi Samiti. There is a Gandhi Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi had stayed during the Indian freedom struggle.
Motihari It is located in East Champaran district. It was the first place of Gandhian experiment in Satyagraha. It has been the spring board for India’s independence.
Gandhi Sangrahalaya It is located in Patna. It also has a vast collection of Gandhian literature and photographs depicting his life and works. A ‘Charkha’ (country made spinning wheel) used by Mahatma Gandhi is also well preserved in this museum.
Brindaban It is a small village in the Bettiah sub-division under Chanpatia block, West Champaran district. It has the Gram Seva Kendra, which had been planned to work out the deals of the Gandhi Seva Sangh. The All India Gandhi Seva Sangh held their annual conference at this village in 1937.Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Rajendra Prasad attended it.Gandhiji stayed here in 1939 and started an Ashram, which is still functioning.
Hazarimal Dharamshala It is located in Bettiah in the Lal Bazar area.Gandhi and his companions used to camp here and it was the epicenter of his ‘Satyagraha’. The State Government has declared this building a protected monument. The Bettiah Raj Kutcherry and the Dharamshala, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed are well worth visiting.
Shri Rampur It is situated in the Gaunaha Block,West Champaran district..
Gandhiji had stayed here on 16th November, 1917.
Amolwa This is located under Gaunaha block,West Champaran district.Where Gandhiji spent a night on 27th April, 1917, with his other companions.
Koeldih It is situated under Gaunaha block,West Champaran district..Gandhiji had visited this place on 16th November, 1917.
Murli Bharhawa It is located inWest Champaran district. It was the native place of Pandit Raj Kumar Shukla who had been a close associates of Mahatma Gandhi during the Champaran Satyagraha Movement. Pandit Shukla took a lead role in bringing Mahatma Gandhi to Champaran.
Hardiya Kothi It is located under Nautan block,West Champaran district. It was house of Mr GP Edward, a British Indigo planter.
Sariswa This place is located under Majhaulia block,West Champaran district.
Gandhiji and his companions had taken statement of raiyats in an open yard infront of the temple.
Sadaquat Ashram It is situated in Digha area on Patna-Danapur Road and in pre-independence days guided the freedom movement in Bihar. It is associated with the memories ofMahatma Gandhi,Dr Rajendra Prasad,MaulanaMazhar-ul-Haque and other leaders.
Adventure Tourism in Bihar
Apart from the well known sites of religious and historical tourism, the state of Bihar is developing other forms of tourism.One is adventure tourism. In this, the state has selected two sites Rajgir and Valmiki Nagar. Rajgir is located in Nalanda district. There are options to explore hills lakes and forts.
Since, it was the capital before Patliputra the place has many archaeological sites that dates back to pre-Maurayan era. Valmiki Nagar is just 42 kms from Indo Nepal border situated inWest Camparan district. River Gandak flows through it and the place has Valmiki tiger reserve, dense valleys and hills.
Heritage Tourism in Bihar
The state of Bihar is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world. The state is known for its rich heritage keeping this in mind, the state has designed heritage tours. These tours covers five areas that are considered most important.
These are Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya, Vaishali and Vikramshila. These towns possess lots of ancient relics, archaeological sites and a district culture that tells about the glorious past of Bihar.
Archaeological sites and Protected Monuments in Bihar
| Archaeological Site Ancient | Place | ||
| Ancient Mound | Buxar | ||
| Ancient Relics | Pathorgatha, Bhagalpur | ||
| Ancient Remains | Kumhrar Sandalpur Patna | ||
| Ancient Statues of Buddha, Group of Seven Caves | Jehanabad | ||
| Ashokan Pillar (Lauria Areraj), Buddha Stupas, Fort Remains of Sagardih | East Champaran | ||
| Lauria Nandangarh, Chankigarh Fort Remains, Ancient Remains at Marhiya, Rampurva | West Champaran | ||
| Mounds of Five Stupas (Panch Pahari) | Paharidih, Patna | ||
| Raja Vishal Ka Garh, Ancient Stupas | Vaishali | ||
| Rock Inscriptions at Sasaram, Ashokan Pillar | Rohtas | ||
| Ruins of Ancient University, Fort Remains at Rajgir, Buddha | Nalanda | ||
| Statues at Jagdishpur | |||
| Statues of Buddha (Guneri Village) | Gaya | ||
| Vikramshila Monastery Remains | Bhagalpur | ||
Medieval and Modern Protected Sites and Monuments of Bihar
| Site | District |
| Ancestral house of Dr Rajendra Prasad at Jiradei | Siwan |
| Arrah House | Bhojpur |
| Grave of Bakhtiyar Khan, Mundershwari Temple | Bhabua |
| Grave of Shamsher Khan, Fort of Daul Khan | Aurangabad |
| Jama Masjid made by Mir Ashraf, Tomb of Makhdum Sha Daulat Maneri and Ibrahim Khan, Begu Hammam Masjid, Agamkua (Gulzarbagh), Jain temple, Golghar (granery built in 1786 by captain John Gartin) | Patna |
| Jama Masjid, (Hajipur), Nepali Temple, (Hajipur) | Vaishali |
| Ramshila Hill, Pret Shila Hill, Vishnu Pad Temple | Gaya |
| Remains of Bali Rajgarh Fort | Madhubani |
| Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, Sasaram, Grave/Major of Hasan Shah, Shergarh Fort | Rohtas |
Famous Museums in Bihar
| Name | Year of formation | Important Feature |
| Archaeological Museum, Bodh Gaya | 1956 | Buddhist relics and collection |
| Archaeological Museum, Nalanda | 1917 | Collections from Gupta and Pal era. |
| Archaeological Museum, Vaishali | 1945 | Collection from Maurya to Pal era |
| Chandradhari Museum, Darbhanga | 1957 | Madhubani Art Collections |
| Gandhi Smriti Museum West Champaran | 1967 | Collection related to Gandhi |
| Gaya Museum | 1970 | Ancient Scriptures, Coins and Statues related to 7th to 12th Century AD |
| Maharaja Lakshameshwar Singh Museum, Darbhanga | 1979 | Coins, Artifacts |
| Nawada Museum | 1974 | Collection related to medieval history of Bihar. |
| Patna Museum | 1917 | Oldest museum in Bihar that showcases Artifacts from Maurya period to Mughal era. Didaoganj Yakashini is a famous treasure of this museum. |
| Rajendra Memorial Museum, Patna | 1963 | Collection related to Dr Rajendra Prasad |
Department of Tourism, Bihar (Bihar GK in English)
The Department of Tourism is making endeavours to provide the basic facilities, necessary information and security to the tourist, so that tourists number increases.
Bihar Government has given the punch line ‘Blissful Bihar’ to promote tourism in the state. The objectives of the Department of Tourism, Bihar are:
➤ To improve efficiency of the tourism industry by developing related infrastructure.
➤ To promote cultural, historical, religious tourism in Bihar.
➤ To promote tourism as one of the major source of livelihood in tourism circuits of the state.
➤ To improve connectivity through transport and communication of all important tourist sites in Bihar.
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) (Bihar GK in English)
It was established in 1980. It is a State Government organisation that aims to develop the tourism sites in Bihar. It also provides modern facilities like tourist information centre cafetaria, rest houses, etc. BSTDC also develop tourism complex to develop the tourism of an area.One such complex is Matsyagandha Tourism complex located at Saharsa. It is stretched in an area of 1.5 sq km around Matsyagandha pond. There are several other tourist complexs being Operated by Bihar State Government.
