Bihar

Introduction

"Kakolat" the wonderful cold water falls in Bihar, India

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Bihar is a state in the northeast of India and is the third most populous state in the country.

Ancient Bihar was a centre of power, learning and culture in ancient and classical India.From Magadha arose India's first and greatest empire, the Maurya empire as well as one of the world's most widely adhered-to religions, Buddhism.Magadha empires, notably under the Maurya and Gupta dynasties, unified large parts of South Asia under a central rule.Its capital Patna, earlier known as Pataliputra, was an important centre of Indian civilisation. Close to Patna, Nalanda and Vikramshila were centres of learning established in the 5th and 8th century respectively in Bihar, and are counted amongst the oldest and truly international universities of the time. Bihar has distinction of giving the world its first democracy through Lichchivi (modern days Vaishali) during ancient era.

Geography

Bihar covers almost 100,000 square kilometres and borders Nepal to the north and Jharkhand to the south.

Cities

• Patna - the capital and largest city
• Mujjaffarpur - the second largest city, famous for its Litchis
• Bhagalpur - famous for its silk industry
• Darbhanga - largest city in North Bihar, gateway to the Maithili Culture
• Gaya - an ancient city and an important pilgirmage for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists

Sights and Activities

Patna

• Kumhrar - Ruins of the Mauryan court of Emperor Ashoka are seen here. Also present is an Ashokan pillar with Mauryan edicts.
• Patna Museum - The museum of Patna has a priceless collection of Mauryan and Gupta artifacts, fossils, Tibetan Thanka paintings and Deedarganj Yakhini, one of the most remarkable sculptures in the world
• Khudabaksh Library - The Khudabaksh Library has a precious collections of books and manuscripts dating back to centuries
• Golghar - A famous landmark of Patna. This dome shaped granary was built in the earkly 18th century to save the state from a famine.
• Takth Harmandir Sahib - A revered pilgrimage of Sikhs, this Gurudwara is built at the sight where the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Govind Singh was born

Rajgir

The ancient capital of Magadh

Nalanda

• Nalanda University - One of the oldest universities in the world

Pavapuri

The final resting place of Lord Mahavira

Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya is a small town near Gaya.

• The Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi Tree - The Bodhi Tree is said to be the successor of the Banyan tree under which Buddha attained knowledge. The Mahabodhi Temple, first built by Ashoka, is built around this tree
• Tibetan Temple and Monastary - Tibetan Temple and Monastary
• Japanese Monestary - Japanese Monestary
• Thai Monestary - Thai Monestary

Events and Festivals

Bihar Diwas

The annual celebration of the creation of the state from the former state of Bengal. Occurs every year on 22nd March.

Sonepur Fair

World's largest cattle fair which occurs every year in the month of November at Sonepur, Bihar

Weather

November to February is the coolest and driest time of the year, with generally nice and warm weather and sunny conditions. Temperatures at night can drop well below 10 °C though during this time, so take a warm sweater when travelling during this time. From late February onwards temperatures start to rise and March to May is the hot season with rising humidity as well. Temperatures can hit 45 °C during these months. It gets a little less hot from June to October though this is the rainy season, though monsoons don't tend to hit this part of the country as severe as along the coast.

Getting There

By Plane

Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport (PAT) near Patna offers flights to/from Pune, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow and Ranchi.
Gaya Airport (GAY), or Bodhgaya Airport as it is called as well, offers flights to Paro (Bhutan), Yangon, Kolkata, Bangkok and Colombo.

By Train

Patna Junction (PNBE) is the largest Railway Station in the state connected with railroute to the major parts of the country. One can also get the connecting trains to the other parts of the state from here

External Links

• Official Website