Wednesday 20 April 2011

Tourist Destinations of Bihar

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Tourism Bihar, Tourist Destinations of Bihar, Popular Destinations of Bihar, Must Visit Destinations in Bihar, Bihar Attractions, Tourist Attractions Bihar


Bihar and its each region is a tourist destination in itself. Reason, the simplicity and humble nature of people residing across Bihar enthralls all. The dress sense, cuisine, and fairs & festivals are other traits of tourism in Bihar. While you visit Bihar, it is always good to know the most popular destinations that deserve a visit. Patna, the capital of Bihar remains a priority for travelers to the state. While, Bodhgaya is an important place for followers of Buddhism religion across the world. Pawapuri is a sacred place for Jains. Other popular destinations are Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali and Kesaria.

Popular Destinations of Bihar

Patna - Once called as Pataliputra, Patna is a historic city and serves as the capital of Bihar. The city presents a fine blend of old and new, and still in the developing state. Only in April 2011, the city got its first mall, while a year back the city became the pride owner of a Multiplex Cinema. Being the state capital, Patna is home to Bihar Assembly House, Chief Minister House, Patna High Court, and many other government head office. Tourist attractions in Patna include Gandhi Maidan, Golghar, Mahatama Gandhi Museum, Mahatama Gandhi Setu (Bridge), Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Museum & Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Golghar in Patna, Bihar

Bodhgaya in Bihar - Renowned as the place of Buddha’s Enlightenment, Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buddhists. The town draws tens of thousands of believers from all over the world every year. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, and it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Before Siddhartha (Lord Buddha or Sakya Muni, as he is also known in sacred literature) attained the supreme state of enlightenment called " Sammasambodhi", he spent six long years of penance and meditation in a wood in the precincts of modern Bodh Gaya, formerly known as Uruvilva or Uruvela, a hamlet which is identified with the modern village called Urel about 10-kms south of Gaya Railway Station. Gautama or Gotama sat here in meditation under an Ashwattha or Pippal tree and had attained to the Sambodhi or Perfect Enlightenment. Most countries with vast Buddhist population have a temple or monastery here. The 25 metre Great Buddha Statue in the Japanese Kamakura style was unveiled by his holiness Dalai Lama in 1989.


80 feet Buddha Statue at Bodhgaya, Bihar

Gaya - One of the oldest districts of the state, Gaya was created on October 3, 1865. The place is of utmost religious importance for Buddhists as well as Hindus. It was at a distance of 14 km from the district HQ that about 2500 years back, Siddhartha Gautama, a wandering prince from the neighbouring Himalayan kingdom, attained enlightenment to become Lord Buddha. For the Hindus too, the place is very important as it is associated with the final salvation of the soul. The performance of the 'pindadaan' rituals is mandatory for the salvation of souls. The Vishnupad Temple, located here, is a very important shrine and thronged by devotees from far and near.

Rajgir – Rajgir, Rajagrihain Sanskritand Rajagaha in Pali,was the capital of the powerful kingdom of Magadh. Buddhist scholar Buddhaghosha has mentioned that the city had 32 main gates and 64 minor gates. Its popularity declined once the city of Pataliputra was made the new capital of Magadh. Rajagriha is sacred to the Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Muslims. There is a natural "kund" or pond on Vipula Hill, which is known as Makhdum Kund, named as it is after Muslim saint Makhdum Saheb, who spent 12 years in the jungles of Rajagrihain 13th century AD. Lord Buddha delivered many important sermons here. His favourite places in Rajagriha were Griddhakuta Hill and Venu Vana. These two sites are mandatory on the itinerary of the Buddha tourist pilgrims from abroad.

Ropeway in Rajgir, Bihar

Nalanda – Literally meaning "giver of knowledge", Nalanda is about 90 kms southeast of Patna. An ancient town, Nalanda was once home to the world's first university for higher learning. The university at Nalanda began as a Buddhist monastery. Lord Buddha stayed at Nalanda several times in the local mango grove. Lord Mahavir is also believed to have attained 'moksha' at Pawapuri, which is located in Nalanda. Also, according to one sect of Jainism, he was born in the nearby village, Kundalpur.

Ruins of Nalanda University, Bihar
Pawapuri in Bihar - Also known as Apapapuri “the sinless town”, Pawapuri is a very sacred Jain pilgrimage. According to Jain belief, it was here that Lord Mahavir, the greatest propounder of Jainism, attained Nirvana. Pawapuri lies about 3 kms off the Patna-Ranchi (NH-31) Road. It is not very far from Bihar Sharif (Headquarters of the Nalanda District) and Ruins of the Ancient Nalanda University (the world famous Archaeological Site).

Vaishali in Bihar - Apart from its historical importance, Vaishali is a sacred place for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus, as well. Vaishali was a center of religious renaissance in ancient times. Puranas as well as the Ramayana, both of these refer to Vaishali as a separate kingdom. Raja Vishal - son of King Ikshvaku is considered to be the founder of the Vaishali kingdom. Apart from its association with the Hindu mythology, Vaishali also figures prominently both in the Jain and Buddhist literatures. According to Jain literatures Vardhmana Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar of the Jains, was born here in Kundapura or Kundgram, a suburb of Vaishali. It was Vaishali itself where Lord Buddha had announced his approaching Nirvana and also preached his last sermon.


Ruins of Vaishali, Bihar

Vikramshila – The town is situated at a distance of approximately 40 km from the city of Bhagalpur. One of the popular Buddhist destinations in India, Vikramshila can’t boast of a direct relation with Lord Buddha. It is mainly renowned for being one of the most significant centers of Tantric Buddhism, in the 8th century AD. It also houses the famous Vikramasila University, the main intellectual as well as learning center of Tantric Buddhism.

Kesaria - Kesariya is located 55 km north west of Vaishali quite close to Patna. In the time of the Buddha, it was known as Kessaputta. The place was the venue where the Buddha delivered His famous Kalama Sutta to the Kalama people. Through this discourse, the Buddha urged his followers to analyse His teachings thoroughly before accepting them. The details of the discourse can be found in the The Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry: Kalama Sutta, Wheel No 8.

Hotels in Bihar - The state of Bihar is one of the most visited places in the country, and dotted with various types of hotels in its big towns, namely Patna, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Bhagalpur, Katihar and Kishanganj. Hotels in Patna are available in star categories and other categories, namely Economy Hotel, Standard Hotel, Budget Hotel and Basic Hotel.
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AboutMd Mudassir Alam

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