Top 15 Places to Visit in Bihar (2021)
Bihar has now become an undervalued tourist spot in India. However, it is sarcastic that Bihar was once the place of one of the most affluent historical Indian kingdoms. At present, it appears out of the list when it is about heritage tourism in India. It is true that numerous foreign tourists moving but unfortunately they have limited themselves to some places in this traditionally prosperous state.
Bihar has roots back to the breaking dawn of civilizations in India according to the history of this place. The destination has flourished as the seat of exalted empires like Magadh. This state also offers two crucial religions such as Jainism and Buddhism to the whole world. In the course of years, Bihar has prospered to a wealthy historical place with diverse traditions and cultures.
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Top 15 Tourist Destinations to Visit in Bihar
The people who are open to traveling and adjustable can explore a real gem in this tourist spot. Let us check out the top 15 tourist destinations to visit in Bihar.
Gaya
Gaya is one of the most well-known destinations in Bihar. It is a transit point and Hindu pilgrimage center for the Buddhist pilgrimage hub of Bodhgaya. It is a belief that it was once right here beneath the tree that Buddha gained enlightenment.
Gaya is a rush town that is located on the Phalgu river bank. This place is full of various historic sites and temples dating back to distinct eras of Gupta and Maurya dynasty. The glory of Gaya was prolonged so much that even Hiuen Tsang could not withstand to mention it in his travelogues.
Nalanda
Nalanda is a crucial place to travel to Bihar and it is an ancient university in India. It is an ideal reminisce to the prospering Pala and Gupta period. There is a most popular Jain Tirthankara where 14 monsoon seasons are spent by Mahavira. Even, Buddha is even stated to have offered lectures close to the mango grove in Nalanda. The reputation of this educational institution was to a great extent. The well-known Chinese traveler namely Hieun Tsang used to visit right here and lived for at least two years here. The other well-known Chinese voyager called I-tsing even stayed for about 10 years at Nalanda and that was the beauty of this place. Many sections of Nalanda lie in ruins today however the destination is well worth exploring!
Munger
Munger is dubbed as the seat of Yoga school in Bihar. Munger is also one of the destinations that are famous amongst the travelers in Bihar. Dates back to Aryans, the history of Munger named this place as the ‘Midland’ for their settlement. This place gets crowded with a large number of foreign people and yoga fanatics. This place is no more unknown to these folks. At present, Munger is a twin town which consists of Jamalpur and Munger. Before Munger fell into the hands of the British, Munger was once the capital of Mir Kasim. This destination is regarded as one of the oldest cities in Bihar. The location has countless historical artifacts that get included in the attraction here.
Vaishali
Vaishali is a vital place of archaeology that was once the capital town of Licchavi rulers. As a birthplace of last Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavira, it has got a huge reputation. The people believe that Mahavira was born and grown up in the 6th century BCE in Kundalagram of the Republic of Vaishali. This destination wan evidence to the last sermon of Buddha in 483 BCE and it was another foremost event. During the period of Buddha, Vaishali was an affluent kingdom and it was even recognized for its stunning courtesan Amrapali. Vaishali has a lot of things to make you recall and Ashokan Pillar is the one that adds to its historic beauty. This historic town discovers statement in the accounts of travel of renowned Chinese visitors like Hieun Tsang and Fa-hien.
Patna
Patna is the biggest metropolis of Bihar that is located on the southern bank of Ganga. The metropolis is greatly recognized as Patliputra in historic India. Besides, it is believed to be one of the ancient consistently inhabited towns around the globe. For Sikh devotee, it is a pilgrimage spot as it is known to be the birthplace of the last Sikh Guru called Guru Gobind Singh. The city is prospered in the time of Shunga, Nanda, Haryanka, Mauryan, Pala, and Gupta that earned a reputation throughout India. Patna of today is a flourishing town which is trying to reach up to the modernization like theatres, malls, and high-end hotels. But Patna has to pace up a little to be a part of other cosmopolitans. Patna is the best destination altogether with most of the cutting-edge amenities accessible.
Also Read: The 10 Best Restaurants in Patna
Navlakha Palace is located in Rajnagar close to Madhubani in the state of Bihar. This kingdom was constructed by Maharaja Rameshwar Singh and it has got massive destruction at some stage in an earthquake in 1934. After the destruction, no renovation was taken place. Therefore, this kingdom stays in ruins now. Even though it has been destructed so much, it is always a royal palace and visitors can still wonder at its architectural brilliance. The complex kingdom consists of ponds, temples, and gardens.
Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall
This memorial hall is constructed in the reminiscence of a reputed Chinese traveler called Hiuen Tsang. People believed that Hieun Tsang came to Nalanda in 5th century AD and was so influenced by this destination. Therefore, he determined to remain right here for 12 long years for teaching as well as learning. This hall is the imputation of the academic and artistic splendor of Nalanda University.
Jalmandir
Jalmandir is a crucial Jain pilgrimage located in Pawapuri in Bihar. It has been admired enormously by Jain pilgrims as it is believed that it is the destination where Lord Mahavira has taken his last breath in 500 BCE. It is also believed to be the ground of cremation for this ultimate Tirthankara of Jain sect. There is a huge demand for the ashes of legend Lord Mahavira. Thus, a massive quantity of soil had to be abraded from around the funeral pyre that a pond was formed here. A white marble temple was built and it has stayed as a vital Jain pilgrimage in the state of Bihar.
Griddhakuta Peak
Griddhakuta Peak is located in Rajgir in Bihar and it is also regarded as Vulture Peak. This hill is the most well-known area to go to in Rajgir and it lies at an elevation of 400m. It is known as a Vulture Peak because of its frequent visit and shape of vultures. The destination has an important role in records of history. It is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha moralized the Lotus Sutra to convert Mauryan King Bimbisara. It is even reckoned that Buddha commenced the second wheel of regulation and offered numerous sermons here. The hill has a Peace Pagoda that has been constructed by Japan Buddhist. Here, various caves further boost the thrill of attaining here by a chairlift.
Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Vishwa Shanti Stupa was greatly recognized as the World Peace Pagoda that stands proudly at the historic metropolis of Rajgir. It is one amongst the 7 Peace Pagodas that is constructed in India and is surely a must-see destination in Bihar. The pagoda was constructed in 1969 to unfold the message of non-violence and peace. Also, it is delineated by four Buddha statues that display four vital phases of Buddha’s existence. The Buddha’s life is nothing but birth, teaching, enlightenment, and death. This Peace Pagoda is one of the best examples of Japanese buildings in India.
Sher Shah Suri Tomb
Sher Shah Suri Tomb was constructed in 1545 AD in the reminiscence of Emperor Sher Shah Suri. This tomb is a beautiful instance of Indo-Islamic building in India. This tomb is erected at the center of an artificial lake and it is architecturally magnificent. This sandstone architecture is a must-visit destination in Bihar.
Vikramshila Ruins
Vikramshila Ruins is believed to be one of the two vital Buddhist learning hubs in Bihar. Vikramshila was set up by a king called Dharampala. People believed that the king was marked with the exhausting quality of Nalanda. This is the reason why he determined to set up some other higher institute for learning. Now, Vikramshila lies in ruins however renovation operation has started now. Buddhist stupas, monasteries, and various wall carvings have been revealed here during the excavation.
Janki Temple
Janki temple is located in Sitamarhi in Bihar and it is calculated to have been constructed 100 years ago. Sitamarhi is considered the birthplace of Sita who is a life partner of Lord Rama. It is reckoned that Janki Temple is the destination where Sita was taken birth and a temple was built here to mark this event. The temple has a giant courtyard and welcoming gateway that can house a huge spectrum of devotees. Also, there is a pond nearby namely Janki Kund which is an area of interest for tourists as well as devotees.
Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary
Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary is the greatest freshwater Oxbow lake in India. It is located in Begusarai and it is believed to be the shelter for 60 species of migratory birds. Unfortunately, this destination is dropping its significance due to avoidance in a Wetland Governance in South Asia that was undertaken in Delhi in 2014. The situation of this wetland ecosystem was talked about. The hope is just that few careful steps are taken for this bird sanctuary as it has been a shelter to many birds both migratory and domestic.
Barabar Caves
Barabar Caves declare to be the ancient rock-cut caves in India. These magnificent caves, dating back to the Mauryan Empire, are surely one of the best destinations to visit in Bihar. They are located on twin hills called Nagarjuni and Barabar. The caves are stated to be utilized by the Ajivika sect, but, a lot of traces of Jain and Buddhist art can be discovered at this place. Barabar Hills comprise four caves and Nagarjuni Hills consists of three caves. Every cave has articulate designs and inscriptions over its ceilings and walls. Also, they are well-polished.
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