Bihar

Surrounded by West Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and Nepal, the state of Bihar is primarily a rice producing area. Historically, the state has a rich and ancient cultural heritage. About 25 centuries ago, Pataliputra or the present day Patna was the capital of the first major empire in Indian history — Magadh.

Bihar

The great king Ashoka ruled from here. He was followed by the Guptas and the Palas from the 5th century A.D. to 1197, and a few centuries later by the Mughals. The mid-18th century saw the rise of the British who ruled the state till Indian independence in 1947.

Touristically, Bihar’s fame lies in its being an important religious and cultural centre for the Hindus, the Jains and the Buddhists. Buddhism, one of the important religions of the world, was first started and preached here by the Buddha. Bodhgaya was the place where the Buddha meditated under the Bodhi tree before achieving supreme enlightenment.
The small township of Rajgir was the scene of many

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sermons and numerous important events in the Master’s life. thousands of pilgrims visit Rajgir, Bodhgaya, and the present descendant of the original Bodhi tree. Lord Mahavira, founder of the Jain sect is also believed to have spent about 15 years of his life, preaching at Rajgir, hence its religious significance for Jain pilgrims. History records that the Nalanda University, of which only some magnificent ruins now remain, was once a world famous university for the study of Buddhism in the 5th century A.D.

Important tourist places in Bihar:

Patna, Gaya, Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda

For further information, please contact: The Director of Tourism, Govt of Bihar, Department of Tourism, Beerchand Patel path, Patna, Bihar 800001 or The Director of Tourism, Government of Bihar, 3rd Sachivalaya Bhawan Tourist Bureau A-5 State Emporia Complex, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi 110 001.