Bihar

The land where the Buddha once lived, a land of monasteries – Bihar is visited by a considerable number of Buddhist followers as well as tourists of other faiths all throughout the year. Its association with Buddhism and Jainism makes it a must-visit place for peace seekers, people who would like to get a feel of the tribal culture and experience life in the rural parts of India, and those who would like to get a glimpse of our glorious past.

Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Vihara’, which means monastery, Bihar has a glorious heritage in the context of Indian history. Bihar is located in the eastern parts of India situated in the Gangetic plains, and it shares its borders with Uttar Pradesh in the West, Jharkhand in the South, West Bengal in the east, and Nepal in the North. The spiritual importance of Bihar comes from the fact that it is the place where the Buddha once lived and attained Nirvana. His footsteps can be traced through his teachings and the monuments which stand tall to this day, serving to guide people and show them the right path.

Bihar is a blessed land as it was here under a Bodhi Tree that Prince Siddhartha meditated to attain enlightenment and became known as the Buddha. Bihar is a famous destination not just for Buddhists but also for Jains and Hindus. It is the amalgamation of religion, spirituality, history, and education that makes the state one of its kind. While every city of Bihar has something to offer, some major attractions are Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Patna, Vaishali, Pawapuri, and Nalanda.

Here is a list of some of the best places in Bihar for your visit:

• Bodh Gaya
• Patna
• Nalanda
• Vaishali
• Madhubani
• Muzaffarpur
• Bhagalpur
• Rajgir
• Pawapuri
• Hajipur
• Sitamarhi
• Lauriya Nandangarh
• Valmiki National Park
• Chhat Puja