BIHAR

INTRODUCTION:

Bask in Bihar, the land of the Buddha and Mahavira that offers you multiplicity of history, architecture, eco-tourism, tribes, wild life, mines, minerals, fairs and festivals, art and crafts and an offbeat cuisine. Home to artists of the world-renowned Madhubani paintings, Bihar offers you spiritual holiday tourism at the site of enlightenment of the founder of Buddhism.

TOURISM IN BIHAR

The Vajrasan or Diamond Throne- lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple, the actual spot where Buddha sat in meditation and attained supreme knowledge- is spectacular. A gilded Buddha smiles upon you from a niche in the wall of the temple, and his footsteps that are carved in stone hold flower offerings from devotes. An atmosphere of serenity and peace pervades in the atmosphere, and it is most likely that the strains of 'Budham Sharanam Gachhami' will be echoing in your mind on your way back from the trip. A holiday at the sacred town of Bodh Gaya is a unique experience. Not only because Lord Buddha attained Nirvana enlightenment here, but because Bihar is also a land of great antiquity and glorious history. If you are seeking greater insight into the Buddhist circuit or the tourism scenario of the state, you must visit Bodhgaya, also referred to as Buddhagaya. Here you must visit the Mahabodhi Temple, which is considered the most sacred Buddhist pilgrim place. It was under this blessed peepal tree that the founder of Buddhism attained supreme knowledge and evolved from Gautam, the prince of Kapilavastu to Lord Buddha. The temple is a highly frequented tourist spot, given the fact that Buddhism is today followed by almost one third of the total population of the world.

Buddhism has somehow defined tourism in Bihar (the name Bihar is taken from Vihara - the residential complexes of Buddhist monks). Places like Nalanda, Rajgir, and Lauriya Areraj are closely linked with the times and life of Buddha and his followers. But, Bihar was also a great religious melting pot. The state was a birthplace of Mahavir - 23rd tirthankar of Jainism and the religion started here from Bihar only. Famous Hindu pilgrimage sites like Gaya and Areraj are as much famous as any other Hindu pilgrimage site in India. Come to Bihar and experience why India is considered as the spiritual guru of the world

Bihar, one of the few states in India where lack of infrastructure and facilities have restricted tourism to a very restricted number. Bihar otherwise has a wide variety of sights. The earliest known habitation in the entire Ganga basin is in this state. The world's most ancient highway, the nuclei of the first empire and second civilization of the Indian subcontinent, the earliest of the cave temples and the world's largest fair are some of the highlights which Bihar offers the tourist.

However, early this century for ore and minerals, have been tamed for industry. The availability of local resources led the Tata Group to establish one of India's largest iron and steel factories at Jamshedpur, named after Jamshed ji Tata, founder of the industrial house of Tata. Energy for the factories is provided by a series of dams built on the Damodar River that flows through the Plateau.

Bihar is also very important state for the Buddhist pilgrims who throng this state to visit sites associated with Lord Buddha. Bodhgaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment under a Bodhi Tree, Rajgir where he spent many years meditating, Nalanda - one of the most ancient Universities where most distinguished people, religious leaders, and astronomers visited or taught. Patna, earlier known as Patliputra, the capital of Magadh Kingdom and the birth place of the tenth Sikh Guru, Govind Singh is another important city.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Patna is a city abounding in the relics of the bygone ages. Takht Harmandir Saheb is of religious importance to the Sikhs and is believed to be the place of birth of the last Sikh guru, Govind Singh. The Jalan Museum with a rare collection of curios. Sher Shah's mosque in the heart of the city is a splendid example of Afghan architecture. Among the numerous mosques in Patna, Begum Hajjam's mosque stands as the oldest. Saif Khan's Madarsa mosque, built in 1630, commands a magnificent view of the riverfront. Saif was married to Malika Bano, the elder sister of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of emperor Shahjahan. Excavations at Kumhrar have yielded the remains of a Mauryan palace with sandstone pillars. One can still see Agam Kuan or the fathomless well, which was part of Ashoka's hell for prisoners. The famous Mahendru Ghat in today's Patna is the reminder of Mahendru (Ashoka's brother) who had sailed from this very Ghat to Ceylon in order to preach Buddhism. The Khuda Baksh Oriental library is a treasure trove of medieval manuscripts. The Patna Museum is noted for its collection of statues and a very old fossilized tree, 16 meters high. Close to the museum is the Gol Ghar, the 29 meter high beehive shaped granary constructed in 1786, following a terrible famine. The Patna Cemetery is a historically important European monument situated in what was once a Haveli (mansion) and is now a hospital. Some distance from the cemetery is the Padri ki Haveli, a Catholic church with an imposing façade.


Thirty kilometers from Patna is Maner, a medieval stronghold of the Turks and the site
of the shrines of Hazrat Makhdum Yahya Maneri and his son Shafruddin Ahmed Maneri.

The remains of an ancient fort with massive cyclopean walls together with other sites amidst lush green surroundings of Rajgriha recreate the glory of the past. Until the discovery of Mohenjodaro and Harappa, this was believed to be the oldest architectural remains in India. The site is equally revered by the Jains, as their 24 Tirthankars are believed to have practiced austerities on the different hills of Rajgriha. The Jal Mandir at Pawapuri (the sinless city) marks the site where Vardhamana Mahavira (the 24th Tirthankar) was cremated while Parasnath hill is associated with the Nirvana of the 23rd Tirthankar, Sri Parsvanath.

Nalanda, in the heart of Bihar, stands as the world's most ancient seat of learning. The ruins confirm the university's ability to cater to the needs of 10,000 students until the 12th century AD. The excavations have yielded numerous monasteries, temples, stupas and statues of Buddha. The Vikramshila University was an important institution of Tantric Buddhism and there was a regular exchange of teachers between the two universities.

Bodh Gaya houses the site of the sacred Mahabodhi tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Adjoining the tree is the high-spired Mahabodhi temple considered to be the most sacred shrine for Buddhists. Add to this the Hindu legend of Gaya, which was the name of a demon that grew so powerful that the gods felt threatened. As a pre-condition to his death, he demanded that the area covered by his body should be one of the holiest spots of the world. This land is believed to be Gaya.

Rajmahal is a medieval settlement on the eastern fringe of Bihar. It is believed to have been founded by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput general of Emperor Akbar. It was earlier a strategic place for the Bengal sultans who pitched their advance tent here before moving on to any military campaign.

The picturesque mausoleum of Sher Shah at Sasaram, outdoes the Taj Mahal in size, with a dome that surpasses it by 13 feet. Also at Sasaram we find the mausoleum of Sher Shah's father, Hasan Shah Suri. No less picturesque is the tomb of Sher Shah's son, Salim Shah, built in the center of a lake. On the outskirts of the village is the tomb of Aliwal Khan, the chief architect working for Sher Shah. A few hours' drive from Sasaram takes one to the Rohtasgarh fort. In the words of Abul Fazal it is "a well defended paradise (fort) with no equal for strength and solidity." The fort, 28 miles in circumference, is a perfect platform for eco-tourism projects. It is perched high on the Kaimur hills and there are abundant springs and numerous monuments that bring to life the history of its Mughal and Afghan governors and still later the Britishers who almost destroyed the surviving parts.

The Chotanagpur plateau spread over 34,000 square miles that encompass the southern half of Bihar, is one of the most fascinating places in India. There is no end to scenic attractions, waterfalls, deciduous forests, hills (rising up to 3,000 feet), plateaus (at an elevation of 1,000 feet), valleys, wildlife, and of course the aboriginals, who predominate this region. Add to this the salubrious climate that makes the region an ideal getaway.

The oldest geological formation of India are found in the Chotanagpur plateau of Bihar that also stores a vast deposit of a variety of minerals that cater to national and international needs. Bihar, on an average accounts for half the total output of coal and mica, the whole of copper and about 45 per cent of the iron produced in India. It is also the only region in the country to have Uranium mines.

Prominent places in Chotanagpur include Ranchi (2,140 feet), a picturesque hill station that inspired Tagore to compose a book of poems; Netarhat or the 'queen of Chotanagpur' is perched at 3,700 feet and offers beautiful sunset and sunrise views; Palamau is famous for its tropical forest and is rich in wildlife, and is the place where the world's first tiger census was conducted in 1932. As of today, there are 45 tigers in the reserve and they are now said to be venturing out in search of new territories. No less interesting is the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary nestling at a low terrain (1,800 feet). Hazaribagh is also vying for a place in the international heritage list for its recent findings of rock paintings, caves, stone age tools and smelted iron slag that shows a much early advent of the Iron Age than the theorized Chalcolithic age. At another village in Hazaribagh, the archaeologists have unearthed densely packed layer of pottery shards that are identical to those found at Harappa.

CITIES:

Bihar Cities

Bihar is a land of old historic cities. The capital of Bihar is Patna, a gateway to the Buddhist circuit in Bihar. Other major cities include Muzzafarpur, Gaya, Bodhgaya and Vaishali. An influence of Buddhist culture can be seen on the cities of Bihar. Ruled by the Lichchavis, the Gupta and the Mauryas, cities of Bihar had seen some glorious and royal days. Patna is the industrial hub of the state. Muzzafarpur is a major center for production of Litchis. Bodhgaya hosts the holy tree where Buddha got enlightened, while Nalanda is the site of the ancient Nalanda International University. Travel to this state of India, which boasts some most rich and glorious cities of ancient India.

Patna Information

Location: Patna is the capital city of Bihar, India.
Tourist Attractions: Gol Ghar, Museum, Harmandirji, Khuda Baksh Oriental Library, Kumhrar, Martyrs Memorial, Jalan Museum, Pathar Ki Masjid, Agam Kuan, Biological Park, Birla Mandir, Nawab Shahid-Ka-Maqbara, Pachim Darwaza, Padri-Ki-Haveli.
Best Buys: Decorative pieces made out of stone, Bead-Jewellery, Tilcoot-a kind of sweet.
Best Hangouts: An excursion to Kumhrar, a local village where excavations are going on to find out the hidden treasures of Mauryan and other dynasties.
Best Activities: Take a boat ride in river Ganga and walk some part of Mahatma Gandhi Setu.
Festivals: Chhatha, celebrated 6 days after Deepavali, is the most popular festival of Bihar. Pataliputra Mahotsav features parades, sports, dancing, and music.
Nearest Tourist Destinations: Vaishali, Nalanda, Bodhgaya, Rajgir.
When to Visit: February to April and August to November.

About Patna
Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga, Patna, earlier known as Patliputra,
 is one of the most ancient cities of India. Capital of Bihar, Patna is known
for its magnificent past and the historical buildings. Patna began as Pataliputra in
the 5th century BC. In the 3rd century BC it became the capital of the Magad
h kingdom and the seat of the Indian emperor Ashoka.

Patna is the gateway to the Buddhist and Jain pilgrim centers of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodhgaya and Pawapuri, all located in the state of Bihar. After India attained independence, Patna became the capital of Bihar. It has some very attractive tourist destinations. The Mahatma Gandhi Setu over river Ganga stretches for 7.5 Km and is among the longest bridges in the world. The Golghar, Har Mandir, Kumrahar are the major attractions in the city.

Besides, it has long been a major agricultural center of trade, its most active exports being grain, sugarcane, sesame, and rice.

Major Tourist Attractions in Patna
Golghar
The huge, beehive structured building was built to store grains, following a terrible famine in 1786. The 29 m high building offers a scenic view of river Ganga and Patna city. This granary was never used for the desired purpose.

Museum
The city museum is a collection of metal and stone sculptures of the Maurya and Gupta Periods, terracota figurines and archaeological finds from different sites in Bihar. It has the Ashes of the Buddha, image of Yakshi (3rd century BC), and a 16 m long fossilized tree.

Har Mandir
A holy shrine of Sikhs, this is said to be the second-most important Gurudwara in India. The Gurudwara was built by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru of the Sikhs. Built in white marbles, with kiosks on the terraces, it consecrates the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.

Khuda Baksh Oriental Library
One of the national libraries of India, it has a rare collection of Persian and Arabic manuscript. It also host paintings during Rajput and Mughal rule in India. A very unique collection, One-inch wide Quran is also kept here.

Martyrs Memorial
The memorial in front of the old secretariat, shows seven young men facing the bullets and sacrificing their lives during the '1942 Quit India movement'.

Rajgir Information

Location: Rajgir is situated 34 Km from Gaya and 102 km from Patna, Bihar.
Tourist Attractions: Amaravana, Venuvana, Ajatashatru's Fort, Bimbisara's Jail, Swarna Bhandar, The Cyclopean Wall, Griddhakuta, Jain Temples, Hot Springs, Pippala Cave, Jarasandha Ka Akhada.
Best Buys: Though the city has nothing unique to offer, but one can go for the local handicrafts.
Best Hangouts: Enjoy a dip at the hot water springs, located at the foot of the Vaibhava Hill. The source of hot water is the "Saptaparni Caves", up in the hills.
Best Activities: Take the ropeway tour and see the glorious city of Rajgir.
Festivals: The Malamasa Mela is celebrated every 3rd year (The Indian calendar every three years has a 13th month which is considered auspicious), and the Rajgir dance festival holds from Oct 24-26 every year.
Nearest Tourist Destinations: Vaishali, Nalanda, Bodhgaya.
When to Visit: February to April and August to November.

About Rajgir

Rajgir, "House of the King", is an important religious place for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. This ancient town has reference in Mahabharata, Buddhist and Jain texts. Lord Buddha lived here in the sixth century BC while Vardhman Mahavir spent 14 years here. It was in Rajgir that Lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons. King Bimbisara of the Magadha Kingdom got converted here. A small town, Rajgir is witness to a glorious and legendary past. The historical monuments here presents the real scene of the glorious past. The monuments are said to be built by the business class who devoted themselves to Buddha. Jivaka, the legendary physician of Magadha kingdom, also resided here and once served Buddha for illness. Lately, the Japanese have built a Stupa on top of the Ratnagiri hill, linked by a rope way. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were penned down for the first time. Rajgir also has the Nipponzan Myohoji, the Japanese temple, and the Centaur Hokke Club which offers some traditional facilities to Japanese pilgrims.

Major Tourist Attractions in Rajgir
Amaravana (Jivaka's Mango Garden)
Jivaka, the royal physician during the times of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara used to practice here. It is said that lord Buddha was also brought here for a cure of a wound.
Swarna Bhandar
The twin Rock-cut caves, are supposed to be the doorway to the treasury of King Bimbisara. One of the cave is said to be the guard room. While the other is supposed to be the passage to king Bimbisara's treasury. The treasure, according to folklore, is still intact.

The Cyclopean Wall
The 40 km long wall encircles ancient Rajgir. Built from massive pieces of stones, it was constructed before the Mauryan rule.

Griddhakuta (Vulture's Peak)
At the top of Ratnagiri hill, where Lord Buddha preached many inspiring sermons, a Peace Pagoda has been built by the Buddha Sangh of Japan. There is a ropeway which takes around 8 minutes to take tourists on the top. It gives a splendid view of Rajgir.

Jain Temples
There are more than 25 Jain temples around Rajgir. Situated on mountains, they are approached easily by those who love trekking.

Hot Springs
The hot springs are a major tourist attractions. They are at the foot of the Vaibhava Hill. The hot water is supposed to come from the 'Saptaparni Caves', situated on top of the hill. Brahmaputra is the hottest spring with water temperature being 45 degree C. Separate bathing places for men and women have been organized.

Vaishali Information

Location: Vaishali is situated 35 Km from Hazipur and 55 km from Patna, Bihar.
Tourist Attractions: Ashokan Pillar, Bawan Pokhar Temple, Buddha Stupa-I, Buddha Stupa-II, Raja Vishal ka Garh, Shanti Stupa, Kundupur, Coronation Tank.
Best Buys: The city has not much to offer, but 100 km ahead is Madhubani, famous for its paintings with same name.
Festivals: The Vaishali Mahotsav in April celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira.
Nearest Tourist Destinations: Patna, Rajgir, Bodhgaya, Madhubani.
When to Visit: The best time to visit this place is October to March.

About Vaishali

One of Buddha's favourite resort, Vaishali, is said to be named after King Vishal, a ruler during the times of Ramayana. There exists a large, but a ruined fort, which is believed to be built by King Vishal. The city was ruled by the Lichchavis till 6th century BC. The Lichchavi state is said to be among world's first republics. The city was a major industrial center and an important town under the control of the Lichchavis. Ajatshatru, the great Magadh King, annexed Vaishali in the fifth century BC and after that Vaishali gradually lost its glory and power.

Vaishali, the birthplace of Lord Vardhman Mahavira, last Tirthankar of Jainism, is equally sacred for the Buddhists. Lord Buddha gave his last preaching in this city and announced his Mahaprayan. In tribute to Buddha, king Ashoka erected a pillar (Famous lion pillar) here. 100 years after the death of Lord Buddha, the second great Buddhist council was held here. Two stupas were made in remembrance of the event. Today Vaishali is a small town and is surrounded by mango and banana groves.

Major Tourist Attractions in Vaishali
Ashokan Pillar
The Lion Pillar at Kolhua, was built by Emperor Ashoka. Made of single piece of red sandstone, the pillar is capped by a 18 m high bell shaped capital. On the top is kept a life-size figure of lion.

Bawan Pokhar Temple
A Hindu temple, Bawan Pokhar temple is situated on the banks of a lake called Bawan Pokhar. The old temple, built during Pala period, enshrines beautiful images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Buddha Stupa 1 and 2
The Buddha Stupas were created in the name of the second Buddhist council. The outer stupa has a stone box, which has one-eighth of lord Buddha's ashes. The inner stupa was excavation in 1958 and it also held a stone box containing some part the ashes of the Lord Buddha.

Raja Vishal ka Garh
The fort of King Vishal is in ruins today. A huge platform here, which has a circumference of about one Kilometre and walls nearly 2m high with a 43m wide moat, is said to be the parliament house of King Vishal. More than seven thousands representatives could stand here to discuss the issues.

Coronation Tank
An excavated site, this place is believed as an ancient parliament house of the Lichchavi government. The water of the tank was used to anoint the selected representatives. It is located near the Raja Vishal ka Garh.

Nalanda Information

Location: Nalanda is situated 90 Km from Patna, Bihar.
Tourist Attractions: The Nalanda University Archaeological Complex, The Nalanda Archaeological Museum, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall, Silao, Surajpur Baragaon.
Best Buys: Buy the famous local sweet 'Khaja', from Silao, a village between Nalanda and Rajgir.
Festivals: The Chhath Puja is celebrated 6 days after Diwali, in mid November. Buddha Jayanti, celebrated in April, to mark the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of lord Buddha.
Nearest Tourist Destinations: Vaishali, Patna, Bodhgaya, Rajgir.
When to Visit: The best time to visit this place is October to March.

About Nalanda

Nalanda, a part of the Buddhist circuit, is famous for the ancient International Monastic University. Established in 5th century BC by the Gupta Emperors, it was a famous learning centers in ancient times. The university had centers for studies in Buddhism, Vedas, Logic, Grammar, Medicine, Meta-Physics, Prose Composition and Rhetoric. Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira have also taught here. The university library had a mammoth collection of 9 million volumes. The university remains are scattered around an area of 14 hectares. Though a large part of the university has been explored, a huge portion remains unexcavated. It is believed that the university could accommodate 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers easily. Hieun Tsang, the renowned Chinese traveler was also involved with the university foe 12 years. There is a monument built here in his memory. In 12th century AD, the whole university complex was destroyed by Bakhtiar Khilji, a Turkish Invader. There is a museum where the rare collections of the glorious days can be seen. In 1951 an international center for Buddhist studies was founded. Another modern institution is the Nava Nalanda Mahavir Research Centre treasuring many rare manuscripts.

Major Tourist Attractions in Nalanda
The Nalanda University Archaeological Complex
Total excavated area of the complex is about 14 hectares. The university was built in Kushana style of architecture. There are huge gardens, bronze statues and red-brick edifices all around. There are various temples here, of which temple no.3 is most interesting, as it has the statues of Lord Buddha in various Mudras (poses). There is a half broken statue of Lord Buddha in the temple no.1.

The Nalanda Archaeological Museum
Established in 1971, the museum has a beautiful collections bronze statues of Buddha, Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The collections here were found during excavation of the university site. The museum has rare manuscripts, copper plates, stone inscriptions, coins, pottery and a 12th century AD sample of burnt rice. Opens at 10 am till 5 pm. It is closed on Friday.

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara
This new international study centre for Buddhism and Pali literature was set up in 1951. It offers research works on the ancient Pali language and Budhism.

Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall
Hieun Tsang was a famous Chinese traveler, who came India during 5th century AD to study the social and political conditions. He devoted 12 years in the ancient university as a teacher as well as student. The memorial hall was built in his memory.

Bodhgaya Information

Location: Bodhgaya is situated 16 Km from Gaya and 105 km from Patna, Bihar.
Tourist Attractions: The Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi Temple, Vajrasana, Ancient Railings, Chankaramana, Animeshlochana, Ratnagar, Lotus Tank, Gaya, Barabar Cave, The Karan Chaupa cave, Tibetan Monastery, Myanmar Monastery, Chinese Monastery.
Best Buys: Tilkuta (a sweet), souvenirs made of stone.
Best Activities: Learn yoga & meditation.
Best Hangouts: The Monasteries.
Festivals: The Buddha-Jayanti is celebrated every year in April as this date marks the birth of Lord Buddha.
Nearest Tourist Destinations: Vaishali, Nalanda, Gaya, Patna.
When to Visit: The best time to visit Bodhgaya is during winter October-March. December and January is the time when the place is filled with tourists from all around the world.

About Bodhgaya

A vital Buddhist center, Bodhgaya, is the most sacred place for Buddhists. Some 2500 years ago, Prince Siddhartha got enlightened here and became Buddha (The enlightened one). The prince wandered for 6 years in search of peace. Finally he achieved the desired peace of mind here, beneath the holy Bodhi tree and thus was born Buddhism.

Nearly 250 years after the enlightenment, King Ashoka visited the place and founded the Mahabodhi Temple. A monastery was also founded by Ashoka which had Vajrasana, the seat of enlightenment. The 52 m high temple has beautiful design. The temple is made on a square platform, with four pillars around the corners of the platform. The 1700 years old image of Buddha inside the temple is in the Bhumisparsha Mudra (Touching the ground). Devout Buddhists and tourists from all over the world visit Bodhgaya, to study Buddhism and the art of meditation, or to pay homage to Lord Buddha.

A small and quite town, Bodhgaya lies 16 Km from the holy city of Gaya. Gaya is a famous Hindu Pilgrimage, where people go to offer oblations for the salvation of their dead forefathers.

Major Tourist Attractions in Bodhgaya
The Bodhi Tree
The Bodhi Tree is the famous tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment. He meditated under the tree continuously for next one week. King Ashoka, after conversion to Buddhism, surrounded the tree with 3m high stone wall. The present Bodhi Tree is most probably the fifth descendant of the original tree, as the original tree got destroyed. But the followers view the tree as the actual Buddha.

Mahabodhi Temple
The Mahabodhi Temple stands east to the Bodhi Tree. This huge temple is said to be constructed by King Ashoka. Shaped like a pyramid, it rises to 170 ft. The statue of Lord Buddha in the temple is made of black stone. The stupas in the temple were constructed during past 2500 years.

Vajrasana
The Vajrasana is a stone platform, under the Bodhi tree, on which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Vajrasana means the seat of stability.

Gaya
Situated 16 Km from Bodhgaya, this holy city is a place where Hindus
offer oblation for salvation of their forefathers. The temple of Vishnupad
on the bank of river Falgu attracts a very large number of pilgrims.

Barabar Cave
The Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills are situated about 41 km. from Bodhgaya. There are total seven rock-cut caves here, of which four are in the Barabar hills. Barabar Caves carvings bear the details about Buddha's life.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Though Bihar celebrates almost all the north India festivals, it has a festival that is unique to the state. Chhath is the most important festival of the state and is celebrated six days after Diwali, when people from all castes can stand together in the river and worship the sun god. The rituals related to Chhath are very stringent and there are several folktales, songs, and special sweets that make this festival a unique experience.

Another unique ritual confined to Bihar is the Pind-daan performed by the Gayawals in Gaya. It is considered to be an obligation of all devout Hindus to visit this place after the death of their parents, a mandatory rite believed to bring salvation to the departed souls. Though the pind-daan can be performed almost any time of the year, people prefer to do it during Pitrapaksha, which is the period just before Navratri and generally falls in September.

In the summer month of June, the people of Mithila in the village of Saurath organize a unique marriage mart in a mango orchard. During this fair, parents whose children are of marriageable age come here and the Mithila Brahmins settle a record number of marriages during this time.

Sonepur is the venue of a grand cattle fair held in the month of November. The fair is ranked as the world's largest and it is not simply confined to animal trade but numerous shows and performances are also a part of the fair. Visitors also pay obeisance at the nearby temple of Hariharnath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

BIHAR HERITAGE

Bihar is rich in culture and heritage. The ancient cities of Bihar boasts of some very rich and treasured sites of ancient India. The state of Bihar houses some very exquisite heritage sites from the ancient history of India, which speak volumes for its glorious past. Some of the heritage sites here dates back to the times of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The remains of Rajgir are the oldest architectural remains after the Harappa and Mohenjodaro remains in India. Bodhgaya is home to the tree where Buddha got enlightened. There is temple in Bodhgaya, constructed by Ashoka, in memoir of Buddha. Nalanda is home to the sites of the ancient Buddhist International University. Vaishali is the place where Ashoka made the famous lion-pillar. Vaishali is very holy place for the Buddhists. Be it the Hindu Pilgrimages sites, the Buddhist monasteries or the ancient Jain sites, Bihar is one most treasured destination in India with numerous places of interest.

BIHAR WILDLIFE

The world’s first tiger census had been carried out at Palamau in 1932. Today, Bihar boasts of 2 national parks and 21 sanctuaries. These include the country’s only hideout for wolves, a sanctuary for dolphins, a crocodile centre, a welcome jheel, or lake, which is home to an infinite variety of birds migrating from Central Asia.

The inception of the history of wildlife in Bihar coincides with the legislation of the Private Forests Act that restricted the zamindar’s ownership of forests (a zamindar is a member of the landed gentry). Thus, the government acquired 26,000sq km of jungle that was in danger of rapidly losing its fauna. Until then, Rajas (rulers) and zamindars indulged in lavish hunting orgies simply to outdo each other. The Maharaja of Surguja (around Palamau) alone was responsible for hunting down 1,150 tigers.

The Palamau Tiger Reserve is spread over an area of 1026sq km in the Chotanagpur Plateau. The dense and dry deciduous forest of Palamau is replete with the finest bamboo groves, sal, mahua, bel and khair trees. The sixteenth century fort alongside the Auranga River adds a touch of history to this forest. The other rivers that drain Palamau are the Koel and Burha that eventually empty themselves into the famous Sone River. 

Palamau shot to fame way back in 1932 for the tiger census – the first of its kind in the world – that was carried out here. In 1974, it became one of the country’s earliest tiger reserves. The core area of the sanctuary has been declared as the Betla National Park (232 sq km), famous for its wild elephants, tigers, gaurs (Indian wild ox), chitals (spotted deer), sambars (Asiatic deer), panthers, wild dogs and boars. 

Betla is easily accessible by road. It is 25km from Daltonganj and 175km from Ranchi, the nearest airport. The best time to visit Betla is in October-November and February-March. For accommodation, one can opt for B.S.T.D.C’s Ban Vihar or the Forest Department’s Rest Houses, besides other tourist lodges, cottages and dormitories. 

The Valmiki National Park (335sq km) has been created amidst 544sq km of the Valmiki Sanctuary in the West Champaran district of Bihar, bordering Nepal. The magnificent Himalayas provide a backdrop to the sanctuary. Adjacent to the sanctuary, in the forests of Nepal, is the historic Valmiki Ashram in the Chitwan National Park of Nepal. The One-horned rhinoceros and Indian bison often migrate from Chitwan to Valmikinagar. The forest here is a mix of extensive Savannah lands and swamp forests. The forest in the sanctuary is rich in Bhabar-Dun sal, dry Siwalik sal, khair, cane etc. The extensive forest area of Valmikinagar was owned by the Bettiah Raj and Ramanagar Raj until early 1950s. Tigers dominate the wildlife landscape while other attractions include chitals, sambars, nilgais, leopards, hyenas, Indian civets, Jungle cats, Hog deer and wild dogs. As far as the density of the tiger population is concerned, Valmikinagar ranks fourth in the state. 

Valmikinagar can be reached via Bettiah, with Patna as the nearest airport (105km). The best time to visit Valmikinagar is between October and June. A number of rest houses manned by the Irrigation Department are usually available.Rich in black bucks and nilgais, the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (134sq km) is the largest and one of the best faunal areas of Bihar. Its other wildlife denizens include chinkaras, tigers, leopards, hyenas, sloth bears, etc.

In the heart of Bihar lies the Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary (36sq km), bordered by a stretch of small historic hills associated with Jain and Buddhist history. A typical monsoon climate prevails over this region full of tropical dry deciduous forests. The sanctuary is rich in leopards, hyenas, barking deer and nilgais. The neighbouring Gautam Buddha Sanctuary (259sq km) in Gaya has similar climes. Further south, en route to Hazaribagh is the Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary (177sq km) situated on the Patna-Ranchi highway. Besides its rich wildlife, the place is famous for its scenic beauty. The most popular one amongst these is the Fhwajadhari Hillock. 

The Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary (186sq km) and its surroundings continued to be the royal reserve of the Raja of Ramgarh until 1950. The densely forested plateau of Hazaribagh is rich in flora, and fauna that include leopards, Jungle cats, sambars, nilgais, Barking deer, chitals, wild boars, wolves, etc. Numerous observation towers in the sanctuary makes it easier to take a closer look at the wildlife. The jungles in Hazaribagh are teeming with a variety of trees like the sal, asan, dhow, salai, kend, and bamboo, to name just a handful from a long list. Like Koderma, Hazaribagh too is full of picturesque spots and offers leisure activities like boating at Salparni. In the heart of Hazaribagh is the Kunhary Hill, now referred to as the Canary Hill. Don’t expect to see canaries but maybe you could settle for the similar looking Golden Orioles. 

Hazaribagh is accessible by the National Highway 33, while the nearest railhead is the Hazaribagh Road. Ranchi, the nearest airport is 107km away. Besides cottages and dormitories at Rajaderwa, Forest Rest Houses are available at Rajaderwa, Salparni and Harhad. Halfway between the Betla National Park and Hazaribagh is the Lawalong Sanctuary that was once a prized place for hunters who gathered here in a big way for big game.

Close to Bhagalpur, the Bhimbandh Sanctuary (682sq km) is yet another home to a variety of wildlife. Besides tigers, panthers, wild boars, sambars, chitals and nilgais, the forests here are famous for hot water springs said to contain traces of radioactive matter.

In most wildlife sanctuaries primarily meant for mammals flourishes a spectacular bird life that often goes unnoticed. However, there are sanctuaries exclusive to birds where reptiles go unnoticed. The Kanwar Lake at Begusarai, a ‘ dream spot’ in the words of the great ornithologist, the late Dr Salim Ali, is one such haven. It is three times the size of the Bharatpur Sanctuary. The lake is home to about 106 species of resident birds and around 60 migratory birds that come all the way from Central Asia in winter. 

The Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary in Rajmahal Hills, incorporating the Pataura and Berhale lakes, is home to a variety of birds including different mynas, brahminy kites, fishing eagles, hose swifts and palm swifts flying at dizzying speeds. The Paradise-fly catcher is a wonder to behold as it flies, with its tail describing a wave-like movement. 

Scattered with historical ruins and monuments, the Rajmahal has a lot of unique fossils. Some of the species unearthed here have also been found in the Jurassic rocks of distant countries like South Africa and Australia. The northern localities have yielded fossils in the form of impressions, while petrified fossils have been collected from the southern tracts. 

Other bird sanctuaries in Bihar are located at Topchanchi (9sq km), 35km from the mining town of Dhanbad. Udaipur (9sq km) in Champaran is noted for the flow of migratory birds including pochards, red crested pochards and coots. Resident birds include bronze winged jacanas, pond herons, egrets, swamp partridges, etc. The Nagi Dam Sanctuary (1.9sq km) near Jhajha is the smallest sanctuary in the state and also a place to spot migratory birds. 15km from Patna, Danapur is also a significant shelter for migratory birds, especially janghils (open billed storks).

Wallace, a British naturalist and explorer maintained that the innumerable animal species were not distributed arbitrarily around the world, but that each major region had its own zoological character. Bihar has its share of the rich Indian diversity of nature, where a good number of animals, birds and reptiles have helped uphold the image of the state as a wildlife haven. 

Chitals and sambars, often depicted as an ‘integral component of the Indian jungle scenery’, were once the largest group of animals in Bihar, and could be found almost everywhere. Today chitals are confined to sanctuaries at Palamau, Hazaribagh, Gaya, Champaran and Monghyr, while sambars are concentrated around Palamau, Hazaribagh, Monghyr, Koderma and Parasnath. The Birsa Mrig Vihar at Kalamati (23km from Ranchi) is a breeding farm for these two species of deer that have multiplied considerably in the past six years. April-May is the best time to look out for chitals with well-developed antlers. Moreover, it is around this time of the year that they move in groups. 

The smaller species like Hog deer once overran the Gangetic valley. They do not have beautiful white spots like the chitals and are rarely seen in herds. Chasing the hog deer was a popular sport among the indigo planters during the British Raj. Reclaiming grassy land for agriculture contributed to the factors that nearly led to the extinction of this deer. The Valmikinagar Sanctuary in Champaran is the only place in Bihar where one can locate the hog deer today. Unlike the hog deer, the barking deer is widely found in the sanctuaries of Dalma, Rajgir, Topchanchi, Lawalong, Udaipur, Koderma and Parasnath. The smallest in the deer family – the mouse deer (Indian Chevrotain) is not rare, although it is certainly too shy and retiring to be easily spotted. Its brown coat helps the tiny creature camouflage itself. However, you could try your luck at the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Tigers in Bihar were once on the brink of extinction. However, the persistent and concerted efforts of Project Tiger saved the situation. The number of tigers at the Betla National Park was as dismal as 22 in 1974. By 1984 it had multiplied to 62. Once again it has dropped to 50. Officials however believe that tigers often migrate to neighbouring states. Tigers are found in almost all the sanctuaries in Bihar, but their largest concentrations are at the Palamau Tiger Rerserve and the Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary in Champaran. 

Despite its sleek coat and extraordinary hunting prowess, the panther still seems to be shadowed by the image of the tiger and the lion. However, most wildlife enthusiasts feel that this graceful animal certainly outsmarts the tiger, and at times appears fiercer than the lion. Panthers can be seen at the Hazaribagh, Valmiki, Bimbandh, Topchanchi and Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuaries. 

Wolves do not rate too high on the wildlife popularity chart, though at one time, hunting wolves was at par with hunting lions and tigers, especially with royalty. Wolves love to live and hunt in packs and the group is led by a dominant pair. Despite the animal’s ability to adapt to the changing environment, its number has greatly diminished. Thanks to the efforts made by the Mahuadhar Wolf Sanctuary (63sq km, close to the Palamau Tiger Reserve), the number of wolves in and around Hazaribagh, Gaya and Palamau has risen. 

Elephants, the largest living land mammals are confined to the Palamau and Singhbum districts in Bihar. It was believed that there were no elephants in Bihar till the end of the nineteenth century, and that they suddenly appeared around 1920. However, medieval history is replete with references to elephants from Bihar. The Mughals loved to acquire elephants from this region. In the Makhzan-i-Afghani there is a precise reference to a white elephant, Shyam Chandra owned by the tribal king of Palamau. The elephant had a peculiar habit of not throwing dust upon his head. The Afghans reckoned this to be a symbol of power that could help pave their way to the throne of Delhi. Thus, Sher Shah Suri, the Afghan invader, forced the king to surrender along with his elephant. 

Close to Jamshedpur, the Dalma Sanctuary (193sq km) is the best elephant habitat in Bihar. The pachyderms love to spend their summer here. Unlike Palamau that usually reels under a scorching sun, it continues to be pleasant at Dalma with temperatures mostly under 30⁰C. Elephants migrate to this sanctuary because of the availability of water during summer. The next best choice for getting the closest possible view of elephants is the Betla National Park, and the most appropriate time for doing this would be Feb-March. 

One of the boldest and biggest denizens of the jungle, gaurs prefer to remain close to elephants as they love to share the clumps pulled down by the tall tuskers. Gaurs usually move in herds except for the monsoon when they disperse and often fall prey to tigers. 

The black buck, one of the fastest animals, also known for its beautiful corkscrew horns, has not been as lucky as the chital while adapting to the changing environment. Today black bucks have survived only in Bhojpur and are confined to the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Wild dogs, often held responsible for the depredation of wildlife, are confined to Hazaribagh and Palamau sanctuaries. It is said that once a pack of wild dogs enters a forest, all wild animals, including tigers, leave it. The dogs consume sambar fawns, chitals and almost all herbivores in sight. In fact, wild dogs are despised even by hunters who hold them responsible for scaring game away.

Muggers and gharials are the two species of crocodiles found in Bihar. With the receding water levels of the Kosi River, the number of gharials (gavial) has greatly diminished. However, going by earlier reports from the village, numerous gharials cruise along with the floodwater and arrive at Madhepura town. Though gharials are found in the Ganges and the Gandak River, they mainly abound on the banks of the Kosi. Muggers (marsh crocodiles) have a wider distribution, as they inhabit stagnant water like jheels, reservoirs and rivers with slow currents. People at bathing ghats are always wary of these animals. The Karmanasa River in Rohtas, the Mohana River in Hazaribagh and the Bhera River near Ranchi are said to be infested with muggers. The Mutta Mugger Breeding Centre near Ranchi took off with three muggers from Bihar and two from Madras. Today the count has touched nearly fifty!

Dolphins were once popular in the Ganges, though they are rare today. The 50km stretch of the Ganges from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon has been declared the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary. Zoologists from Patna University claim to have sighted about 40 dolphins in the sanctuary.

NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES:

There are 107 villages in the buffer, 3 in the core with a human population of 65,000 and a livestock population of 45,000. The core is distributed in 2 parts, the actual core and the recently inducted 'Satellite core'. The core area was declared a National Park in September, 1989. The Sanctuary was brought under Project Tiger in 1973 and is among the first 9 such Tiger Reserves of the country.

The western part of the Reserve is composed of dry deciduous forests and the other part shows characters of moist mixed deciduous nature. The entire area has a good distribution of bamboo breaks. The herbarium recently prepared by the Tiger Reserve authorities records a good number of medicinal plants.

The lush landscape consists of stately Sal in the valley and lower slopes, and dry deciduous forests on the upper slopes. There is also abundant bamboo and scattered open grassy patches are common too. An estimated 44 tigers inhabit this reserve.

      Tiger, leopard, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, wolf, wild dog, elephant, mouse deer, pangolin, four-horned antilope, ratel etc. Palamau was one of the initial nine Tiger Reserves launched in 1973. Prior to this the management of these forests was highly commercialised, with extensive grazing and frequent fires

Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary

107 km from Ranchi. The best time to visit is February - March and October-November.


Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary
100 km from Gaya. The best time to visit is October-June.

Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary
10 km from Jamshedpur. The best time to visit is October-June.

Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary
102 km from Patna. The best time to visit is October-June.

Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary
100 km from Bettiah. The best time to visit is October-June.

Kabar Lake Bird Sanctuary
22 km from Begusarai. The best time to visit is November – March