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With rich cultural heritage and historical connections, Bihar has made its name into the list of top places which can be visited in India. Ranging from historical places like the architectural site of Nalanda and Bodh Gaya to modern attractions like the Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, this place has numerous attractions worth a visit.
However, having such an immense significance with royalty and history, its palaces, forts, and monuments are undoubtedly its major attractions. While the city of Gaya projects itself as a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists, Muzaffarpur is famed for being an ancient educational centre. The capital city, Patna itself, will offer you a glimpse into the rich culture and history through the array of attractions it holds and the diverse beliefs among the locals.
To your surprise, you will find people of various religions celebrating Chhath Puja with similar enthusiasm to others, therefore making Bihar a place amalgamated with different faiths.
Best Time to Visit
If you plan to visit Bihar and want to make the best out of it, make sure that you visit here after monsoons and before summers. Since the state experiences scorching heat during the summers, exploring the attractions becomes kind of difficult. With an average temperature of 25 degrees in winters, the months between October to March become the best time when you can explore the places around you.
How to Reach
1. By Air
The international airport in Patna is well-connected with other cities of India as well as multiple foreign destinations.
2. By Road
With a well-connected route with state and national highways, you can reach Bihar easily. You can either take your vehicle or opt for state transport buses and taxis to reach your destination.
3. By Rail
Trains frequently run to and from various Bihar stations, making it even more convenient.
Famous Archaeological Sites in Bihar
1. Nalanda
Nalanda was once the most famous area of the Maurya Empire and was considered an educational hub. Dating back to the fifth century, it holds phenomenal importance in the books of Indian history. The ancient remains here are known as Garh and contain various sculptures and carvings, which lighten the brilliant architecture they used to have in the past. The ruins also have a statue of Buddha and the Tomb of Malik Ibrahim Bayu, which can turn out to be the perfect spot to click your pictures. The relics found around these ruins have been shifted into a museum that you can visit nearby.
2. Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur, also known as the Silk city of India, is famed for being one of the oldest places in Bihar. This is the place that exports most of the silk in India, and shopping here is fun. Bhagalpur is also known for the ancient caves of Patalpuri and Bateshwar. In addition to these, Bhagalpur houses various famous rock temples and sculptures that depict the past’s brilliant craftsmanship. Besides this, the famous Vikramshila Monastery is also located in Bhagalpur, making this place a must-visit for every traveller.
3. Vaishali
Vaishali is one of the most famous cities in Bihar and is known for being home to an array of archaeological monuments & heritage sites. The first one is the Raja Vishal ka Garh, which lies atop a hill. Now turned into ruins, the fort was once a place where a royal family resided. The ruins span around 1 KM, and on its corners lie various pillars that exhibit the brilliant architecture old forts used to be built upon. In addition to this, another famous archaeological site located in Vaishali is the World Peace Pagoda, which was built back to provide homage to the ones who died during the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the second world war.
4. Bodh Gaya
Bodhgaya is prominently known for being the site from where Buddhism emerged. Housing the famous Bodhi Temple Complex, this town is flocked by numerous tourists and travelers worldwide. Inside the complex lies a Bodhi tree and a monastery where preachings of Gautama Buddha are given. In addition to this, you will also find various ancient stupas, temples, and many other archaeological sites here, which will truly amaze the history buff within you.
5. Jalalgarh Fort
This 300-year-old ruined fort was once the most beautiful building in its surroundings. Surrounded by waters on its three sides, this fort was built by Saif Khan, a faujdar, and made it to oppose any kind of attacks from Nepal. The place has turned into ruins, but the main gates and passages are still intact and are working as photoshoot spots.
6. Rohtas
Home to the charming Rohtasgarh Fort, this town is loaded with the most beautiful historical buildings. From the tomb of Sher Shah Suri to the tomb of Hassan Shah Suri, you can explore all significant attractions here by availing yourself of any full-day tour package of Rohtas. Another famous archaeological find available in this town is the Tara Chand Temple, adjacent to the rock with inscriptions on them. Other than that, Chandan Shahid Hill also offers an insight into the writings of Emperor Ashoka which are inscribed there.
7. Munger Fort
Munger Fort is one of those small, scenic forts that lay atop a hill along the stream of Ganga. Due to its location, it works as a perfect spot to experience the Chhath Pooja, during which various devotees reach the ghats and perform poojas and argus. Moreover, the fact that the history of this fort is not completely dated has made it an even more exciting and mysterious place. It is said that the fort was built by a dynasty of Mamluk during their rule and emerged as a place of power where rich and powerful people used to live.
8. Barabar Caves
Delve into the history of humanity by exploring the Barabar Caves, which date back to 381 to 185 BCE. Once a hiding spot of the Maurya Empire, these caves mesmerize you with the brilliant wall carvings. These seven rock-cut caves are nothing less than an architectural marvel, and once you enter them, you can catch a glimpse of carvings, paintings and passageways. The seven caves include Lomas Rishi Cave, Sudama Cave, Karna Chaupar Cave, Vishwakarma Cave, Gopi Cave, Hadithi-ka-Kumbh Cave and Vapiya-ka-Kumbh Cave.
Since Bihar is the birthplace of two major religions, Buddhism and Jainism, one thing is for sure: you will find a plethora of religious attractions here. Furthermore, being one of the oldest inhabited places globally, Bihar is also home to various archaeological sites. With a total of eight incredible places to explore, each one offers a different vacationing experience for the explorer and history fanatic in you.
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