20 Historical Places In Bihar That Will Leave You Spellbound

The fascinating erstwhile historical places in Bihar not only offer you the chance to get a sneak peek into the glorious past of the state, but also let you know much about its cultural, traditional, and architectural glory. These ever-charming historical sites range from magnificent age-old forts and stunning mausoleums to carved intriguing caves and informative museums.

While some of the historical monuments in Bihar like the Golghar and The Agam Kuan have beautifully passed the test of time and stand well-preserved. The fascinating location of Golghar is just the first among the series of huge grain stores which were built for emergencies.

Others like the nalanda mahavihara and the ajatshatru fort are in their ruins. Many of the historical attractions have also been archaeologically excavated over the years. The Rohtasgarh Fort in Rohtas showcases The brilliant defence strategies of the early kings, While the Sher Shah Suri Tomb in Sasaram llets you stare in awe at the stunning craftsmanship of the early architects. The Mahabodhi Temple In Bodh Gaya offers you an insight of the life and preachings of Lord Gautama Buddha, while the Nalanda Mahavira lets you get inspired by the remnants of early teachings of Buddhism.

Some of the must visit places that you should cover during your Bihar trip include:

- Golghar

- Sher Shah Suri Tomb

- Nalanda Mahavihara

- Barabar Caves

- Patna Museum

- Rohtasgarh Fort

- Agum Kuan
- Bihar Museum

- Mahatma Gandhi Setu and many more

01

Golghar

Built back in 1786 under the commands of the erstwhile Governor General of India, Warren Hastings, Golghar was aimed at serving as a gigantic granary to store grains that can be utilized at the time of potential famine.

However, the said purpose was never met and at present Golghar serves as one of the famous historical monuments in Bihar. Resembling a beehive, this building features no pillars, but a spiral staircase having 145 steps that take you to the topmost part of the dome. Standing atop the dome, the visitors can soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of the lush garden, the picturesque Ganges, and the bustling cityscape.

Historical Facts:

-The Golghar was intended to be the first storage to be used for storing grains for emergency

-The construction of this storage completed on 20th of July in 1786

-The construction has a beehive like shape which was designed by Captain John Rrastin of Bengal Tigers.

-Inside the structure lies a spiral staircase which was built to ease the movement of workers while loading the grains.

Architecture:

-The construction has a stupa like architecture and has a height of 29m.

-Being such a large structure, the place remains pillarless and is sustained only by a great wall.

-You will be required to climb 145 steps of Golghar to reach its top.

What special it has: Other than its marvellous structure, Golghar will also let you enjoy an uninterrupted panoramic view of the sunset along the river from its top.

Location: Ashok Rajath, Patna, Bihar

Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM

02

Sher Shah Suri Tomb

Also known fondly as the ‘Second Taj Mahal of India’, the Sher Shah Suri Tomb has its name among the most prominent historical monuments in Bihar. Sheltering the mausoleum of Emperor Sher Shah Suri, this magnificent monument is surrounded by a serene artificial lake on its three sides and is connected to the mainland on one side.

Made of red sandstone, this three-storied mausoleum flaunts a spectacular Indo-Islamic style architectural design. Featuring a height of around 122 feet and home to 25 graves, the mighty Sher Shah Suri Tomb was constructed between 1540 AD and 1545 AD.

Historical Facts: The tomb was built in the memory of Emperor Sher Shah Suri.

Architecture:

-The tomb lies in the middle of a beautiful artificial lake.

-The height of this mausoleum is 122 feet.

Location: J P Nagar, Laxkariganj, Sasaram, Bihar 821115

Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM

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03

Nalanda Mahavihara

Dating back to the 5th century CE, the Nalanda Mahavihara served as the top scholastic institution of Buddhist learning for a period of 800 years. The university flourished under the patronage of the Gupta dynasty and Emperor Harshavardhan and started to decline in the 9th century when the Pala dynasty established 4 other institutions of Buddhist education.

The institution was totally ransacked by Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century. During its peak operational years, the university sheltered 10,000 students from countries like China, Korea, and Tibet. In the 7th century, the institution also taught the Vedas, metaphysics, and Buddhist theology to the popular Chinese scholar Hsuan-Tsang.

At present, the Nalanda Mahavihara is in ruins and makes for one of the UNESCO declared historical places in Bihar. The ruins of this magnificent university are still capable of proving as to why the Nalanda Mahavihara is famous educational institutions of all times.

Historical Facts:

-This institution of buddhist learning is believed to be found during the Gupta Dynasty.

-It was attacked thrice by the invaders.

-Its library has so many manuscripts and information penned down onto paper that it kept burning for around 5 months after being invaded.

Location: Nalanda University Site Rd, Bargaon, Bihar 803111

Timing: 9 AM to 5 PM, Everyday.

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Nalanda

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04

Barabar Caves

Counted among the most-visited historical places in Bihar, the Barabar Caves happen to be one of the country’s most ancient rock-cut caves that have successfully survived the test of time. Carved out of granite, these caves have their name in the Hindu epic of Mahabharata.

Constructed during the Mauryan dynasty, these caves flaunt the ancient Indian architectural style. One of the most surprising facts about the Barabar Caves is that, if you shout inside the cave, the echo will last for several seconds. Consisting of a total of 4 caves, the Barabar Caves features highly polished interiors, which make them even more appealing. Believed to be found back in 322 BCE to 185 BCE, this beautiful structure exhibits the brilliance of Indian Rock Cut style of architecture.

Historical Facts:

These caves date back to the Maurya Empire as some of them have Ashokan Inscriptions.

The Barabar Caves are considered to be one of the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.

Location: Barabar Hill Road, Barabar, Sultanpur, Bihar 804405

Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM

05

Patna Museum

Flaunting an impressive amalgamation of Mughal and Rajput architectural design, the very popular Patna Museum exhibits an extensive collection of age-old artefacts. Established back in 1917 and also known as Jadu Ghar, this magnificent building is home to charming paintings of the British ruler in India, ancient musical instruments, and brilliant works of Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

One of the prime attractions housed in this museum is a casket containing the ashes of Lord Gautama Buddha and the fossil of a 200 million years old tree.

Historical Facts:

-The place was believed to be formed to house all the historical objects and artefacts found in and around Patna.

-It was the first museum of Bihar

The artefacts it has:

-Archaeological Objects

-Coins

-Art Objects

-Paintings

-Instruments

-Thankas

-Bronze Images

-Textiles

-Sculptures

-Terra Cotta and others.

Location: Budh Marg, Patna, Bihar

Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM; Closed on Mondays

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06

Rohtasgarh Fort

Lying on the banks of River Sone, the Rohtasgarh Fort sits on a 1500 meter high heel and makes for one of the country’s oldest fortifications. According to popular beliefs, this fort was constructed under the command of Raja Harishchandra of the Solar dynasty and named after his son, Rohitashva. The magnificent Rohtasgarh has survived many storms and attacks, though it is in ruins at the present day.

Historical Facts:

-The fort of Rohtas was passed onto Sher Shah Suri by Hindu Kings back in 1539 CE

-Even after being so old, the fort lies at an elevation of 1500 feet above sea level

Location: Son River Valley, Rohtas, Bihar 821311

Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM

07

Agam Kuan

Dating back to the ancient Mauryan era, Agam Kuan happens to be one of the most ancient historical places in Bihar. With a whopping depth of 105 feet, the structure of this well features huge eight arched windows.

As per popular beliefs, Agam Kuan formed a part of the hell chambers of King Ashoka, where he used to imprison and torture people before surrendering to Buddhism. Visitors flocking to this place usually toss coins into the well with the hope of their wishes getting fulfilled.

Historical Facts:

-The well was identified by Laurence Waddell.

-This well was a part of Ashoka’s Hell Chambers where he used to torture himself.

-The well is also mentioned in the manuscripts of chinese travellers of the 5th and the 7th century AD.

Architecture:

-The well is 105 ft deep and is circular in shape.

-The diameter of this well is 15 ft, therefore making it pretty big.

-The structure has eight arched windows with its upper half made of brick and the lower part is secured by wooden rings

Location: Gulzarbagh, Patna, Bihar

08

Bihar Museum

One of the most-favorite historical places in Bihar among all tourists, the Bihar Museum not only showcases the rich history of the state, but also motivates the youth to be proud of their country. The museum is aimed at offering a sneak peek into the human history of the state and has an extensive collection of tribal artworks and ancient artefacts.

Spread across a huge area of whopping 5.6 hectares, museum has several galleries such as orientation gallery, the children gallery, the regional gallery, the contemporary gallery, the historical art galleries, the Bihari Diaspora gallery and the visible storage gallery.

Historical Facts:

-Many items here date back to the 4th century.

Architecture:

-The museum covers up an area of 25000 sq metres

-Spread over 5 hectares, this building has six storeys.

Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bailey Rd, Patna, Bihar 800001

Timings: 10:30 AM to 5 PM

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Patna

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09

Mahatma Gandhi Setu

The second longest river bridge of the country, the 5.7 kilometers long Mahatma Gandhi Setu runs over River Ganges, between Hajipur in the north and Patna in the south. The bridge features pedestrian pathways and roadways, with the NH 19 operating through it.

Built to offer people a more convenient traveling option to Hajipur from Patna, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu has become one of the most flamboyant historical places in Bihar. Tourists visiting this bridge usually soak in the mesmerizing views of the Ganges and click photographs against the river.

Historical Fact:

-Built to connect North Bihar with the rest of Bihar, this bridge is the third largest river bridge in India.

-It took around 10 years for this bridge to completely develop in 1982.

-Before this one, the only bridge used for the purpose was the Rajendra Setu.

Architecture: The overall length of this bridge is 5750 metres(5.7 KM)

Location: Chapra-Patna Highway, Muhammadpur, Patna, Bihar 800007

10

Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir

Established back in 1969 and considered to be one of the important Buddhist historical monuments in Bihar, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a 40 meters tall pure white peace pagoda that sits on the top of the Ratnagiri Hill. Perched at an elevation of around 1000 feet above sea level.

New initiatives in 1993 resulted in the present form of this magnificent stupa is encircled by a huge expanse of lush greens. Each of the four corners of the Vishwa Shanti Stupa feature a gold statue of Lord Gautama Buddha. The four statues signify the birth, enlightenment, preaching and death of the Lord. You can access the Vishwa Shanti Stupa by a chairlift and aerial ropeway that will take you to the hilltop and also get you back down.

Historical Facts:

-The initial pagoda at this location completed its constructed in 1969.

-The whole structure of shanti stupa was inspired by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the father of the nation.

-Since its construction, this stupa consists of four gold gilded statues of Buddha.

Architecture:

-With a diameter of 103 ft, this structure is 120 ft tall.

-Vishwa Shanti Stupa lies at an altitude of 400 metres amidst the Ratnagiri Hills in the valley of Rajgir.

Location: Vishwa Shanti Stupa Rd, Rajgir, Bihar 803121

Timing: 9 AM to 5.30 PM

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Nalanda

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11

Mahabodhi Temple

Mahabodhi Temple also known as Mahabodhi Mahavihara is one of the most visited historical monuments in Bihar. Listed under the UNESCO World Heritage sites, this place of worship dates back to ages and has been restored a number of times in the past. This is the place where Gautam Budhha attained enlightenment.

The temple was marked as an important religious site for the Buddhist followers by King Ashoka. When you visit this place, you will find monks meditating around the temple premises in search of peace and nirvana. After exploring the temple premises, you can sit down below the Bodhi Tree and meditate for sometime leaving behind all the hustle and bustle of regular life. It is a matter of fact that you will surely feel refreshed with better thoughts and course of actions.

Historical Facts:

-The temple contains a bodhi tree which is believed to be the site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment

-The place has been a major pilgrim attraction among Buddhists and Hindus for thousands of years.

-The temple is believed to be built by Ashika back in 260 BCE and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Architecture:

-The older elements of this temple have been moved to a museum

-Around the main structure lie the carved stone railings

-The temple is made of Bricks which are covered in Stucco

Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar 824231

Timing: 5 AM to 9 PM

12

Ajatshatru Fort

Constructed in the 6th century BC under the reign of King Ajatshatru, the stunning Ajatshatru Fort is one of the oldest forts in the state. Dating back to over 25,000 years, this fort is one of the finest historical monuments in Bihar. Although the fort is in ruins at present, it was once a rectangular structure with each of its four corners featuring a stone tower.

As per history, Bimbisara suffered his imprisonment in a dungeon inside the fort, after his son Ajatshatru captured the throne. During his stay inside the jail, Bimbisara had found a small space from where he was able to watch Gautama Buddha offer his sermons. At present, the Ajatshatru Fort is in its complete ruins, which still retain the fort’s magnificence and speak about the majesty of this erstwhile structure.

Historical Facts:

-The fort was built by the ruler of Magadha back in the 6th century BC.

-Inside the fort lies a prison where the king imprisoned his father.

-Various stories in Buddhism and Jain Agamas can let you find more about Ajatshatru and his possessions.

Location: Bangali Para, Rajgir, Bihar

Timing: 8 AM to 6 PM

13

Kumhrar

One of the most fascinating historical places in Bihar, Kumhrar is a small town in the outskirts of Patna city, famous for housing the archaeological remnants of the ancient Pataliputra. A myriad of excavation operations have been performed here and many interesting ruins have been unearthed. One of the most wonderful ruins is that of the 80-pillared sandstone hall, which dates back to 300 BC.

Other ruins that you can witness here are that of Anand Vihar, Durakhi Devi Temple, the Assembly Hall, and Arogya Vihar. Another attraction in Kumhrar is the Kumhrar Park, a magnificent expanse of lush greens.

Historical Facts:

-This is the place where the remains of the Mauryan Period were discovered.

-The findings here date back to 600 BCE.

-The place has been the capital of various ancient kingdoms including the Ajatshatru, Chandragupta and Ashoka.

Architecture:

-Its assembly hall has around 80 pillars and is arranged in 8 rows of 10 pillars each with a distance of 4.57 m in between.

-The pillars are made up of black spotted buff sandstone, and have a height of 9.75 metres to sustain a wooden roof.

Location: Patna District, Bihar

14

Chhoti Dargah

Lying 80 kilometers away from Patna, the 3-storied tomb of Chhoti Dargah is known popularly as one of the brilliantly architectured historical monuments in Bihar. Also referred to as ‘Maner Sharif’, this dargah happens to be the mausoleum of the renowned Sufi saint, Makhdoom Shah Daulat.

Featuring a spectacular central dome, four stunning minarets, inscribed ceilings, and walls adorned with motifs, this 405 years old mausoleum flaunts a truly dreamy architecture. The compound of the Chhoti Dargah also has a huge tank and a beautiful mosque built in 1619 by Ibrahim Khan.

Historical Facts:

-This is the place where a muslim sait Makhdum Shah was buried back in 1616.

-After 3 years, in 1619, Ibrahim Khan built a dargah at the same place to make it a regional centre for learning.

-The place is also known as Minar Sharif.

Architecture:

-The dargah is designed in a way that it holds the dome nicely.

-The structure expands for 3 storeys with a large tank in front.

-The insides of the walls of this malouseum are adorned with intricate designs and the ceiling has various passages of Quran inscribed on it.

Location: Maner, Bihar

15

Ashokan Pillar

The towering Ashokan Pillar to be a gigantic monolithic structure built using polished sandstone. Built by King Ashoka, this 12 meters high pillar features a life-size lion statue at its top. The pillars were constructed to commemorate the last sermon of Gautama Buddha.

The site of the Ashokan Pillar also has a stunning brick stupa and the Ramkund tank. You can also witness the remnants of the ancient Kitagarsala monastery close to the pillar, where Buddha stayed during the monsoons.

Historical Facts:

-The pillars date back to the Mauryan reign back in 268 to 232 BCE.

-These were erected by Ashoka, out of which only 20 survive now.

-Many of these pillars were relocated by the Mughal emperors.

-These pillars are considered to be the earliest known stone sculptures in India.

-All of the Ashokan Pillars were built at Buddhist Monasteries.

Location: Kolhua, Muzaffarpur district, Bihar

16

Bodhi Tree

One of the prime historical places in Bihar, the Bodhi Tree is the most sacred and spiritually significant site in regards to Buddhism. It is popularly known as the tree under which Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment. In the seventh century, a temple was constructed near this tree to mark the place where Buddha sat and meditated.

In the later period, this temple was replaced by the very popular Mahabodhi Temple. The Bodhi Tree has attracted many yogis, sages, pilgrims, and meditators over the years. Legendary spiritual personalities, including Nagarjuna, Padmasambhava, Atisha, Buddhajnana, and Vimalamitra have performed meditation under the Bodhi Tree.

Historical Facts:

-This tree is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha got enlightenment

-This fig tree situated here was the place under which Siddhartha spent around a month meditating

-Every year, the spot celebrated Bodhi day on 8th of December

Facts:

-The present Bodhi Tree is the fifth succession of the original tree.

-It is believed that the daughter of Ashoka took a branch from the original Bodhi tree and planted it in Sri Lanka.

Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar

17

Padri Ki Haveli

The earliest catholic church in the state, the stunning Padri ki Haveli is constructed in the same place where a tiny cathedral was established by the city’s first catholics. The previous cathedral was redesigned in 1772 by the renowned Venetian artist Tirreto and the present structure of the Padri ki Haveli was erected.

At the present day, the Padri ki Haveli not only makes for one of the spiritually significant historical places in Bihar, but also showcases a brilliant architecture with a beautifully inscribed bell and intricate designs. The church of Padri ki Haveli is also famously known as the training place of Mother Teresa.

Historical Facts:

-The place is believed to be visited by Virgin Mary.

-Padri Ki Haveli is the oldest church in Bihar and was built by Roman Catholics in 1713.

-The church was redesigned in 1772 after it was destroyed by Nawab Mir Qasim.

Architecture: The foundation stone of this church has a dimension of 70*40*50 ft.

Location: Sadikpur, Patna, Bihar

Timing: 6 AM to 8 PM

18

Gandhi Maidan

Nestled on the serene banks of the Ganges and spread across an area of whopping 60 acres, the Gandhi Maidan is one of the iconic historical places in Bihar. This place is famed to shelter the highest statue of Gandhi Ji in the whole world, which is around 70 feet tall.

As history has it, this place has been visited by a host of freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Indira Gandhi, and Sardar Patel. Home to a Gandhi Museum, the Gandhi Maidan also hosts many fairs and exhibitions throughout the year.

Historical Facts: This place was used as a golf course during the British Rule back in 1824 to 1833.

Location: North -West Area of Gandhi Maidan Rd, Patna, Bihar 800001

19

Gandhi Ghat

Named after Mahatma Gandhi, the Gandhi Ghat is the place from where the ashes of Gandhiji were immersed into the Ganga river. One of the main attractions of this place is the magnificent Ganga Aarti held here in the evening.

Tourists can also enjoy boating on the serene waters and watch the live Ganga Arti being performed with a total of 51 lamps. Another major event celebrated at the Gandhi Ghat with great pomp is the Kite Festival.

Historical Facts:

-This Ghat is named after an Indian leader, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

-The ghat has been experiencing Ganga Aarti for many centuries.

Location: Patna, Bihar 800005

20

Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Vaishali

Standing tall as a symbol of world peace, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Vaishali was established back in 1969. The monument is coloured striking white, therefore making it visible from far away. The monument has various age-old relics related to Buddha in its premises and has been attracting flocks of Budhists from throughout the world.

Also known as the “Japanese Peace Pagoda”, the main aim of establishing this monument was to pay homage to the ones who lost their lives in the bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Around the monument lies a beautiful garden, pretty enough for you to stroll around and click some memorable pictures.

Historical Facts:

- The monument was established back in 1969 by Nipponzan Myohoji and Rajgir Buddha Vihar Society.

- The aim of this monument was to pay homage to the ones who lost their lives in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

Architectural Facts:

The monument has various relics related to Buddha placed within its foundation as well as on the top.

Location: Vishwa Shanti Stupa Rd, Basarh, Bihar 843143

Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

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Bihar Top Attractions

Places To Visit In Bihar

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Eco Park

Patna Eco Park is a large green area designed to provide a natural place for relaxation. There are over 3000 flora types, a children's playground, boating rides, jogging, and cycling trails, food court, natural theme decorations, and sometimes sculpture shows. It is only spot in the busling city where the air feels fresh, and the green soothes the eyes for a while. With so much to offer, the Eco Park becomes one of the most loved tourist places in Patna. Architecture:-These areas contain an open space for relaxing strolls or for jogging.Attractions in the park:-Within the park lies a serene lake, perfect to enjoy boating.-The park is dotted with swings and rides, which make it the perfect place to come with your little ones-The Eco Park also contains a recreational zone where you can enjoy aqua zorbing. -The “Cactus Smriti” is another famous attraction of this park which is an artwork made by Subodh Gupta using kitchen utensils like forks, spoons and bowls. -The park also has a display board which exhibits the different stages of life of Lord Buddha,Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Rajbansi Nagar, Patna, Bihar 800015.Best time to visit:-March to April and-August to October.