Tag: tourist

IRCTC Buddhist circuit tourist train: Explore destinations like Gaya, Nalanda, Lumbini in luxury; see details

Source: financialexpress.com

IRCTC Buddhist Circuit tourist train: This Indian railways tourism package offers a luxurious comfortable journey! According to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, with its exquisite setting and wonderful services, the Buddhist Circuit tourist train ensures that passengers travel in absolute comfort. The new Buddhist Circuit Tourist train, launched last year, covers various key pilgrimage destinations across India and Nepal that are associated with the life of Gautam Buddha on an 8-day journey.

These pilgrimage places include Gaya, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Varanasi, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Shravasti and Agra. Therefore, in case if you are planning to explore these destinations this year, these are the departure dates for the journey: September 21, October 5, 19, November 2, 16, 30, and December 14, 28.

Some of the salient features of the new Buddhist Circuit Tourist train are:

  • 4 First AC coaches, 2 Second AC coaches, 2 power cars, 1 Third AC coach for staff and one pantry car
  • Air-conditioned restaurant cars
  • Safety lockers for guests
  • Vinyl wrapped exteriors depicting monuments of India
  • CCTV cameras, fire detection and suppression system. passenger announcement system
  • Coffee vending machine, microwave oven, wine chiller, Baine marie
  • Automatic dish washer and plate dispensers, pantry car with electric hot plate, deep fat friers, deep freezers
  • Shower rooms and modular fittings in the toilets

As per the package rates, the journey on AC 1st Class will cost Rs 11,760 per night and Rs 82,260 for full tour (7 nights). While journey on AC 2nd Class will cost Rs 9,620 per night and Rs 67,310 for full tour. The tour package includes journey by exclusive air-conditioned train, road transport by AC coaches, sightseeing, accommodation, meals, English/Hindi speaking tour escort, entrance fees of monuments/sightseeing trips as well as travel insurance .

However, the package does not include visa fees, items of personal nature such as laundry, medicines, alcoholic drinks etc., road transfers to and from Delhi’s Safdarjung railway station, hotel stay in Delhi before and after the trip, air ticket, visa charges etc., fees for still/flash video camera at the monuments and other places as well as any other service that is not mentioned in the package.

On cancellation before 45 days or more before the commencement of the trip, 10% of the total cost is charged. Cancellation from 44 to 15 days, 25% is deducted; 14 to 7 days, 50% is deducted and within the period of 7 days or before the scheduled date of the departure, no refund is granted.

Patna Museum

About:
Patna museum has a large collection of sculptures of the Gandhara and the Mathura style art. These sculptures belong to the Kushana period. The Gandhar style sculptures, also known as ‘Greeco-Buddhist Art’ are made of blue-schist of Swat valley and the collection includes figures of Buddha. Other than Lord Buddha, several statutes of Bodhisattvas have also been kept in the Patna Museum. Patna Museum preserves holy relic casket of Lord Buddha containing his ashes.  

Patna Museum houses many historic items found during excavations in different parts of Bihar. Some belong to the pre-historic phase and some are from early centuries of first millennium. Post-excavation, archeologists found many things including some historic objects, stone sculptures, bronzes, terracotta, paintings – miniature and thanka paintings and coins, which all are important to know the history and development of Bihar.

The museum at Patna has some pre-historic objects of great interest including of Palaeoliths, microliths and neoliths. These objects were found from different parts of India. Certain objects like Paleolithic tools found at Bariar (M.P.) and Lalitpur (U.P.), Attirampakkam (Tamilnadu) have also been kept in display in the museum.

Thus, the ancient Kusumpura metamorphosed through Pushpapura, Pataliputra, Azeemabad and now into Patna , a continuous history ranging from 6th century BC to present times – a record claimed by few cities in the world. It was Ajatshatru the Magadha king who first built a small fort in Pataligram on the bank of the Ganga in 6th century BC, which later blossomed into the ancient glory still to be seen in the neighboring archaeological sites at Kumrahar. Bhiknapahari, Agamkuan, Bulandi Bagh and Kankar Bagh. Pataliputra dominated the political fortunes of the whole of north India between 6th century BC and 5th century AD, a fact established by archaeological excavations. After a temporary eclipse, in 16th century, Sher Shah Suri returned the city to its former glory and established the present Patna . After the decline of the Mughals, the British too found Patna a convenient regional capital and built a modern extension to this ancient city and called it Bankipore. It was in Gandhi Maidan in this area, that Mahatma Gandhi held his prayer meetings.
Location info:
Address:Patna Museum,Patna,Bihar,India
District:Patna
Nearest City:Patna
Best time to visit: October to March
Climate/Weather:
The climate of the state is tropical with hot summers and cold winters. Monsoon brings medium to high rainfall and floods several areas in north Bihar. Humidity levels remain high in north and central Bihar throughout the summer and monsoon season, making them quite uncomfortable. The best time to visit the state is from October to March.
History:
Patna Museum was established in the year 1917. The aim behind the establishment of the museum was to impart a scientific vision to understand the evolution of history, culture and art tradition of the land. Patna archaeological museum boasts a huge collection of artifacts found during the excavations of ancient sites in Bihar.
Interesting things to do:
Sonepur Mela: 
One of the most astonishing cattle fairs to be held in Asia in terms of its size and scale. The sleepy little town of Sonepur (22 km form Patna) is thrown into frenzy on Kartik Purnima , a fortnight after Diwali , as people from all over the world congragate to participate in this huge festival and is enjoyed by all.During the period Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation provides facilities in traditional huts.

Chhath Festival: 
The festivities accompanying the celebreation of freshly harvested paddy and its offerings made to the Sun God have to be seen to be believed. Joy and colour mark the Chhath festivities as thanks are offered to the lord of Crops and the creator of the seasons. Devotional songs to the Sun God and fasting all day long make the Chhath Festival a day of thanks giving. Devotees walk barefoot in the penance to the venue of the celebrations. Lighted earthen lamps are floated down the river at evening time.
Interesting things to Visit:
Arts and Crafts: 
Madhubani paintings are indigenous to the state. The renditions by rural women, these village paintings have a large market in the urban areas as well as on the export front. Created strictly by the women of Mithila. they are etched in primary colours of natural origin on paper and cloth. Their subjects are mythology and religious events.

Tomb of Yahya Maneri:
The Tomb of Yahya Maneri lies in a mosque to the east of a large tank, with masonry walls and ghats, and pillared porticos, which is connected with the old bed of the Son by a tunnel, 400 feet long. The tomb is situated in an enclosure half filled with graves and ancient tress. On the north and west of which are three domed mosque and some quaint little cloisters build by lbrahim Khan.

Ganga river:
The Ganga has an exalted position in the Hindu ethos. It is repeatedly invoked in the Vedas, the Puranas, and the two Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Ganga is a goddess, Ganga devi, one of two daughters of Meru (the Himalayas), the other being Uma, consort of Shiva. In her youth, Indra had asked for Ganga to be given to heaven to soothe the Gods with its cool waters. The story of its descent to earth appears in slightly different forms in Ramayana, Mahabharata and in the Puranas. These myths are variously dated between 2000 to 400 BC

Ganga River Basin:
The Ganga River basin is affluent with perennial rivers and streams having special significance in the region it flows. Some of the important rivers in the Ganga River Basin are as follows The approximately 260 km long distributary of the Ganges River in West Bengal, India. The river divides from the Ganges as a canal in Murshidabad District at the Farakka Barrage. The town of Hugli-Chinsura was formerly known as Hooghly. This town is located on the river, in the Hooghly (district). The origins of the name of Hooghly River are not known, whether the city or the river derived the name first.
Mobile range info:
 
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Patna is connected by rail to Bombay, Calcutta, Guwahati, Ranchi, Varanasi.
Nearest Airport:The flights of Indian Airlines, Sahara India, Air Deccan and Jet Airways connect Patna with Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Lucknow, Ranchi and many other major cities.
Road Transport:All – weather motorable roads connect Patna with the rest of Bihar. There are also regular inter – state bus services.By road Patna to Nalanda-95 km, Rajgir-110 km, Pawapuri-90 km, Gaya-120 km, Bodhgaya-135 km, Raxaul-210 km, Ranchi-335 km, Muzzafarpur-78 km, Sasaram- 152 km, Vaishali-56 km, Calcutta-653 km, Delhi-997 km. Bus : Regular direct bus services connect Patna to Calcutta, Rajgir, Nalanda, Pawapuri, Vaishali, Gaya-Bodhgaya, Ranchi, Raxaul, Muzzafarpur, Sasaram.
Nearest Visiting places:
Golghar: 
Alarmed by the famine of 1770, captain John Garstin built this huge granary for the British army in 1786. The massive structure is 29 m high and the walls are 3.6 m wide at the base. The winding stairway around this monument offers a brilliant panoramic view of the city and the Ganga flowing by.Golghar or the roundhouse, the huge granary was built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin, at the behest of the then administrator, Warren Hastings. Bihar experienced severe draught that resulted in acute famine in the year 1770. Alarmed by the situation faced by the people, this massive granary was constructed for the British army.The enormous structure is 29 m high and is 3.6 m wide at the base. Overlooking the river and the plains, it looks like the upper half of a gigantic, decorated Easter egg, with the spiral stairway winding around this monument, adding to its embellishment. It offers a magnificent breathtaking view of the city and the river Ganges, flowing nearby.

Martyr’s Memorial: 
A memorial to seven freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in the Quit India Movement of August 1942, the Martyr’s Memorial is a modern sculpture facing the Secretariat, where they were shot in their attempt to host the national flag. Life-size statues in front of the aged secretariat compound have been put up in memory of seven brave young men who faced bullets for the freedom of the country and sacrificed their lives in August 1942 in the historic struggle for India’s independence during “Quit India” movement. It is a modern sculpture with life dimension statues of the seven martyrs’, in front of the Secretariat where they were shot in their attempt to hoist the national tricolor.

Har Mandir Takht: 
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, was born in 1660 in Patna. The Har Mandir Takht, one of the four sacred shrines of the Sikhs, stands at this holy site. The original temple was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and contains belongings of the Guru and Sikh holy texts. The Harmandir Takht, one of the four holy shrines of the Sikhs, stands at this holy site, The original temple was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and contains belongings of the Guru and Sikh holy texts. As a sign of reverence, it is also called Patna Sahib by the Sikhs. The Harmandir Temple, also referred to as Patna Sahib, is the second most important pilgrimage of the Sikhs after the Golden Temple of Amritsar. The Takht Harmandir was built by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru of the Sikhs. The gurudwara is made of white marble and is a great piece of art. The Harmandir Temple Located in Patna City, the elder part the city, it also houses a museum on it’s third floor.

Patna Museum: 
The Patna Museum houses a First World War cannon, metal and stone sculptures of the Mauryan and Gupta periods, Buddhist sculptures and quaint terracotta figures. A 16 m long fossilised tree is one of its special features.Patna museum was established in the year 1917 by the British Government.The building of the museum was built in the style of Rajput and Mughal architecture.It is a multipurpose museum.The museum is the storehouse of archaeological objects, coins, art objects, paintings, instruments, textiles, paintings, thankas, bronze images and sculptures and terracotta. Patna museum is divided into 11 different sections.

Pathar ki Masjid: 
Adjacent to Har Mandir Sahib, on the bank of the Ganga, is this beautiful mosque built by Parwez Shah, son of Jehangir, when he was the governor of Bihar. It is also called Saif Khan’s mosque, Chimmi Ghat mosque and Sangi Masjid.Stone Mosque or Pathar Ki Masjid was built in 1621 by Parvezshah, son Emperor Jahangir when he was the Governor of Bihar. Adjacent to Har Mandir Sahib, this beautiful mosque was built by Parwez Shah when he was the governor of Bihar. It is situated on the bank of the Ganga, it is also called Saif Khan’s mosque, Chimmi Ghat mosque and Sangi Masjid.

Sher Shah Suri Masjid: 
Sher Shah Suri built this mosque in 1545 to commemorate his reign. Built in the Afghan architectural style, it is one of the many beautiful mosques in Bihar, and one of the impressive landmarks of Patna.Khuda Baksh Oriental Library: Founded in 1900, a magnificent one-man collection of rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts, Rajput and Mughal paintings, oddities like the Koran inscribed in a book only 25mm wide and an assortment of old and new books from the University of Cordoba, Spain. It is one of the national libraries in India. The library also contains the only books to survive the sacking of the Moorish University of Cordoba in Spain.Sher Shah Masjid was built by Sher Shah Suri, to commemorate his reign. Built-in Afghan architectural style, it is one of the many beautiful mosques in Bihar and a landmark in Patna. An Afghan chieftain, who defeated Mughal Emperor Humanyun to rule Delhi. Locally known as Shershahi, the mosque was built in 1545, making it the oldest mosque in Patna.

Jalan Museum: 
Built on the foundations of Sher Shah’s fort, Qila House contains an impressive private collection of antiques, including a dinner service that once belonged to George III, Marie Antoinette’s Sevres porcelain, Napoleon’s four-poster bed, Chinese jade and Mughal silver filigree,.It is a private collection, and prior permission is required for a visit.Jalan Museum, also known as Quila House, is constructed at the old site of Shershah’s Fort, in Patna of Bihar.The museum houses private collections of Chinese porcelains, paintings, jade and silver filigree work of the Mughal period.Prior permission is required to enter the museum.

Sadaqat Ashram: 
The Ashram is the headquarters of Bihar Vidyapeeth, a national university. India’s first president, Dr. Rajendra Prasad lived here after his retirement and there is a small museum here showcasing his personal belongings. The beautiful bungalow of Sadaqat Ashram in Patna is situated at the bank of the river Ganga. This fantastic location of the Sadaqat Ashram attracts many tourists every year. Here people visit the museum to learn more about the last days of Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s life

AgamkuanAgam Kuan: 
Agam Kuan (Unfathomable well) is one of the most important early historic archeological remains in Patna. It is situated just close to Gulzarbagh railway Station, which is proposed to be associated with the Mauryan Emperor Ashok. The Agam Kuan refers to an “abysmal well” and it is situated on the eastern part of the capital of Bihar, namely Patna. It was built during the Mauryan Empire and ‘Ashoka the great’. Agam Kuan in Patna, Bihar This magnificent monument in Bihar is 105 feet deep and 20 inch in diameter. Half of the well is made of ornamented bricks. One of the spectacular things in this well is its arch-shaped windows

Padri Ki Haveli: 
Built in 1772, the Padri Ki Haveli in Patna is the oldest church in the state of Bihar. The Padri Ki Haveli has an interesting history behind its inception. The church is seventy feet in length, forty feet wide and fifty feet in height. The magnificent monument was designed by Tirreto, the venetian architect who came from Calcutta. The church has withstood many attacks and act of destruction. The soldier of Nawab Mir Kasim, the ruler of Bengal looted the Padri Ki Haveli following their quarrel with the English traders. In the process, the ancient records kept inside were destroyed and burnt. The church suffered another attack during the Sepoy mutiny in 1857.
Deer at Sanjay Gandhi Biological ParkBiological Park: 
Owing to its huge size, Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park is considered among one of the biggest zoos in India. The park houses more than three hundred species of trees including of orchids, ferns and roses. Each of these species has been kept in different houses and even their names have been given accordingly. The presence of the rare white tiger makes Sanjay Gandhi Biological park unique. Other than white tiger, the park has single male zebra, rhino of single horn, hippopotamus, and many cubs and tigers. The population of leopard is expected to rise in coming year for they have started breeding now. There are some 70 species of animals. Some rare species of animals such as clouded leopard, crocodile, Himalayan bear, lion-tailed macaque, leopard cat, hog deer, and white peacock, etc. have been kept here. The total population of animals is around 800. The park is excellent exhibition of wildlife.

PlanetoriumModern Planetarium: 
Indira Gandhi Science Complex is one of the must visiting places in Patna. This is among few Planetarium’s (Taramandal) in India.A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation. A dominant feature of most planetariums is the large dome-shaped projection screen onto which scenes of stars, planets and other celestial objects can be made to appear and move realistically to simulate the complex ‘motions of the heavens.

Kumhrar 80 pillar HallKumhrar: 
Kumhrar, site of the ancient city of Patliputra, lies 5 kms from Patna railway station. Archaeological findings in this area establish Patna’s claim to over a thousand years of political glory – 600 BC to 600 AD. Very little of this grandeur remains though, except for the remains of a huge Mauryan hall supported by 80 sandstone pillars dating back to 300 BC.Kumhrar, located in the city of Patna, is the site that consists of the archaeological excavations of Patliputra and marks the ancient capital of Ajatshatru, Chandragupta and Ashok. The remains of the ancient city of Patilputra have been uncovered in Kumhrar, south of Patna. It is six kms from the railway station, on the Kankarbagh Road. Excavations here have releaved relics of four continuous periods from 600 BC to 600 AD. An important find is the 80-pillared huge hall of the Mauryan dynasty.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
IOC Petrol Pump:Patna,Bihar,India Petrol Pump:Patna,Bihar,India
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Hotel Chanakya:Beer Chand Patel Marg,Patna,Bihar,India,Ph:0612 2223141

Hotel Satkar International:Fraser Rd,Patna,Bihar,India,Ph:0612 2220551
Hotel Nand:R. K. Bhattacharya Rd,Patna,Bihar,India,ph:0612 2322732
Things to carry:
 
Tips & Suggestions:
 
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:
Kurji Holy Family Hospital:Sadaquat Ashram,Kurji,Patna,Bihar,India,ph:0612 2262516
Dr Akhori Shashi Bhushan Sahaya:146,Shree Krishna Nagar,Boring Road,Patna,Bihar,India,ph:0612 2533469
Society/Community Phone Number:
Link:

Place related to Ramayan in Bihar

Tar (Bhojpur): Situated about 10 kms North West of Piro the village derives its name from Tarka, a she demon killed by lord Rama. There is an old tank in the village that is said to be the wrestling ground of Tarka.

Ahirauli (Buxur): Situated about 5 kms north-east of Buxur, this village has a temple of Devi Ahilya. According to the local tradition it dates back to the pre historic ages. Legend is that, Ahilya was transformed into stone as a result of curse of her husband, Rishi Gautam and she could be redeemed only when lord Ram Chandra visited her place.

Ram Rekha Ghat (Buxur): According to the legends, lord Ram Chandra and his younger brother Lakshman with their teacher Rishi Vishwamitra had crossed the Ganga here on their way to Janakpur where he later took part in the Sita swayambar (the public ceremony of Sita’s Marriage).

Pretshila Hills (Gaya): About 8 kms North-West of Gaya, the 873 feet high Pretshila Hills is situated. The literal meaning is the Hill of ghosts and it is sacred to yam, the Hindu god of hell and forms one of the sacred places of pilgrimage. On the top of the hill is a small temple, appropriately dedicated to Yam (The God of death).

Giddheshwar (Jamui): According to local legends, the epic fight between the vulture Jatayu and the demon Ravan took place here on the hill that is situated about 13 km south of Jamui, while the latter was abducting Sita. There is a temple of Lord Shiva, which draws big crowds on the occasion of Shivratri and Maghi Purnima.

Kako (Jehanabad): Situated 10 km each of Jehanabad Railway station. According to a local legends, Lord Ramchandra’s step mother, Rani Kekaiy of Ayodhya lived here for some time and the village took its name after her. The village has also a tomb of Hazarat Bibi, Kamal Sahiba; a great muslim lady saint. I is said that this lady was the aunt of Haryat Makdum Saheb of Bihar Sharif and Possessed devine powers.

Singheshwar Asthan (Madhepura): Singheshwar Sthan has been the abode of Lord Siva from the ancient times. Though there are various stories about the establishment of the Singheshwar temple, the one that is widely and popularly accepted, relates to Rishi Shringi. In ancient time Singheshwar was situated on the bank of the river Kosi and was surrounded by dense and lush green forest. It was ideally situated for ‘Tapasya’ (Meditation) and it is here that Vibhandak Rishi along with is son Rishi Shringi devoted all his time in deep meditation.

Phullahar (Madhubani): The village is situated about 6 kms West of the block headquarters at Umgaon under Harlakhi P.S. The village countains the temple of Goddess Girija. It is said that Sita, the daughter of king Janak, used to come here every day to worship the Goddess. Lord Rama saw her for the first time at this place.

Sita Kund (Munger): A village about 6 Kms East of the Munger town contains a hot spring known as the Sita Kund spring, which is so called after the well known episode of Ramayan. Ram, after rescuing his wife Sita from the demon king Ravan, suspected that she could not have maintained her honour intact, and Sita, to prove her chastity, agreed to enter a blazing fire. She came out of the fiery or deal unscathed, and imparted to the pool in which she bathed, the heat she had absorbed from the fire. The hot spring is now enclosed in a masonry reservoir and is visited by large number of pilgrims, specially at the full moon of Magh.

Ramchura (Vaishali): The place is situated in Vaishali block, where a fair is held every year on Ram Nawami day. the local tradition has it that lord Ram Chandra had a stopover here for a bath on his way to Janakpur. There are some marks on stone, which are said to be his footprints.

Ahilya Asthan (Darbhanga): The village is situated about 24 kms North West of Darbhanga and about 4 kms from Kamtaul Railway Station. It is known for the temple of Ahilya Asthan, which is associated with the well known legend of the sage Gautam and his wife Ahilya as told in the epics and Puranas. Inside the Shrine is a flat stone said to contain the foot prints of Sita, wife of Ram, as the main object of worship. 

Janki Temple (Sitamarhi): This temple is traditionally considered to be the birth place of Sita or Janki, the daughter of king Janak. This temple, however seems to have been built about 100 years ago.

Janki Temple (Punausa): This temple is about 5 kms South West of Sitamarhi. It also Stakes the same claim to be the birth place of Sita and is considered to be sacred place where people go for a pilgrimage.

Haleshwar Asthan (Sitamarhi): This is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva about 3 kms North-West of Sitamarhi. According to myths the King of Videha on the occasion of Putrayesthi Yojna, founded this temple.

Panth Pakar (Sitamarhi): An age old banyan… tree still stands here about 8 kms North-East of Sitamarhi. It is said that when Sita left Janakpur in a Paanquin for Ayodhya after the marriage to Shri Ram, she was given rest for a while under this very banyan tree.

Chanki Garh (West Champaran): Also known as Janaki Garh, this village is situated about 9 kms East of Ram Nagar Railway Station. There is a large mound in the eastern part of the village. It is a mass of solid brickwork and is 90’ high. It was probably originally a Fort and the remains of fortification can still be seen. The local tradition asserts that it was a Fort of king Janak.

Valmiki Nagar (West Champaran): This is a village on the Indo Nepal border 42 kms North-West of Bagaha to which it is connected by a metalled road. A barrage has been constructed here on the Gandak river for the purpose of irrigation. Besides an old Shiva temple constructed by the Bettiah Raj, there are also ancient temple of Nara Devi and Gauri Shankar at Valmiki Nagar.
There is a Valmiki Ashram, which is said to be the place where Maharshi Valmiki was living. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti every year a fair is held on the bank of River Gandak.

Tourist destination in Aurangabad

Introduction

Aurangabad district is situated on the Grand Trunk Road. The National Highway-2 passes through the district connecting it to Delhi in the north and West Bengal in the east.
Obra is famous for its carpet and blanket industry. The carpet-weaving tradition here can be traced back to the 15th century with its main hub today being village Koriepur.
India’s freedom struggle had many a participant from Aurangabad, and ‘Bihar Vibhuti’ Anugrah Narayan Sinha, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and Rajendra Prasad, hailed from the district. Sinha was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that wrote the Indian Constitution. In post-Independence days, he served the state as its first finance minister

Places of Interest

Deo Sun Temple
Built in 8th century AD by Chandravanshi King Bhairavendra Singh, this is one of the ancient Sun temples of the country. Reference to the temple can also be found in Puranas and other religious texts. The lOO-ft high temple resembles the temple at Konark in its architectural form. A unique thing about the Deo temple is that it faces west unlike the traditional Sun temples which face east. Needless to say, Deo is the place where Chhath, Bihar’s most sacred festival devoted to the Sungod,can be best seen.

Daud Khan Fort
This fort is situated at Daudnagar, on the eastern bank of the river Sone. It was founded by Doud Khan, governor of Bihar under the 17th century Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. Governor Doud is said to have stopped and taken rest at the place on his way back from a conquest, and fonded the town named after him. Later, Aurangazeb granted Daudnagar to him. There are an mosque and many ‘sarais’, built by Daud Khan as well his grandson Ahmed Khan, in the town.

Fairs & festivals
Deo Mahotsava is organised every year near the famous Deo Sun Temple. The two-day extravaganza is held in the month of February-March with artistes, local as well as those of national repute, showcasing their art during the fest. The Mahotsava is also listed in the state tourism calendar.
Jamhor,three km from Aurangabad’s Anugrah Narayan Road railway station,is the most sacrosanct place after Gaya for Hindus for offering ‘pindsdaan’ to their forefathers.The place is situated on the bank of river Punpun.

HOW TO REACH

Nearest Airport
Bodh Gaya International Airport
102 Km form Aurangabad
Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport Patna
126 Km form Aurangabad

By Rail: (Rail Route Map)

Nearest railhead
Anugrah Narayan Road
14 Km from the district HQ
Rafiganj
20 km From the district HQ

By Road:
Regular bus services-both private and government-from Patna.

Where to Stay:
Hotels, Rest houses and Dharmshalas in the Aurangabad Town.
J.K.Hotel Phone No : +91 94302 61426 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +91 94302 61426      end_of_the_skype_highlighting,Ac Rooms (Rs.550)
Non-Ac Rooms (Rs.250 Single; Rs.350 Double)
Hotel Royal Phones No : +91 93045 01479 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +91 93045 01479      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, +91 99313 67351 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +91 99313 67351      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

In Emergency, Contact
District Magistrate: 06186-223167 (Off), 223168 (Res)
Superintendent of Police: 06186-223175 (Off), 223195 (Res)
Town Police Station: +91 94318 22231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +91 94318 22231      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Medical Emergencies,Contact
Sadar Hospital: 06186-223183
Dr. Ramashish Singh (Physician): +91 94312 56220 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +91 94312 56220      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Dr. Anil Kumar Singh (Surgeon): +91 94312 78953 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              +91 94312 78953      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Tourist Season
October – November as lakhs of devotees throng the Deo Sun Temple during the period to observe Chhath.
February-April when Dep Mahotsav is organised.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist Places in Begusarai

Begusarai

Introduction

Carved out of the old Munger district and notified as a district on October 2, 1972, Begusarai is a major industrial centre of Bihar. Indian Oil Corporation’s Barauni Refinery, one of the country’s oldest oil refineries, is situated here.

Btraces back its history to the Buddhist period when it was called ‘Anguttarapa’, as mentioned in Buddhist literature ‘Majjhim Nikaya’. There have been evidences of continued habitation here since the Mauryan period. It was an important centre of administration, art and culture during the Pala period.

Places of Interest

Situated 5 km west of Begusarai town on National Highway 31 at a place called Ulao, this temple is more than a century old and is embellished with exquisite murals of rich Rajasthani Shekhawati Art of painting. The theme of the paintings is based on the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and other Hindu epics.

Panch Mandir Barauni Refinery

HERITAGE
Panch Mandir, another temple situated in close proximity to the Radhe Shyam Temple, is replete with Pala-era statues of various gods and goddesses and other artifacts of the same period. The Shivalinga in the temple also belongs to the Pala period.

Museums

The KP Jayaswal Radha Krishna Chaudhary Memorial Archaeological Museum, situated on the local G D College premises, has on display many statues and artifacts found during various archaeological excavations. There’s also a Government Museum at Lohia Nagar.

Son of The Soil

Famous Hindi poet, Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, belonged to Simaria village in the district. There’s a bust of the poet installed in the village to commemorate his contributions to the Hindi literature. The Dinkar Jayanti Samaroh Samiti, of which the Begusarai district magistrate is the ex-officio head, organises a Dinkar anniversary function at the Dinkar Bhawan in Begusarai town every year on September 23. Literary doyens of Hindi from across the country attend the function at which two Hindi litterateurs are feted.

Fairs & Festivals

The month-long Simaria Mela, organised on the bank of river Ganga at Simaria Ghat during October-November every year, draws thousands of devotees from Bhutan and Nepal. The devotees stay in thatched houses and take a dip in the river as there’s a widespread belief that a dip in the Ganga during the period washes all sins. The atmosphere becomes supremely religious during the period, and the festivities end with Chhath festival. 

HOW TO REACH 

Distance from Patna: 120 km

By Air:(Air Route Map)

Nearest Airport
Jaya Prakash Narayan International Airport, Patna Private and state transport buses as well as taxis are available from Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur and all other important towns of the state.

By Rail: (Rail Route Map)

Nearest Railway Stations
Begusarai Jn is situated on the Barauni-Katihar section of ECR.
Barauni railway station is situated 15 km away from the district HQ.
Hathidah railway station is situated about 20 km away from the district HQ.

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:
Guest Houses: The state government, Barauni Refinery, Barauni Thermal Power Station and the Barauni Sudha Dairy have their own guest houses.

Hotel Yuvraj, Barauni, STD Code : 06243 Phones : 265524/264780
AC rooms and suites available with tariff ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,500
Hotel Samrat, Barauni, STD Code : 06243 Phone : 265534
AC and non-AC rooms available for Rs 180 to Rs 700
Hotel Blue Diamond, Begusarai, STD Code : 06243 Phone : 242181
AC rooms and suites available with tariff ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500
Motel Sayonara, Begusarai, STD Code : 06243 Phone : 244078
Non-AC rooms available with tariff ranging from Rs 325 to Rs 500

WHERE TO EAT

Chilly’s, Tahiti Resort, NH 31
Phone: 244786
Celebrations, NH 31
Phone:243776
Ahaar Utsav, Barauni Refinery Township
Phone: 274289
Swayamprabha Restaurant, Motel Sayonara, near Begusarai railway station
Phone: 244078
Jubilee Dhaba, NH 31
Phone: 245973/274269

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

In Emergency,Contact, STD Code : 06243
District Magistrate: 212285 (Off), 200584 (Res)
Superintendent of Police: 213015 (Off), 200519 (Res)

Medical Emergencies,Contact, STD Code : 06243
Dr. M.N. Roy (Surgeon): 212849
Dr. Nalini Ranjan Singh (Ortho): 212877
Dr. Ramashraya Singh (Surgeon): 217281
Dr. K.K.Singh (Physician): 213630
Dr. Binay Kumar (Physician): 218440
Dr. Dinesh Prasad Singh (Physician): 212189
Sadar Hospital: 210002

Tourist Season
October-March as the Simaria Mela is held during the period. Besides, this is the time when Kawar Lake remains abuzz with migratory birds. The temperature is also comfortable except during the period between December-end and mid- January when it’s cold.

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist Places in Bettiah

Bettiah

Introduction

The district of West Champaran is spread over an area of 5,229 sqkm in the northwest corner of Bihar and is a part of the Tirhut division. Bettiah is the HQ town of the district, divided into hilly tract and Terai region (largely populated by the Tharu tribe).

Bettiah is 225 km northwest of Patna. It is the birthplace of famous writer Gopal Singh Nepali. Mahatma Gandhi started his famous ‘satyagraha’ from Bettiah.

To the north of the district is the hilly region of Nepal and to the south is Gopalganj and a part of East Champaran. To its east, it has East Champaran and to the west, it has padrauna and Deoria districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Gandak or Narayani and Sikrahana or little Gandak are the two major rivers of the district. Forests are confined to the northern tract (Sumeshwar and the Dun ranges).

Bettiah Raj was once a great estate and the two kings, Ujjain Singh and son Gaj Singh, received the title of Raja from Emperor Shah jahan (1628). The last Maharaja was Harendra Singh who died issueless in 1893. He was succeeded by his first wife who died in 1896 and then Maharaja’s junior widow, Maharani janaki Kuar,became the queen.

Bettiah had indigo planters who were oppressed by the colonial empire, and this resulted in rise of nationalism here. In this connection, freedom fighter Raj Kumar Shukla met Mahatma Gandhi who, in turn, visited Bettiah in 1917 and gradually this region became the hub of Indian nationalism.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve (60 Kms from Bettiah) is one of the major attractions for tourists here.

Places of Interest

Valmiki Nagar
Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary located in the north western comer of the State in West Champaran district is the prime location for eco-tourists featured onwildlife.
Spread over 900 sq km of forests, this encompasses Valmiki National Park (335 sq km) and also the Valmiki Tiger Reserve with enchanting locales for the enthusiasts of wilderness and deep forests. Contiguous with the Chitwan National Park of Nepal, the tract is a seamless expanse of wilderness and biodiversity heaven in the outermost Terai foothills of the Himalayan landscape and possesses the typical variety of landforms and eco-sites.
The main carnivores in the available faunal community consist of tiger, leopard, wild dog, civet, leopard cat, fishing cat and hyena. The herbivore fauna includes chital, sambhar, gaur and nilgai. The sanctuary is also rich in avifauna and reptiles. A family of rhino from across Nepal has taken residence in the areas along Gandak river. The vegetation and floral biodiversity are equally rich and captivating. This sanctuary being lesser frequented, there are almost virgin locales as if waiting to be discovered by the travelers liking the unseen forest recesses. 

HOW TO REACH

It is well connected by rail route and roadways to almost all the major cities of the country.

By Air:(Air Route Map)

By Rail: (Rail Route Map)

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:
Hotel Kishan
Half-a-km from the railway station and bus stand Phone: 233188. AC and non-AC rooms available with tariff ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 1,200.

Hotel Amrapali
Half-a-km from the railway station in the middle of Bettiah town Phone: 242432, AC and non-AC rooms and suites available; tariff ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 1,500.

Hotel New Bharat Jalpan
Lal Bazar, Bettiah, Phone: 242570 Non-AC rooms available for Rs 220-Rs 400. There are also a PWD Inspection Bungalow and a tourist lodge at Valmikinagar.

Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.

In Emergency,Contact, STD Code : 06243
District Magistrate: 232534
Superintendent of Police: 232563

Medical Emergencies,Contact, STD Code : 06243
R R Memorial Hospital: 99344-09855
Dr Ansumani Shukla (Physician): 233966
Dr DeepakJaiswal (Orthopaedic): 94312-12002
Dr N N Sahi (Cardiologist): 94312-95017
Dr U S Pathak (Physician): 94316-32253
Dr P KTiwary (Surgeon): 94306-89345
Dr Meera Choudhary (Gynaecologist): 242537
Dr Manju Chaudhary (Gynaecologist): 242816
Dr Poonam Sinha (Gynaecologist): 94312-12789

Tourist Season
October to March

Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Bhagalpur

Introduction

Bhagalpur is one of the oldest districts of Bihar, located in the eastern part of the state. It was once rated among the six best silk-producing Indian cities, and is still known as ‘Silk City’. Here, the river Ganga flows towards the north and is, therefore, referred to as ‘Uttarvahini Ganga’.

One of the major industries here is the power generation unit of National Thermal Power Corporation. The power plant is situated at Kahalgaon, nearly 30 km from Bhagalpur district HQ town. Bhagalpur is well-connected by rail to most parts of the country, and is a major station between Kiul Junction and Howrah on the Delhi-Patna-Kolkata route.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR 

Kuppa Ghat

Also known as Mehi Ashram, it was founded by revered Hindu saint Maharshi Mehi Das. Situated on the bank of river Ganga, it is an epitome of peace and serenity and it is a divine experience to spend time here.

Jain temple The famous temple of Vaasupujya Bhagwan Mahavir Jain is located at Nathnagar, and it attracts thousands of tourists and Jain devotees from across the country.


Karngarh

Situated in the Nathnagar area on the outskirts of Bhagalpur city, it used to be the abode of King Kama. The grandiosity with which Dussehra puja is organised here is to be seen to be believed.

Burhanath Temple

Situated on the bank of river Ganga in Jogsar locality, this ancient Lord Shiva temple, known to command mystic energy, attracts people from different walks of life. It is also known as Dudheshwara Mahadev Temple.

Khanqah-e-Shahbazia

Situated at Mulanachak, near the Bhagalpur railway station, it has been an important reli- gious place and seminary of the Muslim community since the Mughal era. A rich library having books on Arabic and Persian theological works is also there at Khanqah-e-Shahbazia. It has a Holy Quran transcribed by Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of Murshidabad.

Ghuran Peer Baba

Situated near the Kutchery Chowk, the place is famous among followers of all faiths. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs as well as others assemble here every Friday to seek the blessings of ‘Peer Baba’, who is believed to command sacred powers.

Mandar Hill

Nearly 50 km from Bhagalpur at Bounsi on Bhagalpur-Dumka state highway, the site is associated with’ a legend according to which this is the mountain that was used for ‘Amrit Manthan’ (to churn the ocean for procuring nectar). The legend has it that a ‘naag’ or snake was tied around the mountain to churn the ocean, and people believe the snake that was used as a rope has left an impression on the hill. A month-long Bounsi Mela is organised on the foothills of Mandar every year. Mandar Hill is equally revered by Jains who believe that their 12th Tirthankar attained ‘nirvana’ here.

Ajgaibinath Temple Situated nearly 39 km from Bhagalpur city at Sultanganj on the bank of river Ganga, Ajgaibinath Temple of Lord Shiva is visited by lakhs of devotees through out the year. The rush is huge during the Shravan month of Hindi calendar. During the month-long Shravani fair, people pay obeisance to Lord Shiva before proceeding to another temple at Deoghar in Jharkhand. They also collect holy water from the river Ganga here and carry it to Deoghar for offering it on the ‘Shivalinga’ in the Deoghar temple.

Yogini Dham

Nearly 100 km from Bhagalpur in Godda district, it is a famous rel gious place of Goddess Durga. The original temple is situated on the mountain, and the route to the temple is a replica of the famous Vaishno Devi cave in Jammu. Hindus believe that people’s wishes are fulfilled after a visit to the temple and that the sick are cured after they lie down on the platform of the temple.

Ruins of Vikramshila University Situated at Antichak in Kahalgaon sub-division, 38 km from Bhagalpur, ancient Vikramshila University was hailed as an epitome of learning and civilization during the Pala dynasty period of 783-820 AD. The university was established by King Dharampala of the Pala dynasty of the then Bengal province (now Kahalgaon) in the year 783 AD.

Museum

There’s a museum at Sandy’s compound which remains open from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm every day except Monday. Entry is free. 

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Bihula-Bishahari Puja or Mansa Puja

It is a local festival held’ at Nathnagar every July. Snakes are worshipped at the Bishahari Sthan which is believed to be the site where a devout lady’s dead husband became alive.

Durga Puja

It is celebrated with typical Bengali fervour. Broari (community) style of puja at Durgabari and Kalibari, which is famous among the traditionally rich Bengali community, attracts people from far-off places.

Kali puja

Bhagalpur’s Kali puja is also quite famous. ‘Akharas’ (mock display of traditional combat art and martial art) are taken out on the roads as part of the idol immersion processions.

HOW TO REACH

By Air:(Air Route Map)

Nearest Airport

Nearest airport: Patna Bhagalpur is prominently there on the Indian Railways’ map, and there are trains from all major stations, including Patna,to Bhagalpur.While the rail route distance between Bhagalpur and Patna is 223 km, it’s 240 km by road. Private taxis can be hired from Patna to go to Bhagalpur. Taking a train to the Silk City is wiser, though.

The rail route distance between Bhagalpur and Kolkata, capital city of West Bengal, is 456 km while it’s 465 km by road.

By Rail: (Rail Route Map)

Nearest railhead

Bhagalpur.

By Road:

Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.

Where to Stay:

Private Hotels/Guest Houses and Dharmshalas are available at Bhagalpur.

Hotel Rajhans International, STD Code: 0641, Phone: 2409411-15, 2300507; Fax: 2400816

AC and non-AC rooms and suites available with tariff ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 2,495

Hotel Nihar, STD Code: 0641, Phone: 2400516, 2400336, 9304236321

email: niharhotel@rediffmail.com

AC and non-AC rooms and suites available with tariff ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 1,500

Hotel Panchwati, STD Code: 0641, Phone: 2401023, 2401027, 2420494; Fax: 2421285

Email: krishnasic@rediffmail.com

AC and non-AC rooms and suites available with tariff ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100.

Hotel Bhawan International, STD Code: 0641, Phone: 2408010, 2408011, 2426219, 9430021760

Email: hotel_bhawna@yahoo.co.in

AC and non-AC rooms and suites available with tariff ranging from Rs 599 to 1,800.

Hotel Sriyash Regency, STD Code: 0641, Phone: 2409397, 2409485

Email: sukulsanjoy@yahoo.com

AC and non-AC rooms and suites available with tariff ranging from Rs 599 to 1,800.

Single & double AC rooms & AC suites available with tariff ranging from Rs 1,200 to 2,085

Besides, there are several other budget hotels, guest houses & dharmashalas at Bhagalpur.

WHERE TO EAT

Royal Darbar: 9431422219

Mayfair: 2403853

The Treat: 9934877541

Hot Bits: .2420579

Big Bite: 2306857

Adarsh Jalpan: 2420524

Manali: 2303077

Local Transport:

Hired taxis/buses/Auto-rickshaws/ Cycle-Rickshaws/ Tangas.

In Emergency, Contact, STD Code: 0641

Inspector General of Police: 2400101, 2400901

District Magistrate: 2400012 (Off), 2401202 (Res), 9431213543 (Mobile)

Superintendent of Police: 2400103 (Off), 2401003 (Res), 9431800003 (Mobile)

Dy SP (Law & Order): 2420853 (Off), 2420824 (Res), 9431822601 (Mobile)

Kotwali Police Station: 2421302, 2461901

Police Control Room: 2400701, 100

Medical Emergencies,Contact, STD Code: 0641

Dr. S.N.Jha: 2400096, 2421752, 9431214233

Dr. B.K.Sinha: 2420710, 2422160, 9431214212

Dr. Manoj Kumar Jha: 2422144, 2424755

Dr. Mrityunjay Kumar: 2422077, 2420823, 9431214115

There are more than 50 nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics of different special- izations apart from a government hospital and Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital (JLN- MCH) at Bhagalpur.

Tourist Season

October to March.

Clothing: Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Arrah

Arrah

Introduction

Ara, situated 50 km west of Patna, is the district HQ town of the Bhojpur district. The area, previously known as Aranya Kshetra, has a glorious past and has many historical sites and temples.

The district is also famous for its association with Veer Kuer Singh,one of the stalwarts of 1857 rebellion – the first war of Indian independence.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Ara House

It is a huge and magnificent building situated near Maharaja Collegeat Ara, two km from the Ara railway station.The building is famous as Veer Kuer Singh’s house. King of the erstwhile Jagdishpure state,Kuer Singh had valiantly fought the Britishersin 1857, and had kept several Britishers captivein the Ara House. Jain Museum Located 2.5 km from the railway station on Jail Road,the museum has rare collection of Jain literarytexts

Jagdishpur Fort

Situated 15 km from Araon National High way 34 is the Jagdishpur sub-divisional town which is known for being the birth place of VeerKuer Singh.Every year on April 24, the Bihar government organisesa function here to celebrate ‘Vijayotsava’ in memory of Kuer Singh’s victory over the Britishersin 1857.

Aranyadevi Temple

Situatedat Gopali Chowk, two km from the Ara railway station, is an old and famous temple of goddess Shakti.

Chandwa

Two km west from Ara town is the birth place of former deputy prime minister of India ,Babu Jagjiwan Ram. There’s a ‘samadhisthal’ of the great leader here.

Jain Temples

There are scores of Jain temples in and around Ara which are worth seeing.

HOW TO REACH Distance from Patna: 50 km by train; 60 km by road.
Ara is situated on the Patna-Delhi main rail route. Almost every mail and express train has a stoppage at the Ara railway station.
Ara is situated on the Patna-Buxar main road. One can take a bus or hire a taxi from Patna to reach Ara. 

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna (55 kms) Gaya International Airport (145 kms). 

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Ara. 

By Road: 
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities. 

Where to Stay: 
Park View Hotel and Restaurant
Shahid Bhawan Road, Ara
Phone: 241312
AC and non-AC rooms are available for Rs 445-Rs 795

Regal Hotel and Restaurant
Shahid Bhawan Road, Ara
Phone: 222216
AC and non-AC rooms for Rs 425-Rs 695


In Emergency, Contact, STD Code: 06182
District Magistrate: 221312
Superintendent of Police: 221320
Town Police Station: 221561  

Medical Emergencies,Contact
Dr. Bijay Kumar Singh: 9431438990
Dr. Vijay Kumar Singh: 9431027236
There are several nursing homes, private clinics and a government hospital at Ara.  

Local Transport:
Hired taxis/buses/Auto-rickshaws/ Cycle-Rickshaws/ Tangas. 

Tourist Season 
October to March. 

Clothing: 
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Tourist places in Gopalganj

Gopalganj District
Gopalganj

Introduction

Gopalganj district was notified as a separate district in 1973. In 1758, Fateh Bahadur Sahi, a member of Hathwa Raj, led the war of independence in the district. But he had to shift his activities to Tamkuhi as some of his associates ditched him.

Places of Interest

WHAT T0 LOOK FOR

Thawe Durga Temple

 located on the Patna-Gopalganj road, Thawe’s Durga Temple is visited by thousands of people every year. A huge fair is organised here during Dussehra in September-October.

Bhuri Shravar Ashram

Situated about 65 km from Gopalganj at Bhore, this Ashram dates back to the Mahabharata period.

Dhurna Kund

Situated about 20 km from Bhore town is an ancient Shiv Temple located right in the middle of river Khanua. Devotees have to reach the temple by boat. Another place of tourist importance is Amya in Kateya block, about 85 km from Gopalganj. lord Buddha had stayed here while he was on way to Kushinagar after getting enliglitenment.

LOCAL FAIR

 
The month-long Vaishakhi Mela at Thawe Durga Temple during Chaitra month is a major tourist attraction.HOW TO REACH 

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Gopalganj is connected by road with Patna in Bihar and Gorakhpur in UP Buses ply regularly from Patna, Muzaffarpur, Siwan, Chhapra and Gorakhpur to Gopalganj. Thawe is the nearest railway station, about five km from the district HQ at Gopalganj. 

By Rail: 

Nearest railhead 
Gopalganj. 

By Road: 
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities. 

Where to Stay: 
Hotel Vaibhav, STD Code: 06156, Phone: 226457, 225756
AC rooms with cable TV and other facilities available for Rs 600 to Rs 1160.
Ashish Hotel, STD Code: 06156, Phone: 226089
Rooms available at moderate tariff.
Kailash Hotel, Phone: 9431217090 
Rooms available at moderate tariff.
There are several other private lodges and government-owned inspection bungalows where rooms are available at affordable rates.  

Local Transport: 
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas. 

In Emergency, Contact,STD Code: 06156 
District Magistrate: 224661 (Off), 224662 (Res), 9431016567
Superintendent of Police: 224669 (Off), 224668 (Res), 9431822991
Deputy SP (Sadar): 9431800070
Town Police Station SHO: 9431822488 

Medical Emergencies,Contact
Dr. shambhu Nath Singh (Cardiologist): 9431424046
Dr. S.K.Jha: 9934673813
Civil Surgeon: 9431414065 

Tourist Season
October to March. 

Clothing: 
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).

Wildlife Tour Bihar

Bihar Wildlife Tourism is one of the most promising tourisms offers best of wildlife sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves. India has wildlife Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserves galore in which Wildlife in Bihar has an important place. Bihar Wildlife Tourism offers exodus of Wildlife National Park, wildlife sanctuary and Wildlife Safari. BBT provides best of Bihar Wildlife tour Packages to palate your taste buds for experiencing best of Wildlife Travel. 

With 21 wildlife sanctuaries and 2 wildlife national parks including Tiger Reserves Bihar marks to be the best in the country for witnessing the wonders of the nature. Huge area gives ample space for the creatures to thrive in natural habitats. The state Government has taken special initiatives to take proper care of the Wildlife and maintain the fragile ecosystem. Bihar wildlife sanctuaries are very renowned because they are home to some endangered species whose number has increased in the recent few years. Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary and Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary are the most famous of all the sanctuaries in Bihar.
Apart from hundreds of species of resident birds, there are similar numbers of migratory birds coming every year during winters and could be a dream come true experience for the bird watchers. 

Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary 

Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary is one of splendid sanctuaries covers an area of around 34 sq km. It is quite less than other sanctuaries of India, but this makes it even more interesting because the number of animals here is not less than any other sanctuaries of India. Leopards, Nilgai, Barking deer, and Hyena are the most common of all and could be seen easily. There are many more sanctuaries nearby like the Gautam Buddha Sanctuary in Gaya and Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary. These are main attractions of Wildlife tour Packages offered by BBT.

Bhimbandh Sanctuary

Bhimbandh Sanctuary covers an area of 682 sq km and situated close to Bhagalpur. This is well-known for the splendid bird life than land animals. Nearly 106 varieties of resident birds could be seen here. During the migration season (winters) the number of birds shoots up because these come from Central Asia and make nests here. Land animals like Tigers, panthers, wild boars, smabar, chitals and nilgai are could be seen in this sanctuary.

Valmikinagar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Valmiki Wildlife National Park is situated within the premises of Valmiki Sanctuary situated in the West Champaran district of Bihar. Right adjacent to the sanctuary is the famous Valmiki Ashram. The bacKEYWORD DESCRIPTIONrop of eastern Himalayas making it amazingly beautiful destination for the tourists to visit. Even if one does not see any wildlife would not return dissatisfied. Flora here contains extensive savannah lands and marshy lands. Being one of the Tiger Reserves, Tigers are one of the main attractions of the park. Other animals are leopars, nilgai, Sambars, hyenas, civets, jungle cats and many more. Wildlife tour Packages offered by BBT let you capture special moments with these species.

Betla Wildlife Reserves

It is 25km from Daltonganj and 175km from Ranchi and is easily accessible by road. The best time to visit Betla is October-November and February-March. Besides other tourist cottages one can opt for Ban Vihar or the Rest Houses for accommodation.

Palamau Tiger Reserve

Palamau Tiger reserve is one of the most interesting sanctuaries in Bihar and spread over an area of nearly 1026 sq km. It is around 180 Km from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state. Palamau reserve is cut across by Koel River and many of its tributaries. However manmade water resources are the sources of survival for all these animals here and making it quite easy for tourists to sight some magnificent animals. Tigers, leopards, elephants, the Indian wolf, gaur and many more are regular visitors to the shores of these manmade lakes. Wildlife Travel galore offered by BBT let you cherish these special moments.

Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary

This Bird Sanctuary could bring the best Wildlife Travel moments of your life. It Is constituted by an amazing blend of two delectable lakes namely Pataura and Berhale that sum up together to occupy a cockling area that measures around 565 kilometers. Individually the lakes of Berhale and Pataura gobble up an area of 410 hectares and 155 hectares respectively. It is situated nearby the holy rivulet Ganga that adds to the beauty of the whole atmosphere created here. 

. The major attractions at the Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary are Gull, Jacana, Teal, Cormorant, Dabchick, Darter and others. The ones that spend most of their time on the banks satiated with huge quantities of mud are Wader, Lapwing, Plover, Wagtail, Egret, Heron, Ibis, Stork. Birds that explore the lush grasslands and open fields here include Blue Rock Pigeon, Lark, Bee-eater, Sparrow, Myna, Pipit, Bulbul other birds. 

. It houses an astonishing six varied taxonomic categories of Mynas are Pied Myna, Indian Myna, Bank Myna, Jungle Myna, Brahminy along with the extremely rare Grey-headed Myna. 

. Tern, Brahminy Kite, Fishing Eagle, Hawk and Vulture, House and Palm Swift, Swallow, Kingfisher, Drongo, Indian Roller and Parakeet and many more are the absolute opulence of predatory avian creatures. 

. Many migratory birds adore to spend some quality time here are Black-headed and Brown-headed Gull, Grey-headed Lapwing, Little-ringed Plover, Red and Green Shanks, Spotted Green Shanks, Common Sandpiper, Temmink’s Stint, Yellow and White Wagtail, Blue-throat, Western Swallow and others.