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Ancient temples in Bihar

Vishnupada Temple
The Vishnupada Mandir is the 220 year old temple in Gaya, India. It is a Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

This temple is located along the Falgu River, marked by a footprint of Lord Vishnu known as Dharmasila, incised into a block of basalt. The Bhumihar Brahmins have been the traditional priests at Vishnupad Mandir in Gaya as Gayawar Pandas and in the adjoining districts like Hazaribagh.[3] Several legendary saints as Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Sankaradeva and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu have visited this shrine.

Mahabodhi Temple
The Mahabodhi Temple (Literally: “Great Awakening Temple”) is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya is located about 96 km (60 mi) from Patna, Bihar state, India. Next to the temple, to its western side, is the holy Bodhi tree. In the Pali Canon, the site is called Bodhimanda,[1] and the monastery there the Bodhimanda Vihara. The tallest tower is 55 metres (180 ft) tall.

Maner Sharif
Maner Sharif is located 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Patna on NH 30. It is the popular medieval site in Bihar. Maner enjoys position of one of the chief spiritual centers in India. Maner Sharif houses two very popular Muslim tombs:

* One of Makhdoom Yahya Maneri known as the Bari Dargah.
* Onother of Shah Daulat or Makhdum Daulat, popularly called Chhoti Dargah.

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

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 Gaya

Introduction

Gaya, one of the oldest districts of the state, was created on October 3, 1865. The place is of utmost religious importance for Buddhists as well as Hindus. It was at a distance of 14 km from the district HQ that about 2500 years back, Siddhartha Gautama, a wandering prince from the neighbouring Himalayan kingdom, attained enlightenment to become Lord Buddha.

For the Hindus too, the place is very important as it is associated with the final salvation of the soul. The performance of the ‘pindadaan’ rituals is mandatory for the salvation of souls. The Vishnupad temple, located here, is a very important shrine. The district is divided into four subdivisions, 24 blocks, and 31 police stations.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Mahabodhi Temple
Mahabodhi Temple,the seat of Buddha’s enlightenment, is located at Bodh Gaya. Also located here are the Great Buddha statue, Thai Monastery, Tibetan Temple having a mega Dhamma Chakra, Muclind Sarovar and Maya Sarovar.
Dhungeshwari

Dhungeshwari, six km to the south-east of Gaya town, is the place where Buddha spent six years in meditation and it was here that the Buddhist philosophy of ‘madhyam marg’ or middle path dawned on Buddha. Kurkihar Another place associated with Buddha at a distance of 15 km from Gaya town.

Vishnupad Temple

Vishnupad Temple, in Gaya town, is the seat of final salvation. Though the temple is exclusively opened for the Hindus, there is a non-Hindu gate facilitating the entry of non-Hindus up to a certain point outside the temple sanctum. Patharkatti Located at a distance of 25 km from Gaya town, the place is known for its stone products crafted by sculptors of unbelievable skill. Dharmaranya or Lo-Thu-Kaba Flanked on both sides by the rivers Mohane and Niranjana, three km away from the Sujata stupa in Bakaraur, is the unique site of Dharmaranya, mentioned in Hindu and Buddhist legends. As the name suggests, it is a place in jungle which has its roots in Dwapar age. It is said that Yudhisthir after the Mahabharata war had performed yajna for purification from sins. According to Tibetan Buddhists, Lord Buddha meditated here for six years under the Peepul tree. It is a belief that this was also the site of the hermitage of Uruvela Kashyap, who had become a disciple of the Buddha.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

‘Pitripaksha’ the annual festival of souls. The fortnight-long festival begins on ‘Anant Chaturdashi’ in September every year during which lakhs of Hindus visit Gaya to offer ‘pindadaan’ for salvationof their ancestral souls. ‘Pindadaan’ is offered here throughout the year, though.

Annual Urs

Annual Urs of Makhdum, a Sufi saint of the area, is held in the last week of ‘Shaban’ month of Islamic calendar.

Bauddha Mahotsav

The three-day cultural event is organised every year at the Kalchakra Maidan of Bodh Gaya.
The Mahotsava begins on January 14.
Museum, South Church Road, Gandhi Maidan
Timings: 10.30 am to 4.30 pm
Entry free
Monday closed

HOW TO REACH

Gaya is connected by direct rail link to cities like Delhi,Kolkata,Mumbai, Patna.It is 18 km to the south of the GT Road and the link road branches out of the GT Road at a place called Dobhi.

Gaya has an international airport linking it with Colombo, Bangkok and Thimpu. Many chartered planes land at the Gaya airport during tourist season.

The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) runs a bus service between Patna and Bodh Gaya. The BSTDC bus leaves Patna (near Hotel Kautilya) at 7 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. The fare is Rs 60 per person. There is also an inter-city train service between Gaya and Patna. More than half a dozen EMU trains ply between Gaya and Patna.

Private taxis are available at the Gaya railway station. Rate is negotiable.
By Air:
By Rail:

Nearest railhead

Gaya.

By Road:

Connected by good roads with all major cities of India.

Where to Stay:

Hotel Ajatshatru, Near Gaya railway station

Phone: 2434584, Fax: 2434202
Tariff ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 900
Heritage Inn, in the middle of Gaya town
Phone: 2431009
Email: heritageinngaya@yahoo.com
Tariff ranging from Rs 600 to Rs 2500
Hotel Sujata, Bodh Gaya
Phone: 2200761, Fax: 2200515
Email: hoteLsujata@yahoo.com
Website: www.hotelsujata.com
Tariff ranging from Rs 2,800 to Rs 4,200
Lotus Nikko Hotel, Bodh Gaya
Phone: 2200700, Fax: 2200788
Email: lotusnikko_bodhgaya@yahoo.com
Tariff ranging from Rs 3,800 to Rs 8,500
Royal Residency, Bodh Gaya
Phone: 2200181, Fax: 2200367
Email: rrbodhgaya@gmail.com
website: www.theroyalresidency.net
Tariff ranging from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,500
BSTDC’s Tourist Complex,
Siddharth Vihar, Bodh Gaya
AC & non-AC rooms are available Tariff (Oct-March): Rs. 800 (AC), Rs. 600 (non-AC);
Apr-Sept: Rs. 700(AC), Rs. 500 (non-AC)
Buddha Vihar (Dormitory)
Tariff: Rs. 150 per bed (Attached bath)
Sujata Vihar (Dormitory)
Tariff: Rs. 75 per bed (Common bath)
Phone: 2200445, Fax:2200127

In Emergency, Contact, STD Code: 0631 District Magistrate: 2420005 (Off), 2420008 (Res)
Superintendent of Police: 2420003 (Off), 2420004 (Res)

Medical Emergencies

,Contact, STD Code: 0631 Civil Surgeon: 2420009 (Res)
Dr. A.N.Rai (Physician): 2433426
Dr. Pandey Rajeshwari Prasad (Surgeon): 2423009
Dr. Manju Sinha (Gynaecologist): 2422190
Local Transport:

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

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.

Tourist places in Jehanabad

Introduction

Jehanabad district was carved out of old Gaya district on August 1, 1986. Earlier, it had been a subdivision of the Gaya district since 1872. The main objective behind the creation of this district was to accelerate the pace of development to tackle the problem of extremism, poverty, unemployment and under-development.

The city of Jehanabad, which is the district HQ is situated on the confluence of the rivers Dardha and Jamune. The total land of the district is plain. It is crisscrossed by a number of river and rivulets, all seasonal, such as Galgu, Morhar, Dardha, lamune, Baldeyia and Ganghar.

legends, Hindu as well as Buddhist, take down the history of jehanabad to a period of hoary antiquity. The earliest of the archeological remains in the district are to be found in the Barabar and Nagarjuni hills. The description of jlehanabad is also found in the famous book ‘Aain-e-Akbari’.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Barabar

Situated at a distance of 11 km from the Makhdumpur block HQ Barabar can be called a tourist’s paradise. Barabar, connected by a motorable road, consists of a group of hills with distinct peaks. The most conspicuous are the peaks known as Murali, Sandagiri and Siddheshwar. These hills are noted for the world-famous Seven Caves. For sheer panoramic grandeur and rugged natural beauty, very few places in the old Gaya district can be compared to the northern portion of the Barabar hills. There’s an ancient temple of Siddheshwar nath, which from an inscription in one of the neighbouring caves is known to belong to the sixth or seventh century. This temple attracted the attention of pilgrims even before the advent of Buddhism.

Towards the south of Siddheshwar nath Temple at its foot lies a small basin surrounded by hills with openings on the north-east and south-east where walls have been built. Towards the southern corner of the basin are two small sheets of water, which find an outlet under ground to the south-east and reappear in the sacred spring called ‘Patal Ganga’, where a bathing festival is held annually on Anant Chaturdashi.

The Barabar Caves are excavated in the hardest granite with infinite care and the interior surface of all of them contains high polish and is burnished like glass. Chinese traveller Xuanzang its visited this place and has given detailed descriptions of the place in his book. However, the credit for unravelling the charm and appeal of the Barabar hills goes to celebrated British author E M Forster. Forster’s ‘A Passage to India’ is replete with references to the Barabar hills though the name has been changed to Marabar.

Taking into consideration the immense tourism potential, historicity and religious significance of Barabar hills, the Bihar tourism department in association with the district administration has renovated the place giving it an entirely new look.

FACILITIES AT BARABAR

Stairways to the Siddheshwar nath Temple a top the hill
Tourist bungalow at ‘Patal Ganga’
Cafeteria
Piped water facilities
Nagarjuni Museum
Rural Marketing Complex
Police outpost
Telephone booths
Solar and electric lights

Dharaut

About 10 km north-west of Barabar hills, Dharaut has been identified as the site of the Buddhist monastery of Gunamati. At the foot of the Kunwa hill is a large tank known as Chandpokhar or Chandrapokhar. The name of the tank perpetuates the legend that it was excavated by Raja Chandra Sen. Two modern temples at its north-eastern corner once contained a large collection of ancient statues.

Dabthu

Six km east of Hulasganj in the district, Dabthu is chiefly known for its finely-carved images and ruins of temples. In the remains of ancient shrines, one can still see images of deities mutilated and decayed by ravages of time.

Ghejan

Situated in the Tatani-Faridpur block of the district and about 19 km away from jehanabad on the Shakmabad-Ghyan road, this place came light after the Gupta-period stone statues were excavated here. A huge statue of Lord Buddha has been on display in the village.

Kako

Kako is one of the blocks of this district situated at a distance of 10 km from the district HQ. There is a temple in the north-east of the village which has an ancient statue of sungod. There is also a mausoleum of great woman Sufi saint Hazrat Bibi Kamal. Bibi Kamal, aunt of Hazrat Makhdum Saheb of Biharsharif, is said to have been endowed with mystic and divine powers.

Ancient monuments have also been found in several other villages of the district like Bhelawar, Meerabigha, Amthua, Banwaria, Zaroo, Lat, Murgaon, Lari and Umta.

HOW TO REACH

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Jhanabad is 55 km from Patna and 50 km from Gaya; that is, it is centrally located between Patna and Gaya. It is linked by both road and rail routes. The Patna-Gaya section of the East Central Railway, popularly known as the PG line, passes through this district.

The Patna-Dobhi national highway also passes through this district, connecting it with the Grand Trunk national highway in the Gaya district. A number of buses ply between jehanabad and other towns of the state, including Patna and Gaya

By Rail:

Emergency,Contact
District Magistrate: 223001 (Res), 9431226100 (Mobile)
Superintendent of Police: 223110 (Res), 9431822976 (Mobile)
Town Police Station: 223017, 9431822258

Medical Emergencies, Contact District Sadar Hospital: 227794
Civil Surgeon: 9431071836
Dr Girijesh Kumar: 9431279908
Dr Leela Sinha: 223220
Dr K Rajan: 223366, 9431083321
Dr Qaisar Hussain: 9955430466

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

Where to Stay:
Sriram Hotel, PG Road, Mobile: 9431256935
Shalimar Rest House, PG Road, Mobile: 9234541644
Taj Rest House, PG Road, Mobile: 9934610150
Muralidhar Rest House, PG Road, Mobile: 9939912355
Balaji Rest House, Court area, Mobile: 9431280046

Local Transport:
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 Motihari

Introduction

Motihari is a town steeped in history.When the British carved out the district of Champaran from Saran in the later part of the 19th century. Motihari was made its headquarters. After the creation of West Champaran district with Bettiah as its headquarters in 1972, Motihari continued as the headquarters of truncated East Champaran.
Motihari holds its eminence as the birth place of famous writer George Orwell,born Eric Arthur Blair,and of Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha.
Places in and around Motihari have had an older link:Buddhism.The world’s tallest stupa is at Kesaria,just an hour from Motihari. Motihari,thus,is a crucible of both the Gandhi and Buddhist circuits.
A museum and a stone pillar are there to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s links with Motihari.Gandhiji’s courageous statment given before a magistrate is inscribed here on a stone.The 48-ft tall Chunar stone pillar stands exactly on the place where Gandhi was prouced before the court of the sub-divisional magistrate on April 18,1917 for violating prohibitory orders.
Mahatma Gandhi’s first Satyagraha was experimented on the soil of Motihari in the Champaran district and,thus,Champaran has been the starting point of India’s independence movement launched by Gandhi.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Gandhi Sangrahalaya
It has on display an array of photographs and relics of the Champaran satyagraha.

Schools started by Gandhi
The schools started by Mahatma Gandhi in the village of Barharwa Lakhensen and Madhuban are among other important sites of interest in the vicinity of Motihari.

Kesaria
There’s a stupa at Kesaria near Motihari which is said to be the tallest and the largest Buddhist stupa in the world.It was discovered in 1998 through excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The stupa’s height is 104 feet,which is far less than its reported original height.Yet,it is one ft taller than the famous Borobodur stupa in Java.Legend has it that Buddha,on his last journey,is reported to have spent a memorable night at Kesaria,where he reportedly made some historical revelations.These were later recorded in a Buddhist Jataka story

Orwell’s birth place

George orwell,one of the greatest writersof twentieth century and author of famous books like ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’,was born in Motihari in 1903.His father Richard walmesley Blair was a deputy posted in the opium department in Bihar.The cottage,where the famous author was born,lies in the midst of the town.A plaque commemorating has birth place stands outside the house.

Areraj Temple
A little away from Motihari lies the temple town of Areraj.The Shiva temple here is a popular pilgrim site.Also at Areraj lies an Ashokan pillar attracting tourists throughout the year.

Lake Town
Motihari has a picturesque lake-Motijheel-running through it.HOW TO REACH

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Motihari has a railway station. But it is advisable to travel to Motihari by road from Patna. Buses and taxis are available. The distance between Patna and Motihari is 160 km.

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Motihari

By Road:
A number of buses play between Patna and Motihari.

Where to Stay:
Hotels, Rest houses and Dharmshalas in the Motihari Town.
Aarti Hotel,Main Road,Phone: 06252-290664,09304255459
ACjnon-AC rooms are available for Rs 150 to Rs 1,000. Food is also served here.
Hotel Shakti,Chhatauni Road,Phone: 06252-235715
ACjnon-AC rooms available. Tariff ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 900.
Hotel Monica,Madhuban Chhawni Chowk,Phone: 09430255419
ACjnon-AC rooms available. Tariff ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 900.
Hotel Divya Raj,Madhuban Chhawni Chowk,Phone: 06252-241777
ACjnon-AC rooms available. Tariff ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 1,400.

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

In Emergency,Contact:
District Magistrate: 06252-222695(Off) , 242800(Res) 9431811222 (Mobile)
Superintendent of Police: 222684(Off),232683(Res) 9431822988 (Mobile
Sub-Divisional Police Officer: 222923(Off),9431800068(Mobile)

Medical Emergencies,Contact
Dr.Shambhu Saran(Cardiologist): 9431233077
Dr.Ashutosh Saran(Surgeon): 9431233123
Dr. Jasbir Saran(Gynaecologist): 9431434954
Dr Shekhar Verma (Dentist): 9431434954
Dr. J. N. Gupta(Physician): 9431233022

Tourist Season
October to March.

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

Tourist places in Muzaffarpur

Introduction

Muzaffarpur’s recorded history dates back to the rise of Vajji republic, a confederation of eight clans of which the Lichchhavis were the most powerful and influential. The unity among the Lichchhavis was so strong that the royalty of even the powerful kingdom of Magadh had to go for matrimonial alliances with members of the Lichchhavi clans in 519 BC.

Besides being a seat of one the oldest republics of the world, Muzaffarpur is also believed’ by some Jains to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Jain Tirthankar. Also, this is the place where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha were contemporaries.

The birthplace of Lord Mahavir at Baso Kund under the Saraiya block of Muzaffarpur district has a full-fledged Prakrit Institute which attracts visitors, mainly followers of Jainism, from abroad. Ambarati, which is believed to be the village home of Amrapali, the famous cour dancer of Vaishali, also attracts many. It is 40 km away from Muzaffarpur town.
Muzaffarpur also boasts of having maintained communal harmony since the medieva period. Not a single Hindu-Muslim riot has ever taken place in Muzaffarpur
The place is also associated with the first bomb exploded during India’s freedom move ment. The bomb was exploded by a young revolutionary from Bengal, Khudiram Bose, all of 1 years, with the help of his companion Prafulla Chandra Chaki. Khudiram threw the bomb at the horse-driven carriage of Pringle Kennedy, mistaking him for Muzaffarpur’s district judge Khudiram was captured near the Pusa Road railway station and subsequently hanged to death in the Muzaffarpur jail. Post-freedom, the railway station and the jail have been named afte Khudiram.
Muzaffarpur is famous all over the world for the Shahi litchi grown here. It is because of the unique soil in Bochaha and Mushahari blocks of the district that Shahi litchi has a scent and sweetness which is not found in any other variety of the fruit.

Places of Interest

Litchi gardens of Bochaha, Jhapaha and Mushahari from the first week of April to the second week of May. They are located in a radius of five to seven km from Muzaffarpur.

Jubba Sahni Park, Gandhi Koop on L S College campus, Kamal Shah Mazaar in Purani Bazar, Garib Sthan Mandir, Ramna Devi Mandir and Baglamukhi Mandir in Kachchisarai, all in Muzaffarpur town, are also worth seeing.

One can also visit the National Litchi Research Centre at Rahua, five km from Muzaffarpur town, to know more about litchi.


HOW TO REACH

By Air:

Nearest Airport
The distance between Muzaffarpur and Patna is 60 km, and one can take a bus or hire a taxi from Patna to reach Muzaffarpur.

By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Muzaffarpur

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

Where to Stay:
State Tourism Corporation’s and Private Hotels, Rest houses and Dharmshalas at Muzaffarpur
Hotel Elite, Phone: 0621-2245353
Hotel Lichchhavi, Phone: 0621-2268512
Chandralok Continental, Phone: 0621-2245911

WHERE TO EAT There are several motels and dhabas in and around Muzaffarpur.

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

In Emergency, Contact
District Magistrate: 0621-2212101
Superintendent of Police: 0621-2217797
Town Police Station: 0621-2245252

Medical Emergencies,Contact
Dr. Birendra Kishore (Surgeon): 0621-2212485
Dr. T.K.Jha (Physician): 0621-2261425
Dr. B.B.Thakur (Physician): 9431238285
Dr. Rangila Sinha (Gynaecologist): 0621-2213938

Tourist Season
October to March.

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

Tourist places in Nalanda

Introduction The ancient town in Bihar was once home to the world’s first university for higher learning. Nalanda is about 90 km southeast of Patna. Nalanda means “giver of knowledge”.
The university at Nalanda began as a Buddhist monastery. Lord Buddha stayed at Nalanda several times in the local mango grove.

Lord Mahavir is also believed to have attained ‘moksha’ at Pawapuri, which is located in Nalanda. Also, according to one sect of Jainism, he was born in the nearby village, Kundalpur.
Interestingly, there’s a Nalanda Buddhist Centre (NBC) in Brazil. Set up in 1989, the centre was so named as a tribute to the great legacy of Nalanda, The NBC was the second Theravada Buddhist tradition centre set up in Brazil 22 years after the Sri Lankan temple was first established.

Places of Interest

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Ruins of ancient Nalanda

The university of Nalanda was established in 450 AD under the patronage of the Gupta emperors, notably Kumaragupta. It was one of the world’s first residential universities. Its dormitories accommodated over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers.

The Nalanda varsity had eight separate compounds and ten temples besjdes many meditation halls and classrooms. There were also lakes and parks. The subjects taught at the university covered every field of learning, and it attracted pupils and scholars from as far as Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia and Turkey, among other countries.

Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang has given a detailed account of the university. The terracotta seal of Nalanda University has been put on display in the ASI Museum at Nalanda.

Pawapuri

Lord Mahavir attained ‘nirvana’ (salvation from the endless cycle of life and death) at Pawapuri,and thus the placeis a holy site for Jains.It is located 38 km from Rajgir in Nalanda district and 90 km from Patna,and it was here that Lord Mahavir,the last of the 24 Jain Tirthankars,breathed his last around 500 BC. He was cremated at Pawapuri,also known as APapuri (the sinless town).

There was a great rush to collect his ashes,and, as a result, so much soil was removed from the place of his cremation that a pond was created.Now, an exquisite marble temple, Jalmandir, stands magnificently on a rectangular island in the middle of the pond.

There’s another Jain temple, Samosharan, here. This is the placewhere Lord Mahavir delivered his last sermon

Kundalpu
Just 1.6 km from the ruins of Nalanda is this place called Kundalpur. The Digambar sect of Jains believes that the 24th and the last Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir, was born here. There are many Jain temples in this village.

Multimedia Museum

India’s first multimedia museum was opened here on January26, 2008. It has a section that recreates the history of Nalanda using a 3D animation film with narration by TV and movie actor Shekhar Suman. There are four more sections in the Multimedia Museum Geographical Perspective Historical Perspective,Hall o Nalanda and Revival o Nalanda.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Museum
Nalanda,the archaeological museum set up in 1917, housesthe antiquities,mainly those excavated from the earliest university cum monastery complex at Nalanda and from Rajgir. Out of 13,463 antiquities, 349 are on display in the four galleries of the museum. The antiquities from Nalanda are datable from 5th to 12th century AD but some of those from Rajgir are a little older. The sculptures kept in this museum are made of stone, bronzes, stucco and terracotta but majority of those have been carved on basalt stone.
Most of the idols belong to the Buddhist faith but there are also those belonging to Jain and Hindu religions.
A scale model of excavated remains of Nalanda university occupies the central place of the hall. There are 57 idols and sculptures displayed in the first gallery.
Opening hour:10 am to 5 pm
Friday closed
Entrance fee: Rs 2 per head
Free entry for children up to 15 years

Xuanzang Memorial Hall

A memorial has been built and named after the Chinese traveller and scholar monk, Xuanzang, who was a student at Nalanda and subsequently became a teacher at the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara.The magnificent hall is located barely 1.3 km away from the ruins of Nalanda.
It was in January 1957 that India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on behalf of the government of India, received the relics of Xuanzang along with his biographyand an endowment for the construction of a hall in his memory from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lamaof Tibet. The initiative was aimed at enhancingthe cultural relationship between India and China. The construction work started in 1960 and was completed in 1984. The relics of Xuanzang have been preserved in the Patna Museum.

HOW TO REACH

The road between Patna and Ragir-Nalanda-Pawapuri is in excellent condition. Private and state transport buses ply between Patna and Biharsharif, the district HQ town of Nalanda. Tempos or horse-driven carts can be hired from Biharsharif for Rajgir. Alternatively, one can hire a taxi from Patna to Rajgir-Nalanda-Pawapuri. There’s also a direct train between Delhi and Nalanda. Called Shramjeevi Express (2391 Up/2392 Dn), it runs via Patna.

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna, 100 km away.


By Rail:

Nearest railhead
Nalanda.

By Road:
Connected by good roads with all major cities of India.

Where to Stay:
There are several hotels in and around Rajgir. Apart from hotels, tourists can opt for tourist bungalows or government-owned hotels or guest houses

Indo-Hokke Hotel (3-star facilities), Phone: 255231, Fax: 255245
Rajgir Residency (2-star facilities), Phone: 255404, Fax: 255405
Hotel Tathagat Vihar, Phone: 255176, Fax: 255176
Hotel Siddhartha, Phone: 255216, Fax: 255352

Emergency, Contact

Nalanda District Magistrate: 235203, 235204, Fax: 235205
Nalanda Superintendent of Police: 235207, Fax: 233978
Rajgir Dy Superintendent of Police: 255461
Rajgir Police Station: 255258

Medical Emergencies, Contact Rajgir Hospital: 255102

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

Tourist Season
From October to February. From mid-December to the end of January, temperature here ranges from 5 degree C to 15 degree C. May and June are hot and the mercury goes up to 46 degree C. It’s monsoon time towards the end of June.

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