Rajgir & Gaya

BIHAR : Bihar is home of many tourist attraction, Bihar is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world with history 3000 years. The rich culture and heritage of Bihar is evident from the innumerable ancient monuments that are dotted all over the state in eastern India. Around total 6 million tourists visit Bihar every year from all over the world. Bihar is completely full of tourist attractions that keep the tourists ticking all the time. Apart from Patna, the capital, there are innumerable places in Bihar that are interesting and spiritual. Some of the important places to visit are Kumaharar, Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Ranchi and Sitamarhi. The climate is wonderful throughout the year and is very tourist friendly. Kumharar : It is one of the most important historical places of Bihar. which has its own significant role to display its golden heritage. Kumharar is the very Beautiful place of Bihar, which is situated in its capital in its capital Patna remains of ancient city of Patliputra, is available. It is believed that the there was the 80 pillars hall of Mauryan dynasty was situated at that very place which marks the ancient capital of many leading king like Ajatshatru, Chandragupta and Ashoka. During the excavation work more than 72 pillars have been traced out on various occasion. it was the center of ruling a vast dynasty, which has ruled the some part of Afghanistan and Iran also. Nalanda University : Nalanda University is one of the world's ancient centers of learning situated in Bihar. It was also a world famous buddhist center of learning where many scholars from around the would visited for teaching of Budha. Many scholars from China, Tibbet, and persia and also from many countries visited here from time to time for the excellence of its learning and teaching. It has been said that it was one of the first great universities in the world and for admitission in the University, aspirants have to discuss with the gatekeeper of the University on various issues and admitted only when he defeat the gatekeeper in the knowledge. University premises were built with red bricks and its ruins are present today in the area of about 14 hectares. in 1193, a Turkish invader Bakhtiyar Khilji completely destroyed and ransacked the world famous Nalanda University. The world famous library also set fire by Khilji, Which took six month to, burns the books and ancient manuscripts stored in, as it is said. Now a Nalanda International University is proposed by the Bihar government to restore and revive the ancient site with the help of Singapore, China, japan and Indian government.   Vikaramshila University : Vikramshila University situated in Bhagalpur districts was another world famous center for learning and teaching. It was establlished during pal dynasty and Dharampal was the founder of the University. It was the center for teaching and learning about Lord Buddha and also spread Buddhist learning, culture and religion to the rest part of the world. It enchanted many learner and Scholars from the rest part of the world. The famous university has produces many scholars. Khuda Baksh Oriental Library : One of the famous libraries of the country, which has a distinguished collection of rare kind of scripts and paintings. It has much rare type of work and scripts, which attracts scholars from not only from India, rather foreign visitors visits here. Situated on the famous Ashok Rajpath in Patna, it has collection of distinguished rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts. It is also famous for its collection of Rajput and Mughal paintings and unique an inch wide Quran. It has collection of many rare manuscripts including Timur Nama, Shaha Nama etc. which have its own importance in terms of its historical significance. Golghar of Bihar : Golghar is the famous architect famous architecture of Patna, which was built in 1786 by captain John Garstin. Needless to say, Golghar is one of the most dominant structures of Bihar, which is situated in Patna. The round structure which was incepted as a state granary for the combating of devastating famine which struck region in 1770. The completely round shape and a height of 29 meters has still a tourist palace for Patna which enchant tourists, no matter its height has lost its fame in the modern tall buildings of the city. Although its height today has lost its significance in the tall buildings of the Patna, it hes never lost its historical importance, which always attracts visitors coming to Bihar. Sasaram for in Bihar : Sasaram is another significant historical attraction of Bihar, which is the birthplace of noted Afghanking Sher shah Suri. Although he had ruled a short span of only five year, his empire was expanded to eastern Afghanistan including northern India and made capital Delhi after defeating Mughal King Humayun. The great tomb of Sher Shah is situated in Sasaram, which is built in Indo-Afghan style. The Tomp is Situated in the middle of an artificial lake and its beauty is worth seeing. Rajgir : The town of Rajgir situated about 15km from Nalanda in the state of Bihar. The town gained prominence as a tourist spot owing to the number of temples and monasteries it houses. Geographically,   Rajgir is located within a valley and is surrounded by lush green forests. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadh Mahajanpad (state)when Patliputra was not formed. In those days it was called Rajgrih. Rajgir or Rajgrih 'the home of Royalty'. This place has been associated with Lord Buddha and Buddhism. Budda spent many years in Rajgir. The Jivekarmavan monastery was the preferred residence of the Buddha. Even Bimbisar gave Venuvan Vihar to Buddha for his residence. It is said that it was at Rajgir that physicians treated Buddha after his injury at. the hands of his cousin Devdatta. The teachings of Buddha were penned in Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first Buddhist Council. This is why Rajgir is a place of tremendous importance among Buddhists. There are also some beautiful Hindu and Jain temples in the town of Rajgir. Owing to the warm water ponds prevalent in this area, numerous people come here for health reasons as well. These ponds are said to contain some medicinal properties which help in curing many skin diseases.The temperature in the summer season, from April to June, ranges from a maximum of 40 degree Celsius to a minimum of 20 degree Celsius. In winters, it ranges from 28 degree to 6 degree Celsius. The rainy season is from mid-june to September, October and March are relatively pleasant and dry months and are the best times to visit Rajgir.   Bodhgaya : The city of Bodhgaya, located in the state of Bihar, is known to most us as being related to Gautam Buddha. The most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world. It was here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi tree,Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha, the Enlightened One. Born in the foothills of the Himalayas as a Sakya prince of Kapilvastu (now in Nepal), happened in Bihar. Buddhism as a religion was really born in Bihar and evolved here through his preaching and the example of his lifestyle of great simplicity, renunciation and empathy for everything living. significantly, the state's name of Bihar organinated form Vihara meaning monasteries which abounded in Bihar. SEveral centuries after Buddha's passing away, the Maurya Emperor Ashoika (234-198 BC) contributed tremendously towards the revival, condolidation and spread of the orginal religion. It is the monasteries, Ashoka built for the Buddhist monks and the pillars known as Ashokan Pillars erected to commemorate innumerable historical sited associated with the Buddha's lilfe, mostly intact to this day, that helped scholars and pilgrims alike to trace the life events and preaching of a truly extraordinary man. There is a magnificent Mahabodhi temple is an architectural amalagamation of many centuries, cultures and heritages. While its architecture has a distinct stamp of the Gupta era, it has later ages inscriptions describing visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Mayanmar and China between 7th and 10th century AD. It is perhaps still the same temple Hieuen Tsang visited in 7th century.