Bihar Tourism (2024) > Bihar India Travel Guide, Best Places

Bihar Travel Essentials

Rating:

2.8 /5 Rate This State

Ideal duration: 4 - 8 days

Best Time: October to March Read More

Major Airports: Patna

"Blissful Bihar"

Bihar, India

The land where the Buddha once lived, a land of monasteries - Bihar is visited by a considerable number of Buddhist followers as well as tourists of other faiths all through the year. Its association with Buddhism and Jainism makes it a must visit place for peace seekers, people who would like to get a feel of the tribal culture and experience life in the rural parts of India, and those who would like to get a glimpse of our glorious past.

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'Vihara', which means monastery, Bihar has a glorious heritage in the context of Indian history. Bihar is located in the eastern parts of India situated in the Gangetic plains, and it shares its borders with Uttar Pradesh in the West, Jharkhand in the South, West Bengal in the east, and Nepal in the North. The spiritual importance of Bihar comes from the fact that it is the place where the Buddha once lived and attained Nirvana. His footsteps can be traced through his teachings and the monuments which stand tall to this day, serving to guide people and show them the right
path.

Bihar is a blessed land as it was here under a Bodhi Tree that Prince Siddhartha meditated to attain enlightenment and came to be known as the Buddha. Bihar is a famous destination not just for Buddhists but also for Jains and Hindus. It is the amalgamation of religion, spirituality, history and education which makes the state one of its kind. While every city of Bihar has something to offer some of the major attractions are Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Patna, Vaishali, Pawapuri and Nalanda.

Top Places to Visit In Bihar

4.6

Bodh Gaya

316 Stay options

Packages from $125

4.3

Patna

554 Stay options

Packages from $108

4.2

Nalanda

35 Stay options

4.4

Vaishali

243 Stay options

Packages from $120

4.8

Rajgir

55 Stay options

4.1

Madhubani

17 Stay options

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Bihar Travel Packages

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4 Days / 3 Nights

Enthralling Varanasi, Bodh Gaya & Patna

Varanasi(1N) → Bodh Gaya(1N) → Patna(1N)

$180/person

8 Days / 7 Nights

Royal Patna, Giridih & 2 places

Patna(1N) → Giridih(2N) → Rajgir(2N) → Patna(2N)

$240/person

5 Days / 4 Nights

Bihar Tour Package including Rajgir

Patna(1N) → Bodh Gaya(1N) → Rajgir(1N) → Nalanda(1N)

$ 180

12% off

$158/person

5 Days / 4 Nights

Bihar 4 Nights Religious Tour Package

Gaya(2N) → Rajgir(1N) → Patna(1N)

$ 211

28% off

$150/person

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Top Attractions In Bihar

Mahabodhi Temple

Bodhi Tree, Bodh Gaya

Mahabodhi Temple Complex Book store

Great Buddha Statue

Thai Monastery

Tibetan Refugee Market

Bihar Photos

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Bihar Reviews

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Rupesh Kumar

3 years ago

Where Gautam Budha got enlightenment itself is every reason to visit Bihar. Rajgir, Patna, Darbhanga Palace among the few where one can time travel in Bihar's glorious past and much more..

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FAQs on Bihar

What are the popular art forms of Bihar?

Bihar has a rich history of civilisation, culture and religion and this has led to the evolution and blending of many styles of art. The most famous is undoubtedly the Madhubani style of painting from the Mithila region that dates back to the time of Ramayana. Figures from Hindu mythology are painted on handmade canvas using natural colours. The woodwork and wood carvings come from traditions dating back to the Mauryan period and are practised till today. Bamboo, Brass, zari, textile and lacquer work is also very well developed in Bihar, and the handicraft industry is an integral part of the state economy. Manjusa Art, folk art of Bhagalpur which shows the story in a sequential representation is displayed in a series is an ancient art form of the state. Tikuli art, pottery, Sujini embroidery, Sikki art, Khatwa applique and metal craft is also prevalent in Bihar.

Which are the ancient universities in Bihar?

Bihar has been a cradle of education since the Mauryan time, and that trend continues even today, with some of the most accomplished civil servants and educationists coming from Bihar. The famous Nalanda University, which was one of the largest and oldest universities in the world, was located in Bihar near present-day Patna. It had the biggest library of the ancient world and offered education in many subjects ranging from biological sciences to philosophy and commerce. This university is now being revived as a tourist destination and as a heritage site to be preserved. King Dharmapala established Vikramshila, another essential Buddhist learning centre in the country during the Pala Empire. It was then destroyed by Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji, the military general of Qutb al-Din Aibak and the ruins remain today in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar.

What are the major festivals celebrated in Bihar?

Bihar has a unique confluence of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Islamic and local tribal traditions that are expressed in the way all the festivals are celebrated with great pomp and vigour. Chatt Puja is one of the most important festivals and entails fasting and cleansing rituals in the river Ganga. The final celebratory puja and procession are very colourful dedicated to the Sun God. The Sonepur cattle fair is another grand occasion that is a delight for tourists as cattle traders from all over the region gather to trade their animals and wares. It is the largest cattle fair in India and offers a unique insight into the rural life of India. All the main Buddhist festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm in Gaya, and Buddhist devotees from all around the world come to visit during this time. The Pitrapaksh Mela and Mithila marriage market are other famous fairs in the state

What is the connection of Bihar with Buddhism?

Present day Bihar was the nerve centre of ancient India and was the hub of political, intellectual and philosophical activity. Buddha attained Nirvana here and also preached his doctrine in most of the major cities. Famous Buddhist sites include Bodhgaya where the Mahabodhi Temple and Mahabodhi tree are located. This temple was built in the 3rd century BC and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Nalanda and Vikramshila universities are sites of the refining and spread of Buddhist philosophy to various parts of the world and are currently being restored for their heritage value.

How are the local people of Bihar?

People of Bihar, commonly called the Biharis, are simple, hospitable and self-respecting people with well-developed political instincts and cultural sensibilities. Cloth paintings from Madhubani and Mithila, silk from Bhagalpur, cotton fabric handwoven in Patna and Bihar-Sharif, tribal crafts from the rich tribal belt of Jharkhand, baskets, and carpets woven in Obra in the Aurangabad district (Bihar) are the crafts that are still thriving in Bihar. A degree of anarchy prevails in the state despite its respect for education and its tolerance for religious diversity. Hinduism and Islam are the major religions followed by a significant number of people in Bihar. Hindi is the official language of Bihar. Local dialects include Bhojpuri, Bihari, Magahi and Maithili

What is the history of Bihar?

The current region of Bihar, because of its geographical location and climatic conditions, was the capital of many empires and hence saw a boom in economic, political and intellectual activity in ancient times. The Mauryan Empire was centred around Patliputra (Patna) and spread to almost all of India from here. After the 3rd century BC, this empire declined to give way to the Gupta Empire. The Sanskrit language attained its best form in Bihar, and many famous works like Abhijyanshakuntala were written in this state.

The Pala dynasty also made Patliputra their capital, but the importance of Bihar declined during the Medieval age as political activity shifted to Delhi. During the struggle for independence, the iconic Champaran Satyagrah, Gandhiji's first satyagraha in India took place in Bihar. Many prominent leaders of the freedom movement like Dr Rajendra Prasad, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Khudiram Bose emerged from Bihar. Currently, it has an imperative status in Indian politics because of its large population and adequate representation in the administrative and political cadres.

What is the landscape of Bihar?

Bihar is a north Indian state located to the South of Nepal bordering other Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. The land is flat, fertile and watered by many rivers including the Ganga and its tributaries like Kosi, Sarayu and Bhagmati. These rivers originate in the Himalayas and flow down to the foothills located in Bihar. Most of the rivers are perennial and significantly enhance the agricultural productivity of the state. Patna is the capital city, and Nalanda, Kushinagar, Muzzafarpur, Gaya and Vaishali are other major tourist and industrial cities.

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