Historical Places in Bihar For A Whirlwind History Tour

Known For : Nalanda University Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall The Great Stupa

The most popular Mahavihara of the ancient times, a significant Buddhist seat of academic excellence and a modest pilgrim center, all wrapped in a wisp of spirituality, Nalanda continues to be an equally enriching historical place in Bihar in the present. It offers vibrant substance of spirituality, history, culture, architecture, and tourism.

Best Time: October to March

8 Nalanda Attractions

Situated in the city of Patna, Golghar is a simple yet charming historical place in Bihar which is an amalgam of history and natural beauty. It was built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin with the purpose of serving as a storehouse. Incidentally, Golghar was never filled to its maximum capacity. It is believed that due to an engineering fault the doors open inwards only, and if the granary were to be filled all the way, the doors will not open.

The second longest river bridge in India only next to the Bhupen Hazarika Setu (a.k.a. Dhola-Sadiya Bridge) in Assam, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu in Bihar extends over the Ganges for 5.7 kilometres. Named after the father of the nation, the bridge connects the capital city of Patna in the south to Hajipur in the north. Hosting four lanes of roadways and pedestrian pathways on each side, the bridge is an indispensable part of the daily vehicular transport. Earlier, there used to be toll gates, but the Government has revoked that. It provides some spectacular views of the sacred Ganga flowing underneath.

Known For : The Ashoka pillar Vishwa Shanti Stupa , Abhishek pushkarni (coronation tank) and Archeological museums Buddha's stupa

Located in the interiors of Bihar, Vaishali is a small district which is also a revered Hindu, Buddhist and Jain worshipping site. It is the city where Lord Mahavir was born. Considered as the first republic of the world, Vaishali is believed to have been named after King Vishal, from the time of Mahabharat and is a famous historical place in Bihar. It is also the city where Buddha delivered his last sermon. Surrounded by groves of mango and banana and extensive rice field, it is now a part of Trihut division of Bihar. The village is an important religious and historical place in Bihar and is flocked by tourists year in and year out.

Best Time: October to January

7 Vaishali Attractions

Known For : Mahabodhi Temple Great Buddha Statue Tibetan Refugee Market

One of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, Bodhgaya is a village in the state of Bihar. It was here under the Bodhi tree that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The historical place in Bihar is bustling with pilgrims all through the year who come to pay their homage in the monasteries, shrines and temples. It also attracts tourists from India and abroad owing to its magnificent Buddha statue, the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree.

Best Time: October to March

26 Bodh Gaya Attractions

Known For : Venuvana Japanese Stupa Vulture's Peak or Griddhakuta

Rajgir is town where the air that surrounds its beautiful sceneries carries hints of spirituality and vibrant hues of history with links with both Buddhism and Jainism. It is one of the most visually appealing historical place in Bihar.

Best Time: October to March

29 Rajgir Attractions

Hajipur is one of those cities of India which connects the past and the present in a smooth transition over the years. Though scarce and scattered, Hajipur keeps coming back in the pages of Indian history - be it the time of Lord Buddha or the rule of Islam or the British era, in some way or other, Hajipur is always there. The district of Vaishali, of which Hajipur is the headquarter as well as the largest city, is known for being the historical place in Bihar where Lord Gautama Buddha decided upon his final resting - nirvana after bodily death.

Lauriya Nandangarh is a small town situated 28 km northwest of Bettiah famous for its beautifully architected Ashokan Pillar. Lauriya gets its name from a pillar (Laur) of Mauryan emperor Ashoka, which is sited here. Nandangarh is the name of a bank, located about 2 km to the south-west of the Ashoka Pillar. Lauriya Nandangarh is also a site for about 20 archaeological banks organized in three rows. Forty pillars were built in this historical place in Bihar by Emperor Ashoka originally but today only one pillar exists in complete form, at its initial position in Lauriya Nandangarh.

Built as a dedication to the Chinese scholar Hiuen Tsang, this memorial is a distinct reminder of the architectural style of the Nalanda University. One will find multiple writings of Tsang is preserved at this historical place in Bihar.

Built by Maharaja Shri Rameshwar Singh, the Nagar fort is popularly known as the Naulakha Palace. The fort had to suffer tremendous destruction owing to the severe earthquake in the year 1934, since then, this once magnificent structure which used to be the residence of the royal family now just stands as a historical place in Bihar like a Khandahar.

Ajatshatru was a king and the ruler of the Magadha's in 6th Century B.C when he built this grand fort. According to the legend of history, Ajatshatru imprisoned his father Bimbisar in a jail inside this fort after he took the throne; and Bimbisara, a staunch Buddhist, chose a spot from where he could see Lord Buddha give his sermons every morning. The once sturdy and stable fort is now famous for being in ruins and a historical place in Bihar.

The Chariot Tracks feature two parallel furrows cut into the rocks and are believed to have been made by Lord Krishna's chariot. Shell inscriptions are also seen here engraved on the rocks.

An ancient city of Patliputra, it has undergone multiple excavation operations to unearth ruins like the Assembly Hall, Anand Bihar, Arogya Vihar and the Durakhi Devi Temple.