By geographic terms, Bihar is the twelfth-largest state in North India. Literally meaning Buddhist monastery, the term “Vihara” is the source of its name. Buddha’s journey begins in Patna, the state capital, home to a magnificent museum featuring an assortment of Buddhist and Hindu statues. Then from there, a second Buddhist Council with Buddhist ruins on exhibit is located at Vaishali, about a 40-kilometer trip away.
Following that, this circle takes one to Nalanda, which is around 90 kilometres south of Patna. The location known by its name, Nalanda, is described as “the place that confers the lotus” (a mystical understanding). It is reported that a monastic university existed here in the 5th century and continued to function until the 11th century.
The first Buddhist Council’s location is around 12 km south of the Rajgir Royal Palace. Many of the Buddha’s relics are kept at the palace since this is where he spent five years of his life after becoming enlightened. The hill of Gridhrakuta, where the Buddha once gave his teachings, is another significant location on the Buddhist circuit.
The exact location of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment is Bodhgaya, where there is also a museum housing a collection of Buddhist symbols, including the Ashoka Lion, which the national emblem of India is.
Bihar, a state rich in culture, has a lot to be proud of. Some of the main tourist destinations in Bihar are Harminder Sahib, State Museum, Martyrs Memorial, Sher Shah’s mausoleum, Sanjay Gandhi Zoological Park, Harminder Takht, Pathar ki Masjid, Khuda Baksh Oriental Library, Gandhi Setu Jalan Museum, Bihar Institute of Handicraft and Design, Golghar, Kumhrar Bagh, Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, Nalanda Museum, Nav Nalanda Vihar, and the Surya Mandir.
General Facts
Location: Northern India
Area: 94,163 sq km
Language: Hindi, Urdu, Bhojpuri, Angika, Magadhi, Maithili and Bajjika
Climate: Subtropical
Major Attractions: Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, Nalanda Museum and Harminder Sahib
Ideal Time to Visit: November to February
Attractions
This culturally rich state of Bihar has many places to boast off such as Harminder Sahib, State Museum, Martyrs Memorial, Sher Shah’s mausoleum, Sanjay Gandhi Zoological Park, Harmandir Takht, Pathar ki Masjid, Khuda Baksh Oriental Library, Gandhi Setu Jalan Museum, Bihar Institute of Handicraft and Design, Golghar, Kumhrar Bagh, Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, Nalanda Museum, Nav Nalanda Vihar and the Surya Mandir are some of the major Tourist attractions in Bihar.
Climate
The state of Bihar experiences a tropical kind of climate having mild temperatures in winters as making the winter season quite pleasant and cool. Here summers are hot making it difficult to travel during this period. The best time to pay a visit to the state is during the winter season as during this time the climate is pleasant and makes it easy to travel and enjoy the trip to the Land of Buddha.