Nalanda is a place near the state of Bihar in India. Like most of the old places in India, Nalanda also has a long, rich history. During the sixth century, great saints like Gautam Buddha and Vardhamana Mahavir have left their footprints on the land of Nalanda. Supposedly, Nalanda is also the place of birth of one of the most eminent followers of Lord Buddha, Sariputra.
The land of Nalanda, which smells of the ancient India, is the perfect kind of holidaying resort for the history lovers. It is there that the relics of the most ancient university in the world have been found out while excavation. The Archaeological Complex, which contains the ruins of the University of Nalanda, is a place of immense historical as well as archaeological values added to it. The esteemed Nalanda University stands as a witness to the history. This was the first residential educational institute in the whole world. The stupa of the University is comprised of stairs and ramps and it has wonderful sculptures engraved on it. From south to north, there is a row of monasteries in the site. Mostly, all of these monasteries are built on the same design and the construction follows the same pattern. These are built in the architectural style followed by the Kushans. The great rulers, Akosha and Harshavardhana were among the patrons who had encouraged different constructions in Nalanda.
The Nalanda Archaeological Museum, which is situated opposite the main entrance to the university remnants, is a place worth visiting. It is a kind of place where the tourists will travel back to the ancient times and savor the essence of history.
The place is connected to Patna and Rajgir by train. By road it is only a journey of ninety kilometers from the south east Patna.
