Moreover, Bihar city tours implies a quick visit to the cities, a survey of its topography, a study of its people and so on and so forth.
Bihar city tours around these major cities of Bihar is the most sort after tours in Bihar as they facilitate an easy access to the vitality of the territory of Bihar.
Pawapuri
Pawapuri in Bihar is the main pilgrimage center of Jainism. The meaning of Pawapuri is the sinless town. Pawapuri is located about 80 kilometers from Patna. Lord Mahavira, the final Tirthankar and founder of Jainism, died in Pawapuri in Bihar and was cremated in this place in the 500 BC.
Rajgir
Rajgir was popularly known as 'Rajagriha' or Girivaraja in the ancient historical past. Rajgir is situated in the rocky hills of Bihar about 68 kilometers from Gaya, Bihar. Rajgir is one of the major Buddhist pilgrim site in India. Rajgir was formerly the capital of the Magadha Empire but Ajatashatru transferred it to Pataliputra or Patna during the 5th century BC.
Rajgir was the center of both Buddhist and Jain preaching. Lord Buddha was believed to have spent 12 years here. Rajgir in Bihar was the venue of the first Buddhist council just after Buddha gained nirvana.
At present the small town of Rajgir in Bihar is a very picturesque and serene town visited by pilgrims from all over the globe. Rajgir in Bihar today is a wonderful health resort for the presence of hot springs and healthy climate.
Some of the famous festivals in Rajgir of Bihar are as follows:
Rajgir Dance Festival: The Rajgir Dance Festival is organized by the Bihar State tourism Department annually from 4th October to 26th October. It is a very colorful festival where all sorts of classical and folk dances are performed.
Makar Sankranti: This festival is celebrated with pomp and show in Rajgir. The "Makar Sankaranti Mela" is held in the full moon day of "Paus"(mid January) month. The devout offer flowers to the temples near the hot spring.
Nag Panchmi: The Nag-Panchami is another important festival of Rajgir of Bihar celebrated in the middle of July and August. Buddha and Mahavir Jayanti: The Budha Jayanti festival is an important festival of the Buddhist celebrated in May while the Mahavir Jayanti is the major festival of the Jains, in April.
Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is the most important pilgrimage center of the Buddhist. Bodhgaya is situated by the Niranjana river which is about 12 kilometers from Gaya in Bihar state. Bodhgaya in Bihar attracts Buddhists from all around the globe to this holy land of Buddha.
Bodhgaya in Bihar was a place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The 'Bodhi tree' or Pipal tree is called the tree of awakening where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and was believed to be destroyed by Mauryan emperor Ashoka. The giant Bodhi Tree that persists at the back of the Maha Bodi Temple is believed to be a part of the original Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya.
Bodhgaya is the hub of the most magnificent temple of Buddha known as the Great Maha Bodhi temple. The temple of Bodhgaya of Bihar is a wonderful architectural amalgamation of numerous cultures that persisted during its creation. Originally there was a small shrine which was constructed by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC. But much later in the 11th or 12th century, this temple of Bodhgaya of Bihar was restored. You will get the architectural style of the Gupta Dynasty in it.
The Maha Bodhi temple of Bodhgaya is a 54 meters high pyramidical spire. The temple has inscriptions that show that visits were paid from the countries like Sri Lanka, China and Myanmar during the 7th and 10th centuries AD. The famous Chinese traveler, Hieun Tsang also visited the temple during the 7th Century.
Bodhgaya at Bihar is also world renowned for the various meditation courses that are offered by numerous institutes from the months of October to February.
The famous festival of Bodhgaya at Bihar is Buddha and Mahavir Jayanti, celebrating the birth anniversaries of these great religious preachers.
Vaishali
Vaishali is a historically important city of Bihar. Vaishali is an important archaeological site the unraveled the tale of impressive historical past through the relics retrieved from the site.
According to historical findings, Lord Buddha visited the city of Vaishali in Bihar quite frequently. The Lord delivered his last sermon in the city of Vaishali. The great Mauryan emperor Ashoka erected one of his famous lion pillars in Vaishali in the 3rd century BC. The second great Buddhist council was held in Vaishali of Bihar after the Mahanirvana of Lord Buddha.
The huge lion pillar has a brick stupa near it which marks the place where Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon. The lion facing north shows the direction which was taken by Lord Buddha in his last voyage in Vaishali of Bihar.
Bawan Pokhar Temple: It is one of the oldest temples of the Pala period in Vaishali which has idols of several Hindu gods.
Budha Stupa-I: The stupa has one eighth of the sacred ashes of the lord Buddha inside it.
Budha Stupa-II: This stupa was excavated in 1958 which has the ashes of the Lord Buddha.
Abhiskek Pushkarn: This was a sacred tank in the olden days when Vaishali was an important town of the Mauryan empire.
Deoghar
Deoghar is also called Devagriha and is situated in the Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand. Deoghar in Bihar is one of the popular health resorts of India. Deoghar in Bihar is also an important center of Hindu pilgrimage.
Deoghar is famous for having the ancient temple of Baba Baidyanath which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. The railway station of Deoghar of Bihar is known as Baidyanath Dham.
Deoghar is visited by thousands of devout for centuries during Shravan month (July-August). The devotees cover a distance of rigorous 100 kilometers on foot from Ajgaibinath in Sultanganj to Deoghar of Bihar in order to offer water to Baba Baidyanath of the Baidyanath Temple of Deoghar.
Baidyanath Temple of Deoghar in Bihar has a legend behind its creation. The Jyotirlinga of Deoghar was by mistake placed by Ravana in Deoghar. According to historical evidence, the temple was built in 1596. The lingam is called Kamma Lingam, means desire fulfilling lingam.
Patna
Patna is one of the most important cities in Bihar. It is located on the banks of the Ganges. Patna is a very important pilgrimage center for Buddhists from all over the world. The city has numerous associations with Buddhism. Patna happens to be the gateway to numerous stupas and monasteries built during the time of Lord Buddha. It is believed that Lord Buddha had come to a village called Pataligram while he was crossing a river.
Patna is one of the most renowned destinations for Buddhist Pilgrims. Bihar has witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties that have contributed greatly towards its rich architecture and culture. Patna witnessed its golden period during the reign of the Mauryan and Gupta dynasties. Buddhism started flourishing in Patna during the reign of the Magadha dynasty. Lord Buddha also gave his last sermon in the state.
Patna also finds mention in the travelogues of Megasthenes and Fa -Hien. Both these great travelers have spoken very highly about the architectural grandeur and prosperity of Patna.
Sufi Circuit
The Sufi Circuit in Bihar includes areas predominated by the Sufis belonging to the Wajudia School. They had a deep faith on the concept that 'Everything is He (Hama Oast)'. They were the first to give religion a philosophical tinge.
In the Sufi Circuit of Bihar we come across the names of the notable personalities of the Chisti order like:
M.Shahab-ud-din or 'Pir Jagjot' of Jethuli
H. Badr-i-Alam of Choti Dargah
Mir Fazlullah Gosain of Daira
Farid-ud-din Tawaila Bux of Chandpura
Ahmad Isa Taj of Bhaisaur
Ataullah Baqhdali of Mir Dad
Syed Sadr-ud-din Zahidi
When we talk about the Sufi Circuit in Bihar we should never exclude the name of Saran which is a notable place for the activity of the Chisti Sufis. The place is known by the names of the scholars cum saints like:
- Mir Zahi Madariad Sarani of Sepaha
- Abdul Malik of Ushri
- M.Syed Hasan of Hasanpura.
Amongst the Sufis belonging to the Sufi Circuit of Bihar the madaria order was represented by Syed Jamal-ud-din Madar of Makanpur.
Among the notable Sufis of the Shuttasia order was Abul Faiz Qazin Ola of Bania Basarh, near Vaishali.
The Qadri order is at present one of the principal orders of the Sufi Circuit in Bihar. Sayed Muhammad of Amjhar Sarif in the Aurangabad district is one of the best representative of this order.
Jain Circuit
Jain Circuit consists of the places in Bihar associated with Lord Mahavir as well as other Jain Tirthankars. These places have grown to be the principal centers for the Jain pilgrimage in Bihar as well as in India. Devotees come here from all over the world. They firmly believe that a visit to these places will help them to get rid of all their sins and bestow them with eternal happiness and peace.
Jain Circuit in Bihar reveals the life of Mahavira who was declared in the different stages of his life to be a :
- Kevalin(supreme omniscient)
- Jina(conqueror)
- Arhat(Blessed One)
- Tirthankar(ford-finder)
Mahavira is known to have left for his heavenly abode from a place called Apapa (Pawa) at Jain Circuit in Bihar. The other 23 Jain Tirthankars breathed their last at the well known Parasnath Hill lying in the Jain Circuit of Bihar. The hill has been named after the twenty-third Jain Tirthankar, Parshwanath.
Nalanda
Nalanda is a very important Buddhist center. Nalanda was founded in the 5th century BC. Nalanda in Bihar was once one of the greatest universities of the world. But in the 12th century, the Afghan invaders come to India and sacked this place. Now the ruins of Nalanda of Bihar are preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. Thousands of tourists from far and wide come to Nalanda in Bihar to see the archaeological site of Nalanda.
The renowned Chinese scholar and traveler 'Hiuen Tsang' came to Nalanda of Bihar in the 7th century. He gave an elaborate description of this place and said that Nalanda was a place where the residents practice a pure monastic life. According to his description, more than 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students lived and studied in this University. The Nalanda University was a residential university of international standard and pupils from all over the Buddhist world came here to receive education.
Chhath Puja is one of the famous festivals of Nalanda at Bihar. This is the worship of the sun god. The occasion occur twice in a year in the months of "Vaishakha" (April-May) and in "Kartika" (October - November) in Surya Temple of Surajpur Baragaon.
Some of the attractions of Nalanda at Bihar are as follows:
- The Nalanda University Archaeological Complex was an ancient seat of learning. The 14 hectares of the excavated site was once a big University. It is a red brick edifice with a beautiful garden.
- Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is an institution where study and research of Pali literature and Buddhism are performed.
- Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall was constructed in the recent past in the memory of the great Chinese traveler, Hieun Tsang.
- Silao is a popular place where the famous sweet called 'Khaja' is prepared. It is in between Nalanda and Rajgir.
- Surajpur Baragaon is a pilgrimage center for the Hindus.
Ramayan Circuit in Bihar includes the places in the state of Bihar whose names are mentioned in the legendary epic of Ramayana. The places included under the Ramayan Circuit in Bihar are the themes of innumerable mythological tales. All these are related to Lord Rama or the great Devi Sita and their lives.
Ramayan Circuit of Bihar points towards the popularity of the epic and its great hero Ramachandra in the country. In this area you will come across the places where perhaps the Lord had taken rest for a while or a bath and it has become a place for pilgrimage and worship. The faith and the religious belief in the people in a country like India is so strong that anything can be taken as god and worshiped with faith.
In the Ramayan Circuit of Bihar people worship the places where Lord Rama had killed a demon or rescued a person like Devi Ahalya from a curse. You will even find a banyan tree which once gave shade to the Devi and has become a site of offering and prayer.
The Ramayan Circuit at Bihar will also remind you of Valmiki Muni, the sage who had written the Ramayana. It is known that he was at first a person who sustained his living on the things snatched away from others when he was used to be called Ratnakara. But later he was repentant and decided to take penance. He was then blessed and instructed to compile the life of the Lord.
Gandhi Circuit
Champaran is the most important place in the Gandhi Circuit in Bihar that has got an immense importance in the history of the freedom movement of India. In this place Mahatma Gandhi took his first step towards the building up of the nationalism in India.
The Gandhi Circuit of Bihar is noted for the great Champaran movement which was initiated as a protest against the prevailing economic system. It lasted there for a long period of time. The main aim of this movement was to protect the rights of the indigo planters in India.
In Champaran of the Gandhi Circuit in Bihar, the Europeans began indigo cultivation. Colonel Hicky founded an indigo factory at Bara in 1813. After that the Gandhi Circuit at Bihar witnessed the emergence of the other indigo factories in:
- Turkaulia
- Peepara
- Motihari
- Rajpur
- the Zerait system
- the Assamiwar system
He went to Champaran of the Gandhi Circuit at Bihar just to keep the request of the people of Bihar. Babu Braj Kishore Prasad from Darbhanga went to Mahatma Gandhi along with Shri Lakshman Prasad, Shri Bhuvaneshwar Misra, Shri Kamaleshwai Charan Sinha and Shri Ram Bahadur Prasad Gupta.
Maithan
The Maithan is situated about 52 kilometers from Dhanbad by the river Barakar. Maithan in Bihar is renowned for having the largest reservoir in the Damodar valley Corporation. The dam built across the river Barakar in Maithan in Bihar is called the Maithan Dam. The Maithan dam is constructed to control flood that used to occur regularly during the monsoons when the river overflowed its banks.
The main attraction of Maithan of Bihar are as follows:
- Maithan Dam
- Maithan lake
- Kalyaneshwari Temple
Maithan of Bihar has a lake which occupies an area of about 65 square kilometers. There is a rest house on an island in the Maithan lake which offers accommodation to the tourists. There is boating and fishing facilities in the lake. A deer park and a bird sanctuary has been constructed at a close vicinity to the Maithan Dam.
Kalyaneshwari Temple is situated a few kilometers away from the Maithan Dam. This is an ancient temple of Maithan at Bihar dedicated to Goddess Kalyaneshwari.
Getaways
Bihar getaways provide visitors to Bihar with great opportunities to experience the variety and richness of an Indian holiday. Bihar itself is full of various tourist sites of great interest, but the areas around Bihar also make for great tour destinations. The neighboring state of Jharkhand on the Southern part was once a part of Bihar. Though now a separate state by itself, Jharkhand is full of fabulous tourist destinations. The southern part of Uttar Pradesh can also be easily approached from Bihar. It has many important places of great historical and cultural interest.
Jharkhand on the south of Bihar, is one of the most significant Bihar getaways. Though the department of tourism is still in its nascent form in this new state of India, yet the state is rich in its natural beauty. Surrounding the capital city of Ranchi are some of the most beautiful retreats amidst the quiet hills of the Chotanagpur range. Netarhat is 156 km. from Ranchi and a wonderful hill station. Topchanchi Lake, the Lodh falls and the Hudre falls are important Bihar getaways. Baidyanath Dham at Deoghar is an important pilgrimage and acts as one of the major getaways of Bihar.
Nawada
Bihar getaways also include a journey to the historic state of Uttar Pradesh. The ancient city of Varanasi is a popular getaway from Bihar. It is not only a major pilgrimage for Hindus, but its unequaled charm and great history is a perpetual attraction for tourists from every corner of India and the world. Other important Bihar's getaways include the cities of Lucknow, Agra and Allahabad. For the more religiously oriented visitors, Mathura and Vrindavan can be easily reached from Bihar and act as important Bihar getaways.
The town of Nawada in Bihar happens to be the administrative headquarters of the district having the same name. The district has got two subdivisions namely Nawadah and Rajauli. There are however, several blocks. They are:
- Kauakol
- Varsaliganj
- Nawadah
- Rajouli
- Akbarpur
- Hisua
- Narhat
- Govindpur
- Pakribarawan
- Sirdalla
- Kasichak
- Roh
- Nardiganj
- Meskaur
The district of Nawada in Bihar is traversed by the river Sakri. The subdivision Rajauli in the district of Nawada, is guarded by lush green mountains. The road going through the Rajauli Ghat will take you to the top of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. This will end at Kodarma and Jhumri Tilaiya. If you move further you will reach Hazaribagh and Ranchi.
Kakolat is a famous waterfall in the district of Nawada of Bihar. The name of this waterfall can be seen in the old scriptures.
If you go for a shopping in Nawada, look for the local market in the district. It is one of the best in the state. You will get here all the necessary items that you would like to buy.
Kadirganj is a place situated 10 kilometers away from Nawada at Bihar. Here you will find an age old well known small scale industry for silk. Many people of the region have been employed here in this industry.
Kadirganj near Nawada bears trading connections with Bhagalpur. This is a city known for its sericulture industry. It also exports silk to many of the foreign countries.
Netarhat
Netarhat is a popular tourist destination in Bihar. Netarhat in Bihar is located about 156 kilometers from Ranchi. Netarhat is widely known as the "Queen of Chotanagpur". Netarhat in Bihar is a very picturesque region encircled by a dense forest and cascading waterfall. Netarhat is set at a height of about 3700 feet above sea level. Netarhat of Bihar derived its name from Nature and Heart. You will get a spectacular view of sun rise and sun set from the beautiful town of Netarhat. Netarhat of Bihar is in fact a very beautiful summer resort.
Netarhat occupies a total area of 41 square kilometers. The summers are quiet pleasant while the winter months are chilly. The summer temperature in Netarhat in Bihar ranges from 38 to 16 degrees centigrade while the winter temperature ranges from 10 to 1 degree centigrade.
Tourists come to Netarhat to see the nature at its best. The amazing landscape of the hill has attracted a number of tourists including the British over the years. Some of the popular attractions of Netarhat at Bihar are as follows:
- Upper Ghagri Water Falls: This place is a famous picnic spot of the tourists.
- Lower Ghagri Water Falls: You will get a breath taking view of the water fall. It is also a beautiful picnic spot.
- Koel View Point : This point is very beautiful and you will catch the sight of the Koel River from here.
- Netarhat Public School: This school is another popular attraction. It is one of the premier residential schools of Bihar.
The word Hazaribagh means thousand gardens in Hindi. The small town of Hazaribagh in Bihar has a lush green landscape situated at an elevation of about 2019 feet above sea level.
Hazaribagh is set in the midst of dense forest having rich flora and fauna. The plateau on which the town of Hazaribagh in Bihar is located has Parasnath on the eastern margin. The Parasnath hill in Hazaribagh is the highest hill of Bihar having an elevation of 4480 feet.
The main attractions of Hazaribagh of Bihar are as follows:
Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary
Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the low hilly terrain of Bihar and spread over 184 square kilometers in thick tropical forests and grass meadows. The best time to visit the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary is early spring. The sanctuary has numerous observation towers from where the wild life lovers can have closer look at the animals. Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary is the home to the following animals:
- Nilgai
- Kakar
- Sambhar
- Tiger
- Wild bear
- Panther
- Sloth bear
- Chital
Canary Hills
The Canary Hill lies in close vicinity to Hazaribagh. The spot in the Canary Hill has a park, three small lakes and an observation tower. It serves to be a favorite picnic spot for the tourists.
Rajrappa
Rajrappa is known for the temple of Ma Chhina Mastika temple. There is a little waterfall in Rajrappa of Hazaribagh that offers boating facilities.
Other places of attraction in Hazaribagh of Bihar are as follows:
- Parasnath Temple
- Hazaribagh Lake
- Telaiya Dam
- Surajkund
- Harihar Dham
- Urwan Tourist Complex
Bihar tour operators hold great significance for the tourists who aspire to visit Bihar. Bihar tour operators are the means that help the tourists to reach Bihar easily and safely. Among the Bihar tour operators, the operators that deserve special mention are:
Nalanda Travel Agents and Tour Operators:
Address - 407, Jagat Trade Center, Frazer Road, Patna - 800 001.
Telephone No. - (91)-(612)-238357/261123.
Tourist Services:
Address - 103, R. P. Tower, Opposite LIC Building, Fraser Road, Patna - 800 001
Telephone No. - (91)-(612)-2203345.
Services International (Bhopal):
Address - House No2 Fraser Road, Patna - 800 001.
Telephone No. - (91)-(612)-224265.
Travelnet (Patna):
Address - Post Box No. 67, G. P. O. Patna, Patna - 800 001.
Telephone No. - (91)-9835071205.
Patna Travel Agents and Tour Operators
Rajgir Travel Agents and Tour Operators
Vaishali Travel Agents and Tour Operators, etc.
In Bihar, we also come across a number of Bihar tour operators that serve through websites. Hence, some of the important websites that adhere to Bihar tour operators are:
Ashok
Hearty Hospitality
Lotus Sravasti
Lotus Bodh Gaya, etc.
Last Updated on 14 june 2013
