Bihar's antiquity is evident from its name, which is derived from "VIHARA" (monastery). It is indeed a land of monasteries. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim and Sikh shrines abound in this ancient land where India's first major empires rose and fell. Where the ruins of the worlds' earliest university slumbers in the void of time, while modern day giant steel complexes spew fire all the year round. Forty percent of India's mineral wealth lies buried in its boosom. The passage of Ganga, flowing wide and deep enrich the plains of Bihar before distributing in Bengal's deltoid zone

Among  all Indian states, Bihar is the one most intimately linked to the Buddha’s life, resulting in a trail of pilgrimages which have come to be known as the Buddhist circuit. The Buddhist trail begins at the capital city, Patna, where a noteworthy museum contains a collection of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.

Bihar has always been the epicenter of Buddhism and Jainism and has also fostered the propagation of Sikhism and Hinduism. The state is known for its diverse culture and traditions practiced in the state. Patna, the capital city dates back to the bygone days. The pilgrimage destination Takht Harmandir Saheb is a holy place for the Sikh community. Jalan Museum, Sher Shah's Mosque, Begum Hajjam, Mauryan Palace, Patna Museum, Padri ki Haveli, Patna Ghar, Patna Cemetery etc. are the other important tourist places in Bihar.

Bihar is famous as a pilgrimage place. With its close association to the Buddha's life, it has come to be known as the "Buddhist Circuit". The name 'Bihar' is derived from 'vihara', meaning Buddhist monastery. Apart from Buddhism, it is also a sacred place for Jains and Hindus.

With river Ganges flowing through this state, it is divided into two stunningly different physical regions - the northern fertile plains and the southern Chotanagpur plateau which accounts for 40% of India's mineral wealth - country's largest producer of coal and world's chief supplier of mica. Bihar has many interesting tour destinations.
 

Bihar is bound on the north by Nepal, on the east by West Bengal , on the west by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh , and Orissa in the south. The present name of the state of Bihar owes its origin to the "Viharas" built by Lord Buddha who attained spiritual enlightenment on this land and preached love, peace and tolerance. The erstwhile capital city of Patliputra of Emperor Ashoka is the present day state capital, Patna.

CAPITAL :

Patna is a bureaucratic city, noisy and bustling. It is a sprawling metropolis that hugs the south bank of the Ganges, stretching for around 15km in a shape that has changed little since Ajatasatru (491-459 BC) shifted the Magadhan capital here from Rajgir. Patna's tourist attractions are Har Mandir Sahib, Qila

Palaces to Interest Tour : -  

CULTURE :

Bihari culture is based largely on ancient Aryan Hindu elements. Rural Chota Nagpur has retained much of its aboriginal way of life. Places of religious and cultural interest abound in the plains. Nalanda is the seat of the ancient and celebrated Nalanda Buddhist monastic university. The Chhau dance, a tribute to Bihar's cultural folk traditions follows classical modes as detailed in the ancient treatises. In this, therefore three main elements of the classical dance, namely Raga or melody, Bhava or mood, tala or rhythmic timing are found.
 

Tourist Palaces of Bihar

Patna

Patna the capital city of Bihar, is a historical city, which has like Delhi, experienced the trauma and pain of being conquered. The heritage of Patna or Pataliputra as it was known, goes back to two millennia. This city was the seat of administration for many rulers and each of them ascended with a new name for their capital.

Kusumpura became Pushpapura, Patliputra, Azeemabad and now Patna. Pataliputra was the capital of Magadha, a kingdom, which dominated and influenced the politics of India for a long time. Located on the banks where rivers Sone and Ganga merge, this city has witnessed the rules of Chanakya, Chandragupta, Ashoka and the Nanda rulers. more information >>

Bodhgaya

Near the holy city of Gaya, the Buddha attained enlightebment. The tree that had sheltered him came to be known as the Bodhi tree and the place Bodhgaya. Today Bodhgaya, an important place of piligirmage, has a number of monasteries.  more information >>

Rajgir

Rajgir,19 kms from Nalanda, the ancient capital of Magadh Empire.Lord Buddha often visited the monastery here to meditate and to preach. Rajgir is also a place sacred to the Jains, Since Lord Mahavira spent many years here. more information >>

Nalanda

A great centre of Buddhist learning, Nalanda came into around the 5th century BC and was a flourishing university town with over ten thousand scholars and an extensive library. more information >>

Vaishali

Vaishali was one of the earliest republics in the world (6th century BC).It was here that Buddha preached his last sermon. Vaishali, birthplace of Lord Mahavira is also Sacred to Jains .
more information >>

Kushinaga

53 km west of Gorakhpur.Kushinagar is where the Lord Buddha breathed his last and achieved mahaparinirvana. Their are ruins here of many stupas as well as the chaityas and viharas that wehe built in latter times.

Pawapuri

In Pawapuri, or Apapuri, 38 kilometres from Rajgir and 90 kilometres from Patna, all sins end for a devout Jain. Lord Mahavira, the final tirthankar and founder of Jainism, breathed his last at this place. 
more information >>

Deoghar(Baidyanath Dham):

Deoghar, the House of Gods, is a popular health resort and an important center of Hindu pilgrimage, having the ancient temple of Baba Baidyanath - one of the twelve Jyotilingas in India.  more information >>