Bihar is nestled on the banks of the holy river Ganga in the eastern part of India. The state shares its borders with Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. Bihar derives its name from a word "Vihara" that means monastery since the place in the past was a major learning centre of Buddhism. Ruled over by many great empires, it is renowned for its glorious past. Every nook and corner of this sacred land is dotted with historical monuments and Buddhist monasteries. Bihar is also renowned for its religious places. There are many Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim and Sikh shrines, which abound this ancient land. Some of the noteworthy Bihar travel destinations are Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya, Patna,Vaishali, Vikramshila, and Pawapuri.
There are plenty of other tourist attractions in Bihar for those who are not really interested in relig ious visits. Tourists can find out more about the rich culture and heritage of Bihar during ancient times by visiting Excavation sites at Kumhrar, Kesaria, Vikramshila and Nalanda. There are plenty of forts in Bihar to keep tourists interested. Among most popular are Rohtasgarh Fort, Sasaram Fort and Munger Fort. Bihar is also home of varieties of wildlife species. Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary has over species of birds. Tiger tourism in Bihar is also quite popular thanks to the tiger reserve at Valmiki National Park. Bihar is the only place in world that is conserving Gangetic Dolphins. Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is the place for dolphin lovers to get up close with the rare Gangetic Dolphins.Destination Places in Bihar
Fast Facts
| Population : | 103,804,637 |
| Languages : | Hindi, Urdu, Maithili, Magahi. |
| Currency : | Rupees |
| Region : | Eastern region of India |
| Geographic Coordination : | 25.3°N 85.13°E |
| Climate and Weather : | It is mildly cold in the winter (worst it could get is 5-10 degrees Celsius). Winter months are December and January. It is very hot in the summer (40-45 degrees). April, May and first half of June are the hot months. Then comes the monsoon in the months |
| Best time to visit : | October to March |
| Country : | India |
| Area : | Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Nalanda |
Food
Bihari cusine can be traced to the civilization that flourished and waned in this part of the globe. Since rice was first cultivated in eastern India, it is believed that the Harappans took to eating rice when they came to Chotanagpur. The advent of the Aryans further enriched the palette in a state that was already the epitome of luscious delight.
Shopping
Stone and bead-jewellery,Hand-painted wall hangings,Miniatures in paper and leaves,Applique work on fabric,Stone pottery,Bamboo and cane work,Wooden stools,Leather goods,Tilcoot- a kind of sweet
Local Transport
Buses, deluxe buses,Taxis, Auto Rickshaws.
Getting Around
Bihar tourism has a staggering list of destinations worth visiting. For instance, Chotanagpur - India's oldest geological formation; Nalanda - the world's most ancient seat of learning; Rajgir - the first recorded capital in Indian history; Patliputra - the hub of ancient India; Vaishali - the world's first republic; India's earliest rock-cut caves- Barabar Hills; Sasaram - home to the mighty mausoleum of the Pathans that influenced Mughal architecture; and BodhGaya - the land of Buddha who gave us the Noble Truth.
Entertainment
Dance forms of Bihar are another expression of rich traditions and ethnic identity. There are several folk dance forms that can keep one enthralled, such as dhobi nach, jhumarnach, manjhi, gondnach, jitiyanach, more morni, dom-domin, bhuiababa, rah baba, kathghorwa nach, jat jatin, launda nach, bamar nach, jharni, jhijhia, natua nach, bidapad nach, sohrai nach, and gond nach. Theatre is another form in which the Bihari culture expresses itself. Some forms of theater with rich traditions are Bidesia, Reshma-Chuharmal, Bihula-Bisahari, Bahura-Gorin, Raja Salhesh, Sama Chakeva, and Dom Kach. These theater forms originate in the Anga region of Bihar.