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| Wikipedia Guide |
| Bihar (Hindi: बिहार, Urdu: بہار, pronounced [bɪˈhaːr] ( listen)) is a state in eastern India. Bihar is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at 38,202 sq mi (99,200 km²) and 3rd largest by population. But close to 85 percent of the population lives in villages. Almost 58 per cent of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India.
Bihar lies mid-way between the humid West Bengal in the east and the sub humid Uttar Pradesh in the west which provides it with a transitional position in respect of climate, economy and culture. It is bounded by the country of Nepal to the north and by Jharkhand to the south. The Bihar plain is divided into two parts by the river Ganga which flows through the middle from west to east. Bihar has notified forest area of 6,764.14 km², which is 7.1 per cent of its geographical area. Hindi and Urdu are the official languages of the state, whilst the majority of the people speak one of the Bihari languages — Angika,... Read more at wikipedia... |
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 Bihar, today, is a quaint interface of the old and new. The state boasts of an incredible range of mineral resources. The coal belt in Bihar is the mainstay of thermal energy in India. Bihar's modern visage sports some of India's largest steel and mining industries. |
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| Facts At A Glance |
| Main Languages |
Hindi, Maithili, Bhojpuri |
| Area |
174,000 sq. km |
| Population |
8.29 crores |
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| Description |
 Bihar, which is one of the major states of India,it's name is derived from the word Vihara, meaning monastery. Bihar is bordered on the north by Nepal, on the east by West Bengal, on the west by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and on the south by Orissa.
Bihar is an important religious center for Hindus, Jains and especially for the Buddhists. The Buddha is supposed to have sat under the Bodhi tree and got enlightenment at Bodhgaya in Bihar. A descendant of the same tree, still exists in Bodhgaya today. |
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| Best time to visit |
 Bihar experiences ahumid subtropical monsoon climate, with three main seasons: the cool season, from November to February; the hot season, from March to mid-June; and the rainy season, from mid-June through October. Temperatures in December and January fall to 5'C and below, while those in May rise above 40' C. The state's mean annual rainfall is 1,270 mm. Best time to visit is October to March. |
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| How To Get There |
 Air: All major airlines operate flights directly to Patna.Indian Airlines operates daily flights to, Delhi Kolkata and Ranchi and Lucknow.The office is located next to Hotel Maurya ,Patna.Sahara Air and Air Deccan also has a daily flight from Patna to other cities. Some international flights also operate from Gaya airport. The airport is 7km west of the city centre.
Rail: The railway station is located in the centre of the Patna. It connects the city to all major cities and towns of India. There are direct trains daily for New Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, Ranchi and northeastern states like Assam.
Bus: The bus stand has shifted to Mithapur at the outskirt of the Patna city. There are buses to almost all the places within the state and also for Ranchi, Siliguri etc.The fare varies according to the speed of the service. Auto rickshaw- Shared auto rickshaws runs within the city and in most parts of the state. They are cheap and shuttle between different points. |
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| Attractions |
 Patna:- An immensely fertile, arched stretch of land along the bank of the Ganga, the history and cultural heritage of modern day Patna, go back well over two millennium. Like Delhi, Patna too had been the regal seat of governance for successive kingdoms, since ancient times. With every significant change in the ancient political scenario, the city was renamed. Thus, Kusumpura metamorphosed through Pushpapura, Pataliputra, Azeemabad into the present day Patna. Patna is the capital of the state of Bihar. There are lot of places (Kumrahar, Golghar, Har Mandir Takht, Martyr's Memorial, Pathar ki Masjid, Patna Museum, Jalan Museum and Sadaqat Ashram.) to see in and around the Patna.
Bodhgaya:- Bihar has some of the most sacred Buddhist and Hindu shrines. Gaya is one of the most important pilgrimage places for the Hindus. It is believed that a Hindu will reach heaven if his last rites are offered under the celebrated 'Akshayabat' or immortal banyan tree, standing in the yard of Vishnupad temple. Believed to be built on the footsteps of Vishnu, the grand temple was renovated by Ahalyabai, queen of Indore.
Nalanda:- Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous centre of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th centuries. The Chinese scholar and traveller Hiuen Tsang stayed here in the 7th century, and has left an elaborate description of the excellence, and purity of monastic life practised here. About 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students from all over the Buddhist world, lived and studied in this international university.
The Gupta kings patronised these monasteries, built in old Kushan architectural style, in a row of cells around a courtyard. Kings Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most famous patrons, who built impressive temples and monasteries. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate structures. An international centre for Buddhist Studies was established in 1951. The Nalanda Museum and the Nava Nalanda Mahavihar are definitely worth a visit.
Lauria Areraj is a 11.5 m high Ashokan column, erected in 249 BC. The polished sandstone pillar has six edicts on it. Lauria Nandangarh is the site of the famous Lion pillar, erected by king Ashoka. The 8.5 m polished sandstone column also has an edict engraved on it. The Nandangarh stupa, nearby, is believed to house the ashes of the Buddha.
Rajgir:- Rajgir, known earlier as 'Rajagriha' or Girivaraja, nestles in the rocky hills, that witnessed the teachings of both Buddha and Mahavira. It lies 15 km south of Nalanda, and was the ancient capital of the Magadha kings. The Buddha frequented Rajagriha, seeking the solitude and tranquillity of the Jivkamaravana monastery, preaching and meditating at the Griddhakuta hill (Hill of vultures). It was at this hill, that he converted one of his celebrated followers, the Mauryan king Bimbisara, to Buddhism. After the Buddha reached 'parinirvana', his followers held the first Buddhist council at the Saptaparni cave. It was here, that His teachings were penned down for the very first time. An important pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Jains, Rajgir is also known as Panchpahari with shrines on five hills.
Today, Rajgir is a picturesque and serene place, visited by pilgrims from all over the globe. It has also gained recognition as a health resort, thanks to the famous hot springs.
Vaishali:- Vaishali. Named after King Visala, it was the capital of the Lichhavis, and is believed to be one of the earliest republics of the world, having an elected body of representatives and an efficient administration, as early as 6th century BC. Vaishali is significant to both Buddhists and Jains. Lord Buddha preached his first sermon, and announced his impending Nirvana here. To commemorate the importance of the site, Emperor Ashoka erected one of his famous pillars. Vaishali is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.
One hundred years after the Buddha's 'parinirvana', 700 monks from all over North India, assembled here, to discuss the 10 points of 'vinaya', the rule of conduct, under dispute. Thus, Vaishali became the venue of the second Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to recall this event. |
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| History |
 The name Bihar derived from the word 'Vihara'means monastery. It was a great religious center for Jains, Hindus and Buddhists. From the 6th century BC to the 5th century AD Bihar was ruled by a succession of rulers and major empires. In the 3rd century BC Chandragupta Maurya ruled from the great city of Pataliputra (patna).His grandson Emperor Ashoka succeeded him. The Magadha dynasty rose to glory during the reign of the Guptas in 4th and 5th centuries. The dynasty was followed by the Palas of Bengal who ruled until 1197.The Muslim rulers also left indelible mark on the region from the 12th to 17th century. |
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| Places To Stay |
| Bihar and its cities are dotted with hotels. Most of the hotels are strategically located close to the tourist centers and the transportation hubs. For the tourists who seek comfort there are several medium and three star hotels in Bihar. For the economy travelers the cities of Bihar offers several bargain hotels, cheap hotels, and discounted hotels. They are cocoons of comfort for the weary travelers. |
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| Festivals |
From the time immemorial India as a nation is known for colorful festivals. People celebrate and enjoy these festivals promoting love, harmony, brotherhood and peace. Bihar also has long list of festivals which are celebrated with gaiety and tolerance. Tourism in Bihar invites you all to enjoy the festivals in Bihar.
Chatth Puja >> Chatth Puja is a unique festival where the setting sun is worshipped in Bihar with reverence. With full tradition Chatth festival is celebrated twice a year... more
Sama-Chakeva >> This festival is celebrated in the Mithila region of Bihar dedicated to the brother- sister relationship. It is time when birds migrate from the Himalayas to the plains heralding the beginning of this festival with the girls making and decorating clay idols of various birds.... more
Ramnavami >> Ramanavami festival is celebrated with traditional reverence and gaiety in Bihar with people observing seven days fasts. This is the auspicious day when lord Rama was born. Temples dedicated to Lord Rama are beautifully decorated and special prayers are carried out.
Makar-Sankranti >> This festival marks the end of winter and beginning of the summer season. It is also known as Tila Sankranti. Every year it is observed on the 14th of January. People celebrate it by giving offerings to the poor.
Bihula >> This festival is celebrated in the Eastern Bihar especially famous in Bhagalpur district. People pray to goddess Mansa for the welfare of their family.
Madhushravani >> Madhushravani is celebrated in the month of Sawan (Hindu calendar August all over Mithilanchal in Bihar with enthusiasm and reverence.
Buddha Jayanti >> On Buddha Jayanti in the month of Vaisakh (April/May), Buddhists from India and abroad throng to Bodhgaya and Rajgir.
Mahavir Jayanti >> There are two major Jain festivals: Mahavir Jayanti (April) which is celebrated with great pomp on Parasnath hill and Deo Diwali (10 days after diwali) which marks the final liberation of Lord Mahavira in Bihar.
Saurath Sabha >> Every year for a fortnight in June, the village of Saurath in Madhubani district witnesses a unique gathering of Mithila Brahmins from all over India.It is called Saurath Sabha and is the biggest marriage market. Parents of marriageable children bring horoscopes and negotiate marriages in a vast mango grove. |
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