Bihar Tourist Guilde For All

By Author: soni sajjan
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In ancient times, Bihar was famous for its world class university Nalanda that attracted students from all over the world.

Where is Bihar
Located between the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh on the west and West Bengal in the east, the Indian state of Bihar is best known as the place that gave birth to the religion of Buddhism. In fact, the name Bihar is derived from the word “Vihara,” which means a monastery. And shrines of all the major religions – Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism are what you will find here in plenty.

About Bihar
Bihar is today most well known for its strong link to Buddhism, making it a must-see item on any traveler’s itinerary. Whether it is Bodhgaya, the spot where Lord Buddha gained enlightenment or the Gridhrakuta hill where he addressed devotees, the places in Bihar all emphasize the Buddhist connection. The local language that most people in Bihar speak is Bhojpuri, Angika, Maithili and Magadhi ...
... besides Urdu and Hindi which are the official state languages.

Local Culture
While you are in Bihar, look out for the Madhubani painting style for which Bihar is famous. In this method, the rice is powdered, colored and stuck on to the mud walls of the houses in designs depicting Hindu deities. Nowadays, artisans make these paintings on canvas, cloth or hand-made paper, too.

Major Tourist Destinations
One of the most popular tourist spots in Bihar is the Buddhist shrine or the Mahabodhi Temple which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The spot of Bodhgaya where Prince Siddhartha achieved enlightenment to become the Buddha is an important pilgrimage centre. Bihar is also famous for the stupa at Kesaria which, at a height of 104 inches, is said to be the highest in the entire country. The ruins at Vaishali and Nalanda are other memorable places to visit.
Bihar also has its share of history in the Indian freedom struggle and a visit to the Hazarimal Dharamshala at Betia in West Champaran is a must when in Bihar. This is the spot where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visit to Bihar and launched his Satyagraha movement.
For the eco lovers, there is the Kakolat waterfall at Nawada that is set in idyllic surroundings and the Bihmbandh forests in Munger district which are a part of the Kharagpur hills. Several other places of interest located in the vicinity include Rishikund, Kharagpur Lake and Rameshwar Kund.

Best Time to Visit
The temperature in Bihar tends to be very hot in summer with the period between April and June being the hottest. Winters are mildly cold and the best time to visit Bihar is during October-November or February-March.

Travel Tips
Bihar’s reputation as far as safety is concerned is not very good with stories of banditry abounding, but the real situation is not as bad as you hear. However, it is best to avoid overnight travel by road.