Top 5 Tourist Places in Bihar: A Travel Guide

Bihar is a state in eastern India that has a rich and diverse cultural heritage. It is the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism, and also has a significant influence of Hinduism and Islam. Bihar is home to many historical monuments, religious sites, natural wonders, and artistic expressions that attract tourists from all over the world. In this blog post, we will explore the top 5 tourist places in Bihar that you should not miss on your next trip.

1. Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya is the most sacred place for Buddhists, as it is where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses the Mahabodhi Temple, one of the oldest brick temples in India. The temple complex also contains several other shrines, stupas, statues, and museums that depict the life and teachings of Buddha. Bodh Gaya is visited by millions of pilgrims and tourists every year, who come to meditate, pray, and experience the spiritual atmosphere of this holy place.

Visiting Time: The Mahabodhi Temple is open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day. The entry fee is Rs. 20 for Indians and Rs. 300 for foreigners.

How to Reach: Bodh Gaya is located about 100 km from Patna, the capital city of Bihar. You can reach Bodh Gaya by air, rail, or road. The nearest airport is Gaya International Airport, which is about 12 km from Bodh Gaya. You can take a taxi or a bus from the airport to reach the temple complex. The nearest railway station is Gaya Junction, which is about 16 km from Bodh Gaya. You can take a taxi, an auto-rickshaw, or a bus from the station to reach the temple complex. You can also drive to Bodh Gaya by taking the NH-19 or NH-22 from Patna or other nearby cities.

2. Patna

Patna is the capital city of Bihar and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It has a rich history that dates back to ancient times, when it was known as Pataliputra and was the capital of several powerful empires such as the Mauryas, the Guptas, and the Mughals. Patna has many attractions that showcase its glorious past and present, such as the Golghar, a granary built by the British in 1786; the Patna Museum, which houses a collection of rare artifacts and paintings; the Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji, a Sikh shrine where Guru Gobind Singh was born; and the Gandhi Maidan, a large public park where Mahatma Gandhi held many rallies during the freedom struggle.

Visiting Time: The Golghar is open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM every day. The entry fee is Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 100 for foreigners2. The Patna Museum is open from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM every day except Monday. The entry fee is Rs. 15 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreigners. The Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji is open from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day. There is no entry fee. The Gandhi Maidan is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. There is no entry fee.

How to Reach: Patna is well connected by air, rail, and road with other major cities in India. The nearest airport is Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, which is about 5 km from the city center. You can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw from the airport to reach your destination. The nearest railway station is Patna Junction, which is about 2 km from the city center. You can take a taxi, an auto-rickshaw, or a cycle-rickshaw from the station to reach your destination. You can also drive to Patna by taking the NH-19 or NH-31 from other nearby cities.

3. Nalanda

Nalanda was an ancient center of learning that flourished from the 5th to the 12th century CE. It was one of the first residential universities in the world that attracted scholars and students from India and abroad. It had a library that contained thousands of manuscripts and books on various subjects such as philosophy, religion, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and literature. Nalanda was also a prominent Buddhist site that had many monasteries, temples, and stupas. Nalanda was destroyed by the invading armies of Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century CE, and its ruins were rediscovered in the 19th century CE. Today, Nalanda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the remnants of its glorious past and also hosts a modern university that aims to revive the legacy of Nalanda.

Visiting Time: The Nalanda Archaeological Site is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day except Friday. The entry fee is Rs. 15 for Indians and Rs. 200 for foreigners. The Nalanda Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day except Friday. The entry fee is Rs. 5 for Indians and Rs. 100 for foreigners. The Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day except Sunday and public holidays. There is no entry fee.

How to Reach: Nalanda is located about 90 km from Patna. You can reach Nalanda by rail or road. The nearest railway station is Nalanda Railway Station, which is about 2 km from the archaeological site. You can take a taxi, an auto-rickshaw, or a cycle-rickshaw from the station to reach the archaeological site. You can also drive to Nalanda by taking the NH-31 or NH-20 from Patna or other nearby cities.

4. Vaishali

Vaishali is an ancient city that was the capital of the Vajji confederation, one of the first republics in the world. It was also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, and the place where Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his nirvana. Vaishali has many historical and religious sites that reflect its importance in the history of India, such as the Ashoka Pillar, a lion-headed column erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE; the Relic Stupa, a dome-shaped structure that contains the ashes of Lord Buddha; the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a peace pagoda built by Japanese Buddhists in 1996; and the Kundalpur Temple, a Jain shrine that marks the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.

Visiting Time: The Ashoka Pillar is open from sunrise to sunset every day. There is no entry fee. The Relic Stupa is open from sunrise to sunset every day. There is no entry fee. The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. There is no entry fee. The Kundalpur Temple is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. There is no entry fee.

How to Reach: Vaishali is located about 60 km from Patna. You can reach Vaishali by rail or road. The nearest railway station is Hajipur Junction, which is about 35 km from Vaishali. You can take a taxi or a bus from the station to reach Vaishali. You can also drive to Vaishali by taking the NH-19 or NH-77 from Patna or other nearby cities.

5. Madhubani

Madhubani is a town that is famous for its unique style of painting that originated here. Madhubani painting is a folk art form that uses natural colors and geometric patterns to depict scenes from mythology, nature, and everyday life. Madhubani painting is done by women on walls, floors, paper, cloth, and other surfaces using brushes made of bamboo sticks, cotton, and fingers. Madhubani painting has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and has gained popularity across the world. Madhubani also has some temples and museums that display the art and culture of this region.

Visiting Time: The Mithila Art Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day except Monday and public holidays. The entry fee is Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 50 for foreigners. The Kapileshwar Temple is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. There is no entry fee. The Saurath Sabha Temple is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. There is no entry fee.

How to Reach: Madhubani is located about 170 km from Patna. You can reach Madhubani by rail or road. The nearest railway station is Madhubani Railway Station, which is about 1 km from the town center. You can take a taxi, an auto-rickshaw, or a cycle-rickshaw from the station to reach the town center. You can also drive to Madhubani by taking the NH-27 or NH-105 from Patna or other nearby cities.

These are the top 5 tourist places in Bihar that you should visit on your next trip. They offer a glimpse of the rich and diverse culture, history, and art of Bihar. You will surely enjoy the beauty and charm of these places and create some unforgettable memories. Happy traveling!