Bihar
Ancient seat of Buddhist and Indian civilization
Bihar is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in India, the seat of the ancient Magadha empire and the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Buddhism's four most sacred pilgrimage sites. Nalanda, nearby, held the ruins of one of the world's earliest residential universities, founded in the 5th century CE.
Patna, the state capital on the Ganges, has served as a political centre since the Mauryan empire over two millennia ago. Bihar remains predominantly agricultural, its fertile Gangetic plain supporting a dense rural population, and its Chhath Puja festival, dedicated to the sun god, draws some of the largest riverside gatherings anywhere in India each autumn.
Curated Experiences
Our journeys in India.
Popular Attractions
4 places
Attraction
Great Buddha Statue
Attraction
Mahabodhi Temple
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya: the UNESCO-listed Buddhist temple where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
Attraction
Nalanda Ruins
Nalanda Ruins, Bihar: the excavated brick monasteries of an ancient Buddhist university, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Attraction
Patna Sahib Gurudwara
Takht Sri Patna Sahib: the gurdwara in Patna marking the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, one of the five Sikh Takhts.
Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
October–March
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Stories from Bihar
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