The
seat of ancient learning and civilization, Bihar is an important state in
the Indian Union. The Ganga flowing through the region has bestowed it with
such fertility that its natural prosperity witnessed great heights with
importance of political history associated with it. The name Bihar was
derived from Vihara meaning monastery as it was a learning center of the
Buddhist. It was in Bihar that Lord Buddha attained his enlightenment under
the famous Bodhi tree.
Magadh, as it was known in the ancient periods had its capital at
Pataliputra, which was an all important place of the Hindus. The land was
also significant for being the place of worship of Mahavira, Buddha and Guru
Govind Singh of the Sikhs. Nalanda University, one of the renowned Buddhist
University also flourished in Bihar during the ancient times.
Climate
Temperature varies from 19.6oC to 43oC in the summers while it is at a low
of 5°C in the colder seasons. The best time to visit the place is from
the month of November to April.
Major Attractions
» Bodhgaya - Prince Gautama achieved enlightenment
in this sacred place under the Bodhi or Asvatta tree some 2500 years ago and
came to be known as Lord Buddha. Counted as one of the major Buddhist
pilgrimage, the town of Bodh Gaya takes pride for being the gateway to the
places of Buddhist importance like Nalanda, Vaisali etc. The Maha Bodhi
temple is located at the place where Lord Buddha achieved Enlightenment.
There is a statue of Buddha in the sanctum along with the lingum of Shiva in
the center of the temple. The Bodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained
enlightenment is located behind the temple besides a red sand stone slab.
This slab was the diamond throne or vajraasana of Buddha during the time of
attaining nirvana. Bodh Gaya is a revered place of the Hindus who believe
that if the last rites of the deceased are offered to the Akshayabat or the
banyan tree placed in the yard of the Vishnupad temple, the souls of the
dead reaches heaven.
» Gaya - 
Gaya,
situated about 100 km south of Patna, between the Ramshila and the Pretshila
hills lies on the shores of the Phalgu river. A great place of pilgrimage
for the Hindus, it is believed that footsteps of Lord Vishnu were found
here, and thus the temple of Vishnupad was built on the steps by Ahalyabai,
the queen of Indore. People coming to the place believe that if the last
rites of a deceased person are performed here and Pindas offered along the
river, then the soul is freed from the bondages of sin.
» Rajgir - Rajgir, the ancient capital of Magadh
till the 5th century is an important Buddhist pilgrim center. The place was
the location of the first Buddhist council near the Saptaparni caves. It was
here that Lord Buddha went into retreat at the Jivkamaravana monastery in an
orchard. Near the Griddhakuta hill in Rajgir, Gautama used to deliver his
sermons and even converted one of his followers, King Bimbisara of the
Mauryan Dynasty, to Buddhism.
»
Vaishali - The town got its name from King Vaishali whose heroic
deeds are narrated in the epics of Ramayana. The place of Vaishali came
to be known as the center of the Gangetic plains and was the seat of the
Republic of Vajji. Vaishali was first to hold a duly elected assembly of
representatives and efficient administration. It was the venue of the
second Buddhist council and it was even believed to be the birth place
of Lord Mahavira. The Ashokan pillar built by emperor Ashoka is in the
same place along with the Buddha stupa. 
North
India States
