In India, Bihar has remained an underappreciated tourist destination. Bihar was formerly the centre of one of the most abundant ancient Indian kingdoms. We agree that many international tourists are flocking to Bihar, but they’ve all limited themselves to a few sites. Bihar’s history can be traced back to the dawn of civilisation in India, and the state prospered as the seat of majestic empires such as Magadh. This is also the state that gave the world two major religions: Buddhism and Jainism. So let’s discuss in detail the most beautiful city in Bihar and the tourist places.
Most Beautiful Cities in Bihar
Here is a list of the most beautiful cities in Bihar:
Vaishali
Vaishali is one of the most beautiful cities in Bihar and a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. For Jainists, the city possesses a special spiritual significance because it is the birthplace of Lord Mahavir. The city is also renowned as the world’s first republic.
Bodh Gaya
One of Bihar’s most famous tourist sites is Bodh Gaya, a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage centre. The Mahabodhi Temple is the site of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment. The Great Buddha Statue, Bodhi Tree, Tibetan Market, and Thai Monastery are among the must-see attractions in this city.
Rajgir
Rajgir is another well-known Bihar town, known for its beautiful scenery, temples, and spiritual atmosphere. Rajgir has numerous Buddhist and Jain temples that are culturally significant and popular.
Nalanda
This is yet another lovely Bihar town known for its Jain and Buddhist temples. The city was formerly a learning centre for scholars, with the world’s most extensive library.
The best tourist attractions include Nalanda University, Nav Nalanda Mahavihara, Pawapuri, and the Great Stupa.
Madhubani
Madhubani is a lovely ancient city in Bihar recognised for its rich art and culture. The Madhubani paintings are famous all over the world. The Ramayana, a Hindu epic, also mentions the location.
Tourist Place in Bihar
The finest locations to visit in Bihar are listed below. A magnificent place with a rich history, Bihar offers several tourist attractions.
Rajgir Hot Springs
Rajgir’s hot springs are a popular tourist destination. The springs, located at the foot of Vaibhava Hills, obtain their water from Saptadhara, which runs behind Saptaparni Caves. The hot springs are thought to have healing effects. Brahma Kund spring is the hottest of the hot springs, at 450 degrees Celsius. Lord Buddha or Mahavira are said to have bathed in these hot springs.
Buxar Fort
Buxar’s ancient fort, located along the Ganges River, was constructed around 1054 AD. The fort’s carvings provide spectacular views, and the architecture is outstanding. Don’t miss Gauri Shankar Temple and Nath Baba Temple, two local tourist sites, while you’re here.
Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall
The structure is magnificent in architecture and was built to remember the eminent Chinese scholar and traveller Hieun Tsang. During his tour to India, Hieun Tsang spent more than 12 years in this location. Hieun Tsang learned yoga under the direction of Acharya Shil Bhadra at this location.
The well-known traveller has shed light on the Middle Ages and Nalanda in the memorial hall.
Patna Museum
The Patna Museum was built in 1917. The edifice, a mix of Rajput and Mughal style, is one of Patna’s most visited attractions. The museum includes archaeological artefacts, paintings, sculptures, and images by Hindu and Buddhist artists. A 200 million-year-old tree fossil is also on display at the museum. Every day at noon, you can browse a culture-related image source. The museum will give you information about the local culture and heritage. On Mondays, the museum is closed.
Some of the Biggest Cities in Bihar
Patna
Patna is the biggest city in Bihar which stands on the southern banks of the Ganges and is surrounded by a beautiful historical past. It has a commanding presence in history and the distinction of being one of the world’s oldest cities, in addition to being among the most important and well-known tourist destinations.
Muzaffarpur
Muzaffarpur, the Litchi Kingdom, is situated in Bihar’s northwestern corner. Muzaffarpur is a large town in Bihar, located on the banks of the Burhi Gandak River and the rivers Bagmati and Lakhandayee. The city is a hub for education because it is the administrative centre of the Muzaffarpur district.
Bhagalpur
Apart from being the commercial and political centre, Bhagalpur is well-known for being a prominent educational centre. With the support of the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, the city nurtures the Gangetic Dolphins, India’s National Aquatic Animal. The city’s past is engulfed in many myths, and the boundary between them is blurrier than usual, making it a fascinating subject to investigate. Bhagalpur City is around 250 kilometres east of Patna, Bihar’s state capital. Angika and Hindi, the region’s official languages, are the most widely spoken in Bhagalpur. Thanks to its rapid development, Bhagalpur is on its road to becoming a Smart City.
Conclusion
More than any other Indian state, Bihar is the one most closely associated with the Buddha’s life, resulting in a pilgrimage trail known as the Buddhist circuit. The Buddhist route begins in Patna, the capital city. A notable museum has a combination of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and a terracotta urn purported to hold Lord Buddha’s ashes. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha spent five years in Rajgir. Many relics memorialise significant events in Buddha’s life, with the hill of Gridhrakuta being possibly the most important. This is where the Buddha delivered most of his lectures. The Mahabodhi Temple marks the exact location wherein Lord Buddha acquired insight into Bodhgaya.