Jharkhand, Bihar
(A Buddhist Bounty)
With an area of 94,164 sq.kms. Bihar stretches from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to Jharkhand in the south. Historically Bihar saw the peak of its glory under the Maurayan Emperor Ashoka. The cradle of Buddhism and Jainism, the name of the state is derived from "Vihar" meaning 'Monastery". Patna Situated on the banks of the river Ganga, Patna has a history which goes back well over two millennia. Today, Patna is undergoing tremendous changes in the commercial as well as the tourism sector, with many new shopping complexes coming up and new facilities developing rapidly. Patna is the gateway city for those interested in visiting places of Buddhist importance such as Vaishali, Nalanda, Rajgir, Gaya and Bodhgaya, as well as the southern regions of the state.
Sightseeing
Golghar, Patna Museum, Jalan Museum, Sadaqat Ashram, Khuda Baksh Oriental Library, Takht Har Mandir Sahib, Pathar Ki Masjid, Indira Gandhi Science Complex Planetarium, Kumrahar Excavations, Maner, Vaishali.
Shop Talk
Bihar's unique Madhubani Paintings (line paintings in primary colours) are available as canvases or miniaturised on greeting cards. The Bodhgaya miniatures on leaf are also beautiful. Leather work joothis, applique in bamboo and beaten metal figurines are typical Bihar crafts.
Bihari Cuisine
Boiled rice and baked breads, lentils and vegetables with hot spices are Bihari fare. "Sattoo" , a mixture of seven grains, jaggery and sweetened curd rolled into balls (Laddoos) is a popular dish.
Information Offices in Patna
Indiatourism, Sudama Palace,
Kankar Bagh Road, Patna - 800 020,
Tel: 91 -612-2345 776
E-mail: adqtt.tour@nic.in
Bihar State Tourism Development
Corporation, Paryatan Bhawan, Beer
Chand Patel Marg, Patna.
Tel: 91 -612-2225 411 E-mail: bstdc@sanchamet.in Web: http://bstdc.bih.nic.in
Bodhgaya
Situated 16 km from Gaya and 140 km from Patna, it is here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, the saplings of which can still be seen in the temple premises.
Sightseeing
The Mahabodhi temple. The Bodhi tree, Shaivite Monastery, The Buddha Archaeological Museum, The Jagannath temple.
Special Events
Buddha Jayanti: May, Pitrapaksh Tarpan: Sep - Oct
Gaya
Gaya is 125 km from Patna. An important Jain and Hindu pilgrimage. Situated at the banks of the River Phalgu many Hindus visit Gaya to pray for the well-being of the departed souls. Vishnupad temple, Pawapuri, Parasnath Hill are the nearest places to visit.
Nalanda
Nalanda is 90 km from Patna. The centre of one of the oldest known universities of the world. Its ruins show that over 2000 teachers and 10,000 students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied here. |
An international centre for Buddhist studies also functions here. The Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang who visited here as a student in the 7th century AD has left extensive description of the university. Nalanda Ruins, The Government Museum, Bihar Sharif
Rajgir
Rajgir was the ancient capital of the Magadha Kings. Buddha often came here. Rajgir is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus as the temple complex here is to the Sun God.
Sightseeing
Ajatshatru's Fort, Bimbisara's jail, Swarana
Goofa, Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak)
Saptadhara
Note: As most establishments in Bihar close
down by early evening it is advisable to
complete sightseeing by 7:00 pm JHARKHAND
The state of Jharkhand has been created out of Bihar on 1st November 2000, realizing the dream of its majority tribal population. Jharkhand is bounded by Bihar in north, Orissa in south, West Bengal in the east and Chhattisgarh in the west. The total area of the state is 79261 sq. km.
Ranchi
The capital of the state is also an industrial city. The other important industrial cities are Dhanbad, and Chittaranjan known for Steel & Locomotive industries. Jamshedpur and Bokaro are the two major steel plants in the country.
Hazaribagh National Park
115 km north of the capital Ranchi and once the property of erstwhile Raja of Ramgarh has been transformed in to a National Park. The Park's area is 183.89 sq. km. It lies between the plains, hills, rivulets and thick tropical forest. The National Park has in abundance the varied flora & fauna. There are number of species of wildlife like Tiger, Panther, Wild Boar, Neel Gai, Sloth Bear, Chittal Sambar etc. Two masonry towers inside the park offer excellent view of the wild life. Forest Rest House is available through the DFO Hazariagh. The best season is from October to April.
Palamu National Park
180 km from Ranchi and 30 km from Daltonganj, Palamu is the famous park where world's first ever Tiger census was conducted as early as 1932. Bestowed with thick tropical forest and best species of fauna has an area of 979.27 sq. km. It is the house to Elephants, Panthers Leopard, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Cheetal Sambar, Peafowl etc. Forest Rest House at Belta, the forest head quarter is available to the tourists. Best season is from October to April.
Tourist Information
Secretary Tourism, Government of Jharkhand, HEC Project Building, Dhurwa, Ranchi, Tel: 0651 - 2403 248, Fax: 2403 255 |
