GENERAL INFORMATION

The state Bihar is situated in the eastern part of the India. On the north side of Bihar there is the Kingdom of Nepal and on its other three sides Bihar is surrounded by the Indian states, West Bengal to the east, Uttar Pradesh to the west and Jharkhand to the south. Bihar lies on the most fertile plains of the Holy River Ganga.Of all India’s states, Bihar is the one most intimately linked to the Buddha’s life, resulting in a trail of pilgrimages which have come to be known as the Buddhist circuit. The very name Bihar is derived from the world ’vihara’, which means Buddhist monastery. The Buddhist trail begins at the capital city, Patna, where a noteworthy museum contains a collection of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures. To the south of Patna is Nalanda which translates as ’the place that confers the lotus’ (of spiritual knowledge). A monastic university flourished here from the 5th to the 11th century. Rajgir, ‘the royal palace’, was the venue for the first Buddhist Council. The Buddha spent five years at Rajgir after having attained enlightenment and many of the remains at Rajgir commemorate various incidents. Bodhgaya is the spot where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, with the Mahabodhi Temple marking the precise location. Bihar’s Buddhist circuit has modest back-up facilities by way of accommodation, international dining and surface transport. Since the inception of its history which dates back to 500 year ago Bihar has been recognized on cradle of movements in the field of art, culture and religion literature & human rights a postles of peace Lord Buddha, Mahavir, Great Guru Govind Singh and Mahatma Gandhi and great sufie saint further heighened with the visit of great chinese tourist Fahien, who has distinctly narrated the attaintments of the University at that time took birth on this land. It is the land on which the earliest seeds of democracy took roots and however hossemed into the form of governence with the advent of Lord, it withessed a cultural renaissance as in the preachings of the Lord Buddha was seen the right answer to the woos & suffering of the rest humanity at the hands of loot, tyranny & boilance. People embraced Buddhism and the echest holiest sermon Buddham Saranam Gachhami sent the air reached beyond the boundaries of our country and seat of leaning at Nalanda, where students outside the boundaries of our country joined the course got acknowledged the world over. Lord Buddha delivered his preachings at this place of learning. The glory of Nalanda gate.

TOURISM IN BIHAR

The land of Bihar offers areas of natural beauty such as beautiful lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, whispering forests, majestic monuments like forts and palaces, holy rivers, religious places and many more for the visitors. The state of Bihar lies along the eastern Gangetic Plains in North India, A land that has been the passing of many dynasties of ancient India, Bihar has also been the birth place of two treat theologies -Buddhism and Jainism. As a place of pilgrimage for centuries, even the name Bihar is desired from 'Vihar' as a Buddhist monasteries, Reflecting its ancient history, Bihar has some of the finest monuments of Hindu and Mughal architecture. And through the state flows the majestic river Ganga a saga of events of centuries old civilization. The scenery and climate of the State range from the foot hills of Himalayas, over the vast and fertile plains of the Ganga to the hills, forests and wide plateau. The land and people, fairs and festivals, arts and crafts, flora and fauna of Bihar, are all epitomes of diversity, which enchant and thrill tourists.Bihar offers to tourists a variegated wealth of Indian Civilization, history and culture compled with enqeuisite scenic beauties and wild life within its precinet are located, places like Rajgir and Patliputra, ancient capital of mighty magadha empire, Vaishali-the first republican state the world; Bodhgaya where lord Buddha attained the suprime enlightenment, Nalanda-the great seat of international learning and Patna Saheb-the birth place of Guru Govind Singh, the last Guru of the Sikh.

CULTURE

The State of Bihar has a rich legacy of culture and civilization behind her. One can easily see the ancient traditional designs on the mud walls in the district of Vaishali, Samastipur, and Bhagalpur and Madhubani. Madhubani is the major trade center for this ultimate art. The maximum number of people who live in Bihar are Hindu. Holi, deepawali, Dashara and all traditional festivals are celebrated here but the famous festival of Bihar is Chatth. This festival is dedicated to the god Sun, It is celebrated on the  second fortnight of Kartik Shukhla Paksha and extend up to next four days. Bihar is among the few Indian states which has a rich subaltern culture. The region's folk songs are associated with the various events in the life of an ordinary person.The tradition of folk songs was started by the redoubtable artist of the Bhojpur region ,Bhikhari Thakur.Bihar is also famous for the Madhubani painting the artist use natural colours on the cloth or on a paper to get the immages of mythological and religious events.

HERITAGE

The state Bihar is rich in culture and heritage. Some of the heritage sites of the state are dates back to the times of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Bihar is the state of India having a large number of monuments belonging to the ancient time. Rajgiri, Vashali, Nalanda, bodh Gaya ,Vikaramshila are the places where you can find the great historical monuments and the ancient cultural heritage. Bodhgaya is the place where Buddha got the enlightened. There is a temple in Bodhgaya, which is got built by the great Samarat Ashoka, in the memory of lord Buddha. Nalanda university was founded in the 5th century and it is one of the world's first residential universities It can accommodated over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. Nalanda is also supposed to be the birth place of Sariputra, one of the chief disciples of the Lord Buddha.

CUISINE

The food consumed by the people of Bihar is generally vegetarian. many kayasth families in Bihar, who are generally considered great lovers of non-vegetarian food, are vegetarian in Bihar. Traditional Bihar society did not quite eat eggs and chicken, In Bihar People want varieties in food so there are more than six type of vegetable dishes prepared daily with each meal. Bihar is famous for its distinct cuisine .All the regions have their own cooking styles and tastes.But most people prefer simple food consisting of Rice, Chapatti, Pulses, vegetables and Pickle.

CLIMATE

In summers the temperature is around 40 to 45*C,the time for rainfall mid of July to September last. In winters the weather is pleasant and cool.

State Capital                                Patna

Area covered                              94,164 sq km

Languages Spoken                  Hindi, Angika, Bhojpuri, Maithili and Bangla.

Best Time to Visit                      October to March