Category: Tour & Travel, Tourist Places, Bihar, India.
01. Vaishali, Sonepur -
Vaishali is located on the shores of the Gandak River. It is a sacred place for Buddhists and Jains as the presiding deities of the region are Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. This place is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.
Fort Vishal, a popular attraction of Vaishali, was discovered during the excavations. Some of the other attractions of this place are the Ashoka Pillar, Jain Temples, stupas of Buddha and Bawan Pokhar Temple.
Built with a single piece of red sandstone, the Ashoka Pillar was constructed by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The 18 m high, bell shaped capital is surmounted on the pillar.
The Bawan Pokhar Temple is famous for the black basalt Shivalinga. Another important tourist attraction is the Miranji Ka Dargah, dedicated to the Muslim Saint Sheikh Mohammed Faizullah Kazim.
02. Bihar Sharif, Nalanda -
Bihar Sharif is a significant centre of Muslim learning built in the 13th century. This place is the erstwhile capital of the Pala rulers and portrays the picture of a bustling town of a rich history. It also displays remains of medieval Islamic architecture of the Gupta empires in the form of numerous tombs and mosques.
The most important attraction in the place is the tomb of Makhdum Shah Sharif-ud-din, who was a renowned Muslim saint. Due to this tomb, Bihar Sharif is also a popular Muslim pilgrimage centre. Other attractions around this tomb include a Buddhist Vihara, a prison of the time of King Jarasandhan and few other shrines.
03. Nalanda University, Nalanda -
The Nalanda University was built in 5th century BC and is recorded as the earliest university of world. It is spread over an area of 14 hectares and has been built with red bricks in the Kushana architectural style. The favourite disciple of Lord Buddha namely Sariputra died preaching at this very place. In 3rd century BC, Ashoka built a grand stupa in honour of Sariputra.
The infrastructure of Nalanda University has 3 to 6 storeys along with a college of fine arts endowed by the Gupta Emperor, Kumaragupta, a library comprising of a huge collection of over nine million volumes and 300 apartments. Rows of monasteries, hostels and classrooms form a large part of the structure of this university providing a strong impact of the Pala dynasty. It has a total of one thousand teachers and ten thousand students in its portals.
Certain remains have also been excavated from the ruins of this university, which includes a stairway, decorated panels, stupas, dormitories of monks and students, lecture halls etc. The most significant monuments found from here are the monasteries and chaityas. Remains of a temple depicting household scenes, dancers and floral designs are also seen at the site of this university.
There is also a small chapel in the place, which has a half broken statue of Lord Buddha. The central walk of this university passes through a complex and it has monasteries on its eastern side while temples on its west.
04. Jama Masjid, Gaya -
Jama Masjid, located in the heart of Gaya, is the largest mosque in state of Bihar. Dating back around 200 years, this mosque is famous for Shabina and Tabligh. Shabina is the special worship, which is done on 27th night of Ramadan.
05. Gandhi Maidan, Patna -
Gandhi Maidan, formerly known as Patna Lawns, is popular attraction in the region as it has been a witness to several Indian freedom movements, including the Champaran and the Quit India movement held during 1942. This ancient ground is located near the banks of Ganga River, towards the east of the Golghar Falls.
This ground was considered as hotspot for freedom movement rallies and major activists from the Indian freedom struggle namely Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, Nehru and Indira Gandhi have made memorable speeches here. Presently, this ground is being utilised for several commercial purposes like private parties, mass prayers and trade fairs
In the north western corner of the ground lies the Gandhi Sangrahalaya, which showcases various pictures and records of Mahatma Gandhi's presence and connections with Bihar. During the year 1947, it used to be the house of the Education Minister, Dr. Syed Mahmud. These grounds are situated near Ashok Rajpath in Moradpur and are 2.5 km from central Patna.
06. Pupri, Sitamarhi -
Pupri is a village famous for the Baba Nageshwarnath temple of Lord Shiva. As per legend, Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared at this site.
07. Bhawanipur, Madhubani -
Bhawanipur Village is located at a distance of 5 km from the Pandaul Block headquarters. The site is known for the Ugaranath Temple and its association with the renowned poet Vidyapati. According to the mythology, Vidyapati was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Impressed by the poet, Lord Shiva started serving Vidyapati as a servant, named as Ugana.
08. Mahabodhi Temple, Gaya -
Mahabodhi Temple dates back to 7th century and is one of the highlights of the religious township. Constructed around the original Bodhi Tree, the history of this temple dates back to 2,500 years. During 11th century, when Muslims invaded the destination, the ancient temple was destroyed.
The present structure which stands today was restored in 1880 and has been renovated numerous times in yesteryears. At present, the shrine is maintained and managed by Archaeological Survey of India.
Built by Burmese King, the shrine is identical to the stupa, which was constructed by Emperor Ashoka. The temple houses a statue of Lord Buddha, which is established in a cross-legged seating position and earth touching. The entire temple is encircled with stone railings that house seven places. These seven places are the locations to which Lord Buddha was associated for a week during the process of enlightenment.
With an elevation of 50 m, the structure features beautiful ancient carvings in the west and south directions. Highlighting feature of this temple includes the railings, some of which are reproductions. In addition, tourists visiting the temple can also see an ancient Shivalingam, which is believed to be installed in 860.
The entire temple is known for its religious significance as it is important for Hindus. This is because, Lord Buddha is considered as ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, to which this temple is dedicated.
09. Bodhi Tree, Gaya -
Bodhi Tree, believed to be the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, is one of the chief revered locations in Bodh Gaya. Located south of the Mahabodhi Temple, the existing tree is of fifth generation of original Bodhi Tree. Around 80 ft in height, the tree is approximately 115 years old. Under the tree, there is a stone platform on which it is believed that Lord Buddha sat in meditation gazing in the east direction.
According to a popular belief, there is a myth behind the uprooted original Bodhi tree. It is said that the wife of Emperor Ashoka destroyed the actual tree. She did this as a result of jealously as Ashoka used to devote too much time on the Bodhi Tree.
However, as the time passed another Bodhi Tree was planted at the same spot by planting its sapling which was bought from Sri Lanka. According to the chronicles of history, it records that Sanghmitra, the daughter of king Ashoka, even took one branch of Bodhi Tree to Anuradhapur. She planted it there, which can still be seen standing at Anuradhapur.
To get an insight into the history of the tree and surrounding area prior to enlightenment can be obtained from the Buddhist source, Kalingabodhi Jataka. The Jataka also enlightens tourists about 'Asokavadana', the series of events leading to King Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.
The queen of Emperor Ashoka apparently got angry due to the subsequent worship of Ashoka under the sacred tree. Due to this reason, she got angry to such an extent that she ordered the tree to be felled. After this, Ashoka piled up earth around the stump and poured milk on its roots.
Soon after this, the tree miraculously revived and extended up to a height of 37 m. For its protection, he surrounded the tree with a three metre high stone wall.
10. Phulwari Sharif, Patna-
Phulwari Sharif is famous for the Sufi culture and during the ancient times, it was a pivotal hub of religious, cultural and social activities for Sufis. One the most important centres in Phulwari Sharif is the Khanqah Mujeebia, which was discovered by Pir Mujib in 18th century. The famous Mughal Emperor Humayun built a mosque in red sandstone, at this place.
This town is also famous for Madarsa or religious educational institution, which tries to instil the knowledge leading to enlightenment among the poor people. Other well-0known structures of Phulwari Sharif are Khanqah Mujeebia, Sheesh Mahal and Imarat Sharia. Located about 8 km away from Patna, this place can be reached by hiring taxis and auto-rickshaws.
Post A Comment: