Today’s Bihar is completely different from what it used to be in the past. The state once had a glorious past and it was known as Magadha during ancient times. As a center of power, culture, and learning, it gave birth to many powerful rulers such as Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya, Samudragupta, and many others. These are some of the best places to visit in Bihar that you can find in this article.
Gautam Buddha attained his enlightenment at a place in Bihar called Bodh Gaya. Buddhism itself saw its genesis in Bihar and from here it spread to many parts of India and the world. And today, it remains one of the most underrated tourist destinations in India. At present, Bihar has many magnificent ruins of ancient structures, monasteries, temples, and museums.
Some important facts to know before you visit Bihar
| Climate | summers are hot and dry, winters are quite chilly, its pleasant in March, October, and November |
| Best time to visit | October to March |
| Major attractions | Bodhgaya, Ruins Of Nalanda University, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Vikramshila, Sonepur Mela, Navlakha Palace, Sher Shah Suri’s Mausoleum, etc. |
| Activities to do | Explore the ruins of ancient structures, Be part of Chhath Pooja, one of the biggest festivals in India, See Chhau dance, Savour local cuisines such as kebabs, litti chokha, Bihari boti, sattu paratha, etc |
| Major Railway Station | Patna Junction |
| Nearest Airport | Patna Airport |
| Elevation | 53m |
| Best way to reach | Get to the railway station or the airport and enjoy the nearby places in a bus or a cab. |
| Languages spoken | Bhojpuri, Hindi, English, Urdu |
| The ideal number of days required | 7-10 days |
| Major festivals | Chhath Puja, Buddha Jayanti at Bodh Gaya, Rajgir Mahotsav, Diwali, Holi, Makar Sankranti, etc. |
Best places to visit in Bihar
1. Bodhgaya
| Best time to visit | between October and March |
| Major attractions | Mahabodhi Temple, Vishnupad Temple, Dungeshwari Cave Temples, Barabar Caves, Bodhi Tree, Chinese Temple And Monastery, Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum, Muchalinda Lake, Thai Temple And Monastery, Royal Bhutan Monastery, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Gaya Airport |
| Nearest railway station | Gaya Junction |
| How to reach? | Hire a local taxi from the nearest airport or the railway station |
Bihar is home to a number of famous places to visit, and one of the most notable is Bodh Gaya. It is mainly famous for the presence of the Bodhi tree where Gautama Buddha attained his enlightenment. The city is located on the Phalgu River and it has many other historical sites and temples, making it one of the most popular Bihar famous places. Today, it remains one of the major Buddhist sites and Mahabodhi Temple Complex is visited by thousands of tourists annually, cementing its place as one of the must-visit places to visit in Bihar.
2. Nalanda
| Best time to visit | between October and March |
| Major attractions | Nav Nalanda Mahavihara, Surya Mandir, Nalanda Archaeological Museum, Pawapuri, The Great Stupa, Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, Nalanda University, Rajgir, Surajpur Baragaon, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Patna Airport, 89km |
| Nearest railway station | Nearest is Rajgir Junction but most convenient is the Gaya Junction |
| How to reach? | Hire a local taxi from the nearest airport or the railway station |
Bihar is home to many tourist places in Bihar, one of which is the historic site of Nalanda. The place is known for the oldest university in the world, Nalanda University. It is the same spot where great rulers belonging to the Gupta Empire, and Pala Dynasty spent the majority of their time. Lord Mahavira also spent a lot of time here.
The beauty and popularity of this place didn’t remain confined to Indians alone; great scholars such as Hieun Tsang also visited and studied at this place for many years, making it a must-visit destination among the many tourist places in Bihar.
3. Munger
| Best time to visit | between October and March |
| Major attractions | Bihar School of Yoga, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Munger Fort, Shri Krishna Vatika, Kashtaharni Ghat, Chandika Astahan, Kastaharni Ghat, Pir Shah Nafah Shrine, Sita Kund, Manpatthar, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Darbhanga Airport, 107km |
| Nearest railway station | Monghyr Railway station is the nearest but the major one is Deogarh Junction |
| How to reach? | Hire a local taxi from the nearest airport or the railway station |
Munger is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Bihar and a must-visit among the many places to visit in Bihar. The city has been known for its rich historical sites that have preserved its culture and traditions till today. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Bihar and also one of the oldest cities in Bihar. Even today, it remains one of the important political and educational centers of the state and it is said to have been founded by the Guptas.
The city is located 180 km from Patna and has Asia’s largest and oldest railway workshops at Jamalpur. The place is also famous for the presence of Sita Manpatthar, which is a rock where the impressions of the feet of Devi Sita are present, adding to its charm as one of the top Bihar tourist spots.
4. Vaishali
| Best time to visit | between October and March |
| Major attractions | Relic Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Kutagarasala Vihara, Coronation Tank, World Peace Pagoda, Archaeological Survey of India Museum, Bawan Pokhar Temple, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Patna Airport, 70km |
| Nearest railway station | Muzaffarpur Junction, 36km |
| How to reach? | Hire a local taxi from the nearest airport or the railway station |
Vaishali is one of the most popular places to visit in Bihar. Once the capital of Licchavi Rulers, Vaishali is famous as the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. It is also believed that Gautam Buddha gave his last sermon at this place in 483 BC. The name of this city also appears in the works of Chinese travelers such as Fa-Hien and Hieun Tsang.
Vaishali is located at a distance of 35 km from Muzaffarpur, 55 km from Patna, and 128 km from Nalanda. It is situated on the banks of the Gandak River and even today it remains one of the famous Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, adding to its allure as one of the must-visit places to visit in Bihar.
Also, Read Chadar Trek – The Frozen River
5. Patna
| Best time to visit | between October and March |
| Major attractions | Bihar Museum, Patna Planetarium, Patna Museum, Japanese Peace Pagoda, 7. Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden, Lauriya Nandangarh, Gandhi Ghat, Golghar, Patan Devi Mandir, Mahavir Mandir, Jalan Museum, Kolhua Complex, etc. |
| Nearest airport | Patna Airport |
| Nearest railway station | Patna Junction |
| How to reach? | Hire a local taxi from the nearest airport or the railway station and explore the major attractions |
Patna is one of the most famous tourist places in Bihar and a must-visit among the many Bihar famous places. It is the capital of Bihar and it is known for its rich history and other magnificent ruins. It was earlier known as Pataliputra and it has numerous monasteries, temples, and museums. The city is located on the banks of the Ganga River and it is equally revered by the Sikh community as this place is said to be the birthplace of the last Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
Today, the place has developed quite beautifully with the coming up of malls, industries, commercial activities, road connectivity, etc. However, the ancient structures, culture, and traditions of Patna have been beautifully preserved by the people living here, making it a must-visit among the many Bihar famous places.
6. Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir
| Best time to visit | between October and March |
| Nearest airport | Patna Airport, 89km |
| Nearest railway station | Rajgir has its own railhead but the major railway station is the Gaya Junction |
| How to reach? | Hire a local taxi from the nearest airport or the railway station and explore the major attractions |
The Vishwa Shanti Stupa, also known as World Peace Pagoda, is one of the most famous tourist places in Bihar. It is located in the historical city of Rajgir. It was built in 1969 to spread the message of peace and non-violence. The structure is marked by four statues of Gautam Buddh that represent four significant phases of his life which are birth, enlightenment, teaching, and death, making it an important cultural and historical site among the many places to visit in Bihar.
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Frequently asked questions about Bihar
What languages are spoken in Bihar?
Can I visit Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda in one day?
Is it safe to travel to Bihar?
Can I go to Nepal from Bihar?
What are the famous dishes of Bihar that one must try?
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