



Bihar is an adaptation of the term 'vihara' that literally means a Buddhist monastery. With a rich historical and religious heritage, Bihar was the nerve center of Buddhist learning in the ancient times. Famous for the Nalanda University, Bihar was known as Pataliputra or Magadh in the olden times.
Spread on fertile Indo-Gangetic plains, Bihar has bustled for ages on the banks of the sacred river Ganges. A trove of scenic waterfalls, hot springs and tranquil lakes, Bihar is simply spectacular - and a tourist circuit that unfortunately hasn't been explored much.
As foretold by Lord Buddha Bihar has always faced a danger from three evils -"feud", "fire" and "flood."
Magadh under Chandragupta Maurya was perhaps the most powerful kingdom in the history of Bihar, India. Later the Pala kings and Muslim rulers also played a significant role in the history of Bihar.
Travel to Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali and Patna on Bihar tours. Track an ancient Buddhist trail that takes you to fascinating tour destinations that played significant roles in the life of Lord Gautam Buddha.
Patna the capital city of Bihar has a history that enthralls with its unbroken chain of imperial history traceable to the ancient times. Patna has had several names during the course of history - Pushpapura, Pataliputra, Azeemabad et al.
Written records left by the great Chinese scholar, student and traveler, Huen Tsang indicate that Bihar was a great land of learning and culture in its time.
Rajgir, "House of the King", is an important religious place for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. This ancient town has reference in Mahabharata, Buddhist and Jain texts. Lord Buddha lived here in the sixth century BC while Vardhman Mahavir spent 14 years here. It was in Rajgir that Lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons. King Bimbisara of the Magadha Kingdom got converted here. A small town, Rajgir is witness to a glorious and legendary past. The historical monuments here presents the real scene of the glorious past. The monuments are said to be built by the business class who devoted themselves to Buddha. Jivaka, the legendary physician of Magadha kingdom, also resided here and once served Buddha for illness. Lately, the Japanese have built a Stupa on top of the Ratnagiri hill, linked by a rope way. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were penned down for the first time. Rajgir also has the Nipponzan Myohoji, the Japanese temple, and the Centaur Hokke Club which offers some traditional facilities to Japanese pilgrims.
Hot Springs : The hot springs are a major tourist attractions. They are at the foot of the Vaibhava Hill. The hot water is supposed to come from the 'Saptaparni Caves', situated on top of the hill. Brahmaputra is the hottest spring with water temperature being 45 degree C. Separate bathing places for men and women have been organised.