Bihar: The Land of Buddha

Facts:

Area: 94163.00 sq. kms

Altitude: 53 Metres

Geographical Location: 25°22'N 85°08'E? / 25.37°N 85.13°E

Climate: mild winters and hot summers

Rainfall: 120 cm

Primary Rainy Season: mid-June to September

Temperatures: 10C-27C

Language: Hindi, Urdu, and many people speak a form of the Bihari Languages

Population: 82,998,509

Significant in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage is Bihar, held in high regard as the birthplace of Buddhism.

Laid out here is a trail that follows ancient trails which pilgrims follow with persistence and fervor.  Along the trail you will come across vast ruins, temples, and pillars, and all the while it is made obvious why Buddha chose to spend much of his life here and give the honor of attaining enlightenment under a Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya. A complete Gaya Sightseeing Trip will allow you to experience the glory of Bihar in all its charm.

Historical Significance of Bihar

Bihar originally came in part from an area named Magadha and gave rise to two great religions Jainism and Buddhism. It is widely acclaimed to be the birthplace of Buddhism. This area was a powerhouse for over 1000 years especially in the areas of culture and education. It was also the Area from which Mahatma Gandhi launched his groundbreaking civil-disobedience movement.

The Splitting of Bihar and Jharkhand

Bihar and Jharkhand became two separate states in 2000 when Bihar was split along its tribal lines and thus created Jharkhand. Both of them are possibly a closer representation of a more traditional India than perhaps any other state in the north of India. Outside of the big cities, it is glaringly obvious; here you will find signage in Hindi and men that are more likely to be found wearing dhoti and Kurta than the uniformly westernized style of a shirt and trousers. Unfortunately for Bihar Jharkhand was mineral rich and when it was cut away this did nothing to help the already struggling state.

Tourism in Bihar

Bihar may be out of many travelers' comfort zones however it is an intriguing addition to any tour of India. And in an age where we may feel there is little left to tame in the world, it offers adventure; barely touched as of yet by tourism gives one the feeling of accomplishment upon arriving at the end of a journey here. If you overlook the little hassle travelers may come across here from the lack of tourism infrastructure, Bihar really is a brilliant place to visit. Pioneering your way through this state you will come across some absolute gems. If you are at all interested in Buddhism then Bihar is a must-do stop, because Bihar is the state in which Buddha lived and from where Buddhism started its way around the world. Bodhgaya is the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists, being the place where Buddha attained Enlightenment. It is also the home of the famous Mahabodhi Temple, proclaimed to be UNESCO World Heritage Site. Right next to the temple, there is a sacred Bodhi Tree under which Siddhartha Gautama meditated. But Bihar is also a very important pilgrimage destination for other religions - Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism, and that gives you the chance to experience the very thing India is about - diversity.

How to Reach

By Air: Bihar is extremely well-connected with a massive network of airways that cover all the major cities of India. There are two main airports in Bihar; one is in Gaya and the other in Patna which caters to several flights. Taxis and buses are made available from the airport in case you are planning to visit different destinations in and around Patna.

By Rail: Bihar is connected with all the major and minor regions in India. Patna, Bhagalpur, and Gaya are considered to be some of the main railheads of Bihar. Upon reaching the railway station you will be able to hail a cab or hire taxis to go to your desired destinations.

By Road: Bihar has several national highways and state highways that run all across the major places of the Indian subcontinent. Bihar is also connected to all the state highways and there are also state and private run bus services available along with autos and rickshaws.