Bihar
Land of the Buddha and of ancient Magadha: Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali and Patna on the Ganga.
Bihar is the heartland of early Indian history: the land where the Buddha attained enlightenment, where Mahavira was born, and where the Maurya and Gupta empires ruled from Pataliputra (Patna). Most visitors come for the Buddhist circuit of Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali, which links across the border to Sarnath and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and Lumbini in Nepal.
Highlights: Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya (UNESCO World Heritage Site) · Ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara (UNESCO World Heritage Site) · Rajgir: Vulture Peak (Griddhakuta), Vishwa Shanti Stupa and hot springs · Vaishali: Ashokan pillar and relic stupa · Patna: Bihar Museum, Golghar, Takht Sri Patna Sahib · Vikramshila university ruins near Bhagalpur · Valmiki Tiger Reserve in West Champaran · Madhubani (Mithila) painting villages · Sonepur Mela and Chhath Puja
When to go
Green best · blue good · red avoid · this month outlinedDestinations
Towns, valleys and cities worth the trip, with how they rate this month.
Patna
State capital on the Ganga, ancient Pataliputra: Bihar Museum, Golghar, Takht Sri Patna Sahib and Ganga ghats.
Gaya
Hindu pilgrimage city on the Phalgu river known for the Vishnupad Temple and pind daan rites; base for Bodh Gaya.
Bodh Gaya
Where the Buddha attained enlightenment: the UNESCO-listed Mahabodhi Temple, the Bodhi tree and monasteries built by Buddhist nations.
Rajgir
Ancient Magadha capital ringed by hills: Vulture Peak, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa ropeway, hot springs and Jain temples.
Vaishali
Ancient republic where the Buddha preached his last sermon; Ashokan lion pillar at Kolhua and the relic stupa. Birthplace of Mahavira nearby.
Nalanda
Ruins of the great Buddhist monastic university (5th-12th century), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a museum and the Xuanzang Memorial.
Vikramshila
Ruins of the Pala-era Buddhist university at Antichak near Bhagalpur, with a large cruciform stupa and site museum.
Valmiki Tiger Reserve
Bihar's only tiger reserve in the Shivalik foothills on the Nepal border, with jungle safaris, the Gandak river and Valmiki Ashram.
Top sights
Gurdwara Handi Sahib
gurdwara in Bihar, India
Maa Khadgeshwari Kali Mandir
Hindu temple in India
Van Devi Temple, Bihta
Hindu temple
Mandar Parvat
mountain in India
Ajgaibinath temple
Hindu temple in Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
Masarh lion
archaeological site
Parashanatha Temple, Arrah
jain temple
Buxar Fort
fort located in Buxar, Bihar, India
Nature and outdoors
C-Block Children's Park -1
C-Block Children's Park -2
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
wildlife sanctuary in Bihar, India
Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary
wildlife sanctuary in Bihar, India
Ghora Katora
natural lake in Bihar, India
Pant Wildlife Sanctuary
wildlife sanctuary in Bihar, India
Eco Park, Patna
park in Patna, India
Hardinge Park
Suburban Rail Terminal