Bihar`s antiquity is evident from its name, which is derived from "VIHARA" (monastery). It is indeed a land of monasteries. Bihar finds mention in the Vedas, Puranas, Epics etc and was the main scene of activities of the Buddha and the 24 Jain Tirthankaras. It is also one of the important places in the annals of Indian history which has seen the rise and fall of major empires.. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim and Sikh shrines abound in this ancient land where India`s first major empires rose and fell.

Where the ruins of the worlds` earliest university slumbers in the void of time, while modern day giant steel complexes spew fire all the year round. Forty percent of India`s mineral wealth lies buried in its boosom. The passage of Ganga, flowing wide and deep enrich the plains of Bihar before distributing in Bengal`s deltoid zone. Among all Indian states, Bihar is the one most intimately linked to the Buddhas life.

This landlocked state is surrounded by Nepal, Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and comprises four cultural regions-Bhojpur, Mithila, Magadha and Chotanagpur. Rivers Kosi and Gandak from the north and Sone from the south join the Ganga. River Damodar flows through the picturesque Chotanagpur plateau and its valley is the Rohr of India. In the fertile plains, rice, sugarcane, oilseeds, gram, maize, jute, barley and wheat are cultivated. Under the soil, Bihar has either ruins or minerals.

History

Bihar was the region where Buddhism evolved and finds mention in the Vedas, Puranas, Epics etc. This was one of the most remarkable aspect that makes it an important region that added to the diverse cultures of the Indian Union. Human settlement in this region dates back to the prehistoric period and they led a nomadic life. Bihar too forms the part of the Gangetic plain which was inhabited by people of different races. Great rulers of the state before the Christian era were Bimbisara, Udayin who founded the city of Pataliputra. The famous Mauryan emperors along with the Guptas who under Ashoka had their capital at Patiliputra. Smaller dynasties like that of the Sungas, Kanva and the Kushanas influenced the regions of Bihar. During the Medievial period witnessed the Muslim invasion which was followed by the rule of local Rajput clans. The first Muslim conqueror was Mohammad Bin Bakhtiar Khalji. The Tughluqs and then the Mughals followed the Khalijis.

The Mughals established a prosperous atmosphere in Bihar. With the downfall of the Mughals, the Nawabs from Bengal exercised their rule. The East India Company established its sway over Bihar after the Battle of Buxar in 1764. The different British attitudes and practices towards the people led to migration to lands like Africa, South East Asia etc. Under the British, Bihar was first a part of Bengal Presidency. In 1911 the two states of Orissa and Bihar were separated from Bengal. In 1936,they became separate provinces. A part of Bihar comprising mainly forest tracks of Chhotanagpur plateau and Santhal paragana, the homeland of the tribals became a separate state Jharkhand on November 15th, 2000.

Bihar Festivals

Nag Panchmi : The rainy month of Sravana when there is danger of death from snake bite, people appease the snake god by offering milk during Nag Panchmi. The prime centre of naga worship is Rajgir and Mahabharata describes this place as the abode of serpents and excavations have revealed numerous objects used in serpent cult. In fact naga worship is wide spread through out India.

Buddha and Mahavir Jayanti : Buddha Jayanti is celebrated in the month of April/ May, when Buddhist from all over the world congregate at Bodh Gaya and Rajgir to celebrate the birth of Lord Buddha. Mahavir Jayanti is an important festival of the Jains, which is celebrated in the month of April. The sacred Parasnath hill, where 20 thirthankar are believed to have achieved salvation, hosts the celebrations of the Mahavir Jayanti.

Getting there :

By Air : Bihar has two airports at Patna connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Calcutta, and Katmandu. Indian Airlines and Sahara Airways have direct flights to Patna from Delhi.

By Rail : Bihar has well developed railway network with almost all the major and minor places connected by good trains. Major railway stations like Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gaya are connected to all the major cities of India by regular trains.

By Road : There is good network of roads connecting all the major parts of the state with Patna, the state capital. National highways like 2, 31, 28, 23, 30, and 33 connect the state from places all over India.

Climate : It has continental monsoon type of climate.

Tourist Attractions:
Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is where the Buddha attained enlightenment and gave the world a great religion like Buddhism. It is very near the capital city of Patna. At a distance of around 125 km one can easily drive down from Patna. The Mahabodhi Temple is where Buddha attained enlightenment. It has a Peepal tree that is said to have been grown from the branches of the famed tree. The town houses an Archaeological Museum and monasteries built by people of many Buddhist countries.

Rajgir
Rajgir, meaning "The Royal Palace", (Raja Griha) lays 90 kms South of Patna, and it was the capital of Magdha Kingdom. Rajgir is a site of great sanctity and significance for Buddhists. The Gridhakuta Hill, in Rajgir was the seat from where Buddha delivered many of his sermons. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time in the First Buddhist Council held at Rajgir after the demise of Lord Buddha. Many sites of historical and archaeological significance surround the Holy city of Rajgir. Bimbisara Jail reminds one of the devoted Mauryan King Bimbisara being a Buddhist, was imprisoned by his son Ajatashtru at this place where he spent his last days. From here he could see Buddha climbing up the Gridhakuta Hill to do his meditation.