Pawapuri

Pawapuri, or Apapuri, 38 kilometers from Rajgir and 101 kilometers from Patna, all sins end for a devout Jain. Lord Mahavira, the final Tirthankar and founder of Jainism, breathed his last at this place, and was cremated here around 500 B.C. It is said that the demand for his ashes was so great that a large amount of soil was removed from around the funeral pyre, creating the water tank. A marble temple, the "Jalmandir", was later built in the middle of the tank, and is now a major pilgrimage spot for Jains. Another Jain temple called Samosharan is located here.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is at Patna 101 kms. Indian Airlines connect Patna to Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Ranchi and Lucknow.

By Train

Though Rajgir itself has a railway station yet the nearest convenient railhead is at Patna 90.kms.

By Road

A taxi or bus can be taken from Patna, Rajgir, Gaya or other major cities of Bihar to visit Pawapuri.

Attractions

Rajgir Dance Festival

Bihar State Tourism Department organizes every year, this colorful festival of classical and folk dances from October 24 to October 26.

Chath Puja

Chhath puja or sun worship held twice a year in "Vaishakha" (April-May) and in "Kartika" (October - November) in Surya Temple, The Sun temple of Surajpur Baragaon.

Arts and Crafts

The places around Rajgir are famous for stone Sculptors and bowls.

Parsvanatha Hills

The highest and most important of hills in Bihar is the picturesque Parsvanath Hill perched 4,500 feet above sea level, in the district of Giridih. The mere altitude is not the point. The loftiness here is of another order.

According to Jain tradition, no less than twenty out of twenty four tirthankaras are believed to have attained salvation in the Sammetasikhara or the Parsvanath Hills. However the images in the temple of Parasvanath are dated not earlier than 1765.

The hill seems to have been an abode of Jains. Parasvanatha, the 23rd tirthankara was very popular among the tribal population of Chotanagpur. He is identified by the snake king Dharanendra, whose many hoods protect the meditating tirthankara.

Parsvanatha is said to have stressed on speaking the truth, possession of no property, no injury to be inflicted to living beings, and no acceptance of anything that is not freely given. He attained nirvana 250 years before the last tirthankara, Mahavira.

Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world.

How to reach

By Air

The nearest airport is at Gaya 7 Kms and Patna 135 kms. Indian Airlines and Sahara Airlines connect Patna to Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Ranchi, Lucknow and various other cities.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Gaya (17km).

By Road

Bodhgaya is well connected by road to Gaya (17km), Nalanda (101 km), Rajgir (78 km), Patna (135km), Varanasi (252 km), Calcutta (495km) Regular direct bus services are available from Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation run buses from Patna- Bodhgaya route twice a day. Taxis, Tongas, Auto Rickshaws, Cycle Rickshaws are available for local transport.

Places of Interest

Mahabodhi Temple

The temple stands in the east to the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural effect is superb. Its basement is 48 square feet and it rises in the form of a slender Pyramid till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 170 ft. and on the top of the temple are Chatras which symbolize sovereignty of religion. Four towers on its corners rise gracefully giving the holy structure a poise balance. This sacred edifice is like a grand banner unfurled by time to proclaim to the world the pious efforts of the Buddha to solve the knots of human miseries, to ascend above worldly problems and to attain transcendental peace through wisdom, good conduct and disciplined life.

Inside the temple, in the main sanctum, there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting posture touching the earth by his right hand. In this posture the Buddha accomplished the supreme enlightenment. The statue is of black stone but it has been guilder by the devotees. The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with large number of votive stupas. These stupas are of all sizes built during the past 2500 years ago. Most of them are extremely elegant in structural beauty. The ancient railings, which surround the temple, are of the first century BC and are among the very interesting monuments of the century.

Animesh Lochan Chaitya

It is believed that the Buddha spent one week here looking towards the great Bodhi tree out of gratitude, without twinkling his eyes.

Bodhi Tree

The present Bodhi Tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment. Vajrasana, the seat of stability, is a stone platform on which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree.

Chankramana

This marks the sacred spot of the Buddha's meditative perambulations during the third week after pious enlightenment. It is believed that wherever the Buddha put his feet lotus sprang up.

Ratnagarh

The Buddha spent one week here, where it is believed that five colors came out of his body.

Other Treasures of Bodhgaya

80 ft Statue of the Buddha, Lotus Tank, Buddha Kund, Rajayatana, Brahm Yoni, Chinese Temple & Monastery, Burmese Temple, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, International Buddhist House & Japanese Temple, Thai Temple & Monastery, Tibetan Monastery, Archaeological Museum. Sujata village (2 kms), Dungeshwari Hill (Prag bodhi) (22 kms by road), Maitraya Project (3 kms).

Temple Timings

Mahabodhi Temple

5 AM to 9 PM

Other Monastries

5 AM to 12 Noon and 2 PM to 6 PM

Places of Interest around Bodhgaya

Sun Temple (32 km)

It is a famous temple of the Sun God at Deo and has a beautiful architecture similar to the Konark Temple in Orissa. This place is famous for the 'Chhat' festival which is held in the month of October-November.

Pretshila Hill (12 km, Gaya)

This hill adds to the beauty of Gaya. It is about 10 kms from the Ramshila hill. Just below the hill is the Brahma Kund. After taking bath in this pond people go for the 'Pind Dan' which involves performance of religious rites and offering donations and charity for the peace of souls of one's parents and ancestors. On top of the hill the Queen of Indore, Ahilya Bai, built a temple in 1787popularly known as Ahilya Bai Temple. This temple has always been an attraction for the tourists due to its unique architecture and magnificent sculptures.

Vishnupad Temple (12km, at Gaya)

In 1787 Queen Ahilya Bai built the Vishnu temple on the banks of river Falgu. The temple has some great architecture and design which attracts devotees and tourists alike. A 30-meter high octagonal tower overshadows this temple.

Barabar Caves (41 km)

It is an important archaeological site. The caves carved out from solid rocks bear details of the life of the Buddha. The interior of these caves is chiseled to a wonderful polish. The carvings in the caves reflect the skill with which these caves were carved out. These caves were built in the 3rd century and are fine examples of the skill which the Indian mansion had attained at that time. These caves of Mauryan period are rightly considered to be the origin of Indian cave architecture. It was here in these caves where the Buddha had meditated for some time and concluded that the ultimate knowledge can not be attained through mortification of the flesh.

Other Excursions

Dungeshwari (12 km), Muchalinda Lake (3 km), Gaya (12 km), Rajgir (80 km), Nalanda (96 km), Pawapuri (114 km).

Nalanda

Nalanda, founded in the 5th century AD, is famous as the ancient seat of learning. The ruins of the world's most ancient university lies here which is 62 km from Bodhgaya and 90 km south of Patna. Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous center of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th centuries. Hieun Tsang stayed here in the 7th century AD and left detailed description of the excellence of education system and purity of monastic life practiced here. He also gave a vivid account of both the ambiance and architecture of this unique university of ancient times. In this first residential international university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 monks students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied here. The Gupta kings patronized these monasteries, built in old Kushan architectural style, in a row of cells around a courtyard. Emperor Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples, monasteries and viharas here. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate structures here. An International Center for Buddhist Studies was established here in 1951. Nearby is Biharsharif, where an annual urs is celebrated at the Dargah or tomb of Malik Ibrahim Baya. Baragaon, 2 km away has a sun temple, famous for Chhath puja. To be visited are Nalanda museum & Nava Nalanda Mahavihar in addition to the great ruins.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is at Patna 89 km. Indian Airlines connect Patna to Calcutta, Ranchi, Bombay, Delhi and Lucknow.

By Train

Though Rajgir (12 km) is the nearest railway station to Nalanda yet the nearest convenient rail head is at Gaya 95 km.

By Road

Nalanda is connected by good road with Rajgir 12 km, Bodh Gaya 110 km, Gaya 95 km, Patna 90 km, Pawapuri 26 km, Bihar Sharif 13 km etc. There are no taxis available in Nalanda. Cycle rickshaws and tongas are the only modes of local transport.

Attractions

Rajgir Dance Festival

Bihar State Tourism Department organizes every year, this colorful festival of classical and folk dances from October 24 to October 26.

Chhath Puja

Chhath puja or sun worship held twice a year in "Vaishakha" (April-May) and in "Kartika" (October - November) in Surya Temple, The Sun temple of Surajpur Baragaon.

Arts and Crafts

The places around Rajgir are famous for stone Sculptors and bowls.

Places of Interest

Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex

The total area of the excavation is about 14 hectares. All the edifices are of the red brick and the gardens are beautiful. The buildings are divided by a central walk way that goes south to north. The monasteries or "Viharas" are east of this central alley and the temple or "Chaiyas" to the west. The Vihara-1 is perhaps the most interesting with its cells on two floors built around a central courtyard where steps lead up to what must have been a dais for the professors to address their students. A small chapel still retains a half broken statue of the Lord Buddha.

The enormous pyramidal mass of the Temple no .3 is impressive and from its top commands a splendid view of the entire area. It is surrounded by smaller stupas, many of which studded with small and big statues of the Lord Buddha in Various poses or "Mudras".

Nalanda Archaeological Museum

Opposite the entrance to the ruins of the university and houses, there is a small but beautiful collection of Buddhist and Hindu bronzes and a number of undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha that were found in the area. Two enormous terra-cotta jars of the first century stand intact behind the museum in a shaded enclosure. The collection includes copper plates and stone inscriptions, coins, pottery and samples of burnt rice (12th century AD) found among the ruins here. Open during 10.00 to 17.00. Closed on Friday.

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is devoted to study and research of Pali Literature and Buddhism. This is a new institute, where students from foreign countries also study.

Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall

A new construction in memory of the great Chinese traveler, Hieun Tsang.

Other Places of Interest

Silao

In between Nalanda and Rajgir, there is a village namely Silao where very a popular local sweet "KHAJA" is prepared.

Surajpur Baragaon

The lake with its temple of Surya, the Sun God , is a pilgrim destination twice a year in "Vaishakha" (April-May) and in "Kartika" (October-November) during the Chhath Puja or Sun worship.

Kushinagar

Kushinagar - Set against a pastoral landscape, the small hamlet of Kushinagar, 53 km west of Gorakhpur, is revered as the site of the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana, his death and cremation, that marked his final liberation from the cycles of death and rebirth.

During Buddha's lifetime, Kushinara, as it was then called, was a small town in the kingdom of the Mallas, surrounded by a thick forest cover. It remained forgotten, until the late nineteenth century, when archaeologists rediscovered the site, and began excavations.

Today, Kushinagar is rediscovering its roots, as a center for international Buddhism, and is home to many viharas, including a Tibetan gompa devoted to Sakyamuni, a Burmese vihara, and temples from China and Japan.

How to reach

By Air

Nearest airport is Varanasi.

By Train

The nearest railway station is at Gorakhpur (51 km), which is the headquarters of Northeastern Railways and linked to important destinations.

By Road

Kushinagar is well connected to other parts of the state of Uttar Pradesh by bus. There are regular buses to Gorakhpur (51 km), Lumbini (173 km), Kapilavastu (148 km), Sravasti (254 km), and Sarnath (266 km), and Agra (680 km). Jeeps and elephants are available on hire basis to take the tourists inside the forest.

Kushinagar at a glance

Total Area : 1026 KM2
Buffer Zone : 813 KM2
Core Area : 232 KM2
Tourist Zone : 35 KM2
Language Spoken : Hindi, English
Best Season : October to March
Temperature (Max./Min.) Deg C : Summer - 47/28 Winter -23/7
Clothing : Summer - Cotton/Tropical, Winter - Light Woolens.

Places of Interest

Nirvana Temple

Set in a leafy park at the heart of Kushinagar, the Nirvana Stupa, dating back to the reign of Kumaragupta I (413-55AD), enshrines a giant statue of the Buddha, in a reclining position. It was extensively rebuilt, by Burmese Buddhists, in 1927. The surrounding area is strewn with Stupas, erected by pious pilgrims, and ruins of four monasteries.

Japanese Temple

Built by the Atago Isshin World Buddhist Cultural Association, it consists of a single circular chamber, housing a golden image of the Buddha, softly lit through small, stained-glass windows.

Rambhar Stupa

About 1.5 km southeast of the Nirvana Temple, surrounded by rice, wheat and cane fields, lies at the Rambhar Stupa. It was popularly believed to be the place, where Buddha was created by the Mallas.

Mata Kaur Shrine

Houses a 10th century blue schist image of the Buddha.

Muzzafarpur

35 km from Vaishali. Muzaffarpur the "Lychee Kingdom", is one of the major towns of North Bihar, a short distance from other popular tourist spots Hazipur and Sonepur. It is also one of the oldest and largest trade centers in the entire state. Modern Muzaffarpur, along with the districts of Champaran and Darbhanga, may have been comprised in the Lichchavi territory at the beginning of the sixth century B.C., when the Lichchavi were at the zenith of their power. There are, therefore, plenty of interesting historical sites around this area. Today Muzaffarpur is famous for its exotic fruit "LYCHEE". Tourist can stay at Tourist Bungalow-Lichchavi Vihar, Muzaffarpur 842 001. Tel.0621-268512.

Other Places of Interest

Gaya

Gaya is believed to be blessed with power to absolve all sins, by Lord Vishnu. The believers from many places gather here during monsoon in September - October for the 'Pitrapaksh Tarpan' (Prayers offered for the dead). The pilgrims take a dip in the seasonal holy river 'Phalgu' during this season.

Vishnupad Temple

It is in the center of the town, built over Lord Vishnu's footprint. This footprint imprinted on a rock inside the temple is set in a silver basin. It has a height of 30 meters. The temple is supported by eight rows of beautiful carved pillars which support the pavilion. This pavilion was refurnished in 1787 by Rani Ahalyabai of Indore. The banyan tree under which Buddha meditated for 6 years is still seen here.

Ranchi

Ranchi, perched 2,140 feet above sea level is once the summer capital of Bihar, Ranchi is rich in waterfalls. Hundru Falls (45 km on Ranchi Purlia road) where Subarnarekha river cascades down from the altitude 320 feet is a sight not to be missed especially in monsoon or when the wind sets the motion. Johna Falls or Gautamdhara (43 km on Ranchi-Purulia road) is another enchanting retreat, replete with flora and fauna beside the Kanchi river. To admire the fall one is required to descend 500 paved steps. Lord Buddha is believed to have bathed here and hence the name. Adjacent of Johna is Sita Falls which can be seen at its best early in the morning sun shine. Afternoon may best be saved for the Dassam Falls (45 km on Ranchi-Tata road) where river Kanchi falls from a height of 114 feet.

Places of Interest around Ranchi

On the periphery of Ranchi is the Tagore Hill, named after the Bengali poet who often turned to Ranchi to sharpen his wit and supposedly found inspiration for his work Gitanjali and other poems. Ranchi played a significant role in the life of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who started writing his famous commentary on the Quran here, which gained him recognition as an Islamic scholar. At the foot of theTagore Hill lies Ram Krishna Ashram. On the other end of Ranchi is Kanke Dam which is ever crowded with tourists. Few kilometres from the dam is the 17th century Jagannath Temple where the annual Rath Yatra (car festival) is held in the month of June/July. Should one be interested in tribes and anthropology a visit to the nearby Bihar Tribal Research Institute will be a rewarding experience for its rich anthropological museum, library and publications. Besides few majestic churches in Ranchi, there is a war cemetery, believed to be the smallest 'concentration' cemetery in India with a total of 708 burials which includes a soldier of the army of undivided India, besides various other countrymen who fought for the British cause.

Mutta Muggar Breeding Centre

23 km from Ranchi is a Mutta Muggar Breeding Centre in Ormanjhi which took off with three Bihari muggers and two from Madras. Today they account for over fifty ! Nearby is the biological park replete with valuable samples of wildlife.

Netherhat

150 km from Ranchi is Netherhat, the 'Queen of Chotanagpur' at an elevation of 3,700 feet above sea level.

Dense forests, serpentine roads, cool bracing breeze, moonlit nights must have persuaded the English to call this place which possibly sums up the 'nature' and 'heart' of Netherhat.

This place is an out of this world experience. Nightfall may arrive with boring regularity everywhere, but not so in Netherhat when it is pleasantly cool and the mysterious sky is ablaze with stars. The solitude and silence combine to promise a romantic tourist a refuge where one might try to stitch one's life back together.

Magnolia Point

10 km off is Magnolia Point where the nearest thing to entertainment is the sky at sundown, when it turns to orange and mountain ranges of pink clouds build on the horizon. Most of the tourist bungalows at Netherhat are purposely built to catch a glimpse of rising sun that emerges from the quintessential landscape, layer upon layer of blue hills rising from the eastern sky like an old water colour. Water cascading from the height of 468 feet at Lodh falls is a sheer celebration of natural splendour. This highest waterfall in Bihar is 61 km from Netherhat and it can be reached via Mahuatand. Another alternative is Sadni Falls, 35 km from Netherhat, where the water fall is taken over by numerous curves.

Mc Cluskieganje

Mc Cluskieganje, a sleepy hamlet amidst picturesque forests that is around 60 km from Ranchi on Highway 47. Film makers have taken note not only of the spectacular natural beauty, clean air, and extravagant greenery, but of the village itself, a heady mix of the untamed and the sophisticated. The name evokes nostalgia and one gradually discovers that the place was once popular with the Anglo Indian community. Some of the houses here have retained their English names together with the epitaph of 'haunted houses'. During the 1950s there were no less than 100 Anglo Indian families with their typical cottages, clubs and shops. Now the number of families have come down to 25.

Hazaribagh

Hazaribagh (thousand gardens) is a famous hill resort with a pleasant climate and picturesque places. Notable among them is the Kunhary hill, now corrupted (corrected!) to Canary hill, which offers a panoramic view from the observation tower. Salparni lake is an equally popular picnic spot with opportunities for water sports. Hazaribagh is home to 186 sq. km wildlife sanctuary which continued to be the royal reserve of the Raja of Ramgarh until 1950. Numerous observation towers in the sanctuary makes it all the more easier to have closer encounter with the wild.

Rajrappa Temple

90 km from Hazaribagh town is Rajrappa, famous for "Maa Chhina Mastika" temple where river Bhera joins the Damodar from a height of 20 feet. The little waterfall offers boating facilities which introduces some very spectacular rock formations.

The Dams

Few of the reservoirs of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) dams offer ideal recreational facilities amidst scenic surroundings. Tilaya Dam, across Barakar river in Hazaribagh was built to check the floods. The main road through the reservoir and the adjoining hillocks offer very tempting photo views. One can follow the main road and drive to Hari Har Dham at Bagodar which is famous for the 52 feet high Shiv Ling amidst serene surroundings. It is believed to be the tallest Shiv Ling in the world which took thirty years to complete. Maithan Dam, 48 km from Dhanbad, is another flood control project across Barakar river. It has a unique under ground power station which is first of its kind in South East Asia. Panchet Dam across Damodar river offers stunning views from the surrounding hill.

Dhanbad

The mining town of Dhanbad is internationally famous for its rich coal fields. Next door is Bokaro, India's biggest steel complex and further south is Jamshedpur, acknowledged as the Steel City of India. Adjoining the steel city is Dalma Sanctuary (193 sq. km) where the elephants love to spend their summer. Within the heart of Jamshedpur lies the famous Jubilee Park.

Besides the industries, collieries and institutions, there are numerous scenic attractions in the vicinity. Topchanchi

Topchanchi, 37 km from Dhanbad is a beautiful dam amidst lush green hills. Maithan Dam 48 km from Dhanbad is another flood control project across Barakar river. It has a unique underground power station which is first of its kind in S.E. Asia.

The southern tip of Bihar is made up of hilly regions of Porahat and Kolhan in Singhbhum. More than seven hundred hills in the Saranda offer a breath taking view. The best place suggested for is Kiriburu.

In fact, the entire Chotanagpur claims to be 'salubrious' round the year but winter is best avoided for the temperature zooms down.

National Parks

Valmiki National Park

Place : Valmiki Nagar, West Champaran district, Bihar
Nearest town : Bettiah ( 80km)
Main Attraction : Tiger
Best time : Between October and June

Valmiki National Park occupies the core area of 335.64 sq.km, of more than 800sq. km of the Valmiki Sanctuary located in the West Champaran district of Bihar bordering Nepal. Valmiki was established as the 18th tiger reserve in 1990 and ranks fourth in the density of tiger population. The park is bounded by the Royal Chitwan National Park of Nepal in the north and the river Gandak on the western side with the Himalayan Mountains as a backdrop. Adjacent to the sanctuary, in the forests in Chitwan National Park of Nepal, is the historic Valmiki Ashram.

The park consists of moist Sal bearing forests, dry Sal bearing forests, moist mixed deciduous forests without Sal, cane and tropical seasonal swamp forests containing reed beds and wet grasslands. The species found in the park include tiger, sloth bear, wolf, various species of deer, serow, leopard, python, peafowl, chitals, sambars, nilgais, leopards, hyenas, Indian civets, Jungle cats, Hog deer, wild dogs etc. One horned rhinoceros and Indian bison often migrate from Chitwan to Valmikinagar. There are 8 villages in the buffer area but no habitation in the core area.

Where to stay

There are a number of rest houses of the Irrigation Department available for stay.

How to reach

By Air

The nearest airport is at Patna at a distance of 295km.

By Train

The nearest rail head Valmiki Nagar is 5km from the park.

By Road

There are bus services from Valmiki Nagar to Bettiah ( 80km) the nearest town.

Contact

• Dy. Conservator of Forests,
  Champaran Forest Division,
  P.O.Betia, Distt. Champaran
  Bihar