Like
in all ancient civilizations, the earliest human settlements in India sprung
up around its magnificent rivers. Few rivers of the world have moulded the
culture, economy and personality of the people dwelling on their banks as
the river Ganga has. Cutting straight across Bihar from west to east, the
bounteous Ganga nurtured a veritable fountainhead of political and cultural
civilizations, on its shores, down the millennia.
Here, kingdom
after kingdom rose and fell, leaving their indelible mark on history. Rival
kings fought legendary battles, devastating the land and people. Yet, by
some strange alchemy, the same land saw the birth of some of the most noble
and progressive religious teachers like the Buddha, Mahavira and Guru Gobind
Singh. Then came the Muslims, ruling with panache for five centuries, to be
eliminated in turn, by the powerful British, who ruled till the middle of
this century.
Bihar, today, is a quaint interface of the old and
new. The state boasts of an incredible range of mineral resources. The coal
belt in Bihar is the mainstay of thermal energy in India. Bihar's modern
visage sports some of India's largest steel and mining industries
Places
to Visit:- Patna,
BodhGaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali
Patna:- An immensely
fertile, arched
stretch of land along the bank of the Ganga, the history and cultural
heritage of modern day Patna, go back well over two millennium. Like Delhi,
Patna too had been the regal seat of governance for successive kingdoms,
since ancient times. With every significant change in the ancient political
scenario, the city was renamed. Thus, Kusumpura metamorphosed through
Pushpapura, Pataliputra, Azeemabad into the present day Patna. Patna is the
capital of the state of Bihar. There are lot of places (Kumrahar, Golghar,
Har Mandir Takht, Martyr's Memorial, Pathar ki Masjid, Patna Museum, Jalan
Museum and Sadaqat Ashram.) to see in and around the Patna.
Bodhgaya:-
Bihar has some of the most sacred Buddhist and Hindu shrines. Gaya is
one of the most important pilgrimage places for the Hindus. It is believed
that a Hindu will reach heaven if his last rites are offered under the
celebrated 'Akshayabat' or immortal banyan tree, standing in the yard of
Vishnupad temple. Believed to be built on the footsteps of Vishnu, the grand
temple was renovated by Ahalyabai, queen of Indore.
Nalanda:-
Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime,
this famous centre of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during
5th-12th centuries. The Chinese scholar and traveller Hiuen Tsang stayed
here in the 7th century, and has left an elaborate description of the
excellence, and purity of monastic life practised here. About 2,000 teachers
and 10,000 students from all over the Buddhist world, lived and studied in
this international university.
The Gupta kings patronised these
monasteries, built in old Kushan architectural style, in a row of cells
around a courtyard. Kings Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most
famous patrons, who built impressive temples and monasteries. Recent
excavations have unearthed elaborate structures. An international centre for
Buddhist Studies was established in 1951. The Nalanda Museum and the Nava
Nalanda Mahavihar are definitely worth a visit.
Lauria Areraj is a
11.5 m high Ashokan column, erected in 249 BC. The polished sandstone pillar
has six edicts on it. Lauria Nandangarh is the site of the famous Lion
pillar, erected by king Ashoka. The 8.5 m polished sandstone column also has
an edict engraved on it. The Nandangarh stupa, nearby, is believed to house
the ashes of the Buddha.
Rajgir:- Rajgir, known
earlier as 'Rajagriha' or Girivaraja, nestles in the rocky hills, that
witnessed the teachings of both Buddha and Mahavira.
It
lies 15 km south of Nalanda, and was the ancient capital of the Magadha
kings. The Buddha frequented Rajagriha, seeking the solitude and
tranquillity of the Jivkamaravana monastery, preaching and meditating at the
Griddhakuta hill (Hill of vultures). It was at this hill, that he converted
one of his celebrated followers, the Mauryan king Bimbisara, to Buddhism.
After the Buddha reached 'parinirvana', his followers held the first
Buddhist council at the Saptaparni cave. It was here, that His teachings
were penned down for the very first time. An important pilgrimage centre for
Hindus and Jains, Rajgir is also known as Panchpahari with shrines on five
hills.
Today, Rajgir is a picturesque and serene place, visited by
pilgrims from all over the globe. It has also gained recognition as a health
resort, thanks to the famous hot springs.
Vaishali:- Vaishali.
Named after King Visala, it was the capital of the Lichhavis, and is
believed to be one of the earliest republics of the world, having an elected
body of representatives and an efficient administration, as early as 6th
century BC. Vaishali is significant to both Buddhists and Jains. Lord Buddha
preached his first sermon, and announced his impending Nirvana here. To
commemorate the importance of the site, Emperor Ashoka erected one of his
famous pillars. Vaishali is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.
One
hundred years after the Buddha's 'parinirvana', 700 monks from all over
North India, assembled here, to discuss the 10 points of 'vinaya', the rule
of conduct, under dispute. Thus, Vaishali became the venue of the second
Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to recall this event.
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