Five Major Cities for Tourism in Bihar
Bihar is a historically and culturally rich state of India.
Since ancient times, it has been a centre of education, trade, religion, and politics. Many cities in Bihar are renowned for their unique contributions and significance. Let us explore five major cities in detail.
1. Patna:
Patna is the capital of Bihar and is situated on the banks of the Ganges River. In ancient times, it was known as Pataliputra, the capital of the Magadha Empire. This city witnessed the reign of great rulers like Chandragupta Maurya and Emperor Ashoka. Today, Patna is Bihar’s largest educational, industrial, and administrative centre. Sites like Gandhi Maidan, Golghar, Kumhrar, Pataliputra University, and the Mahavira Temple are famous here.
Ancient Rajgrih, Nalanda, Bodhgaya, and Pawapuri are located within the vicinity of Patna. Patna is a highly sacred site for Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and last Sikh Guru, was born in Patna. Every year, millions of Sikh devotees from India and abroad visit the Harmandir Sahib in Patna to pay homage and pay obeisance. The ancient ruins in and around Patna bear silent witness to the city’s historical glory and still display its ancient grandeur. Beyond its historical and administrative importance, Patna is also a major centre of education, commerce, and medicine. The old walled city area is known as Patna City. According to archaeological research, Patna’s written history dates back to 490 BCE when Ajatashatru, the great ruler of the Haryanka dynasty, shifted his capital from Rajgrih or Rajgir to this place. This location was more strategically important than Rajgrih, as it was suitable for the conflict with the Lichchhavis of Vaishali, a fierce battle that lasted for several months. He chose this strategically important location on the banks of the Ganges and established his fort. Since then, the city’s history has been constantly changing. Very few cities in the world have the distinction of being over 2500 years old.
Like other parts of Bihar, Patna experiences high summer temperatures. Direct sunlight and heat waves can make summer unbearable. The city also experiences the effects of heat waves, caused by hot winds, although less severe than in the rest of the plains (such as Delhi). Due to its proximity to four major rivers, the city experiences high humidity throughout the year.
Diwali, Durga Puja, Holi, Anant Puja, Chhath Puja, Ganga Dussehra, Ram Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Jhulan, Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Vijayadashami, Mahashivratri, Eid, Christmas, Chhath, Sohrai, Godhan, Rakshabandhan, Karma, Govardhan Puja, Jivhit Putrika Vrat, and Teej are among the most popular festivals. Chhath is a major festival not only celebrated in Patna but throughout Bihar, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God.
2. Gaya
Gaya is a religious and historical city in Bihar. It is considered sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. In Hinduism, Gaya holds special significance for offerings of Pind Daan, with the Vishnupad Temple being a major pilgrimage site. Bodh Gaya holds immense significance for Buddhists, as it is here that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Gaya is also known today as an international tourist destination.
Gaya fell into the hands of the British rulers during the Battle of Buxar in 1764. Initially, until 1864, Gaya was part of the then Behar and Ramgarh districts. Finally, on October 3, 1865, Gaya was granted the status of a full-fledged and independent district, comprising three subdivisions: Gaya, Aurangabad, and Nawada. In 1947, Gaya became a district of independent India, along with all other provinces. Later, in 1973, two subdivisions, Aurangabad and Nawada, were separated from the original Gaya district to form two separate districts. Once again, on August 1, 1986, Gaya was split to form the Jehanabad district. Recently, in August 2001, Jehanabad was divided, and a new Arwal district was created.
Finally, in May 1981, the Bihar State Government, through a notification, created a new Magadh Division, comprising five districts: Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jehanabad, and Arwal, with Gaya as its headquarters.
3. Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur is known as the “Silk City.” This city is renowned worldwide for its silk industry. The Tussar silk produced here holds a special identity. Bhagalpur is also historically significant. Vikramshila University, a major educational center in ancient India, was located in this region. Situated on the banks of the Ganges River, Bhagalpur is also a major centre of trade. In the Mahabharata and Puranas, this district is considered part of the Anga region. Near Bhagalpur is Champanagar, also known as the capital of the mighty warrior Karna. It is the last point of the plains of the state. It is also the meeting point of the Kaimur Hills of Bihar and Jharkhand. Bhagalpur is also known as the City of Silk.
Bhagalpur is a world-renowned district for the silk trade. The production of Tussar silk, also known as Kosa silk, is still a source of livelihood for many families. Currently, Bhagalpur district has been in the news due to Hindu-Muslim riots and crime. There is also an airport here, which is not yet operational.
4. Muzaffarpur
Muzaffarpur is known as the “Litchi City.” Its litchis are renowned worldwide for their sweetness and flavour. This agricultural city is also a major commercial and educational centre of North Bihar. It’s Juba Sahni Park, Buddhist stupas, and various cultural institutions make it even more attractive. Muzaffarpur has also played a significant role in Bihar’s politics and education. In ancient times, Muzaffarpur was part of the Mithila (Tirhut) kingdom. Later, the Vajji Republic was established in Mithila. The travelogues of the Chinese traveller Xuanzang, who visited India in the third century, reveal that the region was under the rule of Maharaja Harshavardhana for a considerable period. After his death, local satraps ruled for a period. After the eighth century, the Pala dynasty of Bengal began to rule here, which continued until 1019. Tirhut also briefly fell under the rule of the Chedi dynasty around the 11th century. Between 1211 and 1226, Ghiyasuddin Awaz became the first Muslim ruler of Tirhut. In 1323 AD, during the reign of Harsingh Dev of the Simraon dynasty of Champaran, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq of the Tughlaq dynasty took control of the region, but he handed over power to Kameshwar Thakur, the ruler of Mithila. By the end of the fourteenth century, Tirhut, along with all of northern Bihar, fell under the control of the Jaunpur kings, a position that continued until Sikandar Lodi of the Delhi Sultanate defeated the Jaunpur rulers and established his rule. Subsequently, representatives of various Mughal rulers and the Nawabs of Bengal ruled the region. After defeating the Pathan chieftain Daud Khan, the Mughals formed the new province of Bihar, incorporating Tirhut.
After the Battle of Buxar in 1764, the region came under direct British rule. In 1875, Tirhut was carved out of Muzaffarpur for administrative convenience, creating the Muzaffarpur district. Muzaffarpur played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. Mahatma Gandhi’s two visits to the region rekindled the desire for independence among the people. It was the birthplace of many revolutionaries, including Khudiram Bose, Jubba Sahni, Pandit Sahadev Jha, and the Shukla brothers. From the Salt March of 1930 to the Quit India Movement of 1942, the revolutionaries here continued to advance, with young Ram Sanjivan Thakur leading the charge in Muzaffarpur’s northern region.
Lychee was used as a sweet.
In those days, lychee was so revered that a basket of it was often sent along with mangoes as a good omen at weddings. However, due to its short shelf life, this practice has gradually declined. Twenty years ago, despite being a fruit, lychee was used as a sweet. Back then, lychee was included in the sweet packets served as snacks to wedding guests. We remember that whenever most children opened sweet packets at weddings, lychee was their first choice. People would eat lychee first, then move on to other foods.
Shahi Litchi Received GI Tag in 2018
When I lived in the village, I wasn’t aware of the popularity of lychee. For me, lychee was like chicken and lentils. But when I left Bihar and moved out, I learned that Muzaffarpur’s Shahi Litchi is world-famous and received a GI tag on October 5, 2018. The GI tag stands for Geographical Indication. It is a type of certification that states that a product is associated with a specific region or geographical location and that its unique quality, identity, or reputation reflects that region’s uniqueness.
5. Rajgir
