Bihar is a large state in North India and is well connected by air and rail. The state is popularly known for the major Buddhist pilgrimage centre, Bodh Gaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The state is seeped in history, as it was here that many empires and kingdoms rose and fell including the Guptas, the Mauryas and the Palas. The place has also got the world’s earliest university, Nalanda that was flourished here between the 5th to the 11th century.
There are many places to visit and many things to do depending on what your interests could be. You would need more than a week to explore these places in the state. If you are traveling to and exploring India, Bihar definitely needs to be a part of your itinerary and you would definitely keep on coming back to explore more ☺.

Following are some of the places and experiences we have listed. Based on your interests and time we could curate a personalized itinerary for you.

PATNA
The capital city of the state of Bihar is one of the oldest cities in the world, earlier known as Pataliputra. Founded by Ajatshatru, the king of the Magadha empire in 5th century BC, it became the empire’s capital throughout four dynasties – the Nandas, Guptas, Shungas, and Mauryans. It was also the center of learning and fine arts and home to astronomers and scholars. The city has a prominent landmark, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, one of the world’s longest bridges standing on the River Ganga. Apart from being a historic city, Patna is a sacred place esp, for Buddhists and for Sikhs as well, since many of the Sikh’s Gurus were born here. Visit the Patna and Bihar museums, which display the rare artifacts of their glorious past. Explore the city’s rich culture and history, and indulge in the local cuisine and street food “litti chokha” and more.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Places To Visit/Things To Do: Visit Padri-Ki-Haveli, the oldest catholic Church of Bihar, also known as St. Mary’s Church. Visit Patna Museum. Explore ancient ruins at Kumhrar Park. Visit the modern Buddhist Museum, Buddha Smriti Park. Visit Gandhi Maidan. Learn Patna’s past at the Patna Museum. Join a Sufi pilgrimage from Phulwari Khankaye Mujeebia.
How To Get There: By Air, Rail and Road.

BODHGAYA
Bodhgaya is the most sacred place for the Buddhists. It was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. The temple has a Peepal tree (Banyan Tree) that is believed to have grown from the branches of the eminent tree. The place were it is located is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The complex has a Maha Bodhi Temple dedicated to the place of reverence.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Places To Visit: Bodhi Tree, Maha Bodhi Temple.
How To Get There: Well connected by rail and road (100 km from Patna). The nearest airport is in Gaya (17 km away).

NALANDA UNIVERSITY
Nalanda University was one of the oldest Universities and the first ever residential university in the world. Established in the 5th Century BC by the Gupta Dynasty, Buddha himself have visited and taught here. At its peak in the 7th century AD, Nalanda had some 10,000 students and 200 teacher as documented by the visiting Chinese scholar and traveler Hieun Tsang. The visit here takes you back to what ancient India and this place would’ve been.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Places To Visit: Nalanda University ruins, Surya Mandir, Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, Nav Nalanda Vihar, Nalanda Museum.
How To Get There: Well connected by rail and road. Though Rajgir (12 km) is the nearest railway station to Nalanda yet the nearest convenient rail head is at Gaya 95 km. The nearest airport is in Patna (89 km away).

RAJGIR
Lord Buddha spent many years of his life and delivered sermons here. This was the venue for the first Buddhist Council. Rajgir is an eminent pilgrimage destination of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism alike. Before Pataliputra (Patna), Rajgir or say Rajgriha used to be the capital of Magadh.
Griddhakuta Parvat or the Vulture Peak is located here in Rajgir. The peak in the shape of a Vulture was the venue of many famous speeches by the Buddha, and thus this is one of the sacred places for the Buddhists.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Places To Visit: Swarna Gufa, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Griddhakuta Parvat (the vulture peak) and Hot Springs.
How To Get There: Well connected by rail and road. The nearest airport is in Gaya (68 km away).

VIKRAMSHILA
Vikramashila University was founded by Pala king Dharmapala in the late 8th or early 9th century. It prospered for about four centuries before it was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji along with the other major centres of Buddhism in India around 1193. There are still ruins remaining that reminds one of this ancient seat of learning.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Places To Visit: Swarna Gufa, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Griddhakuta Parvat (the vulture peak) and Hot Springs.
How To Get There: Well connected by rail and road. The nearest airport is in Gaya (68 km away).

PAWAPURI
This was the place where Lord Mahavira breathed his last and was then cremated. This is known to be a sacred spiritual place for both Buddhists and Jains, hence very important.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Places To Visit: Vishwa Shanti Stupa. many Buddists and Jain structures, and Ashokan Pillars.
How To Get There: Well connected by rail and road (19 km from Rajgir). The nearest airport is in Patna (101 km away).

SASARAM
Sasaram is a house for the grand and gorgeous tomb of Sher Shah, the king known for building the Grand Trunk Road covering whole of North India. The beauty of the place lies in the fact that mausoleum is located in an attractive lake and appears as it is a floating structure. Sasaram is just 148 km away from Patna.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
How To Get There: Well connected by rail and road (19 km from Rajgir). The nearest airport is in Gaya (97 km away).