Tourism Sector of Bihar, Download PDF

Tourism Sector of Bihar Study Notes

Tourism has been boosted by the establishment of the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation.
Its main aim is to commercialize all the tourist resources of Bihar.
Tourist Information Centers, Hospitality services, Heritage Hotels, Wildlife Sanctuary, and National Parks etc. have been developed.

Buddhist Tourism

Kesaria Stupa is the highest stupa in India measured from the base in East Champaran.
Vaishali
- Buddha delivered his last sermon here.
- 2^nd Buddhist Council was convened by King Kalashoka
Patna
- Its ancient name is Patliputra.
- It was the capital of many famous ruling dynasties like Mauryas and Guptas
- 3^rd Buddhist Council was convened by King Ashoka in 250 B.C.
- Ajatshatru had built up the fort in Patliputra
- Udayin had set up Patliputra town.
Bodh Gaya
- It is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site
- It was earlier known as Uruvela
- On the banks of river Niranjana, Buddha attained his enlightenment and the tree that sheltered him is known as Bodhi Tree
- Mahabodhi Temple was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Buddha statue - a huge Buddha Statue in sitting posture

Jain Tourism

Vaishali - It is the birthplace of Lord Mahavir Jain
Pawapuri
- Lord Mahavira breathed his last here.
- Jal Mandir - spectacular marble temple in the middle of a lotus pond stands marvelously on a rectangular platform
- Samosharan Temple - Lord Mahavira delivered his last teaching here

Sikh Tourism

Patna
- 10^th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh was born here.
- Sri Harmandir Sahib Takht Gurudwara is located here.

Hindu Religious Sites

Ahirauli (Buxar)
- A temple of Devi Ahalya, the wife of Rishi Gautam
- She was transformed into stone by the curse of her husband and was redeemed only when lord Rama visited the place.
Singheshwar Sthan in Madhepura is considered the abode of Lord Shiva.
Sitamarhi
- Janki Temple is situated here.
- It is considered as the birthplace of SITA.
Sita Kund in Munger - after proving her chastity, Sita bathed in the pool which absorbed her heat

Sufi Tourism

Phulwari Sharif
- Khankah Muzibia was founded by Hazrat Pir Muzibullah Quadri
- Sacred hair of beard of Paigamber Hazrat Mohammad is preserved here.
- A mela is held here every year.
- Sangi Masjid located here constructed by Humayun
Bihar Sharif
- Choti Dargah of Hazrat Makhdum Saiyad Shah Ahmed Charampose
- Around the tomb of Saint Ibrahim Bayu, 10 smaller tombs are also built.

Maner Sharif
- It was also an important center of learning
- Tomb of Makhdum Daulat and Yahiya Maneri is located here
- The ceilings have carved inscriptions from Koran

Ecological Sites

Kakolat Waterfalls - in Nawada district near Jharkhand border which has a fall of 160 ft.
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary - Kaimur, Bengal Tigers are also found here. Other important sites in it are:
- Karkat waterfall
- Telhar waterfall
- Anupam Lake
Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary - Munger, located south of Ganga. It has several hot springs like Sita Kund and Rishi Kund. It is more famous for birds than land animals.
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bhagalpur, stretching from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon. It is the only protected area for Gangetic Dolphins.

Secular Sites

Khudabaksh Library, one of the largest libraries of Asia, is located in Central Patna
Didarganj Yakshini is the most treasured possession of the Patna Museum
Rajgir - was the ancient capital of the Magadha Empire
Nalanda hosts the famous ancient University
Golghar in Patna was built by Captain John Garstin under the order of Lord Warren Hastings.
Qila-i-Rohtas in Rohtas district built by Sher Shah Suri in 1541
Eighty Pillared Hall of Magadhan empire in Kumhrar (Patna)
Mauryan pillars at Lauriya Nandangarh, Rampurva, and Lauriya Areraj