Vaishali:
Vaishali was one of the earliest republics in the world (6th century
BC).It was here that Buddha preached his last sermon. Vaishali, birthplace
of Lord Mahavira is also Sacred to Jains.
Patna:
Patna once called Patliputra the capital of Bihar, is among the
world's oldest capital cities with unbroken history of many centuries as
imperial metropolis of the Mauryas and Guptas imperial dynasties.
Rajgir:
Rajgir,19 kms from Nalanda, was the ancient capital of Magadha Empire. Lord
Buddha often visited the monastery here to meditate and to preach. Rajgir
is also a place sacred to the Jains, Since Lord Mahavira spent many
years here.
Pawapuri:
In Pawapuri, or Apapuri, 38 kilometres from Rajgir and 90 kilometres
from Patna, all sins end for a devout Jain. Lord Mahavira, the final
tirthankar and founder of Jainism, breathed his last at this place.
Bodhgaya:
Near the holy city of Gaya, the Buddha attained enlightenment. The tree
that had sheltered him came to be known as the Bodhi tree and the place
Bodhgaya. Today Bodhgaya, an important place of pilgrimage, has a
number of monasteries, some of them established by Buddhists of Japan,
Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka etc.
Nalanda: A
great centre of Buddhist learning, Nalanda came into prominence around the 5th
century BC and was a flourishing university town with over ten thousand
scholars and an extensive library.
Kesaria: This Stupa is in fact one
of the many memorable stupa remarkable event in the life of Buddha.
Kesaria has a lofty brick mound capped by a solid brick tower of
considerable size, which it self is the remain of a Buddhist Stupa. The
mound is a ruin with a diameter of 68 feet at its base and a total
height of 5½ ft. originally it was crowned by a pinnacle which must have
stood 80 or 90 ft above the ground. General Cunningham dated this
monument to AD 200 to 700, and held that it was built upon the ruins of
a much older and larger Stupa.
It is the highest Stupa
found in the country with a height of about 104” from the base.
Rajgir:
Rajgir,19 kms from Nalanda, was the ancient capital of Magadha Empire. Lord
Buddha often visited the monastery here to meditate and to preach. Rajgir
is also a place sacred to the Jains, Since Lord Mahavira spent many
years here.
Pawapuri:
In Pawapuri, or Apapuri, 38 kilometres from Rajgir and 90 kilometres
from Patna, all sins end for a devout Jain. Lord Mahavira, the final
tirthankar and founder of Jainism, breathed his last at this place.
Tar (Bhojpur): Situated about 10 kms North
West of Piro the village derives its name from Tarka, a she demon killed
by lord Rama. There is an old tank in the village that is said to be the
wrestling ground of Tarka.
Ahirauli (Buxur): Situated about 5 kms north-east of Buxur, this
village has a temple of Devi Ahilya. According to the local tradition it
dates back to the pre historic ages. Legend is that, Ahilya was
transformed into stone as a result of curse of her husband, Rishi Gautam
and she could be redeemed only when lord Ram Chandra visited her place.
Ram Rekha Ghat (Buxur): According to the legends, lord Ram
Chandra and his younger brother Lakshman with their teacher Rishi
Vishwamitra had crossed the Ganga here on their way to Janakpur where he
later took part in the Sita swayambar (the public ceremony of Sita's
Marriage).
Pretshila Hills (Gaya): About 8 kms North-West of Gaya, the 873
feet high Pretshila Hills is situated. The literal meaning is the Hill
of ghosts and it is sacred to yam, the Hindu god of hell and forms one
of the sacred places of pilgrimage. On the top of the hill is a small
temple, appropriately dedicated to Yam (The God of death).
Giddheshwar (Jamui): According to local legends, the epic fight
between the vulture Jatayu and the demon Ravan took place here on the
hill that is situated about 13 km south of Jamui, while the latter was
abducting Sita. There is a temple of Lord Shiva, which draws big crowds
on the occasion of Shivratri and Maghi Purnima.
Kako (Jehanabad): Situated 10 km each of Jehanabad Railway
station. According to a local legends, Lord Ramchandra’s step mother,
Rani Kekaiy of Ayodhya lived here for some time and the village took its
name after her. The village has also a tomb of Hazarat Bibi, Kamal
Sahiba; a great muslim lady saint. I is said that this lady was the aunt
of Haryat Makdum Saheb of Bihar Sharif and Possessed devine powers.
Singheshwar Asthan (Madhepura): Singheshwar Sthan has been the
abode of Lord Siva from the ancient times. Though there are various
stories about the establishment of the Singheshwar temple, the one that
is widely and popularly accepted, relates to Rishi Shringi. In ancient
time Singheshwar was situated on the bank of the river Kosi and was
surrounded by dense and lush green forest. It was ideally situated for
‘Tapasya’ (Meditation) and it is here that Vibhandak Rishi along with is
son Rishi Shringi devoted all his time in deep meditation.
Phullahar (Madhubani): The village is situated about 6 kms West
of the block headquarters at Umgaon under Harlakhi P.S. The village
countains the temple of Goddess Girija. It is said that Sita, the
daughter of king Janak, used to come here every day to worship the
Goddess. Lord Rama saw her for the first time at this place.
Sita Kund (Munger): A village about 6 Kms East of the Munger town
contains a hot spring known as the Sita Kund spring, which is so called
after the well known episode of Ramayan. Ram, after rescuing his wife
Sita from the demon king Ravan, suspected that she could not have
maintained her honour intact, and Sita, to prove her chastity, agreed to
enter a blazing fire. She came out of the fiery or deal unscathed, and
imparted to the pool in which she bathed, the heat she had absorbed from
the fire. The hot spring is now enclosed in a masonry reservoir and is
visited by large number of pilgrims, specially at the full moon of Magh.
Ramchura (Vaishali): The place is situated in Vaishali block,
where a fair is held every year on Ram Nawami day. the local tradition
has it that lord Ram Chandra had a stopover here for a bath on his way
to Janakpur. There are some marks on stone, which are said to be his
footprints.
Ahilya Asthan (Darbhanga): The village is situated about 24 kms
North West of Darbhanga and about 4 kms from Kamtaul Railway Station. It
is known for the temple of Ahilya Asthan, which is associated with the
well known legend of the sage Gautam and his wife Ahilya as told in the
epics and Puranas. Inside the Shrine is a flat stone said to contain the
foot prints of Sita, wife of Ram, as the main object of worship.
Janki Temple (Sitamarhi): This temple is traditionally considered
to be the birth place of Sita or Janki, the daughter of king Janak. This
temple, however seems to have been built about 100 years ago.
Janki Temple (Punausa): This temple is about 5 kms South West of
Sitamarhi. It also Stakes the same claim to be the birth place of Sita
and is considered to be sacred place where people go for a pilgrimage.
Haleshwar Asthan (Sitamarhi): This is an ancient temple of Lord
Shiva about 3 kms North-West of Sitamarhi. According to myths the King
of Videha on the occasion of Putrayesthi Yojna, founded this temple.
Panth Pakar (Sitamarhi): An age old banyan… tree still stands
here about 8 kms North-East of Sitamarhi. It is said that when Sita left
Janakpur in a Paanquin for Ayodhya after the marriage to Shri Ram, she
was given rest for a while under this very banyan tree.
Chanki Garh (West Champaran): Also known as Janaki Garh, this
village is situated about 9 kms East of Ram Nagar Railway Station. There
is a large mound in the eastern part of the village. It is a mass of
solid brickwork and is 90’ high. It was probably originally a Fort and
the remains of fortification can still be seen. The local tradition
asserts that it was a Fort of king Janak.
Valmiki Nagar (West Champaran): This is a village on the Indo
Nepal border 42 kms North-West of Bagaha to which it is connected by a
metalled road. A barrage has been constructed here on the Gandak river
for the purpose of irrigation. Besides an old Shiva temple constructed
by the Bettiah Raj, there are also ancient temple of Nara Devi and Gauri
Shankar at Valmiki Nagar.
There is a Valmiki Ashram, which is said to be the place where Maharshi
Valmiki was living. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti every year a fair
is held on the bank of River Gandak.
Maner Sharif (Patna, Maner): It is a large
village of historical antiquities, situated in the extreme north west of
Danapur Sub-division, about 32 kms west of Patna on Patna-Arrah Highway.
In the early ages Maner was a centre of learning and it is said that
grammarian Panini, and also Bararuchi, lived and studied here. Maner
contains two well-known Mohammedan tombs, that of Shah Daulat or Makhdum
Daulat, known as Chhoti Dargah, and the other that of Sheikh Yahia
Maneri or Makhdum Yahia, called the Bari Dargah. Makhdum Daulat died at
Maner in 1608, and Ibrahim Khan, Governor of Bihar and one of the
saint's disciples completed the erection of his mausoleum in 1616. The
building is exceptionally fine one, with walls containing carvings of
great delicacy and high finish. A great dome crowns it, and the ceiling
is covered with carved inscriptions from the Quran. Every detail of it
is characteristic of the architecture of Jehangir's region, and it is by
far the finest monument of the Mughals in Eastern India. Inside the
compound there is a mosque also built by Ibrahim Khan in 1619, whiles a
fine gateway bearing an older inscription corresponding to 1603-01, and
affords access to the north. The tomb of Yahia Maneri lies in a mosque
walls and ghats, and pillared porticos jutting out into it, which is
connected with the old bed of the River Sone by a tunnel 400-ft long.
Khankah Mujibia (Phulwari Sharif, Patna):
Nearly 7 kms from Patna Railway Station, Phulwari Sharif is an important
Islamic pilgrimage. It has been always a favorite abode of Sufi saints
in various times. Hazrat Pir Muzibullah Quadri was one of those in the
18th Century. The Khankah Muzibia, founded by him at Phulwari Sharif is
called the Bari Khankah. An old Madarsa here has been the most important
centre for teaching of Islamic philosophy since its establishment.
Sacred hairs of the beard of Paigamber Hazrat Muhammad Saheb are
preserved here in Banri Khankah that attracts throngs of his followers
and a big mela is held every year.
There is also an archeologically important and worth seeing ancient
Sangi Masjid (mosque) built of red stones at Phulwari Sharif. It was
built by the Mughal Emperor Humayun.
Khankah Emadia (Mangal Talab, Patna City, Patna):
One of the off-springs in the family of prominent Sufi Saint Hazrat Pir
Muzibullah Quadri had founded another Khankah during 19th century near a
tank called Mangal Talab that is situated in the Patna City Chowk area.
It is called Khankah Emadia that houses a Madarsa. An Urs is held here
annually when throngs of devotees assemble and pay their respect to
their beloved Sufi Saint.
Dargah Sharif, Mithan Ghat (Patna City, Patna): A beautiful
double storied mosque was built by Mughal Prince Azim on the banks of
Ganges at Mittan Ghat, Patna City area that was previously called
Azimabad during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. This mosque was
built for Mulla Mittan who was teacher of the Prince. It was the place
from where the great Sufi Saint Hazrat Makhdum Munnem used to preach his
disciples during the 18th Century. The ancient mosque still exists and
is popularly known as Dargah Sharif. Every year, after 5 days of "the
Eid festival, an annual Urs Chiraga is held here when devotees assemble
at this Dargah Sharif in great numbers.
Hajipur Karbala (Vaishali): It was constructed 175 years ago by
Shah Alam. It attracts a large crowd of Muslims throughout the years.
Hasanpura (Siwan): The village is situated about 21 kms South of
Siwan on the bank of Dhanai river. According to tradition, Makhdum
Saiyed Hasan Chisti, a saint who came from Arabia to India and settled
here, founded this village. He also founded a Khankah (religious
institution) here. The village contains remains of a large mosque and
tomb of the Saint, which is visited by both Hindus and Muslims. The
grave is a large open court to the west of the village. In front of it
is a basalt image of Vishnu but it has been ruthlessly treated. It is
regarded as an inauspicious fiend who has turned into stone by the holy
Makdum and must not be raised or placed erect. It contains no
inscription but its style shows it to belong to about the seventh
century A.D.
Bibi Kamaal Sahiba (Kako, Jehanabad): The
village is the headquarters of the block of the same name and is
situated on the Jehanabad-Bihar Sharif road, about 10 kms East of
Jehanabad railway tation. According to a local legend, Ram Chandra's
stepmother, Rani Kaikeyi of Ayodhya lived here for sometime and the
village took its name after her. The village took its name after her.
The village has also a tomb of Hazrat Bibi Kamaal Sahiba, a great Muslim
lady saint. It is said that this lady was the aunt of Hazrat Makhdum
Saheb of Bihar Sharif and possessed divine powers.
Bari Dargah (Bihar Sharif, Nalanda): This is
headquarters of Nalanda district that lays 30 kms South of Bakhtiarpur
on NH-31. This is also a railhead on the Bakhtiarpur Rajgir branch line
of the Eastern Indian Railway. This town is known as Bihar Sharif, owing
to its many Muslim tombs that still retain traces of its former
importance as a Muslim pilgrimage. There is a hill called Pir Pahari,
about 1 m to the northwest of the town. At its summit is the dargah or
mausoleum of the Saint Mallik Ibrahim Bayu, round which are tem smaller
tombs. It is a brick structure surmounted by a dome and bears
inscriptions showing that the saint died in 1353. Another great dargah
is that of Mokhdum Shah Sharif ud-din, also called Makhdum-ul-Mulk, died
here in 1379; the inscription over the entrance shows that his tomb was
built in 1569. This tomb, which stands on the south bank of the river,
is held in great veneration by the local Mohammedans, who assemble here
on the 5th day of Sawan to celebrate the anniversary of his death. The
Chhoti Dargah is the shrine of Badruddin Badr-I-Alam, famous saint who
died here in 1440.
Chhoti Dargah (Bihar Sharif, Nalanda): Dargah of Makhdum Hazrat
Sultan Ahmed Charampose, Bihar Sharif (Nalanda).
The biggest and the oldest building
of Mohalla-Amber in the Bihar Sharif Town (Nalanda), is Tomb of Hazarat
Makhdum Sultan Saiyad Shah Ahmed Charampose Teg Barhana Rohmatulla Alaib.
He was born in the year 1236 and passed away in 1335 (according to
Islamic calendar 657-776 Hizri). He is ranked to a very high order among
other Sufi saints and Auliahs.
Thousands and thousand of people
participate in the ‘Urs’ celebrated here in memory of the Saint every
year.
Motihari (East Champaran): Motihari was to
the first laboratory of Gandhian experiment in Satyagraha and probably
it will not be very incorrect to say that is has been the spring board
for India’s independence. Champaran district generated a wave of
enthusiasm and inspiration to the people who were thirsting for a
selfless and saintly leader. The technique followed by Gandhiji in
Champaran was what attained later on the name of Satyagraha.
Hazarimal Dharamshala, Betia (West Champaran): It is at Betiah in
the Lal Bazar area. Gandhi and his companions used to camp here and it
was the epicenter of his “Satyagraha”. The State Govt. has declared this
building a protected monument. The Betia Raj Kuteherry and the
Dharmashala were Mahatama Gandhi stayed are well worth visit.
Bhitharwa Ashram (West Champaran): It is a village in the Bettiah
Sub-division under Gaunaha Block. This was one of the centre for social
work selected by Gandhiji, when he was in Champaran in 1917.
At present there is a Khadi Centre working under direct
control of the Bihar Khadi Samiti. There is a Gandhi Ashram where
Mahatma Gandhi had stayed during the Indian freedom straggle.
Brindaba (West Champaran): It is a small village in the Betia
sub-division under Champatia Block. It has the Gram Seva Kendra, which
had been planned to work out the deals of the Gandhi Seva Sangh. The all
India Gandhi Seva Sangh held there annual conference at this village in
1937. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Rajendra Prasad attended it. Gandhiji
stayed here in 1939 and started an Ashram, which is still functioning.
Shri Rampur (West Champaran): Situated in the Gannaha Block of
Bhitiharwa Panchayat. Gandhiji had stayed here on 16th November, 1917.
Koeldih (West Champaran): Under Gaunaha Block in the Belwa
Panchayat. Gandhiji had visited this place on 16th November, 1917.
Amolwa (West Champaran): Under Gaunaha Block in the Majharia
Panchayat, where Gandhiji spent a night on the 27th April, 1917 with his
other companions.
Murli Bharhawa (West Champaran): It was the native place of
Pandit Raj Kumar Shukla who had been a close associates of Mahatma
Gandhi during the Champaran Satyagrah Movement. Pandit Shukla took a
lead role in bringing Mahatma Gandhi to Champaran.
Sariswa (West Champaran): This place is in Ratanmala Panchayat
under Majhaulia Block-Gandhiji and his companions had taken statement of
raiyats in a open yard in front of the temple.
Hardiya Kothi (West Champaran): It is under Bishunpur Panchyat of
the Nautan Block. It was house of Mr. G. P. Edward, a British Indigo
Planter. Remains of this building are in some what better condition in
comparison to other such old buildings.
Sadaquat Ashram (Patna): It is situated in Digha area on Patna
Danapur Road and in pre independence days guided the freedom movement in
Bihar. It is Associated with the memories of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr.
Rajendra Prasad, Mautana Mazharal Haque and other leaders.
Gandhi Sangrahalay (Patna Museum): Close to the Western end of
Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The Gandhi Sangrahalaya houses a large number of
items and artifacts related with Mahatma Gandhi and his satyagrah
movement in Bihar. It also has a vast collection of Gandhian literature
and photographs depicting his life and works. A “Charkha” (Country made
spinning wheel) used by Mahatma Gandhi is also well preserved in this
museum.
Kakolat (Nawada): It is a
waterfall in Gobindpur police-station, about 21 miles away from Nawada.
After going 9¼ miles from Nawada on Ranchi Road, a pucca road known as
Gobindpur—Akbarpore Road diverts from there. Just below the fall there
is a deep reservoir natural in character. The fall is about 150 to 160
feet, from the ground level. The scene is panoramic due to all-round
green forest area, which is very pleasant to the eyes.
A legend is prevalent that in Treta Yuga a king named was cursed by a
rishi and had to take the shape of a python and lived here. The place
was visited by the great Pandavas during their exile and the accursed
king got salvation from the damnation. The king after getting rid of the
curse proclaimed that one who would bathe in the waterfall will not take
the yoni of snake and that is why a large number of people from far and
near bathe in the river. A big fair is held on the occasion of bishua or
Chait Shankranti.
Bhimbandh (Munger): It is
situated at a distance of 56 km from Munger, 20 km from Jamui Railway
Station and 200 km from Patna Airport. Bhimbandh Wild Life Sanctuary is
located in the south west of Munger District. The forests cover an area
or 681.99 sq.km on the hills and undulating tract of Kharagpur Hills.
This forest are
located in the famous Kharagpur hill range, south of river Ganga and is
surrounded on all sides by non-forestry areas inhabited by dense
population. The vegetation of these forests is very rich where Sal, Kend,
Semal and other trees grow side by side the hilly terrain, protecting
from the suns rays the forms and humble creepers which grow below.
A host of animals such as Tiger, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Nilgai, Sambhar,
Barking deer, Wild Beer, four horned Antelope use to abide by in these
forests. In the valley portions and at the foothills are several hot
springs of which the finest are at Bhimbandh, Sita Kund and Rishi Kund.
All the hot springs maintain nearly same temperature round the year, and
seasonal fluctuation of discharge is also nominal. Among them the
Bhimbandh group of springs have the maximum temperature (52° C to 65° C)
and discharge (0.84-1.12 cum/sec) and constitute the best area for the
exploration of geothermal energy potential.
All the thermal
springs of sanctuary have a common geological frame. The spouts issue
from the contact of massive guartzites (jointed and crushed) with states
and phyllites (Kharagpur Group).
All the springs are
situated at topographic lows within the guartziter. The aqueducts formed
due to fracturing are long and narrow zones of fissures and broken
rocks.
There are number of places of tourist interest nearby the Sanctuary
like, Rishikund, Ha-Ha Punch Kumari, Rameshwar Kund, Kharagpur Lake,
Sringrishi etc. There are Tourist lodge and Forest Rest House that offer
accommodation facilities to tourists in the mid of the forest.
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