Best time to visit : October to March
Patna is an ancient city which is thousands of years old and is situated on the banks of River Ganga in the East India state of Bihar. The tourist attractions in Patna lure around 2.5 million people every year. Patna holds a status of being both a religious and an archaeological site. Patna is the city of great significance for people belonging to Buddhism and Sikhism. It is near Patna where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment and hence is an important pilgrim site for Buddhists. Patna is also the birth place of lot of Sikh gurus and hence is a great pilgrim site for Sikhs.
Facts
Patna was an educational hub during the times of Chandragupta Maurya and Emperor Asoka. It is still known for its exemplary educational facilities. Known throughout the history by names like Patliputra, Patligram and Pushpapura, the city has its present day name inspired by the Hindu Goddess Patan Devi. The city served as the capital of many powerful empires like Magadha, Nanda, Maurya, Sunga and Gupta.
The local delicacies not be missed in Patna are jhal moori (a famous snack made of puffed rice mixed with sprouts and vegetables), aloo chokha (made with mashed potatoes), and litti (main course dish made of wheat flour stuffed with powdered gram called sattu). Famous sweet dishes of Patna include tilkoot and khaja. You can enjoy all the famous dishes at ‘Ganga Vihar’ which is a floating restaurant on the Ganga River.
Locally designed sarees, hand painted pottery and Madhubani paintings of Patna are quite famous. You can buy them as gifts for your friends and relatives back home.
Nearby Places:
- Nalanda (about 80 km.): Popular for the ruins and remains of one of the oldest universities of the world.
- Pawapuri (about 85 km.): The place where Lord Mahavira attained Moksha (salvation), Pawapuri is the most sacred Jain pilgrimage site with beautiful Jain temples to its credit.
- Gaya (about 105 km.): Performing the ritual of Pind Dan (prayers to pacify the souls of dead) at Gaya is believed to provide salvation to the souls of dead. Major tourist attractions of Gaya are the Vishnupad Temple, Akshayabat Banyan Tree and the Temple of Lord Narsimha.
- Bodhgaya (about 113 km.): It is Bodhgaya where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi Temple and massive statues of Buddha are the topmost attractions here.
Other attractions that can be easily accessed from Patna include Rajgir (popular for Buddhist structures), Maner (popular for the tombs of Sufi saints), Kesariya (a Buddhist pilgrimage site), Motihari (famous for rich heritage) and Sitamarhi (birthplace of Devi Sita).