G.B. International ::- India Tours ::- Bihar
| Nalanda | Bihar | Festivals |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife | Art & Craft | Other States |
| East India |
NALANDA
Nalanda, founded in the 5th century AD, is famous as the ancient seat of
learning. The ruins of the world's most ancient university lies here which is 62
km from Bodhgaya and 90 km south of Patna. Though the Buddha visited Nalanda
several times during his lifetime, the famous Hiuen Tsang visited this place in
the 7th century AD and left detailed description of the excellence of education
system and purity of monastic life practiced here. He also gave a vivid
description of both the ambiance and architecture of this highly remarkable
university of ancient times. In this first residential international university
of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 monk students from all over the Buddhist
world studied and lived here. The Gupta kings patronized these monasteries,
built in old Kushan architectural style, in a row of cells around a courtyard.
Emperor Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who
built temples, monasteries and viharas here. Recent excavations have unearthed
elaborate structures here. An International Center for Buddhist Studies was
established here in 1951. Nearby is Biharsharif, where an annual urs is
celebrated at the Dargah or tomb of Malik Ibrahim Baya. Baragaon, 2 km away has
a sun temple, famous for Chhath puja. To be visited are Nalanda museum & Nava
Nalanda Mahavihar in addition to the great ruins.
General Information
Altitude: 67 metres
Temperature (Max./Min.) Deg C: Summer 37.8/17.8 Winter 27.8/10.6
Rainfall:120 cm (June to September)
Best Season: October to March
Tourist Place
Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex: The total area of the
excavation is about 14 hectares. All the edifices are of the red brick and the
gardens are beautiful. The buildings are divided by a central walk way that goes
south to north. The monasteries or "Viharas" are east of this central alley and
the temple or "Chaiyas" to the west. The Vihara-1 is perhaps the most
interesting with its cells on two floors built around a central courtyard where
steps lead up to what must have been a dais for the professors to address their
students. A small chapel still retains a half broken statue of the Lord Buddha.
The enormous pyramidal mass of the Temple no .3 is impressive and from its top
commands a splendid view of the entire area. It is surrounded by smaller stupas,
many of which studded with small and big statues of the Lord Buddha in various
poses or "Mudras"
Send Your Query for Nalanda Tours...
Nalanda Archaeological Museum: Opposite the entrance to the ruins of the
university and houses, there is a small but beautiful collection of Buddhist and
Hindu bronzes and a number of undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha that were
found in the area. Two enormous terra-cotta jars of the first century stand
intact behind the museum in a shaded enclosure. The collection includes copper
plates and stone inscriptions, coins, pottery and samples of burnt rice (12th
century AD) found among the ruins here. Open during 10.00 to 17.00. Closed on
Friday.
Nava Nalanda Mahavihara: Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is devoted to study and
research of Pali Literature and Buddhism. This is a new institute, where
students from foreign countries also study.
Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall: A new construction in memory of the great Chinese
traveler, Hieun Tsang.
Other Places of Interest
Silao: In between Nalanda and Rajgir, there is a village namely Silao where a
very popular local sweet "KHAJA" is prepared.
Surajpur Baragaon: The lake with its temple of Surya, the Sun God , is a pilgrim
destination twice a year in "Vaishakha" (April-May) and in "Kartika"
(October-November) during the Chhath Puja or Sun worship.
How to Reach
Air: The nearest airport is at Patna 89 km. Indian Airlines connect Patna to
Calcutta, Ranchi, Bombay, Delhi and Lucknow.
Rail: Though Rajgir (12 km) is the nearest railway station to Nalanda yet the
nearest convenient rail head is at Gaya 95 km.
Road: Nalanda is connected by good road with Rajgir 12 km, Bodh Gaya 110 km,
Gaya 95 km, Patna 90 km, Pawapuri 26 km, Bihar Sharif 13 km etc.