G.B. International ::- India Tours ::- Bihar
| Patna | Bihar | Festivals |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife | Art & Craft | Other States |
| East India |
Tourist Places in Bihar
PATNA
"Patna the imperial city- once called Pataliputra,the capital of Bihar,is among
the world's oldest capital cities with an unbroken history of many centuries as
imperial metropolis. A very fertile arched stretch of land along the bank of the
Ganga. The history and heritage of modern day Patna go back well over two
millennia. Like Delhi, Patna too had been the regal seat of governance for
successive kingdoms since ancient times. And to this day, it is the capital city
of the state. As each ruler came to power and established dynastic glory, he
gave his capital a new name. Thus, the ancient Kusumpura metamorphosed through
Pushpapura, Pataliputra, Azeemabad and now into Patna, a continuous history
ranging from 6th century BC to present times - a record claimed by few cities in
the world. It was Ajatshatru the Magadha king who first built a small fort in
Pataligram on the bank of the Ganga in 6th century BC, which later blossomed
into the ancient glory still to be seen in the neighboring archaeological sites
at Kumrahar. Bhiknapahari, Agamkuan, Bulandi Bagh and Kankar Bagh. Pataliputra
dominated the political fortunes of the whole of north India between 6th century
BC and 5th century AD, a fact established by archaeological excavations. After a
temporary eclipse, in 16th century, Sher Shah Suri returned the city to its
former glory and established the present Patna. After the decline of the Mughals,
the British too found Patna a convenient regional capital and built a modern
extension to this ancient city and called it Bankipore. It was in Gandhi Maidan
in this area, that Mahatma Gandhi held his prayer meetings."
General Information
Altitude: 53 metres
Temperature (Max./Min.) Deg C: Summer - 40/21 Winter - Max. 20/6.
Rainfall: 120 cms
Best Season: October to March
Clothing: Summer – Cottons Winter - Heavy Woollens.
Tourist Place
Golghar:
Alarmed by the famine of 1770, captain John Garstin built this huge
granary for the British army in 1786. The huge structure is 29 m high and the
walls are 3.6 m wide at the base. The winding stairway around this monument
offers a brilliant panoramic view of the city and the Ganga flowing by.
Martyr's Memorial:
A memorial to seven freedom fighters who sacrificed their
lives in the Quit India Movement of August 1942, the Martyr's Memorial is a
modern sculpture facing the Secretariat, where they were shot in their attempt
to host the national flag.
Har Mandir Takht:
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, was born in
1660 in Patna. The Har Mandir Takht, one of the four sacred shrines of the
Sikhs, stands at this holy site. The original temple was built by Maharaja
Ranjit Singh, and contains belongings of the Guru and Sikh holy texts.
Patna Museum:
The Patna Museum houses a First World War cannon, metal and stone
sculptures of the Mauryan and Gupta periods, Buddhist sculptures and quaint
terracotta figures. A 16 m long fossiled tree is one of its special features.
Pathar ki Masjid:
Adjacent to Har Mandir Sahib, on the bank of the Ganga, is
this beautiful mosque built by Parwez Shah, son of Jehangir, when he was the
governor of Bihar. It is also called Saif Khan's mosque, Chimmi Ghat mosque and
Sangi Masjid.
Sher Shah Suri Masjid:
Sher Shah Suri built this mosque in 1545 to commemorate
his reign. Built in the Afghan architectural style, it is one of the many
beautiful mosques in Bihar, and one of the impressive landmarks of Patna.
Khuda Baksh Oriental Library:
Founded in 1900, a magnificent one man collection
of rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts, Rajput and Mughal paintings, oddities
like the Koran inscribed in a book only 25mm wide and an assortment of old and
new books from the University of Cordoba, Spain. It is one of the national
libraries in India. The library also contains the only books to survive the
sacking of the Moorish University of Cordoba in Spain.
Jalan Museum:
Built on the foundations of Sher Shah's fort, Qila House contains
an impressive private collection of antiques, including a dinner service that
once belonged to George III, Marie Antoinette's Sevres porcelain, Napoleon's
four-poster bed, Chinese jade and Mughal silver filigree.It is a private
collection, and prior permission is required for a visit.
Sadaqat Ashram:
The Ashram is the headquarters of Bihar Vidyapeeth, a national
university. India's first president, Dr. Rajendra Prasad lived here after his
retirement and there is a small museum here showcasing his personal belongings.
Agam Kuan:
Agam Kuan (Unfathomable well) is one of the most important early
historic archeological remains in Patna. It is situated just close to Gulzarbagh
railway Station, which is proposed to be associated with the Mauryan Emperor
Ashok.
Gandhi Setu:
Asia's longest roadway bridge
Padri Ki Haveli:
The Place were Mother Teresa got her training.
Biological Park:
Also known as Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park
Modern Planetarium:
Indira Gandhi Science Complex, is one of the must visiting
places in Patna. This is among few Planetarium's (Taramandal) in India.
Kumhrar:
Kumhrar, site of the ancient city of Patliputra, is at a distance of 5
kms from Patna railway station. Archaeological findings in this area establish
Patna's claim to over a thousand years of political glory - 600 BC to 600 AD.
Very little of this grandeur remains though, except for the remains of a huge
Mauryan hall supported by 80 sandstone pillars dating back to 300 BC.
How to Reach
Air:
Sahara India and Indian Airlines flights connect Patna with Bombay,
Calcutta, Delhi, Lucknow, Ranchi and many other major cities.
Rail: Patna is connected by rail to Bombay, Calcutta, Guwahati, Ranchi, Varanasi.
Road: All - weather motorable roads connect Patna with the rest of Bihar. There
are also regular inter - state bus services. By road Patna to Nalanda-95 km,
Rajgir-110 km, Pawapuri-90 km, Gaya-120 km, Bodhgaya-135 km, Raxaul-210 km,
Ranchi-335 km, Muzzafarpur-78 km, Sasaram- 152 km, Vaishali-56 km, Calcutta-653
km, Delhi-997 km. Bus : Regular direct bus services connect Patna to Calcutta,
Rajgir, Nalanda, Pawapuri, Vaishali, Gaya-Bodhgaya, Ranchi, Raxaul, Muzzafarpur,
Sasaram.