Tourist Places of Nalanda

People often go to the hill station or the central place to roam. But this time you want to try something different, today we will tell you about some of the best tourist places in Bihar. Which will surely double the fun of your holiday.....? These are the best destinations in Bihar, and this time goes here during the summer holidays. Nalanda is a perfect place to visit. Here the archaeological department has carefully preserved the rare collection of Buddhist and Hindu bronze items found during the excavation and the idols of Lord Buddha without any damage. Nalanda is one of the major tourist destinations. So let us take information about the main tourist places of Nalanda today.

Why should you visit Nalanda?

Nalanda, located in the north of Rajgir, represents the seat of Knowledge at the Time of the Indian Renaissance. It is in Nalanda that the ruins of one of the oldest universities in the world are located. It said that the Buddha came there many times. This isolated site was forgotten for centuries and rediscovered in the 19th century. One of the largest educational centers in which many prominent Buddhist philosophers from different countries worked, taught, and studied, and where numerous pilgrims gathered. Currently, the ruins of Nalanda are a historical monument in the Indian province of Bihar, 90 km southeast of Patna, and the ancient capital of India. Nalanda in Bihar is a picturesque ruin of one of the most significant educational institutions in history, Nalanda University, with its 11 monasteries and six brick temples. In the distant and glorious past, it served as an outstanding Buddhist center, and it is here that the traces of the great Buddha himself lead. The glory of this place was such that another famous Chinese traveler, Ai-Tsing, lived in Nalanda for almost ten years. Today most parts of Nalanda lie in ruins, but this place is worth visiting. A silent witness to the region's eventful history, Nalanda serves as a monument to a past marked by the legacy of the Mauryan and Gupta dynasties. It is known that Nalanda University was so famous that students and travelers from all over the world came here to study. The Chinese traveler Xuanzang, who first visited Nalanda in the 7th century, mentions in his writings that the city was named after a snake. It is also known that Shariputra, an ardent follower, and disciple of the Buddha, was born here.

Tourist Places around Nalanda

Apart from the ruins of Nalanda, there is much to see here. The tomb of Bihar Sharif, where the annual Urs is celebrated at the dargah of Malik Ibrahim Baya. You can also visit Nalanda Museum and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara. Located two km from here, there is a Sun Temple in Baragaon, famous for Chhath Puja. The people's enthusiasm during Chhath Puja is like a feast for the photographer. The festival of Chhath is celebrated twice a year, from March-April and October-November. Here we will know some of the best attractions of Nalanda.

Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary, Nalanda

Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary is an exciting and must-see place when traveling to Nalanda. The century contains important pointers as well as several illustrations going back to the Buddha and Jain eras. Located 102 km from Patna, this wildlife sanctuary is spread over ??36 sq km, rich in dense forests. The landscape of Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary is an uneven terrain surrounded by five mountains Ratnagiri, Vipulgiri, Vaibhavgiri, Songiri, and Udayagiri. It has various images and auspicious existence of hammocks of Buddha and the Jain era. Rajgir was the primary habitat of tigers, but due to increasing human intervention, the species migrated to the Sunderbans region of West Bengal, and some tigers remained here. There may not be more than 12 tigers in this sanctuary, but there are many elephants and nilgai apart from barking deer and sloth bear. The century is scenic and ideal for trekkers.

The ruins of Nalanda

Nalanda is an essential Buddhist tourist destination. The ruins of Nalanda invite explorers on an exciting journey. Extensive manicured gardens greet you at the entrance to the territory of the University of Nalanda. Walking through what once was one of the world's first universities is an educational experience, as only brick ruins remain today. The university complex consisted of various buildings, student residences, meditation halls, temples, and a library. In the dormitories, fragments of stone beds, study tables, and ancient inkwells are still preserved. There was a kitchen in the basement of the hostel. Archaeologists have discovered ancient remains of burnt rice there. These rice grains are now on display at the Nalanda Museum and other items found during the excavations. Going further, you will see a spiral staircase that will lead you to a long corridor with rooms on both sides. These were classrooms for students - the only part of the university ruins where the roofs remain intact. The Great Stupa is the most famous building here, also known as the Nalanda Stupa or Shariputra Stupa. By the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in honor of Shariputra's disciple of the Buddha, its top is shaped like a pyramid. Numerous flights of stairs surrounding the stupa lead to its top. The building is surrounded by beautiful sculptures and small stupas donated by believers. These stupas are bricks, and you can see excerpts from sacred Buddhist texts.

Surajpur Baragaon

North of Nalanda lays Surajpur Baragaon, famous for its lake and temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. The temple houses many statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities. The main attraction is a statue dedicated to the goddess Parvati, installed at one and a half meters. Many pilgrims visit Surajpur Baragaon during the Chhat Puja during the Hindu calendar months of Baisakh and Kartik. The Sun Temple is a stone's throw from Nalanda University. According to the local people, anyone who comes in this temple will never return empty-handed.

Archaeological Museum

The Nalanda Archaeological Museum houses thousands of antiquities, one of the most visited places in Bihar. The museum was founded in 1917 and is proud to be one of the first university and monastery complexes in Rajgir. The museum's main attraction is the well-preserved Buddha statues and a fine collection of Buddhist and Hindu bronze objects. The museum presents unique objects - two huge terracotta containers that date back to the first century AD, copper tablets, inscriptions on stones, coins, pottery, and other items from bygone eras. The museum has four galleries displaying about 349 antiquities dating back to the 5th-12th centuries AD. The first gallery presents 57 sculptures and images, and the second exhibits stucco, terracotta products, and iron tools. The third gallery is entirely devoted to bronzes, and the last gallery presents stone images and sculptures. The museum is a must-see for art and history lovers.

Nava Nalanda Mahavira

Nava Nalanda Mahavira is a relatively new institution dedicated to studying Pali literature and Buddhism. Here students learn not only from India but also from other countries. The Institute was founded to make it a higher education and study center. The Institute has operated as a boarding institution since its inception and offers a limited number of places to Indian and international students. Under the status received from the University Grants Commission of India, the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Institute will become the base for the university. At the same time, the ancient Nalanda University ruins lie near the lake's northern coast.

Nepura Village

Nepura is the 16th largest village by area in Bihar. Located between Nalanda and Rajgir, this small village is known for its weaving tradition. The main attraction is that the town is considered where one of the three sacred mango groves of Nalanda University is located, where the Buddha talked with his students. According to legend, the god Mahavira and Buddha Gautama lived in the village of Nepura.

Kundalpur

Kundalpur is one of the most important pilgrimage centers for Jainism. It is believed to be the birthplace of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism and the last Tirthankara. In this place of the temple, there is an idol of Mahavira about one and a half meters high. Near the temple complex are two lakes, Dirga Pushkarni and Pandava Pushkarni. Kundalpur is also famous for the Nandyavarta Mahal, a seven-story palace that is said to be the birthplace of the god Mahavira. This fantastic structure now lies in ruins but still bears traces of its former glory and is very interesting to explore.

Xuan Zang Memorial Hall

Among the most attractive tourist sites in Nalanda is the Xuan Zang Memorial Hall, which was built in memory of the famous Chinese traveler Xuan Zang, who came to study Buddhism and mysticism at Nalanda University in 633 AD and stayed here for 12 years. Xuan Zang traveled around the country and also visited Takshila to explore Buddhism further. The place where he learned yoga from his teacher Acharya Sheel Bhadra has now become a memorial hall. The hall's construction was started in January 1957 by the decree of President Jawaharlal Nehru and completed in 1984. During his stay here, Xuan Zang collected several documents that are the primary historical sources of Buddhist writing. Documents are securely stored in the memorial hall.

Nalanda Stupa

The Nalanda Stupa, the Shariputra Stupa, is the most famous surviving monument in Nalanda. This iconic structure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a testament to Nalanda's rich cultural heritage.
The stupa was built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in honor of the Buddha Shariputra's disciple. Numerous flights of stairs surrounding the stupa lead to its top. The building is surrounded by beautiful sculptures and small stupas donated by believers. These stupas are bricks, and you can see excerpts from sacred Buddhist texts.

Nepura

Nepura is the 16th largest village by area in Bihar. Located between Nalanda and Rajgir, this small village is known for its weaving tradition. Of the 250 families living here, 50 are engaged in weaving. But the main attraction is that the town is considered where one of the three sacred mango groves of Nalanda University is located, where the Buddha talked with his students. According to legend, the god Mahavira and Buddha Gautama lived in the village of Nepura. The handicrafts of this town are very famous, not only in Nalanda but also in other parts of Bihar.

Badi Dargah Biharsharif

Biharsharif is the modern district headquarters of the Nalanda district. Biharsharif is located at a distance of 13 km from Nalanda. Relics of medieval Islamic architecture such as tombs, mosques, and Gufkalin remains to make their presence felt in this small town. The tomb of Muslim saint Makhdoom Shah Sharif-ud-din is the most famous tourist spot here.

Pavapuri

Pavapuri is a pilgrimage center for Jains. Pavapuri or Apappuri is also called a sin-free city. According to a proverb, a true Jain is freed from sin here. Lord Mahavira, the greatest preacher of Jainism and the last Tirthankara, gave his last sermon at Pavapuri. He attained Mahaparinirvana here, which means he took his last breath, and his last rites were also performed in Pavapuri. There are two temples here, Jalmandir and Samosharan.

Wood Carving

Bihar has a rich history of wooden crafts and is known for its variety of wooden toys and furniture. Antique wooden artifacts are renowned for their artistic beauty and durability. Wood carving and inlay work are done on wallboards, table tops, and handles, with woodwork often inlaid with other materials such as metal, ivory, or other woods.
Small shops selling wood inlays are typical on the streets in Nalanda and other parts of Bihar. This traditional craft has been practiced since the time of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

Shiv Temple, Nalanda

There is another religious temple dedicated to Lord Shiva near Nalanda. The area, in which according to legend, is where Krishna and Balarama visited during the time of Mahabharata. This temple is of religious importance to the Hindu disciples, who are attracted to it in large numbers. The temple of Lord Shiva is enormous. Although it is not very wide as it does not spread very far, it is an important religious place for the ardent devotees of Bihar, making it one of the prominent tourist places of Nalanda.

Nandyavarta Mahal

A stone's throw from the Nalanda University complex is the striking historical site of Nandyavarta Mahal. Located in Kundalpur, the complex consists of three impressive white temples decorated with sculptures depicting Mahavira. Once a substantial seven-story building, the palace now lies in ruins, but traces of the architectural genius of that time are still evident to the modern viewer.

Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, Nalanda

The most popular tourist place in Nalanda, Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, was built in memory of a famous Chinese traveler who came to study Buddhism and mysticism at Nalanda University. He lived in India for about 14 years, between 630 and 644 AD. He traveled extensively throughout the country, including places such as Kashmir, Mathura, Kannauj, and Ayodhya, in addition to Vaishali, Bodh Gaya, and Nalanda. The memorial hall houses many documents, a significant historical source in Buddhist writings. This attraction is prominent among the many places to visit in Nalanda on your vacation. Dedicated to the Chinese scholar Hiuen Tsang, this monument is a distinctive reminder of the architectural style of Nalanda University. Many of Tsang's writings are preserved here.

The best time to visit Nalanda

The best time to visit Nalanda is October to March, so you can easily see it and its prominent tourist places.

How to reach Nalanda?

By Road - If you travel to Nalanda by road, then let us tell you that many states of Bihar are well connected by road. Located at 62 km from Patna and 101 km from Bodh Gaya, both Bus service is available from the places.
By Train - If you travel to Nalanda by train, then let us tell you that Nalanda has its railway station, which is connected to its surrounding cities, and trains are available from major cities like Delhi and Patna.
By Flight - If you travel to Nalanda by plane. That's why the nearest airport is Jai Prakash Narayan Airport in Patna. From there, one can easily reach Rajgir by bus or taxi, which is 80 km from Nalanda airport.

Conclusion

Whenever we talk of Nalanda, we come to mind with scripts, knowledge, images of monks clad in maroon robes, singing hymns and mantras... wisdom, which pervades the universe and in Lord Buddha meditating. Founded in the fifth century, the city got its name from the Sanskrit word 'Nalanda.' If this word is broken into two parts, it means 'the giver of knowledge. True to its name, Nalanda was undeniably a significant center of learning in ancient India. Nalanda is known for its prominent tourist places around. Nalanda tourist place is a symbol of Buddhism, Jainism, and peace. The city is trendy among tourists due to its beautiful Tourist Places of Nalanda and attractions.