RegionOutline guide

Bihar

State in Eastern India

Photo: Bpilgrim, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Bihar (Hindi: बिहार Bihār) is a state in the plains of India. The state is bounded by Uttar Pradesh to its west, West Bengal to its east, Jharkhand to its south and Nepal to its north. Bihar is one of India's poorest states, with stark social inequality. Travellers may find the hassles common to travelling everywhere in India are more pronounced here. However, thousands of people visit every year, mainly on pilgrimages to Bihar's many important holy sites.

Regions

Bhojpur
Home to ancient forts, temples, and a wildlife preserve with tigers
Magadha
Home to Patna, once the capital of the Maurya Empire, and several historic and cultural sites.
Mithila
A flat and fertile plain criss-crossed by numerous rivers that originate from the Himalayas.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By train
Bihar is connected by train to all major cities of India. Some good trains to reach the capital Patna are:
By road
The major national highways which connect Bihar with other corners of the country are NH 2, 19, 28, 30, 31.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Darbhanga Airport

Darbhanga · Regional · DBR

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Cities

Nalanda

Nalanda (नालंदा Nālandā) is the site of a famous Buddhist university or mahāvihāra in the Indian state of Bihar. The university complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya, a city in the state of Bihar, holds immense spiritual significance as the site where Buddha Shakyamuni is said to have attained enlightenment. It is considered the most revered of all Buddhist sacred sites and forms a key part of the Buddhist Circuit.

Read before you go to Bihar

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandThe name Bihar comes ultimately from the Sanskrit word Vihara, meaning "monastery", reflecting the region's numerous past and present religious institutions.

TalkAlthough Hindi is the official language in Bihar and is understood by most locals, it is not a mother tongue to most people. Rather, Bhojpuri, Angika, Magahi and Maithili are common mother tongues in the state.

Get inBihar is connected by train to all major cities of India. Some good trains to reach the capital Patna are:

See

DoBodh Gaya is one of the four traditional stops on the Buddhist Circuit (the others are Sarnath near Varanasi, Kushinagar, and Lumbini in Nepal); most visitors to Bodh Gaya are also going to or coming from one of those…

EatSome dishes which Bihar is famous for include Sattu Paratha, which are parathas stuffed with fried chickpea flour, Chokha (spicy mashed potatoes), Fish curry and Bihari Kebab.

DrinkAlcohol is strictly banned in Bihar. The ban applies to all forms of liquor, including homemade and foreign-made alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, permits are not given to drink alcohol.

Stay safeCrowded areas—especially in Patna, Gaya and Bodh Gaya—can feel hectic, so keeping your phone and valuables secure is sensible. People are generally warm, yet staying alert in tight spaces makes movement easier.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Bihar" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Bihar", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Bpilgrim, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons

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