The Buddhist Circuit Bihar

Should not we occasionally pause to wonder at the marvel that the Buddha, the Enlightened One, walked upon this land of ours? Bihar is dotted with landmarks associated with the life and teachings of Lord Buddha and these sacred spots link up to form the Buddhist circuit. Patna has an superb museum having many exceptional Buddhist sculptures and manuscripts that throw much light on Buddhism and Lord Buddha. The excellent museum also has several statues of Lord Buddha and Bodhisattvas.

The pride of the Patna Museum is the holy relic casket of Lord Buddha that contains his ashes. No wonder, Buddhist scholars and others interested in Buddhism and its history make it a point to visit the Patna Museum.

There is Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. The magnificent Mahabodhi temple is a great source of peace.  It is also a World Heritage Site declared by the UNESCO.  The Kesaria Stupa is the highest stupa among the excavated Buddhist stupas in Bihar.

Pilgrims also stop at Nalanda, an ancient centre of Buddhist learning and a flourishing university Rajgir, 19km from Nalanda, was the ancient capital of the Magadha Empire. Lord Buddha visited this monastery many times to meditate and to preach. Vaishali, on the circuit, was one of the world’s earliest republics and it was here that the Buddha delivered his last sermon. To traverse the Buddhist circuit of Bihar is to walk in the footsteps of the Buddha himself.

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Alluring Agra

The city of the Taj is also a window to the architectural splendours of an age gone

A was on  one day Agra Tour from Delhi , the city of the Taj Mahal is a pilgrimage , as much for its architectural beauty, as the celebration of an emperor’s love and the wondrous monument he built to perpetuate it. Verbal efforts generally fail to convey the incredible beauty, the sheer poetry, the romance and the legend that should the Taj Mahal.  Rabindranath Tagore called it ‘ a teardrop glistening on the cheek of time. Edwin Arnold came equally close  when he remarked that it was Snot a piece of architecture, pilgrimage architectural as other buildings are, but the proud passion of an  emperor’s love wrought in living stone. Sha Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, built in 1631 as a loving tribute to the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

I stand inside the main gate of the Taj  and my eyes take in the massive, arched gateway that frames the marble edifice. The dazzling white marble tomb stands out bold relief against the backdrop of the sky.  This back- ground employs the colours of the sky to its own advantage. It gives the Taj a gentle, pink hue in the morning, a dazzling bluish white at midday and the patina of old gold at sunset.

Here, within these portals, lies the quintessence of loveliness, created to exalt the memory of a beautiful woman and an emperor’s passion for his love. Early the next morning I head for the Taj Mahal’s nearest neighbour, the Red Fort. I recall that many historians have claimed that it was originally a brick fort built by the Chauhan Rajputs. With the Lodhi power destroyed, and the Mughal star in ascendancy, Akbar realised the strategic importance of Agra’s central locat ion, and made it his capital. He redesigned and rebuilt the Rajput fort in 1565, using red sandstone. He surrounded it by a 70-ft-high wall, with a radius of three kilometers. 

City Tours of India

The fort’s outer wall is 2.5 km long, 20 ft high, and surrounded by a deep, 20-m-wide moat. The citadel has four gates and double ramparts, with formidable, circular bastions at regular intervals. Though Akbar began the construction of the fort, it was Shah Jahan who completed the fort, after introducing many changes to its original plans.

The Diwan-i-Aam, dating back to 1628, was Shah Jahan’s hail of public audience, where he heard the petit ions of his subjects. The throne room, with inlaid carvings and panels of marble with floral motifs, display Shah Jahan’s distinct style. Moti Masjid, or Pearl Mosque, constructed in white marble, is one of the most stunningly beautiful mosques in India. The Diwan-i-Khas was Shah Jahan’s hail of private audience where he received heads of state and other important dignitaries. The famous Peacock throne was kept in this hall, before Aurangzeb had it moved to Delhi. Jahangir’s Palace was built by Akbar for his son Jehangir. This is the largest priv ate residence in the fort. The palace has a remarkable blend of Hindu and Central Asian architecture.

Trans-Yamuna and not too far from the Taj Mahal, stands the small, but incredibly beautiful, Itmad-udD aula mausoleum, built by the Empress Noor Jahan in memory of her father Mirza Giaz-ud-din Beg, Emperor Jahangir’s prime minister. This marble structure is similar to the tomb of Jahangir, which his wife built near Lahore.  Approximately one kilometer north of the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula is the square tomb called Chini Ka Land of wonder: (clockwise from below) Jail work at Agra fort; The imposing exteriors of the red-sandstone fort; Itmadu d-Daula’s tomb; Sikandra, Akbar’s final resting place Rauza. 

It is the mausoleum of Afzal Khan, a poet and a high-ranking officer in the court of Shah Jahan. The exterior of the tomb is covered with brightly-coloured     enameled tiles, which has contributed to its name. It has seen considerable renovation in recent times. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna, it is surrounded by an ambience of quietude and serenity.

Emperor Shah Jahan built the Jama Masjid in 1648. An inscription over the main gate of the mosque indicates that Shah Jahan built it as a gift to the people of Agra, from Jahanara, his favourite daughter. Sikandra, the final resting place of Akbar, the greatest ruler of the Mughal dynasty, is located 10km from Agra. The mausoleum is an exquisite amalgam of Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Jam motifs. The tomb sports a row of beautiful arches and doorways, which often sends photographers into transports of creative frenzy. Akbar started the construction of the tomb and his son Jahangir completed it. Regrettably, Jahangir was ill-advised into modifying the structure, and this contributed to the distortion of the original design. 

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Into The Jungles Of India

India is a paradise for nature lovers. Indian forests also play an important role in the conservation of endangered species like the Snow Leopard, Lion, Asiatic Elephant, the Bengal Tiger and Siberian Crane. Spread across the entire country, the reserves and forest areas, right from the Nanda Devi National Park in upper Himalayas to the Periyar Tiger Reserve in South and the six national parks in Andaman, Kaziranga in the east to Ranthambore in the west; the Indian wildlife trail is an incredible treat, unsurpassed by any other experience.

India’s wildlife is no doubt both rich and varied. More than four percent of India’s land is under forest cover and there are 103 national parks and 537 wildlife sanctuaries. The country is one of the 12 mega diversity areas in the world. India boasts of two-dozen Tiger reserves. India’s national animal, Tiger, happens to be a symbol of strength and speed as well as the joy and pride of India.

The Royal Bengal Tiger is amongst the most majestic species of Tiger. Sixty percent of the total population of the wild Tigers in the world resides in India. Amongst the best-known Tiger reserves in India is the Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh. It is often referred to as the crown of the wildlife heritage of India.

Indian wildlife has its share of native birds along with migratory birds also. Several hundred species of birds can be spotted across India. The Himalayan region is known to be the natural habitat for the Pheasant, Griffon Vulture and Ravens. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park popularly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan is home to indigenous water birds waterside birds, migratory water birds, land migratory birds, and domestic land species. The region of Andaman is home of the rare species of birds like the Narcondum Hornbill, Nicobar Pigeon and the Megapode.

India can be divided into three regions according to the geographical location:

The forested area or the Himalayan foot hills, of the Himalayas from Assam to the eastern part of Kashmir, the higher altitude of the western Himalayas - from Kashmir including Ladakh to the hills and the eastern Himalayan sub-region and the Indian Peninsular region, which comprises of the area from the base of Himalayas to Kanyakumari including the Thar desert exclusive of the Malabar coast.

Travelers come here to enjoy the wildlife of India from all over the world and show their interest in Tiger Tour of India, Bird watching Tour and wildlife photography tour.

National Parks in India

Hailey National Park is a first National Park of India.  It was set up in the year 1935 in the foot hills of Himalayas in Uttar Pradesh.  Today, It is known as Corbett National Park. In 1970, there were only five national parks, namely Taroba, Shivpuri, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Corbett. Now the numbers have been increased to about 87 National parks in India.

Northern India 

The Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh) 

The great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is an investment in the physical, mental and spiritual well being of Indians as individuals, and Himachal is in particular. It is a gainful investment in something as simple and fundamental as good citizenship, love for the country and an appreciation of the natural and historic fabric of the Western Himalayas.

The feature initially attracted and led to the preservation of this area as the GHNP was its enormous biodiversity representative of the Western Himalaya. From the critically endangered Western Tragopan to the rare and elusive Serrow and Ibex and the most beautiful of the big cats, the Snow Leopard; they are all here, amidst the entire range of vegetation and ecological complexes. The GHNP is true wilderness, one of the few large natural areas remaining intact in this part of the world. Here, you meet nature on its terms, not yours.

Nanda Devi National Park (Himachal Pradesh)

Nanda Devi National Park is situated in Chamoli district of Uttaranchal. The spectacular panoramas of peaks encircling the national park are Trishul (7120 m), Dunagiri (7066 m), Nanda Devi (7817 m), Nanda Devi East (7430m), Bethartoli (6352 m) etc.

Its inaccessibility gave Nanda Devi the aura of a forbidden territory, an untouched and unseen holy space. The first explorers to step inside the inner sanctuary were Eric Shipton and HW Tilman, who discovered a route up the Upper Rishi-Ganga Gorge in 1934.

Sir Edmund Hillary has described that the “Nanda Devi Sanctuary is God-gifted wilderness-India’s-training ground for adventure”

Pin Valley National Park (Himachal Pradesh) 

Pin Valley National Park encompasses the Pin valley of Spiti in Himachal Pradesh and is a typical cold desert. A considerable part of the area of this national park is covered by snow. The elevation of the national park ranges from about 3,500 meters near Ka Dogri to more than 6,000 meters at its highest point. The Pin Valley National Park represents the biogeography of the Trans-Himalayan cold desert with its characteristic flora and fauna. The park forms the natural habitat of a number of endangered animals including Himalayan Ibex, Snow Leopard, Bharal, Wooly Hare, Tibetan Wolf and Snow Cock. The apparently scanty vegetation in the park contains many plant species of high conservation value.

Spiti’s populace is Buddhist and does not believe in killing animals, resulting in the relative preservation of the wildlife of the area. Large herds of Ibex and Bharal or Blue Sheep can be easily spotted; the density of Ibex is reported to be 2.29 per sq km. Well known as one of the last remaining habitats of the Snow Leopard, the park is believed to have 12 members of this highly endangered species.

Jim Corbett National Park (Uttaranchal) 

Corbett has rightly been described as the ‘Land of the Tigers’. It speaks about a scenic beauty. Jim Corbett National Park, a Tiger reserve, lies in the Nainital, Pauri Garwhal and Bijnore districts of Uttaranchal. Varied topography and vegetation give Corbett a rich diversity in habitats and natural beauty. Flat valleys are interspersed with hilly ridges and the parks rolling grasslands known as the ‘Chaurs’ provide visitors with an excellent view of its inhabitants.

Pugmarks, of course, are the classic tell-tale signs of Tiger activity here. But there are also signs of Wild Boar, where the undergrowth and soft ground has been churned up by their snuffling snouts, as well as deer-droppings and hoof-prints where Cheetal, Sambar, and tiny Muntjac or Barking Deer have left their mark.

Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan) 

The Ranthambhore National Park is situated at the intersection of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas. It is a unique combination of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan. It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep slopes; from flat-topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravalis; from wide and flat valleys to narrow and rocky gorges. An important geological feature, the “Great Boundary fault’, where the Vindhyas were brought against the much ancient Aravalis passes from here. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve was among the first nine Tiger.

Reserves declared in 1973 at the launch of Project Tiger in India. This national park stretches across an area of 1,334 sq km on the eastern edge of the Thar Desert. Once the hunting grounds of the erstwhile ruling family of Jaipur and later the British, today it is one of the last sanctuaries of the big cat, the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Central India

Panna National Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)

Carved out of the shikargahs (hunting reserves) of the erstwhile princely states of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar, Panna National Park, India’s 22nd Tiger reserve, is one such awesome wilderness which stimulates that primordial hunting instinct in man, be it with a gun or camera. Established as a National Reserve in 1981 and made part of Project Tiger in 1994, Panna is one of India’s youngest Tiger reserves.

There are a few villages inside the park’s boundaries, and it hasn’t achieved the fame of nearby Kanha or Bandhavgarh, where the forest staff can (or could until very recently) virtually guarantee a Tiger sighting. In some respects, that is a blessing.

More than 20 species of mammals are found in Panna. The list includes two species of Antelope - the Nilgai and Chowsingha; the lone Indian Antelope - Chinkara; two species of Deer - Sambar and Chital; five species of Cat, which include the Tiger and Leopard; and four species of Canids (Dog family) and several other large and small creatures including Obelix’s favorite - the Wild Boar.

Bandhavgarh National Park (Mad hya Pradesh) 

Bandhavgarh lies in the heart of Madhya Pradesh- traditional Tiger country. The density of the Tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest in India. This is also White Tiger country.

Once It was a hunting preserve of the royal family of Rewa, where an upsetting number of Tigers were hunted down at the time of  pre-independence India, Bandhavgarh was mercifully declared a national park in 1968. Today, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a compact reserve where about half of the Park is covered with fine stands of Sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north. The main viewing area is still in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills. An ancient fort up on a precipice, 800 meters high, dominates the park. Bandhavgarh’s history goes back 2000 years in time and the earliest signs of habitation can be seen in the Nilgai Caves excavated from the cliffs to the north of the fort. Brahmi inscriptions here date back to the 1st century BC. Wandering through the park on elephant back, the chances of seeing a Tiger are quite good. Also to be seen here are Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar and sometimes a Fox or Jackal.

About 150 species of birds are also found here and include the migratory birds that arrive in winter like the steppe eagle and various water-birds.

Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh) 

Kanhas Sal and Bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendour. This is original Kipling jungle, of which he wrote so intensely in his Jungle Book. The same abundance of wildlife species exists today in Kanha National Park, which forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1 974 under Project Tiger. The park is the only habitat of the rare hard ground Barasingha (Cervus Duvaceli Branderi). Depletion of the Tiger population in the years that followed led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary in 1952. Since then, sincere efforts by administration and series of stern conservation programmes for the protection of the  flora and fauna of Kanha has made it one of the finest and best managed national parks in Asia.

East India

Kaziranga National Park (Assam) 

It is located on the banks of the river Brahmaputra in the Assam (far north-east of India). Kaziranga National Park covers an area of approximately 435 sq.km. with its marsh and tall grove of Elephant grass making it perfect habitat for the Indian One-Horned Rhino.

Alongside One- Horned Indian Rhino, the other major wild pull includes a large population of Indian Elephants, Wild Boar, Pythons, Swamp Deer, Monitor Lizards, Indian Bison, Jackal, Wild Buffalo etc.

Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise as well; One can enjoy the bird watching on safari and it is a remarkable experience including birds like Black-Shouldered Kite, Fishing Eagle, Black Kite, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Brahminy Kite, Pallas’s White Tailed Eagle, Himalayan Griffon etc. Huge numbers of migratory birds like Bar- Headed Geese, Red- Crested Pochard , Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Greylag Geese, Falcate Duck, and Northern Shoveller come here  and can be seen at park’s lakes and marshy areas during winters.

Namdapha National Park (Arunachal Pradesh) 

Namdapha is a  a tiger reserve and national park having enchanting beauty of lush green vegetation and impenetrable pristine and virgin forests with an area of approx. 1985 sq.km. Having diverse flora and fauna, it lies in the Namdapha National Park is located a few km. away from Miao amidst misty blue hills along the turbulent Noa-Dihing River that lies in the sprawling tropical rain forest. It was declared a Tiger Reserve by the Government in Namdapha’s birdlife includes the Giant Hornbill, Forest Eagle Owl, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij and Monal Pheasants and the rare White-winged Wood Duck. Principal reptiles include the Indian Reticulated Pythor, King Cobra and Python. For mammal watchers, it is the only park which boasts of no fewer than four large Cats; Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard and Snow Leopard!

West India

Gir National Park (Gujarat) 

It is situated about 68 km south-east of Junagarh district in the state of Gujarat in south-west of India, the Gir National Park was established in 1965 as a Forest Reserve, primarily to preserve the Asiatic Lion - categorized as one of the World’s most endangered species. Gir National Park is the only left over place in the world now where one is likely to spot the Asiatic Lion.  Their numbers are nearly 300 in the park. The sanctuary covers a total area of approx. 1,414 sq km of which 260 sq km at the core forms the  national park.

The land is rugged with deep ravines, steep rocky hills and plenty of rivers. The vegetation, mainly along the main river and streams, is mixed deciduous with Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees. Interspersed with large patches of grasslands, it offers the visitor long pleasant drives through the thick forest cover.

Apart from the Asiatic Lion, other wild attractions in the sanctuary are Sambhar Black Bucks , Nilgai, Chinkara, Wild Boar, the four-horned Antelope, Indian Flying Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, Crocodile, Indian Hare, Small Indian Mangoose , Pale Hedgehog, Indian Porcupine, Indian Fox , Small Indian Civet, Indian Pangolin, Ratel and Jackal. The forest is also rich in bird life, and an estimated 300 species have been found inhabiting Gir National Park over the years, the most common being the Peafowl.

Pench National Park (Maharashtra)

The Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve covers an area of approx 258 sq. km.  It reaches of the Satpura hill ranges in lower southern part, along the northern boundary of Nagpur district. It was stated a National Park by the Government of Maharashtra in the year 1975 and received the official status of a Tiger Reserve in 1999.

While primarily a reserve for Tigers and Panthers, Pench is also home to Sambhar, Chital, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Black Buck, Gaur, Wild Boar, Chausingha and Flying Squirrels, to name a few.

Here, birdlife is equally numerous. The feathered denizens of Pench include both resident and migratory birds like Ospreys, Grey- headed Fishing Eagles, Malabar Pied Hornbills, White-eyed Buzzards, Indian Pittas,  Storks, Waterfowls, four endangered Vulture species, and the Green Pigeon, which is the State Bird.

South India

Bandipur National Park (Karnataka) 

Bandipur National Park is one of India’s best known wildlife sanctuaries located in the Chamaraja nagar district of Karnataka in South India and covers a forest area of 865 sq.km. It was declared a National Park in 1974 and is one of the original 9 Project Tiger reserves. It is home to approx 70 Tigers and over 3000 Asian Elephants, along with Dholes, Gaur, Leopards, and Sloth Bears.

Bandipur National Park contains a huge variety of animals, birds and reptiles within it. Primarily the population consists of Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Sambar (Deer), Asiatic Wild Dog, Striped Hyena, Chital, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar Barking Deer, four-horned Antelope, Hyena, Spotted Deer etc. Over 230 species of birds have been identified in the park. Some of the most notable ones are the Heron, Stork, Falcon, Sandpiper, Woodpecker, Drongo Grey Junglefowl, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Honey Buzzard, Red-headed Vulture, Egret, Kite, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, lowerpecker and the Warbler.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) 

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary has a scenic lake in the middle of the sanctuary. It was formed along with the building of a dam in the year 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a permanent source of water for the local wildlife.

Apart from Elephants, the other animals to be seen in the Periyar Sanctuary are Gaur, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dole or Indian Wild Dog and very rarely, a Tiger. According to a recent survey approx 40 Tigers are here. Four class of primates are spotted at Periyar - the Nilgiri Langur , Common Langur, rare Lion-tailed Macaque and Bonnet Macaque.

The birdlife consist of  Kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill , Darters, Cormorants, and Racket-tailed Drongoes.   Here, reptiles like Lizards that can be spotted basking in the Sun, on the rocks along the lakeshore. Python and sometimes even a King Cobra have also been seen here very often.

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Where Legends Live

Bihar is land of stupas, ancient monuments, scenic pilgrimages, scintillating architecture, mountains, dance festival, rich wildlife, and glorious heritage. A vacation in Bihar is like leafing through the pages of history, well blended with contemporary living.

Heritage Sites

Nalanda University
A walk in the ruins sanctified by Buddha takes you to an era that saw India as a leading centre imparting knowledge to the world. Set in the midst of lush, manicured lawns, the ruins stand regally against the green backdrop. Constructed from red rock in Kushan architectural style, the excavated remains include stupas, ornamented panels, lecture halls, stairways and a few carved towers that have survived the times. Most notable are monasteries 3, 4 and 6. Also visit the Nalanda Archaeological Museum with its interesting display of bronzes, pottery and stone inscriptions relating to Buddhist and Hindu cultures.

Maner Sharif
Maner Sharif, a medieval spiritual site, and at present a satellite town in Patna Metropolitan Region, is renowned for its twin structures, Chhoti Dargah or Tomb of Makhdum Daulat, and Badi Dargah or Tomb of Makhdum Yahya Maneri-Sufi saints of the 17th and 13th centuries. Chhoti Dargah is famed for its delicate and exquisite carvings. The two-storeyed mausoleum is built with Chunar sandstone and is among the finest monuments of Mughal architecture in eastern India. In the ghats of Maner Sharif lies the tomb of Yahya Maneri with protruding pillared porticos, connected with the old bed of the Sone river by a 400-foot tunnel. Also visit Phulwari Sharif, 27 km away, associated with the birth of Sufi culture in India.

Rajgir
Nature weds heritage at Rajgir. Walk up the bridle path to see the Shanti Stupa atop the ‘Griddhakuta’ or ‘Vulture’ Peak or enjoy panoramic vistas of the surrounds by taking the 15-minute ropeway to the top. Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons in Rajgir. Visit the Ajatshatru Fort, Bimbisara Jail, Chariot Route Marks, Swarna Bhandar, the Peace Pagoda, Venu Vana, Karanda Tank, Sonbhandar Caves and the Cyclopean wall. Rajgir’s hot springs are also sought after by visitors for their healing powers.

Munger
The history of Munger dates back to the Mahabharata, having been ruled by Karna. It is a tourist paradise with an enchanting pastoral feel. Its prime attraction is the ruined fort complex which houses the Tombs of Pir Shah and Mulla Muhammad, Palace of Shah Suja, the scenic Kashtaharini Ghat where the Ganges takes a bend and moves north to become the Uttar-Vahini river. The Palace of Shah Suja is now a jail which still preserves a Turkish bath inside. Visit close by the Haha Punch Kumari waterfall, Manpatthar, a rock that has the sculpted feet of Lord Krishna who touched the rock while crossing the Ganges.

Patna
History leaps out of every corner in Patna or Pataliputra of ancient times. One of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, it served as the crossroads of India’s spiritual and cultural history. Its architecture, culture and lifestyle have been influenced by dynasties that ruled it. Get a panoramic view of Patna from Golghar, an enormous granary built by the British. Travel down the ages at Patna Museum. See Agam Kuan, “the unfathomable well,” Patna’s most ancient archaeological site. Drive along the scenic 24-km Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Asia’s longest road bridge, across the Ganges. Visit the Mahavir, Jal, Patan Devi, and Sun Temples, Begum Haj jam’s Mosque, Meetan Ghat, St Luke’s Church, Patthar Ki Masjid, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Jalan Museum, the Buddha Smriti Park, Patna Planetarium, Sri Krishna Science Centre, and the Khuda Baksh National Library.

Navlakha Palace
Navlakha Palace, also known as the Rajnagar Palace complex, is a major tourist centre in Bihar. Situated on the eastern bank of the Kamala river in Rajnagar, the palace was built in the 17th century by Maharaja Rameshwar Singh of Darbhanga. The palace complex is home to the oldest surviving Madhubani painting, created on the occasion of the wedding of Maharaja Rameshwar’s daughter, Lakshmi Daiji, in 1919. Visit the marble temple of exceptional beauty, dedicated to Goddess Kali.

Vikramashila University
Set scenically on a rocky hillock around the confluence of the Kosi and Ganga rivers, Vikramashila University was one of the two most important centres of Buddhist learning in India under the Pala rulers. It suffered extensive damage due to invasions in the 13th century. The ruins which are spread over a large area include carved pillars, a library, arched underground chambers, Hindu and Tibetan temples, votive stupas and mounds. The brick building is embellished with terracotta plaques on its walls. An ASI-maintained museum displays artefacts unearthed during recent excavations. Enjoy river cruises on the Ganga.

Tomb Of Sher Shah Suri at Sasaram
Sasaram, the birthplace of Sher Shah Suri who gave India its first national highway connecting Kolkata with Peshawar, is home to one of our most stunning monuments. The three-storeyed mausoleum, referred to as the second Taj of India, represents one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture in India. It stands 122 feet tall in the midst of an artificial lake on a square stone plinth with octagonal domed chhatris adorning its four corners. The central dome of the mausoleum is one of India’s largest. Verses from the Quran are inscribed on the walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rohtasgarh Fort, Rohtas, Sasaram
Climb 2,000 plus limestone steps at Medha Ghat to visit one of India’s largest and most ancient forts with many secret passages, situated 1,500 feet above sea level. The Rohtasgarh Fort at Sasaram lies on a plateau on an outlying spur of the undulating Kaimur hills. Visit the fort especially during the monsoons to get spectacular views of a thundering waterfall which tumbles over the fortifications. Pass through Hathiya Pol, the largest of its four entrance gates, to visit the Aina Mahal, the four-storeyed Takhte Badshahi with its ornamented hail. Visit Jami Masjid, Habsh Khan’s Tomb, the Rajputana-style Ganesh Temple, and the ruins of the Rohtasan and Devi Temples nearby.

Buxar
The seats of legendary saints, battlefield of gods and demons, locals and foreign forces, Buxar is replete with history dating prior to the Ramayana era. Archaeological excavations associate it with the ancient civilisations of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. The sculpture-filled historic Buxar Fort built along the Ganga is a much sought after tourist spot. Visit the famous Gauri Shankar and Nath Baba Temples nearby.

Barabar Caves 
Visit India’s oldest surviving rock-cut caves of Barabar in Jehanabad district, traced to the Mauryan era.These caves are situated in the twin hills of Barabar and Nagarjuni and contain several Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. While the Nagarjuni hills have three caves, the more impressive caves with decorative arches are located at Barabar hills. The most unusual feature of these caves is their echo effect, occasioned by the vault and polished walls. They are carved out of granite and are the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India. The Lomas Rishi Cave which contains inscriptions from the 7th and 8th centuries, is the most attractive of the caves.

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Shillong Capital in the Hills

Situated at nearly 1,500 feet above sea level, Shillong is perched high in the mountains. While it’s a bustling capital, you are never far away from nature and there are lots of quick getaways you can make from here, too. In Shillong, Lady Hydari Park is popular with both locals and tourists. It has an abundance of flora and the flowers in full bloom make for a pretty sight. You can also visit Ward’s Lake, a manmade lake named after a Chief Commissioner of Assam. Set amidst gardens, the lake has boating facilities and offers plenty of fun for children. Shillong is dotted with churches and the one in Laitumkhrah is a beautiful structure. 

Museum buffs should visit the Government Museum attached to the State Central Library complex with its displays devoted to local tribal culture. The Don Bosco centre also showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Northeast. 

You can pack in outdoor activities as well while in Shillong. The golf course here is one of the oldest in the country. Set in an undulating valley amidst pine groves, it’s sure to give the serious golfer hours of pleasure. 

Not far from the city centre are waterfalls such as Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls and Elephant Falls, which make excellent settings for a picnic. 

Head up to Shillong Peak which offers lovely views of the city, particularly in the evenings when the lights begin to come on.

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Temples in and Around Bhubaneswar

The Bhrama Purana refers to Bhubaneswar, a revered pilgrimage centre and ancient capital of Kalinga, as Ekamra Kshetra, meaning ‘mango orchards.’ The Oriyan capital, the ‘city of temples,’ named after Tribhuvaneswar, ‘Lord of Three Worlds,’ still preserves over 500 of India’s finest temples. Together with Puri and Konark, Bhubaneswar forms the ‘golden triangle,’ one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in East India. The Ekamra Utsav is a festival that showcases the rich heritage of Odisha with art, handicrafts, dance, music and cuisine.

Lingaraja Temple 
The sprawling 10th-century Lingaraja Temple, made from red sandstone, is an exceptional specimen of the Oriya style of temple building, built by the Somavanshi king, Jajati Keshari. It boasts a spacious courtyard bounded by fortified walls and covers over 250,000 sq ft, and contains 50 smaller shrines dedicated to the Hindu pantheon. Its elaborately carved 180-foot tower dominates the city’s skyline. The sanctum sanctorum of the main temple is adorned with a massive shivling in granite. It is regarded as ‘Swayambhu’ or self-manifested and is worshipped as Hari-Hara, as both Vishnu and Shiva. While the image of Lingaraja is taken in procession to the Jalamandir in the centre of the Bindu Sagar lake once a year, 22 worship services are offered each day to the deity.

Rajarani Temple 
This 11th-century temple derives its name from rajarani, a type of red sandstone used in its construction. The east- facing shrine, which is bereft of any idols, displays the architectural magnificence of the old Kalinga sculptures.

It reveals multiple scroll work, and is somewhat different from other temples in the city and marks a different phase in the evolution of Oriyan temple architecture. Its spire with multiple sub-spires bears semblance to the temples at Khajuraho. The temple’s most outstanding and best- preserved treasures are the standing astadikpalas on the central façade, standing on lotuses with their mounts below. The temple attracts visitors in droves during the Rajarani Music Festival which is part of the larger Ekamra Utsav held in December.

Siddheswar -Mukteswar Temples 
The twin temples of Siddheswar-Mukteswar within a single complex date back to the 10th century and stand as a significant transition point between the early and later phases of the Kalinga architectural style of temple building.
The 35-foot Mukteswar temple, built of sandstone, is considered one of the crowning glories of Oriyan architecture. The temples display an aesthetic blend of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain architecture, especially in their detailed carvings which narrate tales from the Panchatantra and carry animal figurines. The temple’s jagmohana or porch is a masterpiece, bedecked with an eight-petalled lotus carved ceiling. The standing figure of Ganesha is majestic and arresting in the Siddheswar Temple, the sanctum of which is built in the pancha ratha style, surrounded by five- divisional walls. The walls themselves are decorated with ornamental motifs and consist of seven mouldings. ‘Hers of miniature turrets adorn the temple tower which holds aloft four lions, one on each corner.

Hirapur Chausath Yogini Temple
At the time when parts of ancient India were in the throes of the tantric cult, the central and eastern regions of the country witnessed the construction of numerous mystifying open air shrines. The Chausath Yogini Temple at Hirapur, which lies in close proximity to Bhubaneswar, is one of only four such surviving temples. The ninth-century hypaethral shrine, a circular-shaped edifice with no roof, is dedicated to 64 female spirits or ‘yoginis.’ Locally known as Mahamaya Mandir, the east-facing temple was discovered by Kedarnath Mahapatra of the Odisha State Museum in 1953. While the 10-armed Mahamaya Devi is the presiding deity, one of the most interesting and exceptional sculptures in the temple is that of Ekapada Shiva, or one-legged Shiva.

Konark Sun Temple 
The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva. It was conceived as an ode to the Sun God in the form of a chariot. It stands on 24 intricately sculpted stone wheels of gargantuan proportions and is hauled by seven mighty horses. The edifice is embellished with a profusion of sculptures on its interior and exterior walls. Three surviving images of Surya are designed to capture the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset. It took the labour of 1,200 artisans and 12 years to complete. Rabindranath Tagore wrote of Konark: “Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man.” During the annual Konark Dance Festival, held against the backdrop of the temple, Konark becomes a veritable smorgasbord of art and culture.

Puri Jagannath Temple 
One of the Char Dhams or four sacred places of worship, the temple of Jagannath in Puri is built on a gigantic raised platform in the heart of the city. The temple complex is enclosed by a wall that is pierced by four gates with pyramidal structures over them. The east-facing Lions Gate leads to a vast open area, in the centre of which is the 11-metre-high monolithic pillar, known locally as the Aruna Stambha, with the figure of Aruna, the Sun God’s charioteer. This pillar was once in front of the Sun Temple in Konark. It was brought to Pun during the 18th century. Sprawled across 10.7 acres, the temple complex, built in the Kalinga style, is enclosed by two walls—the outer Meghanada Prachira, and the inner Kurma Bheda. The main sanctum is surrounded by 30 shrines of varying sizes. At the acme of the temple tower is the Nila Chakra or blue wheel, crafted from an alloy of eight metals, to which is attached the temple flag. 

The temple of Jagannath is considered one of the tallest monuments in the Indian subcontinent and rises 214 feet from the ground. The construction of the monument was initiated by King Chora Ganga Deva and completed during the reign of his 12th-century descendnt, Ananga Bhima Deva. The Rath Yatra in June-July is the temple’s flagship festival.

Barabati Fort 
The once glorious nine-storeyed palace within the 14th- century Barabati Fort in Cuttack on the bank of the Mahanadi is today a mound of ruins but for its gate, moat and a mosque. One can catch glimpses of the walls of the fort, built of sandstone and latenite. The gate still reveals some attractive carvings. The fort became an Archaeological Survey of India- protected site in 1915.
Deemed the culmination of the art and architecture of Odisha, it reveals a square plan, spread over 102 acres and surrounded by a paved moat of uniform dimensions. Flanking the mound of ruins in the centre are the Shahi Mosque and mazar of Hazrat Ali Bukhari. Purushottamdeva, the son of the Suryavanshi king, Kapilendradeva, brought an idol of Lord Krishna from Andhra Pradesh and installed it in a temple in the font. However, only a portion of the temple remains. Next to the fort ruins is the Barabati Stadium and close by is the Katak Chandi temple.

For more details: Pilgrimage Tour India and Festival Tour India

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A Sublime Experience

Odisha, with its beaches, temples, Buddhist sites and marvellous wildlife, harbours tremendous appeal for every kind of traveller. Cradled between the sun-kissed beaches of the Bay of Bengal and the dense forests of the Eastern Ghats, Odisha, the land of temples, is an experience that is at once sublime and aesthetically invigorating.

Nature 

Chilika Lake 
Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon with estuarine character, Chilika is a wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian subcontinent. It offers tourists a spectacular display of avian acrobatics by over 160 species in a myriad hues in the peak season between November and February.

The Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 1,100 sq km, is one of the most important wetlands in the world, being home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals, and an extraordinary variety of resident and migratory birds. Its Nalabana Island, which covers 16 sq km of the lagoon area, teems with nesting birds that include flamingos, ospreys, golden plovers, sandpipers, white- bellied sea eagles, Brahminy kites, spotbilled pelicans, spoonbills, avocets, and ibises from Central Asia, Iran and Siberia. The sanctuary also envelopes in its verdant folds blackbuck, chital, golden jackals, hyenas and several other feline and canine species. While Chilika is an ecosystem with large fishery resources and boasts a wealth of marine life, including 225 or more species of fishes, crabs, prawns and limbless lizards, it is particularly famed for the Irrawady dolphins. Purshottam Das, a poet-saint of odisha and ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath, wrote a poem on Lord Krishna 400 years ago. The ode describes Krishna dancing with Maniki, a milkmaid who was vending curd on the shore of Chilika. Even today, one may see the Manikagauda village in the lagoon!

Bhitarkanika
Bhitarkanika is derived from two oriya words—’Bhitar’ meaning interior and ‘Kanika’ meaning that which is extraordinarily beautiful. Three rivers, Brahmin, Baitarani and Patasala, flow out to sea at Bhitarkanika, forming a tidal maze of muddy creeks and mangroves. Bhitarkanika, a hot-spot of biodiversity, covers 672 sq km of mangrove forests and wetland. It is home to the largest population of giant salt water crocodiles in India, earning the status of a crocodile sanctuary. Hundreds of massive estuarine crocodiles bask on mudflats. The sanctuary is also one of the largest rookeries for Olive Ridley sea turtles, and the second largest viable mangrove ecosystem in the country with over 70 varieties of mangroves that serve as a nesting ground for its large migratory avian population. 

It is deemed one of Asia’s most impressive wildlife sanctuaries with a crisscrossing network of brooks, rivers, estuaries, backwaters and mudflats, with the Bay of Bengal on the east. An ideal trekking, camping and picnic site, Bhitarkanika is accessed only by boat. Birdwatchers and photography buffs will have a field day, capturing eight species of brilliantly coloured kingfishers, in addition to other bird species.

Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary 

The first and only marine sanctuary of Odisha, it stretches from the Dhamra river mouth in the north to the Mahanadi river mouth in the south and forms part of the Bhitarkanika National Park. It comprises mudflats, mangroves and sea beaches, covering 1,408 sq km. Since time immemorial, the virgin sandy beaches of the sanctuary have served as a hatchery for the Olive Ridley sea turtles that migrate en masse from the Indian ocean during the winter. Tens of thousands of turtles congregate on the sands of Gahirmatha until the end of March. In view of its ecological importance and to protect the sea turtles, the government of Odisha declared Gahirmatha a turtle sanctuary in 1979.

Simlipal National Park

The Simlipal National Park, once a hunting preserve of the Mayurbhanj maharajas, is a wildlife haven at an altitude of 559.31 m, and one of India’s biggest tiger sanctuaries, extending over 2,750 sq km within a larger 4,374-sq-km biosphere reserve. Since 2009, it has been a part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Simlipal, which is set on a wide expanse of sal forests, has innumerable medicinal and aromatic plants that serve as a source of income for its tribal population. It derives its name from the abundance of simul or red silk cotton trees that bloom here. It is an expansive blend of the Western Ghat, Eastern Ghat and sub-Himalayan floral species and boasts an astonishing 1,076 varieties of flowers and 96 species of orchids.

With variegated topography studded with perennial streams, rivers, waterfalls, gorges, valleys and peaks, Simlipal is home to a range of wild animals, fishes and birds. It is home to three of India’s biggest animal species—the tiger, Asian elephant and gaur. Simlipal is famed for Project Tiger, initiated in May 1973 and the Mugger Crocodile Scheme that began in 1979.
With its undulating hilly terrain, Simlipal offers all grades of trekking challenges to adventure-seekers.

Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary

The Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary, more popularly known by the town where it is located, Ushakothi, is between the Wardha and Penganga rivers. According to legend, sage Vashisht created the Wardha river which also goes by the name of River Vashisht. Ushakothi, declared a sanctuary in 1962, is filled with deciduous forests of casuarina, arjun, sal, acacia and neem trees.

Enjoy a jeep safari in the depths of its jungles and observe up close the panthers for which the sanctuary is famed, besides tigers, hyenas, wild boar and a host of other animals. If you are lucky, you could spot sloth bears who make their way to the water-bodies at night. Capture on your digital devices from atop one of the two 30-foot watch towers the beauty of the wilderness, the creatures of the jungle, and the racquet-tailed drongos and flying squirrels which are the prime attractions.

Satkosia Gorge and Wildlife Sanctuary

Satkosia, at the confluence of the Deccan peninsula and the Eastern Ghats, has an exclusive geomorphology as the Mahanadi plunges through the Eastern Ghats to form a 22-km gorge. The Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary spans
1,330 sq km and was established in 1976. It was declared a tiger reserve in 2007, comprising the Satkosia Gorge and Baisipalli Sanctuaries, spread over Angul, Budh, Cuttack and Nayagarh districts of Odisha. The Mahanadi elephant reserve and the Gharial Breeding Project are significant aspects of the sanctuary. Covered with dry deciduous forests and moist peninsular sal forests, the sanctuary is a natural habitat for a host of wild creatures, including muggers, fresh water turtles and a variety of snakes.

Gopalpur —on-Sea 
Gopalpur-on-Sea is a port city with pristine beaches fringed by coconut groves and casuarinas. The small town is picturesque with rolling hills descending dramatically upon the Bay of Bengal. Gopalpur offers sailing, surfing, scuba diving, rowing and swimming. In addition, you can go out to sea in paddle boats and on water scooters. 

Catch a glimpse of the glorious history of the once- humming seaport, palpable from the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty. The town, which was left to slide into history by the British, was rediscovered by holidaymakers from Bengal in the early 1980s. The annual Gopalpur Beach Festival in December sees the town thrum with activity.

Puri Beach

 
This beach has become synonymous with devotees who bathe here before offering obeisance to its deity, Jagannath, and his siblings at the temple. The Beach Festival that takes place in November draws beach-lovers from India and abroad. The sand sculptures, especially by the world acclaimed artist, Sudarshan Patnaik, add their own magic. The beach at Pun is unique in that it offers stunning views of both sunrise and sunset. With its warm sea-lapped beach that abounds in water sports, Pun offers a sublime as well as invigorating experience to tourists and vacationers.

For more details: Budget Tours India & Wildlife Tour India