BIHAR

.

HISTORY

The name 'Bihar' is derived from 'Vihara', meaning monastery. Bihar has been a great religious centre for Hindus,Jains and most importantly, the Buddhists. It was at Bodhgaya in Bihar, that the Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree,and attained enlightenment. A descendant of the same tree still flourishes in Bodhgaya today. Nalanda, which was a world - renowned Buddhist University in the 5th century AD, is also located in Bihar. Rajgir, a pilgrimage place for

Buddhists and Pawapuri where Lord Mahavira breathed his last are near Nalanda.Patna its capital city today, Patliputra in those times was home to one of the greatest monarchs in the history of the world who ruled over much of the Indian - Subcontinent and extended as far as Iran and Afghanistan to the West.Bihar is the fascinating land of great religious leaders like Gautama Buddha, Lord Mahavir and Guru Gobind Singh.Bihar is the home of Emperor Ashoka who preached "ahimsa" or non-violence and spread the message of Buddhism

throughout the world. The tradition of "ahimsa" has been carried into the modern times and the land was witness to the "Satyagraha (or non-violence) Movement" of the Father of the Nation, Mahatama Gandhi.

GEOGRAPHY

River Map of Bihar

Mountain of Ashrams, near Sena Village, at Buddha Gaya

Flooded farmlands in northern Bihar during the 2008 Bihar flood

Climate

Classification  ETh

Avg. temperature       27 °C (81 °F)

• Summer       34 °C (93 °F)

• Winter         10 °C (50 °F)

Precipitation   1,200 mm (47 in)

Bihar has a diverse climate. Its temperature is subtropical in general, with hot summers and cool winters. Bihar is a vast stretch of fertile plain. It is drained by the Ganges River, including its northern tributaries Gandak and Koshi, originating in the Nepal Himalayas and the Bagmati originating in the Kathmandu Valley that regularly flood parts of the Bihar plains. The total area covered by the state of Bihar is 94,163 km2 (36,357 sq mi). the state is located between 24°-20'-10" N ~ 27°-31'-15" N latitude and between 83°-19'-50" E ~ 88°-17'-40" E longitude. Its average elevation above sea level is 173 feet (53 m).The Ganges divides Bihar into two unequal halves and flows through the middle from west to east. Other Ganges tributaries are the Son, Budhi Gandak, Chandan, Orhani and Phalgu. Though the Himalayas begin at the foothills, a short distance inside Nepal and to the north of Bihar, the mountains influence Bihar's landforms, climate, hydrology and culture. Central parts of Bihar have some small hills, for example the Rajgir hills. To the south is the Chota Nagpur plateau, which was part of Bihar until 2000 but now is part of a separate state called Jharkhand.

Flora and fauna

Bihar has notified forest area of 6,764.14 km2 (2,612 sq mi), which is 7.2% of its geographical area.[69][not in citation given] The sub Himalayan foothill of Someshwar and the Dun ranges in the Champaran district are another belt of moist deciduous forests. These also consist of scrub, grass and reeds. Here the rainfall is above 1,600 millimetres (63 in) and thus promotes luxuriant Sal forests in the area. The most important trees are Shorea Robusta, Sal Cedrela Toona, Khair, and Semal. Deciduous forests also occur in the Saharsa and Purnia districts.[70] Shorea Robusta (sal), Diospyros melanoxylon (kendu), Boswellia serrata (salai), Terminalia tomentose (Asan), Terminalia bellerica (Bahera), Terminalia Arjuna (Arjun), Pterocarpus Marsupium (Paisar), Madhuca indica (Mahua) are the common flora across the forest of Bihar.Valmiki National Park, West Champaran district, covering about 800 km2 (309 sq mi) of forest, is the 18th Tiger Reserve of India and is ranked fourth in terms of density of tiger population.[71] It has a diverse landscape, sheltering rich wildlife habitats and floral and faunal composition, along with the prime protected carnivores.

POLITICS

See also: Political parties in Bihar, Elections in Bihar and List of politicians from Bihar; Bihar Legislative Assembly election, 2015

By 2004, 14 years after Lalu Prasad Yadav's victory, The Economist magazine said that "Bihar [had] become a byword for the worst of India, of widespread and inescapable poverty, of corrupt politicians indistinguishable from mafia-dons they patronise, caste-ridden social order that has retained the worst feudal cruelties".[85] In 2005, the World Bank believed that issues faced by the state were "enormous" because of "persistent poverty, complex social stratification, unsatisfactory infrastructure and weak governance".[86] Currently, there are two main political formations: the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which comprises Bharatiya Janata Party, Lok Janashakti Party, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, Hindustani Awam Morchaand JD(U) (Joined recently after breaking the Grand Alliance with RJD and INC), Second is alliance between RJD and Indian National Congress. There are many other political formations. The Communist Party of India had a strong presence in Bihar at one time, but is weakened now.[The CPM and Forward Bloc have a minor presence, along with the other extreme Left.In contrast to prior governments, which emphasised divisions of caste and religion, Nitish Kumar's manifesto was based on economic development, curbs on crime and corruption and greater social equality for all sections of society. Since 2010, the government has confiscated the properties of corrupt officials and redeployed them as schools buildings.[89] Simultaneously they introduced Bihar Special Court Act to curb crime.[90] It has also legislated for a two-hour break on Fridays, including lunch, to enable Muslim employees to pray and thus cut down on post-lunch absenteeism by them.[91] The government has prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state since March 2016;[92] this ban has been linked to a drop in tourism to Bihar.[93]

CLIMATE

Bihar falls under sub-tropical humid climate. Temperature varies from a maximum of 43°C in summer to a minimum of around 5°C in the winters. Relative humidity can go up to 100% during summer. It receives medium to heavy rainfall in the monsoon

ECONOMY

Agriculture is the main stay of economy of Bihar. The principal foodgrains of Bihar are paddy, wheat, maize and pulses. Main cash crops include sugarcane, potato, tobacco, oilseeds, onion, chillies, jute and mesta.

Economy

Year     Gross State Domestic Product

(millions of Indian Rupees)

1980   

73,530

1985   

142,950

1990   

264,290

1995   

244,830

2000   

469,430

2005   

710,060

[95]

Bihar accounts for 71% of India's annual litchi production.

A village market Gross state domestic product of Bihar for the year 2013/2014 has been around 3683.37 billion INR. By sectors, its composition is:

Agriculture = 22%

Industry = 5%

Services = 73%.

Bihar is the fastest growing state in terms of gross state domestic product (GSDP), clocking a growth rate of 17.06% in FY 2014–15.[97] The economy of Bihar is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% during 2012–2017 i.e. the 12th Five-Year Plan. Bihar has witnessed strong growth in per capita net state domestic product (NSDP). At current prices, per capita NSDP of the state grew at a CAGR of 12.91 per cent during 2004-05 to 2014–15.Bihar's per capita income has gone up by 40.6 per cent in the financial year 2014–15.

CULTURE

Language and literature

Main articles: Languages in Bihar and Literature in Bihar

See also: Angika, Bajjika, Bhojpuri, Magadhi, Maithili language, Magadhi Prakrit, Hindi in Bihar, and Urdu Language in Bihar.Maithili language in Tirhuta and Devanagari scripts

Hindi and Urdu are the official languages of the State.[8][9] Other languages of the state are Bhojpuri (38.5 million speakers), Maithili (25 million), Magahi (20 million), Bajjika (8.7 million), and Angika (0.7 million), of which only Maithili is recognised by the government of India.[19][20] Bhojpuri and Magahi are sociolinguistically apart of the Hindi Belt languages fold, thus they were not granted official status in the state.Urdu is secondary to Hindi in official use. It was only recently that Maithili was also included as one of the state's official languages, although such use of it is negligible. Presently, the Bihari languages, except Maithili, are considered one of the five subgroups of Hindi by the government of India. Surajpuri is spoken in northeastern districts such as Kishanganj.

Paintings

See also: Mithila painting

Mithila Painting

There are several traditional styles of painting practiced in Bihar. One is Mithila painting, a style of Indian painting used in the Mithila region of Bihar.Traditionally, painting was one of the skills that was passed down from generation to generation in the families of the Mithila region, mainly by women. Painting was usually done on walls during festivals, religious events, and other milestones of the life cycle, like birth, Upanayanam (the sacred thread ceremony), and marriage.Legend states that this style of painting originated at the time of the Ramayana, when King Janak commissioned artists to do paintings at the time his daughter Sita's marriage to Lord Ram. Mithila painting was traditionally done on huts' freshly plastered mud walls, but today it is also done on cloth, handmade paper, and canvas. Famous Mithila painters have included Smt Bharti Dayal, Mahasundari Devi, the late Ganga Devi, and Sita Devi.Mithila painting is also called Madhubani art. It mostly depicts human beings and their association with nature. Common scenes illustrate deities like Krishna, Ram, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati from ancient epics. Natural objects like the sun, moon, and religious plants like tulsi are also widely painted, along with scenes from the royal court and social events like weddings. Generally no space is left empty.Manjusha Kala or Angika Art is another Bihari art form, practiced in the Anga region.

Historically, the Patna School of Painting (Patna Salaam), sometimes called Company Painting, flourished in Bihar during the early 18th to mid-20th centuries. The Patna School of Painting was an offshoot of the well-known Mughal Miniature School of Painting. Those who practiced this art form were descendants of Hindu artisans of Mughal painting. Facing persecution from the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, these artisans found refuge, via Murshidabad, in Patna during the late 18th century. Their art shared the characteristics of the Mughal painters, but whereas the Mughal style depicted only royalty and court scenes, the Patna artists also started painting bazaar scenes. They used watercolours on paper and on mica. The style's subject matter evolved to include scenes of Indian daily life, local rulers, festivals, and ceremonies. This school of painting formed the basis for the formation of the Patna Art School under the leadership of Shri Radha Mohan. The School is an important center of fine arts in Bihar.

Music of Bihar

Vidyapati

Magahi folk singers

Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan, from Dumraon, Bihar

Bihar has produced musicians like Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan and dhrupad singers like the Malliks (Darbhanga Gharana) and the Mishras (Bettiah Gharana) along with poets like Vidyapati Thakur who contributed to Maithili Music. The classical music in Bihar is a form of the Hindustani classical music. Gaya is another centre of excellence in classical music, particularly of the Tappa and Thumri varieties. Pandit Govardhan Mishra – son of the Ram Prasad Mishra, himself an accomplished singer – is perhaps the finest living exponent of Tappa singing in India today, according to Padma Shri Gajendra Narayan Singh, founding secretary of the Sangeet Natak Academi of Bihar. Gajendra Narayan Singh also writes, in his memoir, that Champanagar, Banaili, was another major centre of classical music. Rajkumar Shyamanand Sinha of Champanagar, Banaili princely state, was a great patron of music and was himself one of the finest exponents of classical vocal music in Bihar in his time. Singh, in another book on Indian classical music, has written that "Kumar Shyamanand Singh of Banaili estate had such expertise in singing that many great singers including Kesarbai Kerkar acknowledged his ability. After listening to bandishes from Kumar Sahib, Pandit Jasraj was moved to tears and lamented that, alas!, he did not have such ability himself." [free translation of Hindi text].During the 19th century, when the condition of Bihar worsened under the British misrule, many Biharis had to emigrate as indentured labourers to the West Indies, Fiji, and Mauritius. During this time many sad plays and songs called birha became popular, in the Bhojpur region, thus Bhojpuri Birha. Dramas incorporating this theme continue to be popular in the theatres of Patna.[114][better source needed]

Cinema

See also: Bhojpuri Film Industry and List of Bhojpuri films

Bihar has a robust Bhojpuri-language film industry. There is also a smaller production of Magadhi-, Maithili-, as well as Angika-language films. The first film with Bhojpuri dialogue was Ganga Jamuna, released in 1961. Bhaiyaa, the first Magadhi film, was released in 1961. The first Maithili movie was Kanyadan released in 1965.The history of films entirely in Bhojpuri begins in 1962 with the well-received film Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo ("Mother Ganges, I will offer you a yellow sari"), which was directed by Kundan Kumar.[118] 1963's Lagi nahin chute ram was the all-time hit Bhojpuri film, and had higher attendance than Mughal-e-Azam in the eastern and northern regions of India. Bollywood's Nadiya Ke Paar is another of the most famous Bhojpuri-language movies. However, in the following years, films were produced only in fits and starts. Films such as Bidesiya ("Foreigner", 1963, directed by S. N. Tripathi) and Ganga ("Ganges", 1965, directed by Kundan Kumar) were profitable and popular, but in general Bhojpuri films were not commonly produced in the 1960s and 1970s.In the 1980s, enough Bhojpuri films were produced to tentatively support a dedicated industry. Films such as Mai ("Mom", 1989, directed by Rajkumar Sharma) and Hamar Bhauji ("My Brother's Wife", 1983, directed by Kalpataru) continued to have at least sporadic success at the box office. However, this trend faded out by the end of the decade, and by 1990, the nascent industry seemed to be completely finished.The Bhojpuri film industry took off again in 2001 with the super hit Saiyyan Hamar ("My Sweetheart", directed by Mohan Prasad), which vaulted the hero of that film, Ravi Kishan, to superstardom.[120] This success was quickly followed by several other remarkably successful films, including Panditji Batai Na Biyah Kab Hoi ("Priest, tell me when I will marry", 2005, directed by Mohan Prasad) and Sasura Bada Paisa Wala ("My father-in-law, the rich guy", 2005). In a measure of the Bhojpuri film industry's rise, both of these did much better business in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar than mainstream Bollywood hits at the time, and both films, made on extremely tight budgets, earned back more than ten times their production costs.[121] Sasura Bada Paisa Wala also introduced Manoj Tiwari, formerly a well-loved folk singer, to the wider audiences of Bhojpuri cinema. The success of Ravi Kishan & Manoj Tiwari's films has led to a dramatic increase in Bhojpuri cinema's visibility, and the industry now supports an awards show[122] and a trade magazine, Bhojpuri City,[123] which chronicles the production and release of what are now over one hundred films per year.

Religion

Hindu Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Rama is believed to be born in Sitamarhi district in the Mithila region of modern-day Bihar.[124][125] Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, a town located in the modern day district of Gaya in Bihar. Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara was born in Champapuri, Bhagalpur. Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Vaishali around the 6th century BC.[126]

     

ARCHITECTURE

Mauryan architecture in the Barabar Mounts. Grottoe of Lomas Richi. 3rd century BCE.

Further information: Hindu temple architecture, Buddhist architecture, Mughal architecture, Indo-Islamic architecture, and Indo-Saracenic,The first significant architectural pieces in Bihar date back to the Vedic period. While the Mauryan period marked a transition to the use of brick and stone, wood remained the material of choice. Contemporary writers, like Chanakya in the Arthashastra, advised the use of brick and stone for their durability. However, in his writings, Megasthenes described a wooden palisade encircling the capital city of Pataliputra. Evidence of ancient structures have been found in recent excavations in Kumrahar, in modern-day Patna. Remains of an 80-pillared hall have also been unearthed.The Buddhist stupa, a dome-shaped monument, was used in India as a commemorative monument used to enshrine sacred relics.[12] The stupa architecture was adopted in Southeast and East Asia, where it became prominent.[12] Many stupas, like those at Nalanda and Vikramshila, were originally built as brick and masonry mounds during the reign of Ashoka (273 BCE - 232 BCE). Fortified cities with stūpas, viharas, and temples were constructed during the Maurya empire (c. 321–185 BCE). Wooden architecture remained popular, while rock-cut architecture became solidified. Guard rails—consisting of posts, crossbars, and a coping—became a safety feature surrounding a stupa. Upon its discovery by Westerners, the stupa became known as pagoda in the West.[12]

Temples—build on elliptical, circular, quadrilateral, or apsidal plans—were constructed using brick and timber. The Indian gateway arches, the torana, reached East Asia with the spread of Buddhism.[13] Some scholars hold that torii derives from the torana gates at the Buddhist historic site of Sanchi (3rd century BCE – 11th century CE).Important features of the architecture during this period included walled and moated cities with large gates and multi-storied buildings, which consistently used arched windows and doors. The Indian emperor Ashoka, who ruled from 273 BCE to 232 BCE, established a chain of hospitals throughout the Mauryan empire by 230 BCE.[15] One of the edicts of Ashoka reads: "Everywhere King Piyadasi (Ashoka) erected two kinds of hospitals, hospitals for people and hospitals for animals. Where there were no healing herbs for people and animals, he ordered that they be bought and planted."Buddhist architecture blended with Roman and Hellenestic architecture to give rise to unique new styles, such as the Greco-Buddhist style.Rock-cut stepwells in India date from 200–400 CE. Subsequently, the wells at Dhank (550–625 CE) and the stepped ponds at Bhinmal (850–950 CE) were constructed.Bihar was largely in ruins when visited by Xuanzang, and suffered further damage at the hands of Mughal raiders in the 12th century.[11] Though parts of the Bihar have been excavated, much of its ancient architecture still lies buried beneath the modern city.Persian influence can be seen in surviving Mughal tombs made of sandstone and marble. Surviving Mughal architecture includes Sher Shah Suri Tomb, built by Sher Shah Suri and his successor. Ibrahim Khan, Governor of Bihar and a disciple of Makhdum Daulat, oversaw the completion of Makhdum Daulat mausoleum in 1616. Another example of Mughal architecture is the building at Maner Sharif. The domed building features walls adorned with intricate designs and a ceiling full of inscriptions from the Quran.Patna High Court, Bihar Vidhan Sabha, Bihar Vidhan Parishad, Transport Bhawan, Patna, Golghar St. Mary's Church and Patna Museum are some example of Indo-Saracenic Architectures

FOOD

Bihari thali

As the seasons change so does the Bihari thaali, every 3–4 months. The constants are rice, roti, achar, chatni, dals and milk products with some variation.People use both vegetable oil or mustard oil and zeera (cumin) or panchforan (literally "five seeds"), namely saunf, sarson, methi, ajwain and mangraeel (Kalaunji) for "chhounkna"/"Tadka"(tempering) of some vegetables. There is a lot of light frying, called bhoonjnaa, in Bihari food. One of the most remarkable thing about this cuisine is "smoked food". It refers to using smoked red chilli to infuse a strong aroma in food. It is used in preparing "chokhaa", i.e. mashed brinjals/potatoes/tomatoes, either single or combined. Smoked chilli is also used in preparing kadam (a common fruit sweet sour in taste, technical name Anthocephalus morindaefolia) chutney.

Traditional cuisine

Kadhi-Bari[1] - these fried soft dumplings made of besan (gram flour) are cooked in a spicy gravy of yogurt and besan. It goes well over plain rice.

Khichdi[2] - Mix of Rice, Dal and several Vegetables; steamed together to give a distinctive taste of different ingredients combined in one dish. It is often topped up with ghee.

Ghugni - It is a preparation made of black grams soaked (either lightly/overnight)in water and then sauted in mustard oil in a wok. All kinds of garam masala made as paste on a sil is used for flavouring and chana is also ground to form a paste used as thickener. This thickens the masala and makes gravy as per desire. After proper seasoning and bhunjana water is added to the mix for gravy as desired.Pittha - It is something like momos. It could be either salty or sweet.It is either a semi circular/ball shaped preparation made of crust made of soft rice flour and filled with preparations made of Channa Daal lentil paste, or Poppy seeds & Gur (Jaggery). and then steamed in water/ milk (allowed to thicken).

Choora - beaten rice, served with a coat of creamy curd and sugar or jaggery. In winters, this is mildly baked and accompanied with a thick spicy preparation made of peas and onions.

Sattu - powdered baked gram, a high energy giving food usually mixed with water or with milk. Sometimes, sattu mixed with spices is used to prepare stuffed 'chapattis', locally called as 'makuni roti'.

Dhuska - a deep fried item prepared from a mixture of powdered rice and ghee but is salted.

Litti - Powdered baked gram is mixed with chopped onions, green chillies, lemon juice, coriander leaves. This mixture is filled inside atta and either barbecued over coal or deep fried with oil. Best accompanied with Ghee, Curd and Chokha and baigan bharta.

Vegetarian cuisine

Saag

Kofta

Bharwan karela

Vegetarian-Korma - Subziyon ka Panchranga Korma

Paalak paneer

Shaahi paneer

Non-vegetarian cuisine

Bihari kebab

The distinctive Bihari flavour of non-vegetarian cooking finds mention in the memoirs of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who found it quite tasty. Forms of kebabs, mutton preparations and dishes prepared from various fowl and birds have a distinctive flavor. Biharis are quite famous for their Bihari kebabs, another typical Bihari non-vegetarian dish. This dish was traditionally made from mutton and is eaten with roti, paratha or boiled rice. The region of Champaran is famous for a mutton grilled dish called Taash. Recently, in fast food restaurants, these Bihari Kebabs are also sold as Bihari kebab rolls, which are essentially kebabs wrapped up in a paratha.

Bihari fast food

Litti -can be prepared with minimum of utensils by people who away on tour. It is a ball shaped dish of the size between a table tennis and a lawn tennis ball, baked in mild fire (though it can be done in any electric oven/ microwave oven, but would miss the distinct flavour infused by fire .The crust is made of a hard dough made of wheat flour and filled with a dry amorphous preparation made of Sattu (gram flour) and spices.It is accompanied with chokhaa (mashed potato or brinjals, green chilli and coriander leaf. Dill is an essential ingredient for brinjal chokhaa).

Chokha - Pulsed and mashed vegetables with mustard oil and spices.

Bajka[10]

Bhurta[11] -

Bhunjia - Sautéed vegetables cooked in spices, usually containing potatoes. Has no gravy and usually goes well with rice and lentils or chapatti.

Samosa

Kachori

Samosa Chaat, it is basically samosa sweet chatni, curd, Namkeen mixtures with chura, onion and other garnishing ingredients.

Bhunja- commonly eaten at evening.

Sweets[edit]

Motichoor ka Ladoo

There is large variety of sweet delicacies. Unlike Oriya and Bengali sweets, which are soaked in syrups made of sugar and are therefore wet, sweets of Bihar are mostly dry.

Khaja - This may be compared to the Greek baklava. Famous ones are from Silao, Nalanda and Pipra, Supaul.

Tilkut (Til Burfi) - This is made of sesame seed and is available only in winters. A thick hard base of sugar of the size of a tennis ball is rolled in copious amount of sesame seed and then hammered to roll out in round shape. The more the seed, the softer, better and amorphous it is. Though available all over the state, the one from Gaya is famous.

Malpua

Rabri

Kheer - A special form of kheer called Rasia is prepared during the Chhath festival.

Thekua

Khajur

Laktho

Churma

Balushahi - Famous one is from Harnaut

Anarasa - A traditional cuisine of Mithila[20]

Motichoor ka Ladoo - Famous one is from Maner

Gulab jamun

Kala jamun

Pantua - Same as kala jamun but the shape is elongated. Famous one is from Barahiya, Begusarai. Also called "Atom Bomb".

Peda - Famous one is from Kesaria

Khurma - found only in southwest Bihar

Parwal ki Mithai - It is made of pointed gourd (botanical name-Trichosanthes dioica). The fruit is scrapped to remove the skin, sliced longitudinally, deseeded and boiled to make it tender and then filled with Khoyya- a preparation made of condensed milk and dry fruits. It is then imbibed with warm sugar syrup. Silver foil may be added after it cools off.

Khubi ka Lai - Famous one is from Barh

Belgrami

Padokkia

Murki - Famous one is from Koelwar

Pirikya - Made from flour and khoya etc. It is famous in Basopatti and villages nearby.

Khurchan - This is made of layers of scrapped condensed milk. Available in Patna city (old town).

Postaa-dana kaa Halwa -a sweet pudding made of poppy seeds soaked overnight in water and then ground to a paste and sauted in ghee(clarified butter)in a wok. This is generally prepared in winter season.

Kasar - A dry sweet prepared of coarsely ground rice during the Chhath festival.[21]

Lai -There are several varieties of Lai available in Bihar, including Lai from Gaya. The main component of this Lai is Ram dana seeds. These ram danas are processed and mixed with khoya and sugar to give rise to a disk shaped sweet.[22]

Dangra ka Tilkut - This is made of sesame seed and is available only in winters. A thick hard base of jaggey (gur/mittah) of the size of a tennis ball is rolled in copious amount of sesame seed and then hammered to roll out in round shape.The more the seed, the softer, better and amorphous it is. Though available all over the state, the one from Dangra village in Gaya is famous.

Paan Peda - Famous one is from Mohiuddin Nagar, Madudabad, Kalyanpur Basti area. it is a heart shaped peda with a completely different taste from common peda available in the market.

Gaja - It is a sweet which is cubical in form and made out of maida.[23]

Makhana kheer- Kheer made with makhana which is known as fox nut ( lotus flower's seed)- it has lots of medicinal and health benefits and it is also not very sweet in nature.

Cuisine

The Bihari staple food is a dish composed of roti, dal, chawal, sabzi, and achar. It is prepared from lentils, wheat flour, rice, vegetables, and pickle. The traditional cooking medium is mustard oil. Customarily, Biharis eat a boiled rice-based lunch and roti-based dinner and breakfast. Khichdi, a broth of rice and lentils seasoned with spices and served with several accompanying items, constitutes the mid-day meal for most Hindu Biharis on Saturdays. The favourite dish among Biharis is litti-chokha. Litti is made up of sattu, while chokha is made of smashed potatoes, tomatoes and brinjals.Bihar offers a large variety of sweet delicacies which, unlike those from Bengal, are mostly dry. These include Chena Murki, Kala Jamun, Kesaria Peda, Khaja, Khurma, Pua & Mal Pua, Thekua, Murabba and Tilkut. Many of these originate in towns in the vicinity of Patna. Other salted snacks and savouries popular in Bihar include Litti, Makhana and Sattu.Historically, the foods of eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar were strongly influenced by Mughalai cuisine. This resulted in the development of Bhojpuri cuisine with Bihari flavor, reflecting Bihar's unique confluence of cultures.

INDUSTRY

Bihar has emerged as brewery hub with major domestic and foreign firms setting up production units in the state. Three major firms – United Breweries Group, Danish Brewery Company Carlsberg Group and Cobra Beer – are to set up new units in Patna and Muzaffarpur in 2012.

Hajipur, near Patna, remains a major industrial city in the Bihar, linked to the capital city through the Ganges bridge and good road infrastructure.The state's debt was estimated at 77% of GDP by 2007.[104] The Finance Ministry has given top priority to create investment opportunities for big industrial houses like Reliance Industries. Further developments have taken place in the growth of small industries, improvements in IT infrastructure, the new software park in Patna, and the completion of the expressway from the Purvanchal border through Bihar to Jharkhand. In August 2008, a Patna registered company called the Security and Intelligence Services (SIS) India Limited[105] took over the Australian guard and mobile patrol services business of American conglomerate, United Technologies Corporation (UTC). SIS is registered and taxed in Bihar.[106] The capital city, Patna, is one of the better-off cities in India when measured by per capita income.[107]^ The State Government is setting up an Information Technology (IT) City at Rajgir in Nalanda district.[108] Additionally, India's first Media Hub is also proposed to be set up in Bihar.

AGRICULTURE

Bihar is the largest producer of vegetables and the second-largest producer of fruits in India. Bihar has high agricultural production making it one of the strongest sectors of the state. About 80 per cent of the state’s population is employed in agriculture, which is higher as compared to India’s average.[98] The main agricultural products produced in Bihar are litchi, guava, mango, pineapple, brinjal, lady's finger, cauliflower, cabbage, rice, wheat and sugarcane. Though good soil and favourable climatic conditions such as good rainfall favour agriculture, it has to encounter flood threat as well, which may drain off the fertile soil, if not conserved properly.[100] The state (mostly southern parts) faces droughts almost every year affecting production of crops such as paddy.

TRANSPORT

Patna river port on national inland waterways-1 at Gai Ghat

Steamers and dredgers at Gai Ghat, Patna

Airways

Bihar has three operational airports: Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport, Patna; Gaya Airport; and Purnea Airport. The Patna airport is categorised as a restricted international airport, with customs facilities to receive international chartered flights. An airport at Muzaffarpur is under construction.

Inland Waterways

The Ganges – navigable throughout the year – was the principal river highway across the vast north Indo-Gangetic Plain. Vessels capable of accommodating five hundred merchants were known to ply this river in the ancient period; it served as a conduit for overseas trade, as goods were carried from Pataliputra (later Patna) and Champa (later Bhagalpur) out to the seas and to ports in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. The role of the Ganges as a channel for trade was enhanced by its natural links – it embraces all the major rivers and streams in both north and south Bihar.

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN BIHAR

Bihar has remained an underrated tourist destination in India. It is ironic that Bihar was once the seat of one of the most prosperous ancient Indian kingdoms and today it suffers listlessness when it comes to heritage tourism in India. We agree, we may have a good amount of foreign tourists swarming Bihar but said unsaid they have all restricted themselves to fewer destinations in this historically affluent state. If we see, the history of Bihar is believed to have roots back to the breaking dawn of civilizations in India and then the state prospered as the seat of majestic empires like Magadh. It is also the state that gave two important religions – Buddhism and Jainism to the world. Bihar in course of years developed to a rich historic site with diverse culture and tradition. Today, what we witness is the flavoursome extracts of the legacy of different empires. And if we make ourselves a little more adjustable and open to travelling, we may be able to explore an important gem from the Indian treasure chest.

Here is Bihar from the eye of an avid traveller and for the sake of convenience the list has been split into three sections, so that you do not leave any stone unturned. Without any further ado, let us begin our journey into the historic land of Bihar:

Popular Destinations to Visit:

1: Gaya

Amongst the most famous places in Bihar is Gaya, which is a Hindu pilgrimage hub and a transit point for Buddhist pilgrimage centre of Bodhgaya. It is believed that it was here under the tree that Buddha attained enlightenment. Gaya is a busy city situated on the bank of River Phalgu and it is replete with many temples and historic sites dating back to different eras that stand as the evidence to the successful rule of Maurya and Gupta dynasty here. The glory of Gaya was extended so much so that even Hiuen Tsang could not resist mentioning it in his travelogues.

Major Tourist Attractions:

·        Bodhgaya

·        Mahabodhi Temple

·        Vishnupad Temple

·        Magla Gauri Shrine

·        Dungeshwari Cave Temples

·        Barabar Caves

·        Bodhi Tree

·        Chinese Temple and Monastery

·        Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum

·        Muchalinda Lake

·        Thai Temple and Monastery

·        Royal Bhutan Monastery

How to Reach: Gaya is well-connected by air, rail and road from major cities of India. The best way would be to take a flight or a train.

2: Nalanda

Probably the oldest university in India, Nalanda is an important site to visit in Bihar. A perfect reminisce to the time of flourishing Gupta and Pala period, Nalanda is an acclaimed tourist attraction in Bihar. It is believed that the last and most famous Jain Tirthankara, Mahavira spent 14 monsoon seasons here. Even, Buddha is said to have delivered lectures near the mango grove in Nalanda. The fame of this education centre was to an extent that Hieun Tsang, the famous Chinese traveller visited here and stayed for atleast two years here. Even, I-tsing another famous Chinese voyager stayed at Nalanda for about 10 years, AND such was the glory of this place. Today most parts of Nalanda lie in ruins but the place is surely worth exploring!

Major Tourist Attraction:

·        NalandaXuanzang Memorial Hall

·        Nalanda Multimedia Museum

·        Silao

·        Surajpur Baragaon

·        Rajgir Dance Festival ( in October)

How to Reach: The best way to reach here would be to board a flight/train to Gaya (95kms from Nalanda) and then book a cab/taxi Archaeological Museum

3: Munger

Dubbed as the seat of Bihar School of Yoga, Munger is yet another place that is popular amongst the tourists in Bihar. The history of Munger dates back to Aryans, who called Munger the ‘Midland’ for their settlement. For yoga buffs, Munger is not an unknown name, thus we can expect a large foreign crowd thronging this place. The present day Munger is a twin city, which comprises of Munger and Jamalpur. Reckoned to be one of the oldest cities of Bihar, Munger was once the capital of Mir Kasim before it fell into the hands of British. The place has several historic relics that further add to the charm here.

Major Tourist Attractions:

·        Sri Krishna Vatika

·        Chandika Astahan

·        Kastaharni Ghat

·         

·        Malnipahar

·        Maruk

·        Safiabad-Mirza

·        Mullah Mohammad Syed Grave

·        Dilwarpur

·        Haha Punch Kumari

·        Rameshwar Kund

·        Rishikund

·        Munger Fort

·        Sitla Mandir

·        Badi Durga Maa Temple

·        Jai Prakash Udyan

·        Kali Pahadi

·        Sita Kund

How to Reach: Rail is an ideal way to reach Munger. The nearest railhead would be Jamalpur, which is at a short distance of about 9kms from Munger.

4: Vaishali

Vaishali is an important archaeological site that was once the capital city of Licchavi rulers. Vaishali earned fame as a birthplace of last Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavira. It is believed that Mahavira was born and brought up in 6^th century BCE in Kundalagram of Republic of Vaishali. Another major event this place was a witness to was the last sermon of Buddha in 483 BCE. Vaishali was a prosperous kingdom during the time of Buddha, it is also known for its beautiful courtesan Amrapali. So, you see, one has enough to recall in Vaishali and adding to its historic charm is the well-preserved Ashokan Pillar. This ancient city finds mention in the travel accounts of eminent Chinese travellers like Fa-hien and Hieun Tsang.

Major Tourist Attractions:

·        Relic Stupa

·        Kutagarasala Vihara

·        Coronation Tank

·        World Peace Pagoda

·        Archaeological Survey of India Museum

·        Bawan Pokhar Temple

·        Kundalpur

·        Raja Vishal ka Garh

·        Choumukhi Mahadeva

How to Reach: The nearest airport to Vaishali is at Patna (70kms) and the nearest railhead is at Muzaffarpur (36kms). So, one has the choice between flight and train, most suitable can be taken followed by booking a cab till Vaishali.

5: Patna

Situated on the southern bank of Ganga, Patna is the largest city of Bihar. Better known as Patliputra in ancient India, the city is also believed to be the one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Patna is a pilgrimage for Sikh devotees as it is reckoned to be the birthplace of last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The city flourished in the period of Haryanka, Nanda, Mauryan, Shunga, Gupta and Pala earned fame all across India. Today’s Patna is a developing city, which is endeavouring to match up to the modernization; malls, high-end hotels and theatres have cropped in the city. However, Patna has to speed up a bit to become the part of other cosmopolitans. Altogether, Patna is a decent destination, with most of the modern facilities available.

Major Tourist Attractions:

·        Kumhrar

·        Agam

·        Kuan

·        Didarganj Yakshi

·        Takht Sri Patna Sahib

·        Gurdwara Pahila Bara

·        Gurdwara Gobind Ghat

·        Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh

·        Gurdwara Bal Leela

·        Gurdwara Handi Sahib

·        Padri Ki Haveli

·        Golghar

·        Buddha Smriti Park

·        Patna Museum

·        Qila House

How to Reach: Patna is well-connected by rail, road and air, thus it is easy to commute to this place from all across the country

6: Navlakha Palace, Rajnagar

Lying in ruins, Navlakha Palace is situated in Rajnagar near Madhubani in Bihar. This palace was built by Maharaja Rameshwar Singh and said to have suffered extensive destruction during an earthquake in 1934. No renovation was done after the destruction, thus this palace remains in ruins now. It is a royal palace and even though it has been damaged so much, one can still marvel at its architectural brilliance. The palace complex comprised of gardens, pond and temples

7: Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall, Kundalpur

Obvious as it seems, this hall is built in the memory of famed Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang. It is believed that Hieun Tsang visited Nalanda in 5^th century AD and was so impressed by this place that he decided to stay here for 12 long years for learning as well as teaching. This memorial hall is the reflection of the artistic and academic grandeur of Nalanda University

8: Jalmandir, Pawapuri

An important Jain pilgrimage, Jalmandir is situated in Pawapuri, Bihar. Jalmandir has been revered highly by Jain devotees as it is believed that it is the place where Lord Mahavira breathed his last in 500 BCE. It is reckoned to be the cremation ground for this last Tirthankara of Jain sect. The legend has it that, the demand of Lord Mahavira’s ashes was so high that a large amount of soil had to be eroded from around the funeral pyre that a pond was created here. A white marble temple was constructed and it has remained an important Jain pilgrimage in Bihar

               9: Griddhakuta Peak, Rajgir

Also known as Vulture Peak, Griddhakuta Peak is situated in Rajgir, Bihar. This peak is the most famous place to visit in Rajgir and its sits at an elevation of 400m. It is called a Vulture Peak due to its shape and frequent visit of vultures. The place hold an important position in history as it is reckoned to be the spot where Lord Buddha preached the Lotus Sutra in order to convert Mauryan King Bimbisara. It is also believed that Buddha started the second wheel of law and delivered several sermons here. The peak has a Peace Pagoda said to have been built by Buddhist of Japan. There are couples of caves here as well that further enhances the thrill of reaching here by a chairlift

10: Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir

Better known as the World Peace Pagoda, Vishwa Shanti Stupa proudly stand at the historic city of Rajgir. It is one of the 7 Peace Pagodas built in India and is certainly a must visit in Bihar. The pagoda was built in 1969 to spread the message of peace and non-violence. Marked by four statues of Buddha that reflects four important phases of Buddha’s life – birth, enlightenment, teaching and death, this Peace Pagoda is amongst the finest examples of Japanese architecture in India.

11: Sher Shah Suri Tomb, Sasaram

Built in 1545 AD in the memory of Emperor Sher Shah Suri, this tomb is an excellent example of Indo-Islamic architecture in India. Architecturally splendid and erected at the middle of an artificial lake, this sandstone structure is worth a visit in Bihar

12: Vikramshila Ruins, Bhagalpur

Reckoned to be one of the two important Buddhist learning centres in Bihar, Vikramshila was established by King Dharampala. It is believed that the king was displeased with the depleting quality of Nalanda, thus he decided to establish another better institute for learning. Vikramshila now lies in ruins but renovation work has begun now. During the excavation, Buddhist monasteries, stupas and several wall carvings have been unveiled here.

13: Janki Temple, Sitamarhi

Estimated to have been built 100 years ago, Janki temple is situated in Sitamarhi, Bihar. Sitamarhi is regarded as the birthplace of Sita, the consort of Lord Rama. It is believed that Janki Temple is the place, where Sita was born and in order to mark this event, a temple was constructed here. The temple has a welcoming gateway and large courtyard that can accommodate a massive number of devotees. Also a pond nearby called the Janki Kund is a place of interest for devotees as well as tourists.

14: Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, Begusarai

Kanwar Lake is India’s largest freshwater Oxbow lake. Situated in Begusarai, Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary is reckoned to be the haven for 60 species of migratory birds. Unfortunately, this place is losing its importance due negligence, in a Wetland Governance in South Asia, held in Delhi in 2014, the condition of this wetland ecosystem was discussed. We hope that some careful steps are taken for this bird sanctuary that has been a home to many birds both domestic and migratory.

15: Kesaria Stupa, Kesaria (East Champaran)

Reckoned to be the tallest and largest Buddha Stupa in India, Kesaria Stupa is one of the major attractions of Bihar tourism. The stupa is believed to have been built between 200 and 750 AD under the rule of Raja Chakravarti. With a height of 104 feet, it is an imposing structure that must be visited during a visit to Bihar.

6: Barabar Caves, Sultanpur

Photo: Flickr

Barabar Caves claim to be the oldest rock-cut caves in India. Dating back to Mauryan Empire, these majestic caves are certainly one of the best places to see in Bihar. Situated on twin hills – Barabar and Nagarjuni, the caves are said to be used by Ajivika sect, however, many traces of Buddhist and Jain art can be found here. Barabar Hills consists of 4 caves, whereas Nagarjuni Hills have 3 caves, each of the cave are well-polished and have articulate designs and inscriptions over its walls and ceilings.

17: Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya:

Thai Monastery is another incredible gem from the treasure chest of Bihar. Established in 1957 with the help of Thailand’s government and Indian Buddhist monks, this temple is a must-see in Bodhgaya. Made in typical architecture style of Thailand, this temple reflects the culture and traditions of Thailand.

18: Buxar Fort, Buxa

Constructed in 1054 AD by King Rudra Deo, Buxar Fort is a reminiscent of the glorious past of Bihar. The fort is known for its architectural brilliance and the carvings on the wall. Tourists have the chance to witness a whole treasure trove of artifacts here.

Things to do in Bihar:

19: Witness Animal Trade at Sonepur Fair, Sonepur

Sonepur Fair has become quite famous amongst the wandering souls, who constantly are in search of something new to explore. The festival is held in the month of November and animal trade is the highlight of this event. Also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela, this fair is reckoned to be the biggest cattle fair in the world. The fair has its origin from the time of Chandragupta Maurya. Marked by several intriguing sites, this fair is an absolute delight for the travellers willing to explore the culture in India.

20: Seek Blessing of Shah Daulat at Choti Dargah, Patna

When in Patna, you must take time out to visit Choti Dargah, the mausoleum of the venerable sufi saint Makhdum Shah Daulat. The mausoleum is rich is architecture and is adorned with intricate carvings on the walls and the inscriptions from the Quaran on the roof. Truly a place to relish, Choti Dargah is absolutely a must-visit in Patna.

21: See Healing Miracles at Hazrat Bibi Kamal, Jehanabad

The Dargah of Hazrat Bibi is believed to have mystic powers of healing. If devotees are to be believed, many come to find healing from incurable diseases and mental problems and no one has returned empty handed from here. The dome of the mausoleum is covered with the holy inscriptions from Quaran and there is a black stone that also has some inscription in Arabic. This stone is said to have the healing power. Whether you have faith or not, the mysteries of this place are truly worth exploring and that is why it is one of the must do things in Bihar.

22: Yoga at Munger, Munger

Demo Pic

This eminent centre of Bihar School of Yoga has been an object of fascination for many around the world. Just like Rishikesh, Munger also have a high fan following from international tourists. There are many Ashrams here that provide accommodation as well as training to those seeking to learn Yoga. The place guarantees to change your perspective towards life and an 180 degree turn from previous lifestyle.

23: Try the Cuisine of Bihar

The most important aspect of exploring a different state or country is the opportunity to try an entirely different cuisine. Bihar is a land of physical strong people, who are often seen working in their field or taking up jobs of masonry or carpentry that require a lot of physical strength. Thus, the cuisine of Bihar is fixed in a way to offer immense strength and energy to the people while it also maintains a decent taste for the food lovers. Some of the best items from the platter of Bihar can be Litti Chokha, Dal Pitha, Kheer Makhana, Thekhua/Khajuria, Dal puri, Parwal Ki Mithai, Chana Ghugni and Khaja.

24: Attend the Chhath Festival

Chhath is the festival of festivals in Bihar. Celebrated with much pomp and show, Chhath is the time to witness a different side of Bihar. This 6 days festival, in which Sun God is worshipped is the most important part of the Bihar’s culture. Although, during the festival season, Bihar becomes almost inaccessible with people from all over the world coming to witness this festivity, you can still try to book your tickets to see a very happy and prosperous Bihar.

25: Witness Madhubani Art

Also known as Mithila Painting, Madhubani is an important part of Bihar’s culture. This age old art is done by the use of fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments, and is characterized by eye-catching geometrical patterns. These paintings are mostly made by the women of Bihar and thus it holds great importance. If you happen to be in Bihar, make sure to shop for some of these paintings to add colour to your living rooms.

26: Shop for Handloom and Handicraft

Bihar is indeed a land of art and it can be in any form. The vast industry of handloom and handicraft in Bihar is certainly worth praising. Producing cotton materials, fine silk, sand gamchas, fine tussar, mulberry and matka silk, Bihar has some rich collection that is absolutely worth buying. Not to forget, Bihar also has Bhagalpur, which is known best as Silk City of India. So, put aside a small amount for shopping, you never know you might just find something priceless in Bihar.

27: Interact with Tribals

Tribes of Bihar can rightly be called the Souls of Bihar. To witness the tribal culture in Bihar can be quite exhilarating and if done with proper planning, one might end up with some valuables. Bihar is a home to several tribes like Bathudi, Binjhia, Birjia and Chik Baraik, each of these tribes has their specific rituals, dances, festivals and music, which certainly can be intriguing to witness. Taking a tribal tour in Bihar can open your eyes in so many ways and can give you a whole new perspective about life. Therefore, it is one of the best things to do in Bihar.

28: Enjoy the Chhau Dance Performance

Bihar is a land of rich culture and all of us have to agree to this. So far we have spoken about the handloom, cuisine, history and architecture of Bihar and in order to complete this list of things to do in Bihar, a dance performance needs to be added. Chhau is a genre of dance that can be seen Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand along with Bihar. The dance is mainly performed during festivals and the use of masks is done, Chhau demands a lot of physical strength as the dance moves are difficult and requires lot of flipping and jumping. A full-fledged entertaining performance, Chhau dance is a must-see in Bihar.

29: Take a ride on Mahaparinirvan Express

If your budget allows you, you must take a ride in Mahaparinirvan Express. It is a special train that takes people for a spiritual tour (Buddhist places) in North India. The train is named after the sacred journey of Buddha to various places in India to preach. The destinations include some of the best Buddhist places in Bihar like Rajgir, Gaya and Nalanda. The journey can be on the higher side as far as cost is considered, but it is truly worth taking!

30: Visit the Birth Place of Sita

Reckoned to be the birthplace of Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, Sitamarhi is an important destination in Bihar. Sitamarhi is both a pilgrimage and a historic site thus it can be an interesting place to see in Bihar. The city has a 100 years old temple called Janaki Temple that is believed to be a place where Sita was born. Along with it, there exists a rock-cut sanctuary of the Mauryan period that is also a must-see here. Sitamarhi can be a delight for Hindu devotees yet the historic buffs will enjoy the place more!

Bihar is truly an awe-inspiring land which is under the weather rightnow, but our endeavours can make this historically rich destination attain a new high. And for this all we have to do is to promote this state and keep ourselves open to all aspects of travelling.