Bihar Pilgrimage Travel

Category :- All India Travel Tourism > States > Pilgrimage > Bihar

Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya in Bihar is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center. It was here that Lord Buddha attained Nirvana under the Bodhi tree. The focal point is the Mahabodhi temple. It marks the spot where Buddha gained enlightenment and set out on his life of preaching. Both Buddhists and non-Buddhists from all over the place flock here. The temple stands adjacent to the Bodhi tree. A red sandstone slab under the tree is called Vajrasan or the diamond throne on which Buddha sat.

Most countries with large Buddhist population have a temple or monastery here, usually built in representative architectural style. The archaeological museum here has a small collection of Buddha figures and pillars found from the area.

How to reach: It is on Delhi -Calcutta rail line and can be easily reached from Delhi, Varanasi, Patna, Puri and Calcutta.

Har Mandir
The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Govind Singh, the founder of the Khalsa Panth, was born in 1660,at Patna. The original temple was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and contains belongings of Sikh Gurus and holy texts. It is also called Patna Sahib by the Sikhs. Harmandir is in the eastern end of the city.

Rajgir
Rajgir is an important Buddhist center since Buddha spent 12 years of his life and the first Buddhist council took place here.
It's also an important site for Jains since Mahavir spent some time here and the hills are topped with Digambara shrines. Many in winters visit Rajgir as the hot spring here draws them all towards itself.

How to reach: It can be easily reached from Patna and Gaya by buses

Pawapuri
Mahavira the last Tirthankar and the founder of Jainism, died and was cremated here in about 500 B.C. It is said that the demand for his sacred ashes was so great that a large amount of soil was removed around the funeral pyre, creating the lotus filled tank. A marble temple, the Jalmandir, was later built here. It is a major pilgrim centers for the Jains.

How to reach: It can be reached from Gaya or Bihar Sharif.

Parasnath
Parasnath is the railhead for Sikayi the major Jain pilgrim center. At 1450mts it is the highest point in Bihar. Like so many other pilgrimage centers it is reached by a steep climb on foot. The 24 temples, representing the Jain tirthankars are at a height of 1366 m. Parasnath the 23rd tirthankar achieved Niravana here,at the age of 100.