Part-II, Bihar, A state of very visible places

Vishnupad Temple

Gaya- is situated 100 km distance from South Patna of Bihar. Gaya is very old town of Bihar and it has importance in Hindus and also in Buddhists religions. Gaya is situated on the bank of the river of Phalghu. The funny thing of this river is that its flow of water is under mud & sand. To take out water of this river, people generally dig slums in the river. There is a famous place near about 3 km distance centring Gaya and that is Bodh Gaya. There is a famous tree that is called, Bodhi Tree. One myth is about this tree; Gautam Buddha was enlisted here and became Lord Buddha. There is a famous temple, Vishnupad Temple.

Ahirauli is a small village in Buxer. It is situated within 5 km centring of Buxer town. There is temple of Devi Ahaya. There is a myth that, Devi Ahalya wife of rishi Gautam. One day for a mistake, the husband of Ahalya had given her a curse and she turned to stone. Then Ahalya asked her husband that who would be she again human being further; then her husband told her that once Lord Rama will reach here and he will touch his leg on the stone and then she will be again human being. The local people believe that Lord Rama is always with them and protect them from all kinds of curses.

Hasanpura- this is a small village at the south side of Siwan district about 21 km far from the town. This place is important for Makhdum Saiyed Hasan Chisti. He was great religious and soul. He came here from far distance of the land Arabia and stayed here since his last day of his life. Moreover, this village is famous for its beauty and picturesque profusion.

Champaran- this place is famous for the history of freedom movement of India against the colonial British ruler. Her Mahatma Gandhi was started nationalist movement of India.

Ramchura- this is a famous place at Vaishali of Bihar. This place is very beloved place for devotees of Lord Rama. It is myth that at the time of going to Janakpur, Lord Rama was taken rest here. The footprints of Lord Rama are still there. This is the place of festivals of Hindu religions.

Maner Sharif- this is vast village lies within about 32 km on the west of Patna. This place has its own historical impotence. This is the birth place of the famous Grammarian Panini. This place was famous at that time for learning of Muslim religion.

Rajgir- it is about 15 km distance from Nalanda. There is green forest surrounding Rajgir. This green forest has increased the beauty of this place. There has a temple of Lord Mahabir, the founder of Jain religion. So that, this place is famous holy place for Jain people. Earlier it was the capital of MagadhMahajanpad. Most popular matter is that Lord Buddha lived here many years. His first council had taken place at this place. This place is also famous for health resource like warm pond which has value medically and it is myth that skin problem will be solved after regular bathing in the warm pond.

Bihar- A state of ancient universities

Agriculture Field-Bihar

Bihar is one of the states of India . This state is known for its ancient universities . One of them is Nalanda University . This university was built in the year 450 CE . This university was controlled and conducted by Buddhist monks . Odantapura was recognized in the year 550 CE and Vilramshila was recognized in the year 783 AD . At that time these were the famous universities in central Asia ; huge students were come from different countries for their higher studies . Bihar is also a leading state in yoga ; and here has a well-known yoga school Bihar yoga school .

Earlier time , Magadha would call the center of power of education and culture . This tradition was carried for 100 years . Magadha , Mithila , Anga and Vaishali , these places were known for different religious & extravaganzas of ancient India . In the era 684 BC Haryanka dynasty were ruled upon Magadha for their capital city Rajgriha (now it is called Rajgir) . It was myth that king Bimbisara was imprisoned his father with the help of his son Ajatashatru and captured the throne of Magadha . Latter on Ajatasatru was setup one new capital called Patuliputra . Thus the history was rolling and Bihar conquered by different kings and thus it came at the hand of Nanda dynasty and thereafter Maurya Empire .

At their time Buddhism were ascended and they stream lined ancient Bihar to new Bihar with their rich concepts . Thereafter Bihar was known as important place of culture and learning for future 100 years . At the time of Gupta dynasty , education likes science , math , astronomy , commerce , India philosophy and also region was reached to the peak . That period was the golden period in ancient Indian history of education . At that cultural programs were flourished by the Gupta dynasty and one those cultural programs were Avigyanam Sakuntalam drama that was written the famous poet Kalidas in Sanskrit language.

Abhgyanam Sakuntalam, Drama

Thereafter came the Mughal period , Md . Bin Balhtiar Khilji During his time the famous universities and lots of Buddhists were decimated in the era 12 century . The economy of Bihar is depending up on agriculture , Industry & Services . Litchi production is huge in Bihar and best quality of Litchi is export to other countries . Generally Bihar based on small scale industries . The art and culture of Bihar is still famous in the country .

Maithili Painting This is desi style related to the place Mithila of Drabhanga district . They create desi colour from rice and this colour is permanent on the paintings . This is traditional style of Mithila . all their paintings are inspired from Ramayana . It is myth that , this tradition had been running from that time when the father of Sita , the King of Ajodhya , Janak instructed to artists for create paintings on the occasion of marriage of his daughter Sita with Lord Rama . Then such Mithila paintings were appreciated by the king and thus the tradition has been going on . There are so many Mithila painters ; but Sita Devi and some other artists are well known in the world for their legendary work on Mithila art and paintings .

Mithila Painting

The folk song of Bihar is famous for India . This is actually group songs . Few singers are sitting together and do their songs especially at the time of festivals , marriage ceremony , etc . Bihar enriches India in classical music . The famous Sanhai player , Ustad Bismilla Khan is world famous in his stream of Sanhai playing . This is an instrument which the player is like  the bugle . In size it is long than  a bugle  and it plays by breath of the player touching his lips .

The main festival of Bihar is Chhath Puja . The is the worshiping of Sun. it comes after Diwali of every year . Generally the devotees reach at the bank of the river before sunrise on the day of such worshiping days / a day / the day and dedicate various fruits like bananas , apple , mangoes , etc. into river . The Dala Chhath puja comes after every two year .

Lichhis

Ustad Bismilla Khan

Bihar Folk Group Song

There are so many place at Bihar to visit for tourists . I will tell about those places at next part .