In midst of cacophony and bustling crowd, the capital of Bihar, has a fascinating past. Though Patna was recognized by its different names such as Kusumpur,Pushpapur,Patliputra and Azeemabad but it rose to prominence when it was Patliputra. Located at the site where Patna is today, this city saw the rise and fall of India’s first major kingdoms. In the period of glory spanned a thousand years, from 6th century BC to 6th century AD. Ajatshatru, second in the line of Magadh kings, built a small fort at Pataligram at the confluence of rivers Ganga and Sone. This later became the famous Mauryan metropolis of Pataliputra and was ruled by Chandragupt Maurya and his grandson Ashok, famous for the spread of Buddhism in India. Other Emperors who ruled from Patna were Gupta and Pala kings, Sher Shah Suri (16th century) and Azimush –Shan (18th century), grandson of the Mughal emeperor Aurangazeb who renamed it Azeemabad.

Today Patna is an important business center of eastern India. More significantly, it is a gateway to the Budhist and Jain pilgrim centers of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodhgaya and Pawapuri.

Sights And Activities

Golghar
Captain John Garstin established this huge and impressive beehive shaped structure to serve as a state granary. A flight of steps winds round this 29m high building leading to the top from where one gets a fine view of the river Ganga and Patna city.

Patna Museum
It preserves rare metal and stone sculptures of the Maurya and Gupta periods terracotta figurines and archaeological finds from the sites in Bihar. One of the main attractions is a 16m long fossilized tree.

Khuda Baksh Oriental Library
This library has a distinguished collection of rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts, Rajput and Mughal Paintings and oddities like an inch-wide Quaran.

Sonepur Mela
The mammoth cattle fair to held in Asia, is also the biggest. Sonepur is 22 km from Patna and change into a frenzy on Karthik Purnima. It has all the fun and color of a huge festival and is enjoyed by travelers. During the period Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation provides facilities in traditional huts.

Art And Craft
Madhubani paintings are famous and autochthonic to Bihar. On the export front, these paintings has large demand renditions by rural women. The paintings are strictly crafted by women of Mithila, they are etched in primary color of natural origin on paper and cloth. Their subjects are mythological and religious events.

Excursions

Nalanda
It is located 90 km from Patna, is one of the largest and prominent center of learning in the ancient times. Nalanda University, built in the 5th century BC, patronized by royalty and eminent religious leaders like Buddha and Mahavira, it enjoyed an excellent reputation world over.

Rajgir
It is 102 km from Patna and the prominent place of Buddhism. It was the capital of the Magadh emperors and became an important venue for pilgrims not just the Buddhists but also Jains, Hindus and Muslims.

Bodhgaya
The site where Buddha got enlightenment. The most holiest place place of Buddhist devotees.