Bihar is a state in the northern side of India. The state of Bihar is situated in the Southern side of Nepal. On the west lies another Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and in the east there is West Bengal. Bihar is considered as the Hindi heartland of India. Here the Buddha delivered his very first speeches and achieved nirvana.
The capital city of Bihar is city of Patna. Patna is situated at the meeting point of 3 important rivers of which one is the might river Ganges.
They were to be fire, political turmoil and flood. Indeed the state of Bihar but also the city is under constant threat from fire, flood from the major rivers and it’s a political hotbed.
The province of Bihar was titled as Magadha in its old times. Its very first crucial emperor was called by the name of Ashoka the Great. The spread of Buddhism in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Far East is attributable to this distinguished emperor.
It is said that he sent his numerous sons to various parts of the world as missionaries. The empire of Ashoka spread from the east of India to Persia. It is said that he fell short of invading Persia simply because the rulers had him married to the king of Persia.
For the student of ancient history and followers of Buddhism, a trip to Bihar is a must. The ancient town of Bodh Gaya in Bihar houses the most holy sites of Buddhism. Some of which includes the original Bodhi tree where Buddha got enlightenment.
Various sects of Buddhism and various Buddhist countries of the world have set of temples at Bodh Gaya. The town of Bodh Gaya can be reached by getting to Patna and then taking the road or overnight train. A pilgrimage to the holy sites of Bodh Gaya is a revelation.