Tourism Sector of Bihar: BPSC Notes

With a 3000-year-long history, Bihar in eastern India is one of the oldest cities in the world. The various historical monuments scattered throughout the state of Bihar are evidence of the state’s rich culture and heritage. Tourism is one of the most important sectors contributing to the nation’s GDP. Over the next ten years, India’s travel and tourism industry is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 7.8%, outpacing the nation’s 6.7% overall economic growth rate, eventually making up 7.2% of the GDP, or more than $33.8 trillion.

The topic is also significant in competitive exams. Here, we provide comprehensive information on the “Tourism Sector of Bihar” to make it easier for aspirants to succeed in competitive exams like the BPSC and other state-level exams.

Find details about the exam notification, syllabus and exam pattern of the BPSC Exam, by visiting the linked article.

Tourism In Bihar

A significant number of tourists from all over the world travel to Bihar to visit its many tourist attractions. Each year, 6 million tourists from all over the world travel to Bihar. The tourism sector of Bihar finds its mention in history as well. During Chandragupta Maurya’s reign, Megasthenes (B.C. 350–290) made a visit to the region. He noted his observations in Indika. Megasthenes’ son Dionysius travelled to Pataliputra during the rule of Ashoka. In the seventh century, I Ching and Hsuan-Tsang travelled to Nalanda to study.

The creation of the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation has improved tourism. The creation of the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation has improved tourism. Its principal objective is to make all of Bihar’s tourist resources commercially viable. Under it, there have been developments such as tourist information centres, hospitality services, heritage hotels, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks.

The state of Bihar offers thematic tourist sites to cater for all kinds of tourism, like Buddhist Circuit (Tourism), Sikh Circuit, Jain Tourism etc. Each thematic tourism site is discussed in detail, in the paragraph given below:

Sikh Tourism Circuit

As the birthplace of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, the 10th Sikh Guru, Bihar holds a special place in the hearts of Sikhs. He was the first to successfully unite Guru Nanak’s devotees. 

Patna Sahib: 

• Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, was born in Patna on 22nd December 1666. 
• He was the son of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
• At his birthplace, Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Sahib also referred to as the Patna Sahib is a magnificent gurudwara. 

Gurudwara Shri Handi Sahib:

• The Gurudwara Shri Handi Sahib is located near Danapur, a popular Sikh pilgrimage destination. 
• On his way to Punjab, the 10th Sikh guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is reported to have stopped here with a large group of followers. The locals are said to have welcomed Guru Sahib and Sangat with open arms. The custom of serving Khichdi as langar here dates back to the day when an elderly woman served Khichdi to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Sangat.

One can visit other gurudwaras and Sikh shrines that honour the Sikh Guru’s life events by touring the Sikh Circuit of Bihar. These places of worship are not just important Sikh pilgrimage sites; they are also extremely popular tourist destinations.

Also, read in detail about Road Ahead for Tourism & Hospitality Industry: RSTV in the linked article.

Jain Tourism Circuit

For Jains, Bihar is a holy place because it was the birthplace of their final Tirthankara. One can gain insight into Lord Mahavira’s life and journey by travelling to some of the Jain pilgrimage sites in Bihar. He gave up his material possessions, meditated for many years, and preached the Jain way of life for the emancipation of the self here. A trip along this circuit also allows for visits to numerous additional holy sites honouring other Jain monks. A few important places to visit are

• • Jain Mandir, Kundalpur:
    • Kundalpur is located near the Nalanda ruins. 
    • The Digambar sect of Jains holds that Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankar, was born here. 
    • There are many Jain temples in this village.
    • Due to its proximity to the historic city of Rajgir, the location is a popular pilgrimage and vacation destination.

• Samosharan Temple

• • •  Lord Mahavira delivered his last teaching here

• Jal Mandir

• • • It is a spectacular marble temple in the middle of a lotus pond that stands marvellously on a rectangular platform.
    • It designates the location of Lord Mahavira’s cremation of mortal remains. 
    • This temple is believed to have been constructed by King Nandivardhan, the elder brother of Lord Mahavira.
    • The main deity of the beautiful temple is a very old “Charan Paduka” of Lord Mahavira. 

• Pawapuri 

• • The Jains’ holy place of Pawapuri or Pavapuri, also known as Apapapuri, which means “the sinless town”, is situated in the Nalanda district of Bihar state in eastern India.
  • Jal Mandir, a famous and sacred pilgrimage destination for Jains is located in Pawapuri.
  • The temple is dedicated to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara (religious preacher of Jainism), which marks the place of his cremation. 
  • Mahavira attained Nirvana in Pawapuri in 527 BC.
• Jain Temple, Vaishali:
  • It is the birthplace of Lord Mahavir Jain.
  • Built in 1874, the Jain temple and Dharamshala at Lachuar are revered by Jains.
  • There is a Mandir of Lord Mahavira inside the Dharmsala. The idol in this temple is more than 2,600 years old.
  •  This black stone idol is of weighs around 250 kg.

Buddhist Tourism Circuit

The state of Bihar in India is the one most closely associated with the life of the Buddha, leading to a path of pilgrimages that has come to be known as the Buddhist circuit. The state of Bihar is where Gautam Buddha first started looking for solutions to human suffering and ultimately attained enlightenment. 

The Mahabodhi Temple presently stands in the renowned location of the Buddha’s spiritual enlightenment beneath the Mahabodhi Tree, and it is a popular destination for Buddhist pilgrims and travellers from all over the world. UNESCO has also designated this temple as a World Heritage Site. The central government also announced the Buddhist Circuit project in 2016, under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

The Buddhist route starts in Patna, the nation’s capital, where a notable museum houses an impressive collection of Hindu and Buddhist artworks as well as a terracotta urn believed to have Lord Buddha’s ashes. The main places of the Buddhist Circuit in the state are given below:

• Bodh Gaya: 
  • It was formerly known as Uruvela.
  • Among Buddhists, it is the most significant place of pilgrimage.
  • Buddha obtained enlightenment on the banks of the river Niranjana, and the tree that protected him with shelter is regarded as the Bodhi Tree.
  • A large Buddha statue in the position of a sitting Buddha is situated here.
  • UNESCO classified the Mahabodhi Temple as a World Heritage Site.
• Vaishali: 
  • Buddha delivered his last sermon here.
  • Here the Second Buddhist Council was convened by King Kalashoka.
• Patna: 
  • It served as the capital of numerous great dynasties, including the Mauryas and the Guptas.
  • It was earlier referred to as Patliputra.
  • The town of Patliputra had been developed by Udayin.
  • King Ashoka convened the third Buddhist Council in 250 B.C. here.
  • The Patliputra fort was built by Ajatshatru.
• Kesaria Stupa:
  • It is the highest stupa in India measured from the base in East Champaran.
  • The stupa is the symbol glorious past of the Buddhism era. It has a polygonal base and is capped with polygonal-shaped bricks from the top.
• Ruins of Vikramshila:
  • A centre of study during the Pala dynasty, the historic Vikramshila University was located in Antichak in the Kahalgaon subdivision, 38 km from Bhagalpur. King Dharmapala founded the university.
  • Dharmapala was inspired to create the institution by two factors. 
    • The first was the rocky hillock at Bateshwar Sthan, which was not only a prominent Tantric location but also a picturesque feature located around the junction of the Kosi and Ganga rivers. 
    • Second, the location was a site for pilgrimage that attracted enormous numbers during Varsavardhana because the Ganga here was Uttar Vahini (flowing northwards).

Know in detail about the Swadesh Darshan Scheme on the link provided here.

Since the Buddhist Circuit is related to Buddha, the table below lists a few important articles that are relevant for aspirants’ preparation-

Sufi Tourism Circuit

In the medieval period, Pataliputra (Patna) attracted many Sufi saints who taught in a very humanistic manner, making the area a centre of pilgrimage for followers of all religions.

• Bihar Sharif:

• • • Bihar Sharif Museum: The first Bihar Museum was established here by Alexander Meyrick Broadley in the late 19th century, making it the oldest museum in Bihar and only the oldest museum in Bihar but also one of the oldest in all of India.
    • The Bihar Sharif Pillar Inscriptions from the Gupta Empire were found in front of the northern gate of the fort of Bihar (Bihar Sharif). 
    • The pillar was removed and set up on a brick pedestal opposite the Bihar Court House, and then later transferred to the Patna Museum.
    • Baba Maniram Akhara:
      • The Langot Fair in Baba Maniram Akhara, which Raja Biththal built to teach young people how to fight, is another important location in the city.
    • Badi Pahari: 
      • The mausoleum of Syed Ibrahim Mallick Baya is situated atop Badi Pahadi, also known as Hiranya Parvat, which also houses a sizable park, a temple, and other buildings.
      • Badi Dargah:
        • The tomb was completed in 1569.
        • The shrine of the Sufi Saint Sheikh Makhdoom Sharfuddin Ahmed Yahya Maneri, is located near the ruins of Odantapuri.

• Phulwari Sharif: 

• • • Hazrat Pir Muzibullah Quadri established Khankah Muzibia.
    • The sacred hair of the beard of Paigamber Hazrat Mohammad is preserved here.
    • Sangi Masjid located here was constructed by Humayun.

• Maner Sharif: 

• • It was also an important centre of learning.
  • The ceilings have carved inscriptions from Koran
  • Maner Sharif is the site of two revered Muslim tombs: 
    • Sufi saint Makhdoom Yahya Maneri is known as the Bari Dargah (the great shrine). 
    • Makhdum Shah Daulat, popularly called Chhoti Dargah (the small shrine).

Know more about Sufism by visiting the page in the linked article.

Also, learn about more such topics given in the linked article.

Ramayan Tourism Circuit

• • Bihar plays an important role in the history and development of Hinduism as a religion. 
  • This legendary land is where most of the tales of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita took place in Valmiki’s epic that has contributed to the Hindu religious and social fabric. 
  • Many locations mentioned in this legend are in Bihar and considered holy sites for Hindus. 
  • Temples depicting the tales of Ram and Sita can be found in this circuit.
  • Ahilya Mandir: 
    • The temple is dedicated to Gautam Rishi’s wife, Ahilya.
    • It is believed that the curse placed on her by her husband caused her to turn to stone, and only Lord Rama’s presence in the area allowed her redemption.
    • The temple is a magnificent example of traditional Indian architecture.
    • The flat stone inside the shrine is said to hold the footprints of Goddess Sita.
    • It is said to be the most historic worship place in Darbhanga. 

• Sita Kund in Munger: It is believed to be the same place where after proving her chastity, Sita bathed in the pool which absorbed her heat.

• Sitamarhi: Janki Temple, which is believed to be the birthplace of Sita, is situated here.

• Singheshwar Sthan in Madhepura: Ir is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva.

Ecological Tourism Circuit

Bihar is a popular ecotourism destination because of its abundant wildlife and natural beauty. The Eco circuit includes everything, from seeing the spectacular big animals to taking in Bihar’s natural beauty. The objective of a tour of this circuit is to inform visitors about these ecologically vulnerable places, the local population, and conservation activities.

• • Ghora Katora Lake: is a beautiful spot near Rajgir.  The shape of the lake resembles that of a horse and the lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides. It is located near World Peace Pagoda. 

• Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary: This wildlife sanctuary is located in the Rohtas Plateau and Kaimur plateau of Kaimur Range in the southwestern part of Bihar. Bengal Tigers are also found in this sanctuary. Other significant places are

• • Karkat waterfall
  • Telhar waterfall
  • Anupam Lake
• Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary: 
  • Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the southwest of Munger district. 
  • Bhimbandh is situated south of the Ganges River, at the northern edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and west of Santhal Pargana.
  • It is surrounded on all sides by densely inhabited non-forestry areas. In the valley portions and at the foothills are several hot springs of which the finest are at Bhimbandh, Sita Kund and Rishi Kund.
  • There are several hot water springs that maintain nearly the same temperature all year round.
  • It is more famous for birds than land animals.
• Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary: The sanctuary is located in Bhagalpur, stretching from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon. It is the only protected area for Gangetic Dolphins.
• Kakolat Waterfalls: The 160-foot Kakolat Waterfalls are located in the Nawada district close to the Jharkhand border.

Related Links

Popular Sites In Bihar

There are a few sites which are very famous in the state of Bihar:

• Golghar: Under the direction of Lord Warren Hastings, Captain John Garstin constructed Golghar in Patna.
• Rajgir: The ancient capital of the Magadha Empire.
• Mauryan pillars at Lauriya Nandangarh, Rampurva, and Lauriya Areraj.
• Eighty Pillared Hall of Magadhan empire in Kumhrar (Patna).
• Didarganj Yakshini: One of the most treasured possession of the Patna Museum.
• Khudabaksh Library: Central Patna is home to the Khudabaksh Library, one of Asia’s biggest libraries.
• Qila-i-Rohtas: Sher Shah Suri constructed Qila-i-Rohtas in the Rohtas district in 1541.
• Nalanda University: The renowned ancient University is located in Nalanda.

This was all about the tourism sector of Bihar. The topic is essential for all the candidates preparing for the government exams and state PCS. 

For more information on related exams, preparation strategy for government exams and more, visit BYJU’S.

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