Established in 1917, it is the oldest museum in Bihar & Jharkhand. It houses about 57,000 items of archeological importance including a priceless collection of 22,000 old coins. The museum unfolds a long history of the region. The sculpture of a akshni is a special attraction for visitors.

Known as the ‘world of manuscripts’ in India, the library treasures thousands of Arabic, Persian, Mughal and Rajputana style paintings and manuscripts.

One of the largest planetariums in Asia. The planetarium has regular film shows on subjects related to astronomy. It also holds regular exhibitions.

Six kms. from the Patna Junction railway station, it was at this place that the remains of Patliputra were found during excavation.

An impressive sculpture built in memory of seven young martyrs and situated in front of Old Secretariat building. 

Believed to be built by king Ashoka, this is a well of historical importance. Once many motors were put to empty the well but even after days, the well could not dried so it was presumed that the well has endless sources of water.

The fabulours Dargah-the sufi mausoleum, on the road to Varanasi is the prime attraction on the outskirts of Bihar.

Towards the Southeast of Patna is a village called the ‘Bada Gaon’, in the vicinity of which, are the world famous ruins of Nalanda University. A Walk in the ruins of the university, takes you to an era, that saw India leading in imparting knowledge, to the world. The university flourished during the 5th and 12th century. This place saw the rise and fall of many empires and emperors. Many monasteries and temples were built by them. King Harshwardhana gifted a 25 m high copper statue of Buddha and Jumargupta endowed a college of fine arts here. Nagarjuna (a Mahayana philosopher), Dinnaga (founder of the school of logic) and Dharmpala (the Brahmin scholar), taught here. The famous Chinese traveller and scholar, Hieun-Tsang stayed here and has given a detailed description of time. Careful excavation of the place has revealed many stupas, monasteries,hostels, staircases, meditation halls, lecture halls and many other structures which speak of the splendour and grandeur this place enjoyed.

Kundalpur is situated just 1.6 kms from the ruins of Nalanda. The digambar sect of the jains believes that the 24th and the last Tirthankar, Lord Mahavira was born here. There are many jain temples in this village.

About 15 kms from Nalanda, is located the complex of temples and monasteries. The place is called Rajgir. It is one of the most important tourist places in India. Being located in a valley, Rajgir is a very scenic place.

Vaishali derives its name from King Vishal, whose story of valour is narrated in the Ramayana. History accounts that when Pataliputra was the capital of Magadha, Vaishali emerged as a center of trade, industry and commerce. The world’s first democracy with a duly elected council-Vajji, had its seat of administration in Vaishali. Vaishali was associated with Buddha and Jain Tirthankars. Lord Buddha came thrice here and also gave his last sermon at Vaishali. Vaishali was also the venue for the second Buddhist council, 100 years after the death of Buddha. Vaishali is also considered to be the birthplace of Jain Tirthankar, Mahavira, by the Swetambar sect of Jains. Many historical monuments and material were found in the excavations at Vaishali. Ashokan Pillar, also known as the ‘Singh Stambh’ or Lion Pillar, believed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka, is a must see in Vaishali. Four lions crown this magnificent pillar. These lions from the national emblem of India.

Situated on the confluence of the river Gandak and Ganges, Sonepur, shaped like a triangle is demarcated by three mighty rivers- the Ganga, Gandak, and Ghagra, Sonepur is a small quiet town situated over Asia’s longest bridge, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu. Sonepur is famous for the unique 3 week long Sonepur cattle fair, that it hosts in the period of October- November. The fair is also a celebration of good over evil. Local folklore has it that a crocodile once caught the leg of an elephant that was bathing in the lake, who in turn tried to crush it under his feet. Then followed a mighty battle for thousands of years, joined by other crocodiles and elephants. Finally the elephant prayed to Vishnu for help and was released from the crocodile’s hold when Vishnu killed it. A temple built on this theme is a unique attraction.

Located 100 kms south of Patna, Gaya is of great significane to Hindus. It is an essential transit point to Bodh Gaya. It is believed that this place has been blessed by Lord Vishnu with purificatory powers. Like Varanasi, and many other riverside towns, Gaya is said to be ‘tirtha’- a crossing across the celestial divide. Vishnupad Temple, Akshayabat, Surya Temple, Brahmayoni Hill or Gayasirsa are prime tourist attraction sites.

35 kms north of Gya, these mysterious caves are set in wild and inhospitable environs. The 22 km track leading to the caves in granite hills, turns east off the main road to Patna, at Belagunj. The caves date back to 200 BC. Two of the caves contain inscriptions from Ashoka himself.

Holding extreme religious importance to the Buddhists, Bodhgaya lies 13 km sough of Gaya, beside the rive Phalgu. It was here, that the Lord Buddha sat under the Banyan tree and attained enlightenment, and a descendant of that original tree still flourishes there today. The Maha Bodhi temple of Bodh Gaya is one of the important places of worship for the Buddhists. Mahabodhi temple, originally erected in circa 2nd century A.D., renovatied a number of times by different rulers. There are a number of shrines and stupas mostly belong to the Pala period.