Visited in 2022
In ancient times, the region that is now Bihar was a major center of political and cultural power, as well as a renowned hub of learning. Both Jainism and Buddhism originated here. Bihar holds deep significance for Buddhists, as the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. It is also home to Nalanda, the famed ancient center of learning and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, since the late 1970s, Bihar has lagged behind many other Indian states in terms of social and economic development.
Our trip covered several cities in Bihar and also included a visit to Ranchi in neighboring Jharkhand, which was part of southern Bihar until it became a separate state in 2000. We flew into Ranchi, where we rented a car. After exploring Ranchi, we drove to Bodh Gaya, followed by Rajgir, Nalanda, and finally Patna, the capital of Bihar.