Vaishali: World’s first republic!

The ancient city of Vaishali is believed to be the first place ever recorded to have a republic. The world’s first elected assembly of representatives formed a republic of Licchavi in 6^th century. The city Vaishali is as older as the epic Mahabaratha, named after the king Vishal during the Mahabharatha era. This place is filled with historic significance. This is the place where Mahavira the founder of Jainism was born. A small walk through the city will give us so much information about this ancient place we never knew in past. A history enthusiast might find Vaishali a perfect study topic as the city is filled with rich history.

Patna is the nearest airport and Hajipur the nearest railway station. There are several hotels and resorts for tourists or history lovers to stay and study the culture, history and tradition of this ancient city.

Pawapuri – Lord Mahavira rests here

Pawapuri is one of the major pilgrim places for the Jain community as it is where Lord Mahavira took his last breath by around 500BC. He was cremated here. It is said that there was huge demand for his ashes that a huge area of soil where removed from around the funeral pyre. This created a water tank, which still exist. Today a marble temple is eructed here. The “Jalmandir” is build in the middle of the tank. Not only pilgrims but also normal tourists find Pawapuri a great destination to explore and experience.

The easiest way to reach Pawapuri is by air. The capital city of Bihar, Patna has an airport which is 93 kms from this magnificent destination. Pawapuri has its own railway station hence reaching here through rail is also easy and affordable. There are plenty of hotels and resorts for tourists and pilgrims to stay and enjoy the destination.

Asoka the Great

Ashoka (273 BC-232 BC) born in Pataliputra (now Patna) was the son of the Mauryan emperor Bindusara Mauryan. He inherited an empire covering most of north and south-central India.

His empire extended from present-day Pakistan, Afghanistan in the west, to the present-day Bangladesh and the Indian state of Assam in the east, and as far south of Karnataka. He conquered the kingdom named Kalinga, which no one in his dynasty had conquered starting from Chandragupt Maurya. His reign was headquartered in Magadha (present-day Bihar, India). He converted to Buddhism after finding the mass deaths in the war of Kalinga. He later dedicated his life to the spreading of Buddhism across Asia and established monuments marking several significant sites in the life of Gautama Buddha.

For the welfare and growth of the poor people, the great Ashoka established “Charitable Hospitals”. For the sake of travelers, he planted trees for shelter, laid out parks and gardens. He believed in non-violence and hence banned the sacrifice of animals. His good works earned him the name of “Devanamapriya Priyadarshi”.

The influence of Ashoka is seen in South Asia and especially in the Indian subcontinent. An emblem excavated from his empire is today the national Emblem of India and also Ashoka Chakra on the Indian National Flag.

There are several monuments, stupas, viharas and other relics in Bihar which shed light to the life of Ashoka and Buddhism. Archeology enthusiasts should never miss a visit to Bihar to explore the ancient glorious past of this small state. Patna has an airport with connectivity from other parts of the country and there are around 14 hotels for tourists to stay for their expedition.

Architecture of Bihar

The architecture of Bihar is an amalgamation of several different styles. The first sculptures in Bihar are dated back to nearly 2000 years ago. The beautiful pillars and bronze figures built during Mauryan Empire to Persian Mughal architecture, Bihar is filled with architectural masterpieces.

The major relics includes the pillars of Ashoka and Didarganj Yakshi, it had a distinguishing influence of Greco- Buddhist art of Gandhara. Many priceless Buddhist and Hindu architectural marvels are destroyed by Muslim invaders. The capital city Pataliputra was enclosed of wooden palisade. Pagodas, Viharas and stupas are beautifully constructed. The great university of Nalanda is also constructed in ancient Gandhara style. As time passed the architectural style also changed. The Sher Shah Suri’s tomb itself is an example of Persian architecture taking the place. Other famous structures in Bihar are, historic sites in Sanchi, Makhdum Daulat, Bihar Vidhan Sabha, St. Mary’s Church, Patna Museum etc.

Bihar’s main airport and railway station is in Patna, it is connected to major cities by both air and rail. There are several cultural hotels and general resorts in Bihar.

Nalanda – The seat of wisdom and learning

Bihar is located in the eastern part of India- The place was once known all around the world as the seat of Buddhism. Scholars from across the globe came to this small land to get enlighten by the wisdom of the unknown. The crown jewel of Bihar was the Nalanda University, may be the first of its kind whose fame crossed boundaries.

Today we can see the relics of the once great university of the world. Nothing much is left today in it 14 hectares of complex except for the remains of the red brick buildings, but still an archeological enthusiast can find this place worth a million. Nalanda- the world’s first University was the pride of ancient India until it was completely demolished by the Muslim Invader Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1205 AD.

To reach Nalanda by air, one has to get down at Patna, the capital city with most number of available accomodations- the nearest airport or Kolkata. It is also connected to Patna, Rajgir and Bodhgaya by road and Rajgir is the nearest Railway station.

Bengal shows the showers to Bihar

It is hard to tell who is more interesting – the weather or the weathermen! If you are a resident of Bihar or Jharkhand, then you are not allowed to get your share of rainfall unless there is enough cloud formation over Bay of Bengal for three consecutive days, and resultant rain in places of West Bengal and Orissa!

According to Animesh Chandra, Alipore MET director, it is next to impossible to predict monsoon in both these states as there have been little or no rain in Orissa or West Bengal. He further stated that the advent of monsoon will further be delayed by 3-days depending on the cloud formation in Bay of Bengal. Fact says, throughout the past fortnight, the MET department has been predicting the arrival of monsoon but they are yet to get it right. The “next three days” prediction however, has continued, and seems like would continue for another 15 days!

The best part of this news is that these weathermen almost never get it right, especially the Alipore MET Department. If the warning is of an incoming cyclone then in all probability there will be scorching sunlight for the next couple of days!

So looks like Bihar would just have to depend on (Bay of) Bengal in the days ahead!

Agam Kuan, an ‘abysmal well’

Agam Kuan refers to an “abysmal well “, which located eastern part of Patna, Bihar, was built by Emperor Ashoka.

The Agam Kuan is counted as one of the most highly attractive monument in Bihar. This magnificent monument circular in plan measures 105 feet deep and a staggering 20 inch in diameter. Half of the well is made of ornamented bricks. One of the spectacular things in this well is its arch-shaped windows. This well has endless source of water.

According to the history, the emperor Ashoka had decapitated all his relatives mercilessly and thrown their heads into this well. It was also believed that precious treasure was also kept.

Pippala cave

Pippala Cave is located above the hot springs on the Vibhava Hill, near to Rajgir, Bihar.

Pippala Cave is a rectangular stone shaped by nature, it was so named after it had served as the resort of devout anchorites. It is also known as Jarasandha Ki Baithak. Pippala cave is an ideal location for meditation for its serenity and peace. It is believed that this cave was used as a watch tower by ruler’s army in early times.

Lord Mahavira

Mahavir was born as a prince in Kundapura near Vaishali, Bihar. He was believed by the Jains to be the 24th tirthankara or bridge builder. He was a son of King Siddartha Guatama and Queen Trisala. At the age of 30; he left his family and royal household, including clothing and become a monk.

He spent the next twelve years in deep silence and meditation to conquer his desires and feelings. He went without food for long periods. He carefully avoided harming other living beings.

Next thirty years traveling on bare foot around India preaching to the people the eternal truth he realized. The ultimate objective of his teaching is how one can achieve total freedom from the life cycle of birth, life, pain, misery, and death, and accomplish the permanent blissful state of one’s self.

At the age of 71, Lord Mahavir attained Moksha and achieved complete liberation. He became a Siddha, a pure consciousness, and liberated soul, living forever in a state of complete bliss. On the night of his salvation (enlightenment), people celebrated the Festival of Lights (Dipavali) in his honor.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sanjay Gandhi National Park  is also known as Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, it is situated near Bailey Road in Patna. The  park is  one of the 16 large zoos in the country.

The Park was established first as a Botanical Garden in the year 1969. The then Governor of Bihar, Sri Nityanand Kanungo, provided almost 34 acres of land from the Governor House Campus for its creation.

Major Species including  Tiger, Leopard, Elephants, Himalayan black bear, Jackal, Black bucks, Spotted deer, Peafowl, Hill myna, Gharial, Python, Indian Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Zebra are found in the park.

The National Park makes considerable effort to conserve and propagate endangered species from around the world. The park has also been successful in breeding of wild animals which is considered  as a difficult task.