P
atna
once called Pataliputra the capital of Bihar,is
among the world's oldest capital cities with unbroken history of many
centuries as imperial metropolis. A very fertile arched stretch of land
along the bank of the Ganga. The history and heritage of modern day Patna
go back well over two millennia. Like Delhi, Patna too had been the regal
seat of governance for successive kingdoms since ancient times. And to
this day, it is the capital city of the state. As each ruler ascended
in power and established dynastic glory, he gave his capital a new name.
Thus, the ancient Kusumpura metamorphosed through Pushpapura, Pataliputra,
Azeemabad and now into Patna, a continuous history ranging from 6th century
BC to present times - a record claimed by few cities in the world. It
was Ajatshatru the Magadha king who first built a small fort in Pataligram
on the bank of the Ganga in 6th century BC, which later blossomed into
the ancient glory still to be seen in the neighboring archaeological sites
at Kumrahar. Bhiknapahari, Agamkuan, Bulandi Bagh and Kankar Bagh. Pataliputra
dominated the political fortunes of the whole of north India between 6th
century BC and 5th century AD, a fact established by archaeological excavations.
After a temporary eclipse, in 16th century, Sher Shah Suri returned the
city to its former glory and established the present Patna. After the
decline of the Mughals, the British too found Patna a convenient regional
capital and built a modern extension to this ancient city and called it
Bankipore. It was in Gandhi Maidan in this area, that Mahatma Gandhi held
his prayer meetings.
- Altitude:
53 metres
- Temperature (Max./Min.) Deg C:
Summer
- 40/21 Winter - Max. 20/6.
- Rainfall:
120 cms
- Best Season:
October to March
- Clothing:
Summer – Cottons Winter - Heavy
Woollens.
Golghar:
Alarmed by the
famine of 1770, captain John Garstin built this huge granary for the British
army in 1786. The massive structure is 29 m high and the walls are 3.6
m wide at the base. The winding stairway around this monument offers a
brilliant panoramic view of the city and the Ganga flowing by.
Martyr's
Memorial:
A memorial to seven freedom fighters who sacrificed their
lives in the Quit India Movement of August 1942, the Martyr's Memorial
is a modern sculpture facing the Secretariat, where they were shot in
their attempt to host the national flag.
Har Mandir Takht:
Guru Gobind
Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, was born in 1660 in Patna. The Har
Mandir Takht, one of the four sacred shrines of the Sikhs, stands at this
holy site. The original temple was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and
contains belongings of the Guru and Sikh holy texts.
Patna
Museum:
The Patna Museum houses a First World War cannon, metal
and stone sculptures of the Mauryan and Gupta periods, Buddhist sculptures
and quaint terracotta figures. A 16 m long fossilised tree is one of its
special features.
Pathar ki
Masjid:
Adjacent to Har Mandir Sahib, on the bank of the Ganga,
is this beautiful mosque built by Parwez Shah, son of Jehangir, when he
was the governor of Bihar. It is also called Saif Khan's mosque, Chimmi
Ghat mosque and Sangi Masjid.
Sher Shah Suri
Masjid:
Sher Shah Suri built this mosque in 1545 to commemorate
his reign. Built in the Afghan architectural style, it is one of the many
beautiful mosques in Bihar, and one of the impressive landmarks of Patna.
Khuda Baksh Oriental Library:
Founded
in 1900, a magnificent one man collection of rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts,
Rajput and Mughal paintings, oddities like the Koran inscribed in a book
only 25mm wide and an assortment of old and new books from the University
of Cordoba, Spain. It is one of the national libraries in India.
The library also contains the only books to survive the sacking of the
Moorish University of Cordoba in Spain.
Jalan Museum:
Built on the foundations of Sher Shah's fort, Qila House contains an impressive
private collection of antiques, including a dinner service that once belonged
to George III, Marie Antoinette's Sevres porcelain, Napoleon's four-poster
bed, Chinese jade and Mughal silver filigree,.It is a private collection,
and prior permission is required for a visit.
Sadaqat Ashram:
The Ashram is the headquarters of Bihar Vidyapeeth, a national university.
India's first president, Dr. Rajendra Prasad lived here after his retirement
and there is a small museum here showcasing his personal belongings.
Agam
Kuan:
Agam Kuan (Unfathomable well) is one of the most important
early historic archeological remains in Patna. It is situated just close
to Gulzarbagh railway Station, which is proposed to be associated with
the Mauryan Emperor Ashok.
Gandhi Setu:
Asia's longest roadway bridge
Padri
Ki Haveli:
The Place were Mother Teresa got her training.
Biological
Park
: Also known as Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park
Modern
Planetarium:
Indira Gandhi Science Complex, is one of the must
visiting places in Patna. This is among few Planetarium's (Taramandal)
in India.
Kumhrar:
Kumhrar, site of the ancient city of Patliputra, lies 5 kms from Patna
railway station. Archaeological findings in this area establish Patna's
claim to over a thousand years of political glory - 600 BC to 600 AD.
Very little of this grandeur remains though, except for the remains of
a huge Mauryan hall supported by 80 sandstone pillars dating back to 300
BC.
Distance Chart
Air:
The flights of Indian
Airlines, Sahara India, Air Deccan and Jet Airways connect Patna with Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Lucknow,
Ranchi and many other major cities.
Rail:
Patna is connected
by rail to Bombay, Calcutta, Guwahati, Ranchi, Varanasi.
Road:
All - weather motorable
roads connect Patna with the rest of Bihar. There are also regular inter
- state bus services.By road Patna to Nalanda-95 km, Rajgir-110 km, Pawapuri-90
km, Gaya-120 km, Bodhgaya-135 km, Raxaul-210 km, Ranchi-335 km, Muzzafarpur-78
km, Sasaram- 152 km, Vaishali-56 km, Calcutta-653 km, Delhi-997 km. Bus
: Regular direct bus services connect Patna to Calcutta, Rajgir, Nalanda,
Pawapuri, Vaishali, Gaya-Bodhgaya, Ranchi, Raxaul, Muzzafarpur, Sasaram.
One can stay in western style air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned
hotels. There are also a number of moderately priced hotels around the
railway station and the airlines office. Tourists can also stay at the
Tourist Bungalow (Kautilya Vihar) of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation.
Tourist Bungalows:
Kautilya Vihar (
Tourist
Bungalow of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation
),
Beer Chand Patel Path,
Patna-800001.
Phone:
91-0612-2225411, 2210219, 2210242.
Fax:
91-0612-2236218.
Rooms available:
AC Room, Non-AC Deluxe, Economy
and Dormitory Beds.
Local Handicraft, Mahdubani Paintings, Jwellery and Kadhi
Cloths
Shopping Center:
Maurya Lok
Complex, Near Dak Bunglow Crossing on Bailey Road.
Sonepur Mela:
One of the most astonishing cattle fairs to be held in Asia in terms of
its size and scale. The sleepy little town of Sonepur (22 km form
Patna) is thrown into frenzy on Kartik Purnima , a fortnight after Diwali
, as people from all over the world congragate to participate in this
huge festival and is enjoyed by all.
During the period Bihar
State Tourism Development Corporation provides facilities in traditional
huts.
Chhath Festival:
The festivities
accompanying the celebreation of freshly harvested paddy and its offerings
made to the Sun God have to be seen to be believed. Joy and colour mark
the Chhath festivities as thanks are offered to the lord of Crops and
the creator of the seasons. Devotional songs to the Sun God and fasting
all day long make the Chhath Festival a day of thanks giving. Devotees
walk barefoot in the penance to the venue of the celebrations. Lighted
earthen lamps are floated down the river at evening time.
Arts and Crafts:
Madhubani paintings
are indigenous to the state. The renditions by rural women, these village
paintings have a large market in the urban areas as well as on the export
front. Created strictly by the women of Mithila. they are etched in
primary colours of natural origin on paper and cloth. Their subjects are
mythology and religious events.
Nalanda:
Located 95 km from Patna lies the ruins of one of the most centres of
learning in the ancient world. Nalanda University, built in the 5th century
BC. Patronised by royalty and eminent religious leaders like Buddha and
Mahavira, it enjoyed an excellent repurtation world over.
Maner:
30 km. Sacred to the memory of the 13th century Sufi Saint Maneri. Bari
dargah, his cenotaph and the tomb of his disciple Shah Daulat are visited
by streams of Muslim pilgrims. Area around the shrine is a picnic spot.
Bodhgaya:
135 km.The site of Buddha's attainment of enlightenment. One of the holiest
place for Buddhist devotees.
Rajgir:
110
Km. Situated amongst lush green hills. The ancient capital of the Magadha
emperors it became an important venue for pilgrims from not only Buddhist
and Jain faiths but also for Hindus and Muslims.
Vaishali:
55km. Famous for its association with the Buddha and Lord Mahavira. Vaishali
is credited with the world's first republic. Vaishali is now well connected
with Patna by a bridge over the river Ganga.
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