Bihar
Bihar is bound on the north by Nepal, on the east by West Bengal, on the west by
Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa in the south. The present name of
the state of Bihar owes its origin to the "Viharas" built by Lord Buddha who
attained spiritual enlightenment on this land and preached love, peace and
tolerance. The erstwhile capital city of Patliputra of Emperor Ashoka is the
present day state capital, Patna.

Most travellers just pass through Patna on their way to Calcutta or Kathmandu.
However, Bodhgaya is an excellent place to study Buddhism, and Rajgir, Nalanda
and Sasaram are interesting places that are not on the tourist trail. Bodhgaya
is one of the most sacred place for Buddhists and Hindus and has a number of
Buddhist temples. In Gaya, visit the Mahabodhi Temple. In Vaishali, check out
an ancient parliament, the Fort of King Vishal, and Ashok Pillar.

CAPITAL :
Patna is a bureaucratic city, noisy and bustling. It is a sprawling metropolis
that hugs the south bank of the Ganges, stretching for around 15km in a shape
that has changed little since Ajatasatru (491-459 BC) shifted the Magadhan
capital here from Rajgir. Patna's tourist attractions are Har Mandir Sahib,
Qila

CULTURE :
Bihari culture is based largely on ancient Aryan Hindu elements. Rural Chota
Nagpur has retained much of its aboriginal way of life. Places of religious and
cultural interest abound in the plains. Nalanda is the seat of the ancient and
celebrated Nalanda Buddhist monastic university. The Chhau dance, a tribute to
Bihar's cultural folk traditions follows classical modes as detailed in the
ancient treatises. In this, therefore three main elements of the classical
dance, namely Raga or melody, Bhava or mood, tala or rhythmic timing are found.

HANDICRAFTS :
Bihar's rural handicrafts comprise of hand-painted wall hangings, wooden
stools, miniatures in paper and leaves, stone pottery, bamboo, leather goods,
and applique work. But Bihar's most famous and fascinating indigenous art form
is its Madhubani school of painting, a strict monopoly of the women of Mithila.
It illustrates mythological themes, incorporating images of local deities as
well as Hindu gods and goddesses.

OCCUPATION :
The principal foodgrains of Bihar are paddy, wheat, maize and pulses. Main cash
crops include sugarcane, potato, tobacco, oilseeds, onion, chillies and jute.
The major industries of the state are steel, iron, heavy vehicles, aluminium,
oil refining, railway wagons, copper smelting, cement and communication cables.
Bihar is also very rich in minerals. The main minerals found in this state are
coal, iron, copper, mica, pyrite, limestone, bauxite, and graphite.


FESTIVALS :
Saraswati Puja around Jan-Feb; Teej in August; Diwali in Nov; Chhath Puja in
Nov.

CLIMATE:
The state has a humid subtropical monsoon climate, with three well-defined
seasons: the cool season, from November to February; the hot season, from March
to mid-June; and the rainy season, from mid-June through October. Temperatures
in December and January fall to 5:C and below, while those in May rise above
40: C. The state's mean annual rainfall is 1,270 mm. Best time to visit is
October to March.

POPULATION : 104 million.

TOURIST OFFICES :
Tourist Information Center Tourist information centre, Patna

Tourist Information Center - Government of Bihar, Mazharul Haq Path (Fraser
Road), Patna.

Tourist Information Center - 216-217, Kanishka Shopping Plaza, 19 Ashoka Road.
New Delhi.

Govt of India Tourist Office, Tourist Bhawan, Brre Chand Patel Path Patna - 1

Govt of Bihar Tourist Office, Neel Kanth Bhawan, 26 B Camac St Calcutta