Introduction

Initially known as Patliputra, sprawled along the southern banks of Ganga, Patna is the capital of Bihar. The beehive shaped Golghar, a granary built to store surpluses against possible famines, is the main landmark of the city. The Patna city museum exhibiting old sculptures, paintings and other archeological finds; the Har Mandir, one of the holiest Sikh shrines; Kumrahar, a small village on the south of Patna are amongst the other places of interest. Excursions include Vaishali a small town known to be the birthplace of Mahavir, one of the Jain Tirthankars;, Nalanda, famous for its remains of Buddhist schools and monasteries; Rajgir, also having remains of Buddhist ruins and the place where Buddha attained Nirvana; Bodhgaya and Varanasi, both major religious centres for Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims.