Significant in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage is Bihar, held in high regard as the birth place of Buddhism.

Laid out here is a trail that follows ancient trails which pilgrims follow with persistence and fervor.  Along the trail you will come across vast ruins, temples and pillars, and all the while it is made obvious why Buddha chose to spend much of his life here and give the honor of attaining enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya.

Historical Significance of Bihar

Bihar originally came in part from an area named Magadha and gave rise to two great religions Jainism and Buddhism.  It is widely acclaimed to be the birthplace of Buddhism.  This area was a powerhouse for over 1000 years especially in the areas of culture and education.  It was also the Area from which Mahatma Ghandi launched his ground breaking civil-disobedience movement.

The splitting of Bihar and Jharkhand

Bihar and Jharkhand became two separate states in 2000 when Bihar was split along its tribal lines and thus created Jharkhand.  The both of them are possibly a closer representative of a more traditional India than perhaps any other state in the north of India.  Outside of the big cities it is glaringly obvious; here you will find signage in Hindi and men that are more likely to be found wearing dhoti and Kurta than the uniformly westernized style of a shirt and trousers.  Unfortunately for Bihar Jharkhand was mineral rich and when it was cut away this did nothing to help the already struggling state.

Tourism in Bihar

Bihar may be out of many travelers comfort zones however it is an intriguing addition to any tour of India.  And in an age where we may feel there is little left to tame in the world it offers adventure; barely touched as of yet by tourism gives one the feeling of accomplishment upon arriving at the end of a journey here.  If you overlook a little hassle travelers may come across here from the lack of tourism infrastructure, Bihar really is a brilliant place to visit.  Pioneering your way through this state you will come across some absolute gems.  If you are at all interested in Buddhism then Bihar is a must do stop, because Bihar is the state in which Buddha lived and from where Buddhism started it’s way around the world. Bodghgaya is the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists, being the place where Buddha attained his Enlightenment. It is also the home of famous Mahabodhi Temple, proclaimed to be UNESCO World Heritage Site. Right next to the temple there is a sacred Bodhi Tree under which Siddharhta Gautama meditated.  But Bihar is also very important pilgrimage destination for other religions – Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism, and being that, gives you the chance to experience the very thing India is about – diversity.