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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 5ºC and
below, while those in May rise above 40º 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
Click
here for Tourist Map Of Bihar
Click
here for Location Map Of Bihar
Click
here for District Map Of Bihar
Click
here for Road Map Of Bihar
Click
here for Railway Network Map Of Bihar
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