|
Situated on the southern bank of the holy river Ganges, Patna is a large city with a considerable population and quite a few places of interest. A typical tropical city of northern India, Patna is famous for its glorious past, especially the period of Magadh and the Mauryan rule. The historical monuments and beautiful countryside make it an interesting place to visit. It is the capital city of the Indian state of Bihar.
Patna is a part of the Buddhist Circuit of Bihar, as it is the ideal gateway for all the places on this circuit. The magnificent monuments standing in and around the city take one down the passages of history to the glorious past of the city. One of the best views in Patna is that from the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, one of the longest bridges in the world at 7.5 km, which crosses the Ganges 5 km west of the city centre. Moreover, the nearby sites have several special local products, which act as an added incentive for the tourist.
Shershah Masjid was built when Sher Shah Suri, an Afghan chieftain, became the ruler of Delhi. It is a beautiful Masjid built in pure Afghani style. Kumhrar is the place where excavations have unearthed some parts of the Mauryan city of Pataliputra. Har Mandir Temple is the second most important pilgrimage for the Sikhs after the Golden Temple of Amritsar. Golghar, built originally as a granary by the British, is now one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. The Jalan Museum has some very good collection of silver and jade filigree work of the Mughal period. The Bihar Institute of Handicraft and Design is doing some pioneering work to revive old crafts of the state.
Part of the famous Buddhist centre of East India, Patna is the base for many important places around. Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage in the world where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Gaya is a famous Hindu pilgrimage and related to many legends in Hindu religious literature.
All the festivals of North India are celebrated in Patna, but Chatta, which is celebrated six days after Diwali, is the most famous. Pataliputra Mahotsav features parades, sports, dancing, and music.
History:
The history of Patna starts from the year 493 BC when Ajatshatru, the king of Magadh, fortified a small village Pataligrama, which latter came to be known as Pataliputra. Located on the high bank of the river Ganges, the city was established by the son of Ajatshatru, Udayi. In the years that followed, the city saw many dynasties that ruled the Indian subcontinent from there. Pataliputra reached its pinnacle of glory under the Mauryas and became one of the most important capital cities. Patna became the capital of Bihar when India attained independence in 1947.
| |
