Introduction

Bihar is located in the eastern part of the country (between 83°-30' to 88°-00' longitude). It is an entirely land–locked state, although the outlet to the sea through the port of Kolkata is not far away. Bihar lies mid-way between the humid West Bengal in the east and the sub humid Uttar Pradesh in the west which provides it with a transitional position in respect of climate, economy and culture. It is bounded by Nepal in the north and by Jharkhand in the south. The Bihar plain is divided into two unequal halves by the river Ganga which flows through the middle from west to east.

History

Bihar" has been derived from the word "Vihar" which was symbol of Buddhist monasteries. Bihar is one of the places which has seen the birth of ancient civilisation and Indian history. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim and Sikh Shrines abound in this ancient land where India's first major empire rose and fell. It is land of not only the religious preachers but also of Emperors and great warriors. It had four Kingdoms: Mithila(Videh), Vaishali Ang and Magadh. 
 
Videh: During Vedic days Videh was ruled by Janak vanshi kings and Raja Janak ,"Sita's" father who was one of the kings. During 6th century B.C. this place had the first elected republic of the world. During the course of time, eight small republics were formed which later on merged with Lichhavi State.  

Vaishali: Vishal the son of Surya Vansha formed the Vaishali state. During 6th century B.C. Vaishali became a republic state. 

Ang: This state was established by a prince named Angad. Full details of this state is not available in the history except that Ang king married his daughter to Kaushambi king Udayan to save his kingdom from Puruthan the king of Magadh. Still this Kingdom could not be saved as Bimbisar of Haryak vansh conquered Ang and merged it with Magadh.

Magadh : The area of Patna and Gaya constituted the ancient Magadh kingdom having it's capital at Rajgrih. Barahyadrath, father of Jarasandh established the Magadh kingdom in 6th century B.C. Later on Bimbisara became the ruler of Magadh. Bimbisara and Ajatshatru expanded their Kingdom covering northern Bihar. Thereafter Shishunag became the ruler and conquered Awauti state. During 4th century B.C. Ugrasen of Nand Vansh became the ruler, who was dethroned by Chanakya and his disciple Chandragupta. Chandragupta was a great warrior who forced Sikander to leave India and also conquered Afghanistan & Baluchistan and made it a part of his kingdom. Chandragupta was succeeded by Bindusar and then by Ashoka the Great, who ruled from 273 century BC to 232 BC. King Ashoka became the follower of Buddhist religion after he attacked Kaling in which 1 million people were killed and 1.5 million people were taken as prisoners. He spread Buddhism throughout the world. History of next 500 years are not of great importance. From 26th Feb 320 AD rule of Gupta regime started and Chandragupta first became the king. He made Patliputra his kingdom and ruled till 330 AD. His son Samudragupta ruled from 330 Ad to 380 AD. And degeated 12 kings of south and became famous throughout the world. Samudragupta's son Chandragupta Vikramadutt became the ruler from 375 AD to 493 AD and conquered Gujrat, Kathivada & Ujjaini. The great poet Kalidas was one of the Ratna's of that period. Maukhri Vansh ruled Bihar for some time followed by Harshvardhan, Sashank & Adityasen. During 743 AD Palvansh ruled Magadh and the ruler were Gopal, Dharampal and Deopal. After the death of Deopal the kingdom started disintegrating. During 1236, Muslims attacked Bihar but Shershah Suri (1472-1545) brought stability again. Akbar, the great made Bihar a separate state consisting Magadh, Tirhut and Ang . Suja became the Governor of Bihar. In 1652 the British started business form Patna and after Palasi war they started ruling Bihar . The British ruled Bihar from 1765 to 1947 and thereafter Bihar became a state under the Union of India.

Bihar Temples

The temples of Bihar have a hoary past. Some of them predate the Aryan influx, while others have been amalgamated with the Vedic pantheon. Various Puranic legends refer to Bihar as a venue for several such events. The mausoleums, minars and mosques of Bihar have served as examples for others to follow.
Bihar tourism offer an ideal escape from the restrictions of city life. It is the land of serendipity, where the unexpected seems to lie at every nook and corner.


A Tourist Destination

Bihar tourism has a staggering list of destinations worth visiting. For instance, Chotanagpur - India's oldest geological formation; Nalanda - the world's most ancient seat of learning; Rajgir - the first recorded capital in Indian history; Patliputra - the hub of ancient India; Vaishali - the world's first republic; India's earliest rock-cut caves- Barabar Hills; Sasaram - home to the mighty mausoleum of the Pathans that influenced Mughal architecture; and BodhGaya - the land of Buddha who gave us the Noble Truth.

Fairs and Festivals

The festivals of Bihar are varied and variegated and are rooted deep in the history of the place. The Sonepur Cattle Fair, believed to be the largest in the world, recreates the mythical encounter between the honest gaja (elephant) and the shrewd graha (crocodile). The fair is a massive trading center where various animals are traded. Besides the Budh Purnima and Mahavir Jyanti, Chaath is the prime festival of Bihar that honors the Sun god. Another unique fair, Saurath Sabha in Mithila, is a massive marriage market, amidst mango groves where possibilities are explored, negotiations held and marriages solemnized.

Bihar Tribe

Travelling through the tribal areas of Chotanagpur is like going back to the past. Bihar tourism boasts of about 28 % of India's total tribal population and it continues to shelter the Cheros, Birhors, Santhals, Asurs, Lohars, Gonds, to name a few. Chotanagpur has monopolised the imagination of researchers as one of the most ancient sites of human habitation - and that is still inhabitated by man.

Madhubani Paintings

Madhubani paintings and Patna Qalam are two well-known expressions of people's sensitivity in Bihar The ceremonial Madhubani folk paintings are the exclusive monopoly of women artists, who have maintained the tradition of painting walls to beautify their dwellings. It is believed to have survived from the period of the great epics. Patna Qalam emerged out of the native brush and the popular Mughal miniature.

Wildlife

Bihar tourism today boasts of two national parks and twenty one sanctuaries that are hideouts for wolves; it includes a sanctuary for dolphins; a crocodile center; a welcome jheel, receptive to lakhs of migratory birds from Central Asia, besides other surprises springing up from the priceless heritage of the wild denizens.

Bihar Cuisine

Bihari cusine can be traced to the civilization that flourished and waned in this part of the globe. Since rice was first cultivated in eastern India, it is believed that the Harappans took to eating rice when they came to Chotanagpur. The advent of the Aryans further enriched the palette in a state that was already the epitome of luscious delight.