A number of ruined structures survive. Nearby is the Surya Mandir, a Hindu temple. The known and excavated ruins extend over an area of about 150,000 square metres, although if Xuanzang’s account of Nalanda’s extent is correlated with present excavations, almost 90% of it remains unexcavated. Nalanda is no longer inhabited. Today the nearest habitation is a village called Bargaon.

In 1951, a modern centre for Pali (Theravadin) Buddhist studies was founded nearby, the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara. Presently, this institute is pursuing an ambitious program of satellite imaging of the entire region.

The Nalanda Museum contains a number of manuscripts, and shows many examples of the items that have been excavated.

One famous dish that one should try in Nalanda is khaja, which is a specialty of the region. It is a crisp-fried oblong sweet made of layers of kneaded flour dipped in syrup. The fresh, hot ones tastes the best, though khaja is an anytime snack in the region.

Chhath Puja: Unique in Nalanda is the Chhath Puja, or worship of the Sun god. The most famous one is at the Sun temple in Baragaon near Nalanda, where new paddy, sweets, and fruits are offered in worship. The word Chhath denotes the number six and thus the name itself serves as a reminder of this auspicious day on the festival almanac.

The venue for this unique festival is the riverbank and since the Ganga transverses the countryside of Bihar like a lifeline, it is but appropriate that the banks of this river should be the ideal prayer location. Chhath is considered a means to thank the Sun for bestowing the bounties of life on earth as also for fulfilling particular wishes.

Buddha Jayanti: Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is the birth anniversary of the Lord Buddha. It is widely celebrated on a full moon night in Vaisakha (according to the Hindu calendar that usually falls in April or May). Buddha Purinma is important festival to Buddhists. Buddha was born in B.C. 560 and died at the age of eighty in B.C. 480. (more…)

There are some monasteries built by Buddhist countries and a government guesthouse where tourists can stay. Most of the good hotels are situated in the nearby tourist centers like Rajgir, Bodhgaya, and Gaya. Nalanda is usually a part of the day excursion trips organized by different travel companies from Patna. For those keen on exploring Nalanda, Patna is the most convenient base.

The weather of Nalanda is of extreme type i.e. severe winter and scorching summer. Considering the climate, the best season for visit to this place is from October to March. People of Nalanda speak Hindi and English. All amenities of modern mobility are available for traveling.

Flight operation is available from Patna the capital city at 89 km from Nalanda. Major cities like Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Katmandu, Ranchi and Lucknow are accessible by aircraft transportation. (more…)

Nalanda is a small village in Bihar where the ancient seat of learning lies in ruins. The impression of past captures you unfailingly as you visit the crumbling structures.

Huge numbers of tourists visit the place from all over the world. But hardly anybody go for shopping in Nalanda.

In fact, there is not much for shopping in Nalanda. There is not any local specialty of crafts or shopping centers in the little village of Nalanda.

The nearest city from Nalanda is Patna, the capital city of Bihar. Since Nalanda is a short excursion away from Patna, it is best to visit Nalanda from Patna.

There are also a lot of opportunities for shopping in Patna. Bihar has a tremendously rich tradition of handicrafts, which make for great shopping in Patna. (more…)

The District is located at 25° to 30° North latitude and 84° to 85° east longitude. The District is surrounded by river Ganga in south, Gandak in west.

District Muzaffarpur is in north & Samastipur in East. The District is in semi tropical Gangetic plane. The state capital Patna is linked with famous Mahatma Gandhi Setu. The District is spread over 2036 sq km area.

Vaishali Mahotsava: Vaishali mahotsava is held to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir on the full moon day of the month of “Vaisakh” (mid-April).

As in other places in upper Gangetic plain, Vaishali has an extreme climate. The summers are hot with the maximum temperature touching 45° C. On the other hand, winters are cold and the minimum temperature can go down to 6°C. The best season to visit this place is winter i.e. October to March.

Vaishali, the small village in Bihar, lies steeped in history and legend. The place finds mention even in the Ramayana, when king Vishala ruled the region. The land reached its zenith during the Maurya rule.

The glorious past comes alive as you travel to Vaishali through the crumbling remains of Stupas and pillars and ancient buildings. A travel to Vaishali would take you to a land where the first republic had taken shape even before Christ’s birth. Visit the Abhishek Pushkarni where elected representatives were coronated and the Raja Vishal ka Garh where they assembled to discuss about the administration.

The Buddhists from across the globe come in pilgrimage travel to Vaishali since the land has a pride of place in Buddhism. You would be drawn to famous Ashokan Pillar as you travel to Vaishali. (more…)