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List of tourist attractions in Patna

Tourism in Patna is refers to tourism in capital city of Bihar state in India. Patna is known for its tourist destinations and people across the state and abroad visits Patna. This article deals with major tourist attractions in Patna.

History of tourism

The documented history of tourism in the Patna region dates back to the 4th century BC. Greek geographer Megasthenes (c. 350–290 BC) visited the region during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. His observations were recorded in Indika.[1] Dionysius was the son of Megasthenes, who visited Pataliputra in the reign of Ashoka the Great.[2]

Fa-Hien (ca. 337 - c. 422) was a Chinese tourist who traveled to acquire Buddhist scriptures and take back to China between 399 and 412.[3] Hieun-Tsang visited the sacred Buddhist sites in Magadha and spent much time studying at the great Nalanda University between 629 and 645.[4]

Types of tourists and tourism

In the earliest days tourism in the region was purely for educational purposes.[3] As Patna is one of the most sacred cities of religions like Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Islam, many people travel to Patna as part of religious tourism.

  • International tourists - Patna attracts tourists from all over the globe, though most are Buddhists from Japan and China.
  • Domestic tourists visit the area on their respective pilgrimages.

Today, tourism in Patna is mainly either religious-based or moderated educational tourism. The Bihar government is also promoting adventure tourism.[5]

Attractions

Archaeological sites

The history and tradition of Patna starts from the earliest dawn of civilization. The original name of Patna was Pataliputra. Its documented history starts around 600 BC.[6] As Patna has 2600 years of history and has seen a number of empires, there are numerous archaeological sites in the area.

Ganges river banks

The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) has recently started operating an air-conditioned floating restaurant MV Ganga Vihar from Gandhi Ghat offering dinner cruises twice a day.[13]

The Tourism Department focuses on the Ganges Ghats in Patna as a major attraction. Motor boats are available to rent at a moderate price and are fitted with Yamaha 25 HP air-cooled two-stroke engines. Lucky tourists can spot Ganges dolphins.[14] There are a number of forts (like Raja Ghat, at Rani Ghat, collectarate Ghat) and pilgrimages (like Kali Mandir at Kali Ghat, Gurdwara Pahila Bara at Gai Ghat, and Gurdwara Gobind Ghat at Gaobind Ghat) situated on the bank of the Ganges in Patna. Tourists can visit Mahatma Gandhi Setu which is one of the longest bridges in the world and situated at Gaighat.

Religious complex

Patna is a popular destination for people who are on pilgrimage.

Hindu pilgrimages

Sikh pilgrimages

Patna is one of the holiest cities in Sikhism, as the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, was born here in 1666 and spent his early years before moving to Anandpur.[17] Patna was also honoured by visits from Guru Nanak in 1509 as well as Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1666.

Islamic pilgrimages

  • Pathar ki Masjid - The Pathar Ki Masjid stands on the bank of the river Ganges near Takht Shri Harmandir Saheb. Parvez Shah, son of Jahangir, established Pathar Ki Masjid in 1621.[1] The structure is built of stones, and so it got its name as Pathar Ki Masjid.[23]
  • Sher Shah Suri Masjid, a mosque, also known as Shershahi, is an example of the Afghan style of architecture.[24] Sher Shah Suri built this mosque in 1540–1545 to commemorate his reign. It is sited in the southwest corner of Purab Darwaza near Dhawalpura.[25]
  • Maner Sharif is the place where Makhdum Daulat in 1608 breathed his last. It was then in 1616 that Ibrahim Khan, Governor of Bihar who was also his disciple, finished the construction of his mausoleum.
  • Bihar Sharif - The city was an active centre of Muslim learning and art. Today it is a small town with a rich cultural past and is a major Muslim pilgrimage centre.[26]
  • Phulwari Sharif - Some important places in Phulwari Sharif: Khanqah Mujeebia, Sheesh Mahal, Shahi Sangi Masjid, Imarat-E-Shariya.
  • Begu Hajjam's Mosque - built in 1489 by the Bengal ruler Alauddin Hussani Shah.

Christian pilgrimages

Jain pilgrimages

Kamaldah Jain Temple
  • Kamaldah Jain Temple : Kamaldah Jain Temple Complex is the oldest Jain temple in Patna built in 18th century. This temple belonging to digambar sect. of Jainism, is dedicated to Neminatha, the 22nd tirthankara. This place has traditionally been associated with the birth of the renowned Jain teacher, Sthulabhadra.

Infotainment complex

Buildings and structures

Sabhyata Dwar in Patna

Parks

Sports complexes

Club

Patna houses such prominent clubs as the Bankipore Club, Golf Club, New Patna Club, Lions Club, and Rotary Club.[48] The Bankipore Club, on the banks of the river Ganges, came into existence in 1913.[49] It is affiliated with various organizations.[50][51] The dance hall of this club is said to be one of the original buildings built by the Dutch in the 17th century.

Neighbourhoods

Places Near Patna

Shopping

Shopping is one of the favourite recreational activities of the locals. Numerous shopping complexes exist in Patna, including P &M Mall, City Centre, N.P. Centre, Maharaja Kameshwar Complex, Verma Centre, Kulharia complex, Khaitan market and Harihar Chamber being amongst the prominent shopping destinations. Maurya lok is one of the oldest and largest shopping areas of Patna. Patna market and Hathwa market are also famous shopping points of the city. There are also malls featuring branded outlets and entertainment.

Footnotes

  1. ^ Surviving text of Indika Archived 28 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine - book by Megasthenes
  2. ^ Pliny the Elder, The Natural History, Chap. 21 Archived 28 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms: Being an account by the Chinese Monk Fa-Hien of his travels in India and Ceylon (A.D. 399-414) in search of the Buddhist Books of Discipline Archived 24 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Oxford, Clarendon Press. Reprint: New York, Paragon Book Reprint Corp. 1965. ISBN 0-486-21344-7
  4. ^ Wriggins, Sally Hovey. Xuanzang: A Buddhist Pilgrim on the Silk Road. Westview Press, 1996. Revised and updated as The Silk Road Journey With Xuanzang. Westview Press, 2003. ISBN 0-8133-6599-6.
  5. ^ Ganges river banks as tourism destination in Patna Archived 29 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ History of Patna Archived 10 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Devise plan to save Kumhrar site:HC . The Times of India, 1 February 2002.
  8. ^ Experts meet to preserve Kumhrar . The Times of India, 26 December 2006
  9. ^ a b Ancient city of Pataliputra Archived 10 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine (Patna) official website.
  10. ^ Yakshni Museums in Bihar Archived 17 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Govt of Bihar official website.
  11. ^ Patna Buddhist-Tourism Archived 7 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Patna Archived 18 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation.
  13. ^ MV Ganga Vihar Floating Restaurant Archived 1 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Ganges Ghats as Tourism destination in Patna Archived 29 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Budget of Mahavir Mandir
  16. ^ Patan Devi Temple Archived 17 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ a b Johar, Surinder Singh (1979). Guru Gobind Singh: A Study. Marwah Publications. p. 23.
  18. ^ Gurdwara Pahila Bara Archived 11 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Gurdwara Gobind Ghat Archived 27 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh Archived 17 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Gurdwara Bal Leela Archived 27 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ Gurdwara Handi Sahib Archived 27 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Pathar ki Masjid Archived 21 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ Sher Shah Suri Masjid
  25. ^ Sher Shah Suri Masjid Archived 10 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ Sufi circuit Archived 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ Padri-Ki-Haveli Archived 8 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ Patna Planetarium Archived 16 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ The State Museum - Patna Museum Archived 9 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ Patna Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan Archived 16 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ Exhibits / Facilities at Srikrishna Science Centre Archived 1 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ New Facilities at Shrikrishna Science Center Archived 6 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ Khuda Baksh Oriental Library
  34. ^ Golghar, 1888[permanent dead link], Victoria & Albert Museum.
  35. ^ "Karnataka / Bijapur News : Korthi-Kolhar bridge inaugurated". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 24 August 2006. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008.
  36. ^ Kargil Chowk Archived 10 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  37. ^ Patna High Court Archived 16 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  38. ^ Nagholkothi Archived 6 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  39. ^ Saheed Smarak Archived 14 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  40. ^ masses.http://www.biharjagran.com/tourism.php
  41. ^ Darbhanga House Archived 10 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  42. ^ Kamat. "Great freedom Fighters". Kamat's archive. Archived from the original on 20 February 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2006.
  43. ^ Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan Archived 16 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  44. ^ Moin-ul-Haq Stadium Archived 5 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  45. ^ Patna Golf Club Archived 7 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  46. ^ Patna Golf Club Archived 6 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  47. ^ Patna Indoor Stadium Archived 21 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  48. ^ Clubs in Patna Archived 26 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  49. ^ Bankipore Club
  50. ^ Affiliation of Bankipore Club by Golden Swan Country Club Archived 3 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  51. ^ Affiliation of Bankipore Club by L'AMICALE Archived 27 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine