Patna is present on the southern banks of river Ganges and has a glorious historical past, holding significant religious and spiritual importance as it is a gateway to pilgrimage sites of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
Patna is present on the southern banks of river Ganges and possess a glorious historical past, Patna boasts of a dominating presence in history and enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest cities in the world. In addition to being one of the major and most popular tourist destinations in India, this capital city of Bihar also holds significant religious and spiritual importance as it is a gateway to pilgrimage sites of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, it is the quintessential North Indian town - West of the city lies the area called Bankipur, while towards the southwest is the new area with wide roads and swanky buildings. The cultural heritage of Bihar is reflected in the many monuments housed in Patna, the most famous ones being Patna Sahib Gurudwara, Patna Planetarium, the Highcourt, Golghar, Secretariat Building and Padri ki Haveli among numerous other attractions. Typical of an Indian city, the riverside city of Patna is also known for some palatable dishes - litti chokha being the king of all!
Patna Sahib Gurudwara, Patna
The Harmandir Takht Shri Patna Sahib, also known as Patna Sahib Gurudwara is one of the holiest pilgrimages for the Sikhs. This Gurudwara is regarded as the epicentre of Sikhism in Eastern India. The langar or free food service is offered here to all the visitors. The Prakash Parv or the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji is celebrated in December every year which is one of the major attraction here.
Golghar, Patna
Located in the city of Patna, Golghar is a architecture which is an amalgam of history and natural beauty. Golghar was built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin with the purpose of serving as a storehouse. The top of Golghar presents a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the Ganges.
There is a lush green garden, the stupa- shaped structure of Golghar is an attracting sight to behold. A light and sound show have been introduced here as well which attracts tourists here.
Patna Planetarium, Patna
The Indira Gandhi Planetarium or Patna planetarium is one of the oldest and largest planetariums of Asia. A wide range of film shows on subjects related to astronomy are showcased here. The seating capacity in the main hall is of 276 people. There is a huge dome shaped screen here to showcase the movies in which visitors need to look up on the roof to enjoy the amazing feeling of watching a sky full of fascinating stars, moons and other celestial bodies. A crystal clear surround sound quality makes the experience even more wonderful. These wonderful facilities attract tourist here.
Patna Museum, Patna
The Patna Museum, also known as the Jadu Ghar is a museum which houses more than 50,000 rare art objects. These include Indian artifacts from the ancient, middle ages and the British colonial era. The Museum was built in 1917 and was started on 3 April of the same year during the British rule to house the historical artefacts founded in Patna. The rich collection of the museum will take you back to the past to reminisce Indian history and glory.
Kesaria Stupa, Patna
The Kesaria Stupa is considered to be the tallest and biggest Buddhist Stupa in the world, Kesaria Stupa was built by the great ruler Ashoka. The structure is a brilliant Buddhist architecture and is adorned with a large number of Buddhist statues. But some of the parts are in ruined state as they were damaged by the invading Muslim rulers.
Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Patna
Mahatma Gandhi Setu is the second longest river bridge in India. This bridge extends over the Ganges for 5.7 kilometres. The bridge connects the capital city of Patna in the south to Hajipur in the north. The bridge has four lanes of roadways and pedestrian pathways on each side, it is an indispensable part of the daily vehicular transport. Before the erection of the bridge, people from this region travelled to Patna and Hajipur respectively by ferries or boats. Mahatma Gandhi Setu offers some spectacular views of the sacred Ganga flowing underneath.
Gandhi Ghat, Patna
The Gandhi Ghat is one of the most popular ghats on the banks of the river Ganges in the city of Patna in Bihar. Gandhi Ghat is popular as the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed here. The magnanimous Ganga Aarti that is attended by thousands of devotees as well as tourists. The aarti is performed at dusk, with 51 lamps by a group of priests who are dressed in saffron robes.
There is also another activity that the ghat is famous for- the River cruise ship which has a restaurant on board. This particular activity draws a lot of tourists to come and feast at the ‘floating restaurant’ amidst warm blue waters of the Ganges.
Revolving restaurant, Patna
The revolving restaurant of Patna is the biggest in the country is present in the tallest tower in Patna, on the 18th floor of Biskoman Bhawan. As set, the restaurant takes one revolution in 45, 60 or 90 minutes with the support of the German techniques. The cuisine here will make you crazy.
Bihar Museum, Patna
The Bihar Museum offers an insights into the history of Bihar and inculcate a sense of respect and pride in the hearts of the current generation. One of the main reasons for building the museum was to create more space to house and exhibit artifacts. The Museum displays include ancient artifacts of artistic heritage, artworks belonging to various tribes and insights into the past and present of Bihar.
The museum present in an area of 5.6 hectares of land and has a total built-up area of 24,000 square meters. The architecture has an interesting dispersed-scheme of buildings that include galleries, educational and administrative areas and a lobby.
Buddha Smriti Udyan, Patna
Situated on the Frazer Road near Patna Junction in Patna, Buddha Smriti Udyan is a large urban park which was built by the Patna Government to commemorate the 2554th anniversary of Lord Buddha. Spread over 22 acres, there were two special saplings that were planted here at the time of its opening- one of it was brought from Bodh Gaya and the other from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. Buddha Smriti Udyan showcases Buddhist relics from Japan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka etc. Very often, there are musical shows and events organized inside the park.
Best time to visit Patna
The best time to visit Patna is during Winters (October-March). Summers are extremely hot and sightseeing and activities won't be possible. The monsoons should also be avoided as it is quite hot and humid out there. Patna attracts tourists during the Chhatth Festival which is only celebrated by Biharis. This festival is celebrated throughout the state with high enthusiasm and the celebrations are worth seeing and experiencing.
Conclusion
Patna is a cultural heritage hub in Bihar, from the spiritual Patna Sahib Gurudwara to the peaceful Gandhi Ghat, Patna offers a wide range of attractions for all kind of travelers. So, pack your bags and move on a journey to Patna and enjoy your traveling experience.
