Description

Bihar is a state in India which is believed to be a division of Northern and Eastern India. It is the 13th-major state of India. Bihar is a combination of 3 major diverse areas, these are Bhojpur, Mithila and Magadh. Other part of Bihar is Mithila which was an early hub of Brahmanical wisdom and the hub of the Videha kingdom. There is a partial movement in the Maithili speaking area of Bihar for a distinct Indian state of Mithila. Mahabodhi Shrine, among the 4 sacred spots connected to the life of Lord Buddha and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name Bihar is taken from the Pali and Sanskrit word, Vihara, meaning dwelling. The area nearly covering the current state was pointed with Buddhist vihara, the dwellings of Buddhist monks in the medieval and ancient phases. Bihar has a varied weather. Its climate is usually subtropical, with cold winters and warm summers. 

Paintings
There are some habitual approaches of painting which is popular in Bihar. First One is Mithila painting, a method of Indian painting famous in Bihar at Mithila area. Painting was generally done on walls at the time of carnivals, sacred occasions, and other landmarks of the life cycle, such as birth, Upanayanam (the sanctified yarn ritual), and matrimony. Mithila painting is also known as Madhubani painting. It mainly portrays human beings and their relationship with natural world. Common sights demonstrate idol like Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Ram, Shiva, and Krishna from prehistoric epics. Angika Art or Manjusha Kala is a new Bihari style of art, practiced in the Anga province. Traditionally, the Patna School of Painting (Patna Salaam), sometimes called Company Painting, prospered in Bihar during the early 18th to middle-20th centuries.

Performing Arts
The traditional music in Bihar is a type of the typical Hindustani music. Gaya is another hub of superiority in traditional music, mainly of the varities like Thumri and Tappa.

Tourism in Bihar
Bihar in eastern India is one of the ancient and populated places in the world with a history which dates back to around 3000 years ago. The affluent customs and traditions of Bihar is clear from the numerous prehistoric memorials that are scattered all over Bihar. Bihar is dwelling to several tourist spots and is visited by huge amount of tourists worldwide. In total about 6 million tourists visit Bihar annually. Mahabodhi Shrine, a Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also located in Bihar.
Some of the famous spots of Bihar are - Kargil Chowk, Golghar, Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Kakolat Waterfall, Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, Telhar Waterfall, Dhuan Kund, Manjhar Kund, Ramshila Hill, Raj Mahal, Brahmayoni Hill, Mahabodhi Temple, Vikramashila, Pataliputra, Pretshila Mount, Padri Ki Haveli, Vishnupada Temple, Sasaram, Barabar Caves, Maner Sharif, Karkat Waterfall, Nalanda, Kumhrar, Agam Kuan, Kesaria etc. 

Forts
Munger Fort, Maner Fort, Hathua Fort, Darbhanga Fort, Rohtasgarh Fort, Jalalgarh Fort, Sasaram Fort, Palamu Fort.

National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Valmiki National Park in West Champaran region is the 18th Tiger Reserve of India and is ranked 4th in terms of density of tiger population. It has a diverse landscape, covering rich wildlife surroundings and floral and faunal composition, including the prime protected carnivores.

Museums
Museums of Bihar are Vaishali Museum, Darbhanga Museum, Bodh Gaya Museum, Nalanda Museum, Jalan Museum, Vikramshila Museum, Patna Museum, Bihar Museum, Patna Museum.

Pilgrimages
Bihar one of the most holy spot of several religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism & Jainism. Various tourist travel to Bihar to visit their holy place.

• Hindu Pilgrimages
  Religious places of Hindus in Bihar are - Thawe mandir, Maa Tara chandi Temple, Bhabua, Aurangabad, Lakhisarai, Anga, Sasaram, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Patna, West Champaran, Balgudar, Jamui, Munger, Gaya, Punausa, Indradamaneshwar Mahadev Mandir, Mahavir Mandir, Sitamarhi, Buxar.
• Sikh Pilgrimages
  The capital of Bihar, Patna is one of the sacred city of Sikhs, as the tenth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh takes birth here in the year 1666 and spent his early years before shifting to Anandpur. Patna was also honoured by visits from Guru Nanak in the year 1509 and also by Guru Tegh Bahadur in the year 1666. Some famous religious places of Sikhs are - Gurdwara Gobind Ghat, Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh, Gurdwara Handi Sahib, Gurdwara Bal Leela, Takht Shri Harmandir Saheb, Gurdwara Pahila Bara, Gurdwara Bari Sangat, Gurdwara Pakki Sangat, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Chauki, Gurdwara Chacha Phaggu Mal, Rajplace Rajnagar madhubani, Gurdwara Taksali Sangat.
• Jain Pilgrimages
  Jain Pilgrimages of Bihar are - Pawapuri, Rajgir, Champapur, Arrah, Pataliputra, Vikramashila, Vaishali.
• Islamic Pilgrimages
  Islamic Pilgrimages places of the state are - Katihar, Sasaram, Aurangabad, Gaya, Purnia, Siwan, Bihar Sharif, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Phulwari Sharif, Maner Sharif.
• Buddhism Pilgrimages
  Religious places of Buddhism in Bihar are - Rajgir, Pataliputra, Vikramashila, Mahabodhi Temple (Bodh Gaya), Areraj, Kesariya, Nalanda, Vaishali.

Fairs and Festivals
Prominent Fairs and Festivals of Bihar are Rajgir Mahotsav, Pitrapaksh Fair, Sonepur Fair, Chhath, Patna Film Festival.

How to Reach Bihar
Bihar is also a major transit point of the state for the visitors coming in from another states of India. Bihar is linked by means of rail, road and air.

• By Rail
  Bihar is situated in the route of the East Central Railway and is well-linked with major cities of India and most cities in Bihar.
   
• By Road
  The cities of Bihar are linked by public transport comprising both government and private modes of transportation. To enhance the roadways of Bihar, the state government have commenced Mercedes Benz luxury buses. The Mercedes luxury buses, ply between 17 routes comprising Jamshedpur, Gaya, Patna, Ranchi and Bhagalpur. The cities are interrelated as well as linked with Bihar. The roadways are also linked to nearby states and regular bus service is available for various cities of nearby states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand. The roadways also links to Nepal.
   
• By Air
  Patna has its own airport well-known as Patna Airport or Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport. It is a national airport and it is linked with all the main cities of India by means of regular flights. Gaya Airport is the only international airport in Jharkhand and Bihar which is around 95 kms far away from Patna. It is an international airport which is linked with Sri Lanka, Colombo by airline operators Singapore, Thailand, Bhutan and Bangkok.