Three of the institutions of Nalanda, a tiny city famous because of its Buddhist University, have been demolished. Several pilgrimage sites may be found in the city, including the stunning Lord Mahavira shrine Jal Mandir and the increasingly well-known Wat Thai Shrine Monastery. A unique collection of bronze Buddha statues, ceramics, coinage, and representations of many gods and goddesses may be seen in the Nalanda Archaeological Museum. One of Nalanda’s most revered Jain temples is Kundalpurdigambar. Other fascinating locations to see are the Maniyar Math, Saptaparni Cave, Pawapuri Gaon Vardhman Mahavir, and Xuanzang Memorial.

The followings are the most famous tourist spots in Nalanda

 

1. Nalanda University

In South Bihar, there is a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Nalanda University. Its beginnings may be traced back to the third century, and it is one of the oldest colleges in the world. Originally, it was known as Nalanda Mahavira. A large “Vihara” (Buddhist monastery) is referred to as a “Mahavira” in Sanskrit. It is recognised by historians as one of the biggest and oldest institutions ever recorded in history and is situated around 85 miles from Patna. Both the earliest Indian epics and Hiuen Tsang’s travelogues make mention of it. The Gupta kings constructed a number of monasteries in the traditional Kusan style. Emperors Harshavandhana and Ashoka also supported this institution by erecting a few temples, viharas, and monasteries for it.

In March 2016, former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam proposed the concept of restarting the institution.

Up until Bakhtiyar Khilji looted it in the 12th century, the institution was a seat of sophisticated Vedic study, according to references found in Tibetan and Chinese culture. Lord Buddha made multiple trips to Nalanda throughout his lifetime, but it wasn’t until Hieun Tsang arrived there in the seventh century AD—when he left a full account of the school’s educational programme and monastic life—that the institution rose to prominence. In 1915, the Archaeological Survey of India recovered the site. According to legend, the university library held so many volumes and manuscripts that the flames continued to burn for a month after the entire building had been destroyed.

Timings: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Entry Fee: Indian Nationals, SAARC, and BIMSTEC Country Nationals: INR 15
Foreign Nationals: INR 200
Below 15 Years of Age: Free

 

2.Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall

A historical landmark located in Nalanda, Bihar, Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall is 2 km from the Nalanda University Ruins and 5 km from the Nalanda Railway Station. It is one of Nalanda’s most popular tourist destinations and is situated on the shores of Surajpur Lake.

Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru began work on the Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall in 1957, and it was finished in 1984. The memorial was erected in honour of Hiuen Tsang, a well-known Chinese traveller who spent 12 years studying Buddhism and mysticism at Nalanda University in the year 633 AD. Tsang visited Takshila for more Buddhist research after touring the nation. The monument was constructed at the very place where he used to study yoga with Acharya Shil Bhadra as his instructor.

The Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall stands out as a reminder of Nalanda University’s distinctive architectural style. The memorial, which was constructed in traditional Chinese design, is a fantastic location to learn about the lives and times of Chinese travellers. The objects Hiuen Tsang gathered are on display in an area that is specifically devoted to him. The artwork on display includes golden and sandalwood statues of Buddha as well as his compositions that provide details about Buddhism in China and India. Several artworks and stories about the adventures of the Chinese students may be found in the interior hall.

 

Timings:9 a.m. to 5 p.m.(Fridays are closed)

Entry fees of 20 rupees per person.

 

3. Nalanda Museum

The Nalanda Museum, one of the most esteemed site museums run by the Archaeological Survey of India, exhibits artefacts discovered on the Nalanda Mahavihara site.

One of the most famous site museums of the Archaeological Survey of India, the Nalanda Museum, was founded in 1917. It displays artefacts discovered at the Nalanda Mahavihara excavation site, said to be the first university and monastery complex. It thrived between the fifth and twelfth centuries of the Christian era under the patronage of the Gupta, Maukhari, and Pala kings. Later, a few items gathered from Rajgir as well as nearby villages in Nalanda were added to the museum’s riches. There are around 350 artefacts on exhibit, compared to more than 13,000 in the museum’s collection. The display has stone carvings and In four galleries and the main hall, there are sculptures, bronzes, stuccos, terracottas, inscriptions, iron artefacts, ivory and bone artefacts, and pottery, among other things.

Masterpieces made of sandstone and two enormous clay storage jars are on display in the main hall. Among the notable artworks in this room are the twelve-handed Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the two-metre-tall Samantabhadra statue, Nagaraj with his seven-serpent hood canopy, the enormous statue of Buddha in the Dharmachakra mudra, the tantric divinity Trailokyavijya trampling Shiva-Gauri, and the Buddha seated in the Bhumisparsa mudra. A scale replica of the recovered site is shown in a table exposition in the hall’s centre.

Timings : 9am to 5 am ( Monday to Saturday)

Tuesday Closed

It’s open on Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm

 

4. Pawapuri

 

For Jains, Pawapuri is a sacred location. It is located in the eastern Indian state of Bihar’s Nalanda district. Pawapuri used to be the identical capital of Mall Mahajanpad in the distant past. Ajatshatru was a follower of Lord Mahavira, and Mahajanpad eventually joined the Magadha dynasty. Hastipal was the title of the Pawapuri king under Ajatshatru’s dominion. Mahavira resided at the king’s Rajikshala while in Pawapuri. Lord Mahavira was laid to rest here about 500 BC, making it a revered location.

Since Lord Mahavira was cremated here, Pawapuri has also been referred to as Apapuri, which means blameless town. Furthermore, there was an enormous rush to get the ashes when the cremation was completed. This caused a layer of dirt to be removed, culminating in the creation of a pond. Later, this pond was transformed directly into a lotus-shaped pond, and the Jalmandir marble shrine was erected in its middle. The area has a strong cultural legacy and is densely populated. Rajgir Dance Festival and Chhath Puja are a couple of the traditional holidays that are observed here. At the Rajgir Dance Festival, a variety of classical dances are performed.

Timings: 6 AM–12 PM and 4 PM–7 PM

Entry: Free

 

5.Rajgir Wildlife Safari

 

The Rajgir Zoo Safari, or Rajgir Wildlife Safari, is a safari park located in Rajgir, Bihar, India, 4 kilometres from Rajgir Railway Station. It is one of the must-see locations for wildlife lovers as part of Rajgir travel packages and is located near Maniyar Math.

 

Rajgir Wildlife Safari is close to the Pant Wildlife Sanctuary at the foot of the Jethian hill, sandwiched in between the Vaibhgiri and Songiri mountains. Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, laid the cornerstone in 2017, and on February 20, 2022, it was opened to the public with a capacity for 1,000 visitors each day. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change created the zoo safari for around 177 crore Indian rupees.

 

 Timing:   9 am – 6 pm ( Tuesday to Sunday )

Monday’s are  closed here

Entry Fees: Rs. 250 for adults and Rs. 150 for children for safari; Rs. 50 for car parking; Rs. 100 for adults and Rs. 50 for children

 

6.Kundalpur

Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Jain Tirthankara, is said to have been born at Kundalpur, a town west of Nalanda. Additionally, Gautam Swamiji, Lord Mahavira’s first student, was born there.

The birthplace of Bhagwan Mahavira Padmasana is marked by a majestic temple with lovely spires that stands four and a half feet tall. There is a tranquil Trikal Chaubeesi Jinmandir inside the compound that has 72 idols of Tirthankaras; 24 of them symbolise the past, present, and future ages.

 

 

7.Veerayatan Museum

One of the most well-known tourist attractions in Rajgir is the Veerayatan Museum, also known as the Kala Mandir. It was founded in 1982. It has been devoted to Jainism and displays a number of handmade and antique items that illustrate the teachings and lifestyles of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras. The Vaibhav Giri foothills are where the museum is situated, which gives it a very tranquil and calm ambience.

More than 50 wooden and metal three-dimensional replicas of the Tirthankaras’ teachings and lives are on display. Acharya Shri Chandanaji created every one of the handcrafted creative representations on display here. You can also go to the museum’s regularly scheduled display of Acharya Shri Ji’s artwork. Additionally, information on Through the exhibitions, you may learn about the history, importance, teachings, and widespread acceptance of the Jain faith.

Timings :  9 am to 7 pm(Monday to Sunday)

Nalanda is a location that will enthral you through its heritage, civilization, and spirituality. It is a location that will help you comprehend India’s accomplishments and contributions to the fields of learning, art, and religion. You shouldn’t skip Nalanda if you’re travelling to Bihar.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Nalanda

 

The best time to visit Nalanda

 

October to March is said to be the best time to experience Nalanda. Summers are not that comfortable to witness the exotic places near Nalanda. Monnssons are again not advisable because they have a high chance of affecting the travel plans.

 

Top-rated hotels in Nalanda

1. Kripanidhi Retreat, Rajgir

2. Hotel Abhilasha

3. Indo Hokke Hotel

4. Hotel Anand Lok

5. Hotel Bodhi Retreat

 

Cessation

 

Nalanda is a location that will enthral you through its heritage, civilization, and spirituality. It is a location that will help you comprehend India’s accomplishments and contributions to the fields of learning, art, and religion. You shouldn’t skip Nalanda if you’re travelling to Bihar.