Visit Eastern India – Bihar
It is a good idea to see all of India. One must cover India geographically starting a state each from North South East West and Central region. This will reflect the immense contrast the country has to offer in terms of geography, culture, cuisine, language, and architecture. In the east of India Bihar destinations are much visited for religious and cultural purposes.
STATE INTRODUCTION: BIHAR
Bihar lies in the Eastern side of India on the southern border of Nepal.
The state is divided by the famous Indian River Ganges that is known to provide water to its fertile land with the third largest populated state in India. The state is rich in history dating back to the Ancient, Medieval, Colonial and Post-pre Independence era.
The state is the coming together of three regions namely Bhojpur, Mithila, and Magadh. It was the seat of the Magadh Empire dating back to 450 BCE until 500 BCE. Even though a lot of languages are spoken in Bihar – Hindi is the official language of the state.
The landmark destination being Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya’s Mahabodhi temple thronged by Buddhists from all over the world. It is commonly believed that Lord Buddha meditated under the same Bodhi tree. Bihar history is very famous.
Bihar has been an important place of education ever since the Gupta Empire in 240 known as the Golden Age of India in mathematics, science, astronomy, religion, and philosophy.
One can observe the rich culture and heritage by a large number of ancient monuments all over the state. Nalanda University was one of the five great Mahaviharas that stands out known for being the oldest and best center of education in ancient India. The excavated ruins of the Nalanda University are a world-famous travel destination. The reason why tourism in Bihar is often called educational tourism.
If one visit this offbeat travel destination to see the Eastern part of India which consists of West Bengal Bihar and Jharkhand one can reach here.
In Bihar one can visit the Bodh Gaya , Patna , Vaishali , Rajgir , Pawapuri , Kesariya and Nalanda .
Capital to Bihar is Patna (Old name Patliputra) where Lord Mahavir Temple is revered by the Jains and the riverside Gurudwara Takht Sri Harminder Sahib Ji is worshipped by the Sikhs.
Owing to its rich Flora and Fauna consisting of deciduous forests, grass, and scrubs due to good rainfall in the state there are many important trees found here.
The Valmiki National Park located in West Champaran district is India’s 18th Tiger Reserve ranked fourth in terms of the density of tiger population a famous travel destination.
BIHAR IS FAMOUS FOR ITS FOOD
Bihari Cuisine is a mixture of Maghai, Bhojpuri and Miatjil dishes – predominantly vegetarian due to the influence of ancient Buddhist and Hindu values of non-violence.
However, meat eating and fish delicacies are common in Mithila region due to its rivers.
The dishes Bihar is known for are Bihari Boti, Bihari kebab, Bihari Mutton, Bihari Chicken Masala, Fish Curry and Sattu Paratha.
The most remarkable feature of Bihari food being smoked food like preparing the famous ‘Chokhaa’.
This part of unseen India can be explored if one plans to see all the states of India and in eastern India, one can cover Bihar and West Bengal, to begin with.
I’m up for visiting anywhere that’s famous for its food, haha! The old university sounds really interesting, too! It’s so crazy that so many different languages are spoken in India!
Yes, each state has a different language cuisine culture and within the state too in each city, there is a slight difference as well. It’s so crazy actually and awesome too. Incredible India indeed 🙂
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This is just lovely as central India is, Bihar Cuisine looks so tasty I would love to try those balls/smoked food, Could you tell me more about Chokhaa? I bet it’s delicious.
So glad you liked this post Alexene , Chokhaa is a smoked vegetable where various vegetables esp potato brinjal and tomato are mashed and slow cooked in smoke with mustard oil to give it a unique and delicious taste ….( mouthwatering) 😀
You got me drooling. I have had boti and sattu roti but haven’t tried chokhaa yet. Will pester my friends to get it for me during my next visit to Delhi 🙂 Cheers!!
Hahaha the picture made me hungry too while I was posting it , warm Litti Chokha and Sattu Roti ( I m hungry ) Loll 😀 Hey you havent tried Chokha , a smoked vegetable where various vegetables esp potato brinjal and tomato are mashed and slow cooked in smoke with mustard oil to give it a unique and delicious taste ….( mouthwatering) 😀
It seems we are all interested in the food, especially the Chokhaa. 😂😋 I agree with Lexie, we need more information about this. Nevertheless, Bihar sounds like a region rich in history. It seems common in Asia that there are many regions within the country that are so different!
Hahahaha Chokhaa is stealing the show 😀 it is again a smoked vegetable where various vegetables esp potato brinjal and tomato are mashed and slow cooked in smoke with mustard oil to give it a unique and delicious taste ….( mouthwatering) :D. Yes as the state changes the cuisine and culture changes too that’s why it is called Incredible India!
When I do my India tour I will deffo be adding a tons of places from all your posts including here, I also want to visit NEPAL again. Great post keep them coming. Your photos are always nice and you get to see and get a feel for the place form them.
It’s so awesome to know my posts can add value to your future trip to India .This is one of the best compliment I have received since I started writing. I always try to get a picture with the feel of the place, can’t believe you shared the same with me. Thank you for encouragement 🙂
Your description about Bihar state in particular and Eastern States of India covering all about it from ancient history, Origion of Buddhism relegion to different cultural activities in the area with the delicious Litti Chokha is super dooper Bihari cuisine dish every tourist will love it.
Thankyou Rajeshwari Ji. I tried to highlight the main landmarks of Bihar, glad you liked this post.