Tourist attractions in Patna

Har Mandir Temple is the second most important pilgrimage for the Sikhs after the Golden Temple of Amritsar. Golghar, built originally as a granary by the British, is now one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. The Jalan Museum has some very good collection of silver and jade filigree work of the Mughal period. The Bihar Institute of Handicraft and Design is doing some pioneering work to revive old crafts of the state. Shershah Masjid:
This is a mosque built by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah, who defeated Mughal Emperor Humanyun to rule Delhi. Locally known as Shershahi, the mosque was built in 1545, making it the oldest mosque in Patna.

Kumhrar:
Remains of the architecture of the region during Mauryan times are impressive though not much could have been unearthed. According to the archaeologists, most of the structures built by Mauryans were in wood and they could not survive the high water concentration in the soil in this region. Some of the structures unearthed are remains of a large pillared assembly hall of the Mauryan times, a Buddhist monastery, parts of Anand Bihar, and some clay figures and wooden beams found at the site.

Har Mandir:
The second-most important gurudwara in India, the Takht Harmandir was built by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru of the Sikhs. The gurudwara built in white marble with kiosks on the terraces consecrates the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. is an important Gurudwara for the Sikhs. The Gurdwara is situated in the Chowk area of Patna City (the older part the city). The gurudwara is situated in the Chowk are of Patna city and has a museum on it's third floor.

Golghar:
Built for the purpose of storing grains to be used in the times of famines, this round building was completed in 1786 though never used. The construction of Golghar was necessitated following famines like the one that took place in the region in 1770. The base of the building is 125 metres in width and the walls are 3.6 metres thick. There are stairs to go on to the top of the building that gives some beautiful views of the city and the river Ganga nearby.

Jalan Museum:
The museum is situated over the ruins of the Qila House, the site of Shershah's fort. It is a private collection containing Chinese paintings and an invaluable collection of silver and jade filigree work of the Mughal period.

Bihar Institute of Handicraft and Design:
Located in the Pataliputra Colony, the institute is trying to revive the old crafts and art of Bihar to modern use, especially Mithila paintings.

Weekend Trips/Excursions:
Part of the famous Buddhist centre of East India, Patna is the base for many important places around. Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage in the world where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Gaya is a famous Hindu pilgrimage and related to many legends in Hindu religious literature. Nalanda has the distinction of being the place, which at one point of time was home to the largest university in the world. Vaishali is a place of historical as well as religious importance to the Buddhists as well as Jains. Sasaram was the home of Sher Shah. Related to all the three ancient religions of India, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, Rajgir can be considered as the little Jerusalem of India. Sonpur, situated on the confluence of Ganga and Gandak, hosts the largest cattle fair in Asia.

Bodhgaya:
One of the four holiest sites of Buddhism, Bodhgaya is the place where Siddhartha, the prince of the Shakya clan attained enlightenment and became Buddha (the enlightened). Situated at a distance of around 125 km from Patna, the place has many interesting sites. Mahabodhi Temple is the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. The temple contains a Peepal tree, said to have grown from the branch of the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. There are several other interesting sites in the town like the Archaeological Museum of Bodhgaya and monasteries built by many Buddhist countries of the world.

Gaya:
Located in the Central Bihar at a distance of around 112 km south of Patna, Gaya is one of the holiest Hindu cities. The main tourist attraction here is the Vishnupad (Vishnu footprints) Temple, built by Rani Ahilya Bai of Indore in the 18th century.

Nalanda:
Situated at around 90 km off Patna, Nalanda was one of the greatest centres of Buddhist learning in ancient times. Today, it is a small village, but the archaeological excavations have unearthed a great part of most important centre of Buddhist learning in the world. Important attractions are the ruins of the Nalanda University, the Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, the Surya Mandir, the Nalanda museum, and the Nav Nalanda Vihar.

Vaishali:
A place holy to Buddhists as well as Jains, Vaishali is located around 55 km from Patna. The place derives its name from King Visala of Ramayana. The place has the distinction of being the capital of one of the first republics in the world run by the Lichchavis. This is the same place where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon and announced his approaching Nirvana. Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara, was born here in Kundligrama (Vaishali) in 599 B.C. The main attraction is the newly built Vishwa Shanti Stupa, the Ashokan pillars, and a host of other structures related to Buddhism and Jainism.

Sasaram:
Known for the extraordinarily beautiful mausoleum of Sher Shah, Sasaram is located around 148 km from Patna. The mausoleum is located in a beautiful lake and looks like a floating structure.

Rajgir:
At a distance of 102 km off Patna, Rajgir is a well-known pilgrimage of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism alike. Before Patna, Rajgir or Rajgriha (as it was known earlier) was the capital of Magadh. The major centres of interest are the Swarna Gufa, Griddhakuta Parvat, hot springs, and Vishwa Shanti Stupa.

Sonpur:
Venue to the largest cattle fair in Asia, Sonpur is located just 25 km from Patna. The trip from Patna is easy and if you are visiting the city in the month of November, don't miss the fair. People from all over the country flock here to sell their livestock. A visit to the temple of Hariharnath after bathing on the confluence of Ganga and Gandak here is considered auspicious.

Events and Festivals:
All the festivals of North India are celebrated in Patna, but Chatta, which is celebrated six days after Diwali, is the most famous. Pataliputra Mahotsav features parades, sports, dancing, and music.