| Fast Facts |
|
| Languages: |
Hindi, English |
| Best Time To Visit: |
October-March |
| STD Code: |
061194 |
History
Founded in the fifth century AD, Nalanda is well known as an ancient seat of learning. However, today this ancient university lies in ruins. The place not only has the remains of the great university but also many monasteries, temples, and viharas built by different kings.
Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous center of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th centuries AD. In this first residential international university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied.
The university found patrons in Gupta, Kushan, and Pal kings in successive centuries. Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples and monasteries here. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate structures here. The university remained in prominence till 12 century AD when the Afghans attacked Bengal and burnt down this great University.
Best Season, Climate, and Clothing
Nalanda, being in the Gangatic plains, suffers from extreme weather conditions. The temperature during summer can reach a maximum of 37.8°C and a minimum of 17.8°C. The maximum temperature during winter remains at around 27.8°C while the minimum temperature dips down to as low as 10.6°C. Monsoon arrives in this region in June and continued till September. The average rainfall during monsoon is 120 cm. Cotton clothing is ideal for summers and light woolens are apt for winters at Nalanda.
|
