Patna Unveiled: 10 Marvels Revealing the Cultural Tapestry of India’s Rapidly Growing City

Step into a world where stereotypes have no place, for we’re embarking on a captivating journey infused with culture, heritage, and enthralling history! Take your seat on the ‘hawa hawai’ and brace yourself for a myriad of colorful alleys to explore!

With a rich history of being ruled by powerful kings at various points in time, Patna, also known as Pataliputra, has been highly sought after due to its fertile soil (the city is located on the south bank of the famous Ganges) and its esteemed educational institutions, such as Nalanda. It is currently the city in India with the quickest rate of growth.

Background

One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, the city was formerly a bustling hub for agricultural and commercial activity. Many eminent Indian academics lived there, including Aryabhatta, Chanakya, and Panini. The city was also the seat of the powerful Magadha Empire, the meeting point of Buddhism and Jainism, two of the biggest religions in India, and a significant hub for Sikhism, another significant religion in the country

It is almost impossible for a city with a history of at least two millennia to lack attractions for you to explore. When you visit Patna, you are greeted with an unwavering sense of warmth and a city full of fascinating stories and buildings.

You’re in for a shock if you assumed that this city was solely well-known for producing political headlines. So, put aside your sense of shock, reserve a hotel, and go check out these locations when you’re next here:

1. Mahavir Mandir

Also known as “Jagta Mandir” the Mahavir Temple in Patna, one of the biggest temples devoted to Lord Hanuman, is a serene haven amidst a bustling metropolis. The temple probably came into existence in the 17th century, but it didn’t become well-known until 1947, when India was divided and many Hindu refugees from the newly formed Pakistan began to settle in the city. In addition to the beautiful representation of Lord Hanuman, the temple houses a “floating stone” that originates from the renowned Ram Setu.

• Location: Fraser Road Area
• Timing: 5:30 am – 10:30 pm, all days
• Entry Fees: Free

2. Golghar

The most famous symbol in the city is without a doubt this stunning beehive-shaped building, which tops the list of attractions in Patna to visit.

Built in 1786 as a granary for the British soldiers garrisoned in the city, Golghar is a remarkable whitewashed dome with a spiral stairway. It was designed by Captain John Garstin. The largest striking feature of this construction is that its enormous dome, which measures 125 meters in diameter and 29 meters in height, is unsupported by any pillars!

Golghar was supposed to be the first of several such buildings built in the region to serve as a deterrent against recurrent famines. In the end, none of the other “golghars” were constructed, leaving us with a unique structure that is a must-see in Patna.

• Location: Ashok Rajpath, Chhajju Bagh
• Timing: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, all days
• Entry Fees:  Free

3. Patna Sahib Gurudwara

Sikhs hold Patna in high regard since it is the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singhji, the tenth Sikh Guru. Maharaja Ranjit Singh erected Takht Sri Patna Sahib as a memorial to the occasion. Known by another name, Harmandir Sahib, this sacred site is crowded with followers from all over the world and is situated in the former Patna city quarters in the Kucha Farrukh Khan neighborhood. Take a look at it to get a taste of Sikh history. The shrine has artifacts belonging to the 10th Guru, including four iron arrows, swords, sandals, and a cradle with gold-plated supports.

• Location: Mithapur
• Timing: 3 am–9 pm
• Entry Fees: Free

4. Nalanda Mahavihara, Patna

One of the first universities in India, Nalanda was a highly esteemed center of study in antiquity that welcomed students from all across the region, including Tibet, China, Korea, and Central Asia. Between 685 and 662 AD, Hsuan-tsang, a renowned Chinese scholar and traveler, studied Buddhist theology, the Vedas, logic, and metaphysics at the institution. Nalanda thrived from the fifth century AD to the year 1200 AD, greatly assisted by the Gupta Empire’s rulers. Nalanda, one of the most significant educational hubs, is thought to have three enormous libraries. The libraries were so large that they burned for six months during the assault of the monastery in 1193 by the invading army of Islamists.

• Location: Near Bihar Sharif town, Nalanda district
• Timing:  9:00 am – 5:00 pm, open all days, except Friday
• Entry Fees: ₹ 15 (With a video camera- ₹25)

5. Jain Temple of Pawapuri

One of the most sacred places in India for Jains is Pawapuri. This is the site where Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, is thought to have achieved nirvana, or emancipation. It is situated close to Rajgir, approximately 93 kilometers from Patna. The stunning marble temple honoring Lord Mahavira draws hordes of Jain pilgrims who think they will be cleansed of all their sins there. See it for its serene atmosphere, stunning Jain architecture, and perhaps even the opportunity to atone for all of your sins!

• Location: Pawapuri
• Timing: Open all days, 24 hours
• Entry Fees: Free

6. Patna Museum, Patna

The Patna Museum is housed in a stately building that was built in 1917 specifically for the museum that Sir Edward Gait, the Lieutenant Governor of Bihar at the time, erected. Originally intended to house notable historical and archaeological artifacts found in and around the city, it currently houses more than 20,000 exhibits. While visiting, pay particular attention to the fossil of a Dadoxylon tree that is 200 million years old, the Buddha Relic Casket, an ancient soapstone casket believed to hold the ashes of Mahatma Buddha, the 2300-year-old Didarganj Yakshi, an ancient sculpture, and the museum’s many galleries, including the Natural History Gallery, which is particularly fascinating if you’re visiting with children.

• Location: Near Kotwali Thana, Budh Marg
• Timings: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed on Mondays)
• Entry Fee: ₹ 15

7. Gandhi Ghat

One of the most well-known ghats in Patna, Bihar; along the Ganges River is Gandhi Ghat. It is well-known since this is where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were buried. Thousands of tourists and devotees gather for the magnificent Ganga Aarti, which is the place’s main attraction. A group of priests wearing saffron robes perform the aarti at dusk using 51 lamps. The Varanasi and Haridwar activities served as inspiration for this one when it was first begun in 2011.

• Location: Near pmch hospital, Dujra Diara, Patna, Bihar 800004
• Timing: Open 24 hours
• Entry Fees:
• Activities
  • The River cruise ship, which has a restaurant on board, is another activity for which the Ghat is well-known. Many people flock to this specific pastime to feast at the “floating restaurant” amid the Ganges’ warm, azure waters.
  • Every year on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, there is a huge kite festival held here, complete with lots of excitement and pomp
  • You can also enjoy boating at the ghat

Read about: 5 Stunning Nature Getaways: Exploring India’s Secret Treasures

8. Jalan Museum

If we told you that Napoleon’s bed—yes, THAT Napoleon—lies in a Patna museum, would you believe us? Along with pieces of Chinese jade and porcelain from the Han and Ching dynasties, a silver dining set with a thali that was supposedly possessed by Emperor Akbar’s prime minister, Birbal, an ivory palanquin from Tipu Sultan, and a cabinet crafted for King Henry II of France, all of this.

The diverse private collection of RK Jalan, a well-known Patna businessman who amassed a collection of antiques and artifacts over the course of his life, houses all these and more fascinating findings. The collection, which spans countries and centuries and is on display at the family’s private home called Quila House (this is not technically a museum!), is a must-see sight in the city.

Make sure to schedule an appointment with the family before you leave, at least 48 hours in advance.

• Location: Haji Ganj
• Timings: 9:00 am -11:00 am (Monday to Saturday); 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Sunday)
• Entry Fee: Free

9. Pataliputra Ruins

The remnants of Pataliputra, the first city of Patna, are located not too far from the present city. Three mythical monarchs, Ajatshatru, Chandragupta, and Ashoka, formerly governed this city, which is now little more than a pile of debris, sandstone pillars, wood platforms that may have held up a stairway, foundation bricks from a Buddhist monastery, and fragments of carved stone. However, this description shouldn’t deter you from seeing the ruins of what was once the hub of ancient India’s trade, arts, and education—better known locally as Kumhrar. You’ll have company because this is one of Bihar’s most visited tourist destinations, drawing tourists from all over the world.

You have to use your imagination to appreciate what a magnificent city the ruins, which were excavated at various stages in history, once were. When visiting Patna, it’s worthwhile to explore this area because of the size of the structures, the potential applications for them, and the pride in our illustrious past.

• Location: Kumrahar
• Timings: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm all days
• Entry Fees: ₹ 5

10. Rani Ghat

While in Patna there are many ghats on River Ganges, the most famous is the Rani Ghat. The ghat comes alive every weekend, as the river’s evening aarti, a ritual performed with lamps, is held here. Dressed in saffron robes, priests perform the aarti, along with prayers and songs. The blowing of a conch shell signals the start of the aarti.

• Location: Patna University Campus, Patna.
• Best Time to Visit: November to March.

To know more about this beautiful state visit: Bihar Tourism- Blissful Bihar

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