What do you think when you think of Bihar? It’s politics, or illiteracy or the crime rate or the poverty or poor governance or the mining? But did you know that one of the world’s oldest university lies near Patna? Bihar too has its share of rich historical heritage.
A synthesis of culture sits on a site, 100 km from Patna. The ancient Buddhist university of Nalanda and a Jain temple at Pawapuri are destinations in the Indian hinterland that will make you travel through time.
The first thing that catches the senses of any visitor to PawaPuri Jal Mandir is the beauty of the water lily pond which surrounds the temple on all sides. Walking through the gateway towards the temple, the calmness of the surroundings engulfs every visitor in an aura of serenity.
Image Credit: HolidayIQ
The stark white temple glows like a beacon in the midst of the green pond. The temple itself, with marble carvings and intricate works, is an abode of humble peace. The Dilwara style temple is a rarity in the Indian temple architecture.
Pawapuri is the place where Lord Mahavira breathed his last here. People rushed here in the years gone by to collect his ashes. The resultant draw of sand around the temple has created the pond.
In the vicinity lies the great ancient university of Nalanda, that attracted visitors from far and wide. Built on the site of Magadhan empire, the university flourished as a Buddhist centre of learning in the Gupta period of India’s medieval history.
Image Credit: patnabeats
The remains of the university spread across 1600 feet. Excavations have revealed eleven monasteries and six major brick temples arranged in an ordered layout.Most structures show evidence of multiple periods of construction with new buildings being raised atop the ruins of old ones. A number of inscriptions were found during the excavation, which are now preserved in the Nalanda Museum.
The Museum houses many remnants, and is important destination on the Buddhist circuit. 3-D presentations and gallery in the adjoining multimedia museum also afford a rich experience.
Visit Nalanda and Pawapuri for a rare travel experience at India’s less visited eastern region.
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