About Us ...
POPULATION : 104
million
.Bihar
is bound on the north by Nepal, on the east by West Bengal , on the west
by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh , and Orissa in the south. The
present name of the state of Bihar owes its origin to the "Viharas"
built by Lord Buddha who attained spiritual enlightenment on this land
and preached love, peace and tolerance. The erstwhile capital city of
Patliputra of Emperor Ashoka is the present day state capital, Patna.
Most travellers just pass
through Patna on their way to Calcutta or Kathmandu. However, Bodhgaya
is an excellent place to study Buddhism, and Rajgir, Nalanda and Sasaram
are interesting places that are not on the tourist trail. Bodhgaya is
one of the most sacred place for Buddhists and Hindus and has a number
of Buddhist temples. In Gaya, visit the Mahabodhi Temple. In Vaishali,
check out an ancient parliament, the Fort of King Vishal, and Ashok
Pillar.
CAPITAL :
Patna is a bureaucratic
city, noisy and bustling. It is a sprawling metropolis that hugs the
south bank of the Ganges, stretching for around 15km in a shape that has
changed little since Ajatasatru (491-459 BC) shifted the Magadhan
capital here from Rajgir. Patna's tourist attractions are Har Mandir
Sahib, Qila
CULTURE :
Bihari culture is based
largely on ancient Aryan Hindu elements. Rural Chota Nagpur has retained
much of its aboriginal way of life. Places of religious and cultural
interest abound in the plains. Nalanda is the seat of the ancient and
celebrated Nalanda Buddhist monastic university. The Chhau dance, a
tribute to Bihar's cultural folk traditions follows classical modes as
detailed in the ancient treatises. In this, therefore three main
elements of the classical dance, namely Raga or melody, Bhava or mood,
tala or rhythmic timing are found.
HANDICRAFTS :
Bihar's rural handicrafts
comprise of hand-painted wall hangings, wooden stools, miniatures in
paper and leaves, stone pottery, bamboo, leather goods, and applique
work. But Bihar's most famous and fascinating indigenous art form is its
Madhubani school of painting, a strict monopoly of the women of Mithila.
It illustrates mythological themes, incorporating images of local
deities as well as Hindu gods and goddesses.
OCCUPATION :
The principal foodgrains
of Bihar are paddy, wheat, maize and pulses. Main cash crops include
sugarcane, potato, tobacco, oilseeds, onion, chillies and jute. The
major industries of the state are steel, iron, heavy vehicles, aluminium,
oil refining, railway wagons, copper smelting, cement and communication
cables. Bihar is also very rich in minerals. The main minerals found in
this state are coal, iron, copper, mica, pyrite, limestone, bauxite, and
graphite.
FESTIVALS :
Saraswati Puja around
Jan-Feb; Teej in August; Diwali in Nov; Chhath Puja in Nov.
CLIMATE:
The state has a humid
subtropical monsoon climate, with three well-defined seasons: the cool
season, from November to February; the hot season, from March to
mid-June; and the rainy season, from mid-June through October.
Temperatures in December and January fall to 5ºC and below, while those
in May rise above 40º C. The state's mean annual rainfall is 1,270 mm.
Best time to visit is October to March.