Patna

If a historical tourism destination is on your mind, there can be few better than Patna in Bihar. It is probably among the oldest cities in the whole world and is also known for being the gateway to some of the important pilgrimages conducted by religions like Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. As the capital of the State of Bihar, Patna exhibits the local culture very strongly and together with the whiff of history in the air, it is time to pack your bags and make a trip to Patna.

Historical Background:

Patna, which was previously known as Pataliputra, has been ruled by the Mauryan Empire, Shunga Dynasty, and then the Gupta Empire. Later on, the region came under the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals, the Nawabs of Bengal, and finally in the hands of the British. During the freedom struggle in India, Patna was an important centre and even in independent India, it is one of the most important cities in Northern India.

Things to Do and Major Attractions:

The Gandhi Ghat, which derives its name from the fact that Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed from this Ghat, is a great destination for the tourists. The Ganga Aarti that is conducted here is a sight to behold. The Golghar, which is an ancient storehouse, is a great spectacle as is the Bihar Museum, rich in information about the history of the land.

The Patna Planetarium, Patna Museum, and the Srikrishna Science Centre are popular places of interest in Patna and are frequented by the tourists. On the 18^th floor of the Biskoman Bhawan is the highest revolving restaurant in India and a visit to that place is going to be a unique experience for the tourist. The Kesaria Stupa is of both historic and religious significance as it was built by emperor Ashoka and is an important Buddhist structure. The Patan Devi Mandir is a popular destination for the tourists and while signing off your trip to Patna do not forget to check out the Gandhi Setu which is built over the Ganges.

People and Culture:

Although the people speak Hindi, the dialect is significantly different and influences languages such as Bhojpuri, Braj, etc. A large section of the population consists of Hindus, but other religions also peacefully co-exist. The language here is also said to have been influenced by the Magadha Empire.

Local Food and Popular Shopping Items:

The specialty local dish is the Litti Chokha and you must try it out once. The regular North Indian Food is also served here like rice, rotis, lentils, etc. As for the famous sweets of Patna, the peda and the Khaja is going to make you seek out some more.

Best Time to Visit:

The ideal season to visit Patna would be the winters since the summers are extremely hot and the monsoon is too humid and uncomfortable. So, try visiting between October to March and enjoy the best weather conditions.

Availability of Accommodation Type:

As Patna is a proper city, there are some luxury living destinations such as Hotel Windsor and The Pine. Hotel Mani International and Luxury Inn are some of the options that are reasonably priced. In terms of accommodation in Patna, the tourist is truly spoilt for choice.