Patna, formerly known as Pataliputra, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Bihar. According to the United Nations, Patna had a population of 2.35 million in 2018, making it India’s 19th largest city.
Its urban agglomeration is the 18th largest in India, covering 250 square kilometers (97 square miles) and housing over 2.5 million people.
Patna, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, was founded in 490 BCE by the king of Magadha. Through the Haryanka, Nanda, Mauryan, Shunga, Gupta, and Pala dynasties, Patna was the capital of the Magadh Empire.
Pataliputra was a center for education and the fine arts. Many astronomers and scholars lived there, including Aryabhata, Vtsyyana, and Chanakya.
Most people think of Patna as the state capital of Bihar, but it is much more.
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In this article, we will look at the tourist attractions in Patna.
Gandhi ghat
Gandhi Ghat is one of the most visited ghats on the banks of the Ganges in Patna, Bihar. It is well-known because Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were interred here.
The highlight of the place, however, is the magnificent Ganga Aarti, which is attended by thousands of devotees and tourists. At dusk, a group of priests dressed in saffron robes performs the aarti with 51 lamps. This activity began in 2011 and was inspired by those performed in Varanasi and Haridwar.
Gurudwara Patna Sahib
Harmandir Takht Shri Patna Sahib, also known as Patna Sahib Gurudwara, is one of the Sikh community’s holiest pilgrimages.
This Gurudwara in Patna, Bihar was built to honor the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Gobind Singh, and is located on the banks of the holy Ganga.
The Gurudwara is considered the spiritual heart of Sikhism in Eastern India.
Patna Sahib Gurudwara is the second recognized and accepted Takht of Sikhism’s five total Takhts, which means the seat of authority.’ Every morning at 5:45 a.m., ardaas is performed here, followed by evening prayer at 6:00 p.m.
Golghar
Golghar, located in Patna, is a simple yet charming architecture that combines history and natural beauty. Captain John Garstin built it in 1786 intending to use it as a storehouse.
In addition, Golghar was never fully stocked because it is believed that due to an engineering flaw, the doors only open inwards, and if the granary were fully stocked, the doors would not open.
Aside from being a magnificent granary, the top of Golghar offers a stunning panoramic view of the city and the Ganges. Golghar is one of the many city spots that citizens visit because of its peaceful location and sublime natural setting.
Museum of Bihar
Bihar Museum is one of Patna’s well-known attractions, designed to educate visitors about Bihar’s history and instill a sense of respect and pride in the next generation.
The museum is a relatively new addition to the city’s list of attractions. One of the primary reasons for establishing the museum was to provide more space to house and exhibit artifacts, as the century-old Patna Museum is at capacity.
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Because there was little room to relocate installed artifacts, the decision was made to keep the focus on Human History. As a result, the Bihar Museum is a great place for visitors to learn about Bihar’s human history.
Planetarium in Patna
Indira Gandhi Planetarium, also known as Patna Planetarium, is one of Asia’s oldest and largest planetariums. It is also known as Taramandal, which means “circle of stars,” and is one of the country’s largest and best-kept planetariums.
This section features a diverse selection of film shows about astronomy. Aside from that, exhibitions on various related topics are held for visitors.
Kesaria Stupa
Kesaria Stupa, the tallest and largest Buddhist stupa in the world, was built by the great ruler Ashoka. In his final days, Buddha donated his begging bowl here.
The structure is a brilliant example of Buddhist architecture and is adorned with numerous Buddhist statues. However, some of the parts have been damaged by the invading Muslim rulers. This location was only recently discovered during an ASI excavation.
Buddha Smriti Udyan
Buddha Smriti Udyan, located on Frazer Road near Patna Junction in Patna, is a large urban park built by the Patna Government to commemorate Lord Buddha’s 2554th birthday.
The park’s highlight is the magnificent Patliputra Karuna Stupa, which was inaugurated in 2010 by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. At the time of its opening, two special saplings were planted on its 22-acre property, one of which was brought from Bodh Gaya and the other from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka.
Srikrishna Science center
Srikrishna Science Centre, which opened in 1978, houses a variety of wonderful exhibits that demonstrate various scientific principles. It is very popular, especially with children, and provides a good educational tour.
Rotating Restaurant
The largest revolving restaurant in the country is located on the 18th floor of Biskoman Bhawan, Patna’s tallest building. With the assistance of German techniques, the restaurant completes one revolution in 45, 60, or 90 minutes.
