Nalanda

Nalanda, is one of the famous ancient place of learning and was founded in the 5th century AD. The ruins of the world's most ancient university lies here which is 62 km from Bodhgaya and 90 km south of Patna. Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous center of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th centuries. Nalanda flourished until AD 1199, when it was looted and destroyed by the Turkish raider, Bakhtiar Khalji. The ruins of its temples and monasteries convey a stunning impression of the peaceful and ordered life of meditation and learning that prevailed here.


                                 Museums

                             Nalanda Archaeological Museum 

Nalanda archaeological museum is just opposite the entrance to the ruins of the university and houses. In the museum there is a small but beautiful collection of Buddhist and Hindu bronzes and a number of undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha that were found in the area. Two enormous terra-cotta jars of the first century stand intact behind the museum in a shaded enclosure. The collection includes copper plates and stone inscriptions, coins, pottery and samples of burnt rice (12th century AD) found among the ruins here. Open during 10.00 to 17.00. The museum is closed on Friday.


                                    Nava Nalanda Mahavihara

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is devoted to study and research of Pali Literature and Buddhism. This is a new institute, where students from foreign countries also study.
Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall

A new construction in memory of the great Chinese traveler, Hieun Tsang.
                          Other attractions
            Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex

The total area of the excavation is about 14 hectares. All the edifices are of the red brick and the gardens are beautiful. The buildings are divided by a central walk way that goes south to north. The monasteries or "Viharas" are east of this central alley and the temple or "Chaiyas" to the west. The Vihara-1 is perhaps the most interesting with its cells on two floors built around a central courtyard where steps lead up to what must have been a dais for the professors to address their students. A small chapel still retains a half broken statue of the Lord Buddha.

                                                                             Silao

In between Nalanda and Rajgir, there is a village namely Silao where very a popular local sweet "KHAJA" is prepared.



                                       Surajpur Baragaon

Surajpur Baragaon is a lake with its temple of Surya, the Sun God, is a pilgrim destination twice a year in "Vaishakha" (April-May) and in "Kartika" (October-November) during the Chhath Puja or Sun worship.


How to Reach

The nearest airport is at Patna 89 km. For railways a person should prefer Gaya railway station which is 95 km. Nalanda is connected by road to other parts of the state.