Patna, formerly recognized as Pataliputra, is the capital of Bihar, an Indian state. Patna provides several historical and archaeological sites for interested travellers to discover, with nearly two thousand six hundred years of history in its footsteps. The city has a rich historical background and has seen numerous civilizations emerge and fall. Having a reputation as a tumultuous city, it has long attracted visitors from all over the world due to its previous splendour of study and culture. Peter Mundy, a famous British writer and adventurer, described Patna as "The biggest part of the eastern area."
The city is home to some of the world's oldest folk music, which is mostly sung by Magahi vocalists. The cityscape is littered with iconic monuments, with Mahavir Mandir being one of the city's most popular destinations. Patna also serves as a portal to many of the state's most prominent religious sites. Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains all make annual pilgrimages here. They travel from here to Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, and Pawapuri, all of which are close by and well linked by various modes of conveyance. Visitors can experience the sacred river on a river cruise provided by the state tourism agency, which is positioned on the bank of the Ganges.
Let's Take a Look at Patna's Past.
Patna has an illustrious history dating back to 490 BCE, when Ajatshatru, the monarch of Magadha, renamed Patliputra as the center of the Magadha Empire (currently day Patna). The city rose to prominence as one of the most important cities on the Indian Subcontinent throughout the next 1000 years. The city played an important role in the development ambitions of the successive Indian dynasties, whether Mauryan, Mughal, or British. Patna became a focus of international trade and business with the arrival of the Europeans. To assist and encourage business, the British East India Company developed a factory here. Other European countries of the time entered the profitable trade to compete. Patna was designated as the capital of the British provinces of Bihar and Orissa when the Bengal Presidency was divided in 1912.
Patna's Culture – 'The Vine of Traditions'
Patna is distinguished by a culture that has continuously developed over the course of its 2500-year history. It has witnessed the emergence of several religions including Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, contributing to the city's cultural vibrancy. Festivals such as Shivratri and Patliputra Mahotsava, which include parades, sports, music, and dancing, bring Patna to life. Traditional Bihar societies are mainly vegetarian, with Buddhist and Hindu peaceful beliefs influencing them.
Patna has a Deeper Affinity for Food
Patna is home to a variety of wonderful cuisines, the most of which are vegetarian. Litti Chokha is an orientation to the town's primary diet. It's a ghee-dipped savoury wheat and sattu dumpling. The spice-filled ball is served with cooked and blended veggies and a variety of flavours. Furthermore, Patna has a particular penchant for sweet meals. Naivedyam (besan and dry fruits) is a popular meal. Other famous dishes include Chandrakala/ Gujiya, Khaja, Kesar Peda, Malpua, Dal Peda, Parwal ki mithai and more.
Chana Ghugni, Samosa, Choora, Jhaal Mudi, Thekua, and other fast food snacks are popular in the region. Other than Anarsa, Kalakand is another delectable condensed milk recipe worth trying. Popular beverages include Sattu Pani and Lassi.
Here are a few places to try various unique meals, along with their locations.
- Litti Chokha - Raj Sweets Shop, Maurya Lok, Dak Bungalow Road, and Boring Road
- Batatapuri - Any street-side vendor
- Chana Ghugni - Maner Sweets, Darchanga house, Rajgir
- Khaja - Opp Patna Museum
- Malpua - Harilal’s Patna, Litti chokha shop
Shop Until Your Heart's Content at Patna
Apart from modern malls and local bazaars, Patna's shopping culture is centred on its markets, as well as different handicraft and art emporiums. Patna is home to some of the greatest experienced craftsmen and painters in the country. Madhubani paintings and wall hangings are well-known in Patna. Exquisite bead jewellery and leather goods are available. Of course, statues and paintings of gods and goddesses are available for purchase by those with a religious inclination. Religious books can also be purchased through book kiosks.
Things to do at Patna
- Endeavour Blessings at Gurudwara Patna Sahib: Gurudwara Patna Sahib, which is devoted to the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Govind Singh, if you're looking for some family-friendly stuff to do in Patna. While you're there, pay your respects to the Guru and wonder at the Gurudwara's stunning traditional Sikh grandeur. The Gurudwara Patna Sahib's museum also houses the "Hukamnamas" of Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh.
- Observe Laser show at Mangal Talab: Enjoy the beautiful Mangal Talab and take in the spectacular laser display. As you sit at the lake's edge and take in this captivating light and spectacle, you can feel the gentle breeze touch your face and trickle down your hair. The rainbow waters of the fountain dance to fantastic music, providing stunning views.
- Take a boat ride on the Ganga River: Enjoy a quiet and pleasant boat trip across the sparkling waters of the scenic Ganges with your beloved one as a respite from all the frantic sightseeing and shopping in the massive metropolis of Patna. You may take in the postcard-perfect vistas of the colourful metropolis while riding on the classic boat.
- Discover Pataliputra's Ruins: Have an adventure journey to Kumhrar, a little town where you can see the Pataliputra Remains. As you wander around the ruins of ancient Patna, you may get a glimpse of the city's illustrious past, when it was ruled by rulers such as Ajatshatru, Chandragupta Maurya, and Ashoka. The remains of Ashoka's 80-pillared pavilion and Panini's Arogyashala can be seen.
- Learn about Agam Kuan's enigma: Agam Kuan is one of the city's earliest archaeological structures and is cloaked in obscurity. The well has several myths concerning it, but the most famous one goes all the way back to the Mauryan period and claims that it was constructed by King Ashoka. The well, which is approximately 105 feet deep and has a perimeter of over 20 feet, is thought to have been used as a torture room. It has eight vaulted windows.
- Study about Bihar’s illustrious past at Nalanda: A visit to Nalanda University, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, would be meaningless without a visit to Patna. This historical institution and Buddhist education center is widely regarded as India's longest-running university. Its red stone walls and pagodas still stand tall, though in ruins presently, narrating chronicles of Bihar's magnificent past.
Places to Visit
- Golghar: This striking beehive-shaped edifice is unquestionably Patna's most famous landmark, topping the city's list of attractions to see and do. Golghar, a remarkable whitewashed cupola with a spiral stairway, was built in 1786 as a granary for the British soldiers encamped in the city by Captain John Garstin.
- Jalan Museum: The Jalan Museum, also known as the Quila House, is a private museum in Bihar's capital city. A dinner service set belonging to George III, Napoleon's Four Panel Bed, Marie Antoinette's Officers Ceramics, and other Mughal Silver Filigree Artworks are among the objects on display within the museum. It was built by Diwan Bahadur and his family and is enormous in dimensions.
- Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden: Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, often known as the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, is a popular tourist attraction in Patna. It is one of Patna's most popular tourist attractions. Presently, the park is host to around 800 animals representing approximately 110 different species. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, a trip to this location is a must.
- Mahatma Gandhi Setu: The Mahatma Gandhi Setu is the second-longest river bridge in India. It is located in Bihar and stretches for 5.7 kilometres along the Ganges. The bridge joins the capital city of Patna in the south to Hajipur in the north, and is dedicated after the nation's father. The bridge, which has four tracks of traffic on each side and pedestrian pathways on both sides, is an essential aspect of daily motor transportation.
- Bihar Museum: The Bihar Museum is one of Patna's most well-known sights, designed to educate visitors about Bihar's past and instil a sense of reverence and dignity in the current generation. The museum is a relatively new addition to the city's offerings. Because the century-old Patna Museum is running out of capacity, one of the key motivations for constructing the museum was to provide extra space to hold and exhibit antiquities.
- Patna Planetarium: Taramandal, which translates "circle of stars," is another name for it, and it is one of the country's largest and finest planetariums. Here you'll find a diverse selection of astronomy-related film shows. Aside from that, tourists can attend exhibitions on a variety of connected topics.
How to reach?
- By Air: The city has its own international airport, Lok Nayak Jayaprakash International Airport, which is located about 7 kilometres from the city centre. By way of Air India, Go Air, Jet Airways, Indigo, and JetLite, the airport is well connected to major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Visakhapatnam. Flights from Patna to Bangalore, Delhi, and other major metro cities are available.
- By Train: Patna Railway Station, the town's eponymous train station, is located in the town. Sanghamitra Express, Rajendra Nagar Express, Bagmati Express, Dbrt Rajdhani, and Cstm Asansol Express provide connections to important cities such as Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Moradabad, and Lucknow.
- By Bus: Patna is well linked to its adjacent towns and states via bus services operated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation in partnership with local commercial companies such as Vaishali Travels. Several important national and state roadways, including National Highways 19 and 83, service the city. The Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Asia's longest river bridge, is situated in Patna and links the city to Hajipur over the Ganga.
