Patna is the largest city of the state and the capital city of Bihar. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and was founded by King Magadha in 490 BCE, which is why it has a unique culture and influence in India. The significance of its history and ancient traditions are very well visible through the lifestyle of the city.
Best Time to Visit Patna
The Winter season is the best time to visit Patna as the temperature is moderate from October to March. Planning a visit around this time will let you explore the capital city of Bihar to the fullest.
History of Patna
Patna has its roots in the 4th Century BC during the Mauryan Empire. A famous Greek traveler Magasthenese visited the present-day Patna during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya and he also mentioned the Mauryan rule and the place in his book ‘Indica’. In ancient times Patna was known as Patliputra. Many historians claim that the land of Patliputra was very fertile because it was situated by the river Ganga.
Patliputra used to get visited by students and scholars the most for academic purposes primarily because of the Nalanda University. Buddhist followers and monks also used to visit Patliputra in order to reach Bodh Gaya the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. Apart from all these religious significances, Patna is also known for Madhubani paintings that were created using charcoal, vegetables, and spice as colors.
Patna also served as the capital city for various empires such as the Nanda Dynasty, the Mauryan empire, the Gupta empire, and Shunga Dynasty. After the decline of the Gupta dynasty, Patna got ruled by Mughals who then exported the premium quality rice from Patna to other countries. After the Mughals, came the nawabs of Bengal who later lost to the Britishers in the Battle of Buxar. During British rule, many educational institutions and courts were built in Patna.
Major Attractions in and Around Patna Bihar
1. Golghar
Positioned in the city of Patna, Golghar is an attractive storehouse cum monument that reflects a complete mix of history and beauty. The top of this storehouse offers a panoramic view of the city and the river Ganga. After a famine in 1770, this granary was built with the help of the East India Company.
2. Mahatma Gandhi Setu
Stands among the second largest river bridge in India, Mahatma Gandhi Setu is next to Bhupen Hazarika Setu in Assam. The bridge extends in a range of 5.7 km. and it was named after the father of the nation Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi. This bridge connects the capital city Patna to Hajipur city in the north of Bihar.
3. Patna Sahib Gurudwara
The Gurudwara was built up in the memory of Guru Gobind Ji because it was his birthplace. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the 10th and the last guru of Sikhs. Various other scriptures of Sikhs can be observed over here, and it falls among one of the 5 Takhtas or holy seats of the authority of the Sikhs. Apart from that, there are several Havelis of Salis Rai Jouri that turned into a Dharamshala as he was a passionate follower of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
4. Gandhi Maidan
Positioned in the capital city Patna on the bank of the river Ganga, Gandhi Maidan is spread in an area of 60 acres. The maidan witnessed many independence movements, freedom rallies, parades, and much more. Gandhi Maidan is a landmark in the city that has a 72-feet tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi that is made of Bronze.
5. Revolving Restaurant
The biggest revolving restaurant lies in the tallest tower of Biskoman Bhawan in Patna. Built with German technology the restaurant can revolve between 45 and 90 minutes. The restaurant is a popular weekend lunch or dinner spot for locals and tourists alike.
6. Patna Museum
Locals of Patna refer to the museum as Jadu Ghar. The museum has a unique collection of more than 50,000 art objects belonging to the ancient, medieval, and British eras. The museum was built in 1917 with a motive to preserve and display the rich heritage of the land.
How to Reach Patna
Patna is an ancient city that has always been historically, culturally, and religiously significant. The city is home to many pilgrimage sites for Hindu, Sikh, and Jain devotees and many ancient structures. You too can arrive here to witness the magnificence of the city via different modes of transportation from any part of the country. From Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru one has to travel a distance of approximately 1,000km via NH27, 1,700km via NH52, and NH27, 600km via NH19, and 2,100km via NH44 respectively to reach Patna. Mentioned below are some best travel options that you may consider.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Patna
By Road
Traveling by road comes with a budget-friendly option i.e. traveling by inter-state tourist buses that runs regularly and frequently. One-way travel fare by bus from Delhi starts from Rs.1200, from Nalanda Rs.350, and from Ranchi Rs.400. Patna has a well-developed transportation structure having a wide network of roadways, railways, and airways. Listed below is the estimate of the distance in kilometers and the best route to take to reach Patna.
- Delhi - 1000 km via Agra Lucknow Expressway and NH 27
- Kolkata - 560 km via NH 19
- Prayagraj - 365 km via NH 19
- Ranchi - 330 km via NH 20
- Gaya - 120 km via SH 4
By Rail
Patna Junction Railway Station is where one must get down from the train to reach the main city. Mahananda Express, Seemanchal Express, Howrah Duronto Express, and Vikramshila express are the few trains in which seats can be reserved to reach Patna. From the railway station, one may take the local public transport like taxi, bus, or auto-rickshaw to reach the desired location. The following are some direct trains that you may consider to travel if planning a train journey to reach Patna.
- Delhi - North East Express, Seemanchal Express, Vikramshila Express
- Ranchi - Patliputra Express, PNBE Janshatabdi
- Kolkata - Upasana Express, Himgiri Express, Amritsar Express
- Prayagraj - Mahananda Express, Magadh Express, Vibhuti Express
- Kanpur - Azimabad Express
- Gaya - Budhpurnima Express, Gangadamodar Express
By Air
Book flights Patna to kolkata International Airport (PAT) in order to arrive at this ancient city that remained significant in ancient history, modern history, and still is in the digital age. Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport is the name of Patna Airport that receives direct and connecting flights from all the major airports of India situated in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. From the airport, one may use local transport to reach the desired destination. You can travel with the following airlines via their non-stop flights to Patna.
- Delhi - Vistara, SpiceJet
- Lucknow - IndiGo
- Kolkata - SpiceJet, IndiGo
- Ranchi - IndiGo
Frequently Asked Questions about Patna
Q. What are the popular tourist attractions in Patna?
A. Some popular tourist attractions in Patna include the Mahavir Mandir, Mahavir Mandir, Padri Ki Haveli, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, and Patna Museum.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
