Nalanda Travel, India

Historical Perspective
Nalanda still maintain its eminence as the premier place for studies in Buddhism. It was made for the preaching of Buddhism, ever since the days of Lord Buddha.

Nalanda is a small village near to Rajgir, its near by areas are embellished with copious structures associated with the Buddha and his disciples. The Buddha often visited Nalanda during his numerous tarriances through Magadha and he spread his preaching and taught several important courses here. More than a pilgrimage, Nalanda was a great learning epicenter. It had a lot in its stores to offer both to the pilgrim as well as to the scholars.
Today Nalanda stands in wreck but still it divulges the scholarly ambience. The archaeological zone here is classified into a number of sites that include 11 monasteries and several temples built in red bricks.

Major Attractions
Nalanda University
Nalanda was always the most important center of Buddhist studies. In the 5th century AD the Nalanda University was laid down by the Gupta Empire, it was the center of eminence for studies in Buddhism, Vedas, Logic, Grammar and Medicine. Students from the continent of South and East Asia travel to Nalanda to attain knowledge. Pupil mainly from China and Korea, Sri Lanka and Indonesia and from all the regions of India use to study in the university with full devotion. During the time of Hiuen Tsiang a Chinese scholar in the 7th century the university was affiliated by almost 1510 teachers and 8500 students.

The Nalanda Archaeological Museum
The museum is situated opposite the entrance to the ruins of the university. The splendid gardens and red brick edifices of this archaeological complex can leave any one stunned. The building is divided by the central walkway going towards the south and the north direction, the Viharas were to be found in the eastern direction and the temples are to the west of this walkway. The Vihara-1 are the most poignant among all supported by two floors where the professors use to address their students. A number of undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha are kept in the museum. The major collection includes copper plates and stone inscriptions, coins, pottery, samples of burnt rice of12th century AD and 2 terracotta Jars of 1st century found among the ruins here.

Buddhist temple
The gigantic pyramidal mass of the Temple No.3 is quite poignant, from its top, one can enjoy the panoramic view of the entire area. The temple is girdled by smaller stupas, many of which are carved with small and big statues of the Lord Buddha in various Mudras or poses.

Silao
Silao a small town lies in between Nalanda and Rajgir, is more popular for its local sweet "Khaja" and some of Buddhist shires.
Surajpur Baragaon
Amidst the lake there perched a temple dedicated to God Surya, (the Sun) which is throng by the devotees twice a year in 'Vaishakha' (April-May) and in "Kartika" (October-November). The occasion is auspicious as the massive Chhath Puja or Sun Worshipping is performed.

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara
Buddhist studies and research have received a new stimulus with the foundation of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, an institute dedicated to the study of Pali literature and Buddhism. In this institution students from other countries also use to come for studying apart from Indians. A significant neoteric construction that positively justified a visit is the Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, fabricated to solemnize the Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang.

Mode of Transport
Air: The nearest airport is Patna 93 km. from there tourist buses and cabs are easily available for the city.

Rail: The nearest railway station on Delhi-Howrah (Calcutta) main line is Bakhtiyarpur 38 km. Nalamda is connected by a loop railway line to Bakhtiyarpur.

Road: Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Delhi and Calcutta connect Nalanda through proper roadways. Tourist buses and taxis runs frequently for the destination.