Mass media
Main article: Media in Bihar
Biharbandhu was the first Hindi newspaper published in Bihar. It was started in 1872 by
Madan Mohan Bhatta, a Marathi Brahman who settled in Bihar Sharif.[180] Hindi
journalism often failed[181] until it became an official language in the state. Hindi was
introduced in the law courts in Bihar in 1880.[180][182]
Urdu journalism and poetry have a long history in Bihar, with many poets such as Shaad
Azimabadi, Kaif Azimabadi, Kalim Ajiz and Bismil Azimabadi. Bihar publishes many Urdu
dailies, such as Qomi Tanzim and Sahara, and the monthly Voice of Bihar.[183]
The beginning of the 20th century was marked by a number of notable new
publications. A monthly magazine named Bharat Ratna was started in Patna, in 1901. It
was followed by Ksahtriya Hitaishi, Aryavarta from Dinapure, Udyoga, and Chaitanya
Chandrika.[184] Udyog was edited by Vijyaanand Tripathy, a famous poet of the time,
and Chaitanya Chandrika by Krishna Chaitanya Goswami, a literary figure of that time.
The literary activity was not confined to Patna alone but to other districts of Bihar.[180]
[185]
Festivals
Main article: Festivals
Nature of Festival Festival Name
Agricultural &
Makar Sankranti, Chhath Puja, Jur Sital, Adra Nakshatra
Seasonal
Religious & Spiritual Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Jitiya, Bihula-Bishari
(Hindu) Puja, Buddha Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti
Folk & Cultural Rajgir Mahotsav, Sonepur Mela, Sama-Chakeva
Tribal & Regional Sarhul, Karam
Chhath Puja is the biggest and most popular festival in Bihar.[186] The four-day-long holy
Hindu festival includes intense celebration across the state. Chhath Puja are done in
various cities, towns, and villages throughout Bihar. All of Bihar involves itself in
devotion to Chhath Puja. The city is decked up in lighting decorations and thousands of
colourful ghats are set up, where effigies of the goddess Chhath Maiya and her brother
God Surya are displayed and worshipped at both sunset and sunrise. People of all
religious backgrounds go to the bank of any river or near by a pond or lake in order to
give arghya to the Sun. They carry fruits and thekuaa along with them in soop and daura
(a bowl-like structure made of bamboo) for their worship activities. Nowadays, these
traditions have spread to multiple countries worldwide wherever Bihari community is
present.
Durga Puja is also the biggest, most popular and widely celebrated festival in Bihar.
[187] The ten-day-long colourful Hindu festival includes intense celebration across the
state. Pandals are erected in various cities, towns, and villages throughout Bihar. The
cities of Bihar are transformed during Durga Puja. Urban areas are decked up in lighting
decorations and thousands of colourful pandals are set up where effigies of the goddess
Durga and her four children are displayed and worshipped. The idols of the goddess are
brought in from Kumortuli, where idol-makers work throughout the year fashioning clay
models of the goddess. Since independence in 1947, Durga Puja has slowly changed
into more of a glamorous carnival than that of a religious festival. Today people of
diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds partake in the festivities. On Vijayadashami,
the last day of the festival, the effigies are paraded through the streets with riotous
pageantry before being immersed into the rivers.
Other than Chath Puja and Durga Puja, Bihar is home to a diverse range of festivals that
reflect its rich cultural, religious, and folk traditions. Makar Sankranti marks the winter
harvest and is celebrated with sweets made of sesame and jaggery. Buddha Jayanti,
observed with reverence in Bodh Gaya, commemorates the birth and enlightenment of
Gautama Buddha, while Mahavir Jayanti honours the birth of Lord Mahavira in Vaishali, a
significant Jain pilgrimage. Rajgir Mahotsav is a grand cultural event showcasing classical
music, dance, and traditional crafts in the historic town of Rajgir. The Sonepur Mela, held
at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers, is Asia’s largest cattle fair blending
commerce with spirituality. Folk festivals like Sama-Chakeva celebrate sibling bonds
through clay figurines and songs during Kartik in the Mithila region. Jitiya, a fasting
festival by mothers for the well-being of their sons, and Bihula-Bishari Puja, rooted in
Bhagalpur’s traditions, reflect deep familial and mythological beliefs. Agricultural and
seasonal observances such as Jur Sital (Maithili New Year) and Adra Nakshatra mark
ecological cycles. Tribal festivals like Sarhul and Karam, celebrated by indigenous
communities in southern Bihar, further enrich the region’s pluralistic festival calendar.
Together, these festivals illustrate Bihar’s layered identity, uniting ancient spirituality
with vibrant folk and tribal customs.[188]
Tourism
Tourist attractions in Bihar
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mahabodhi Temple and Nalanda, Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin
Sanctuary, Bihar Museum, Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, Ghora Katora
Main article: Tourism in Bihar
Bihar is visited by many tourists from around the world,[189] In 2019, 33 million tourists
visited Bihar, including more than 1 million foreign tourists.[190]
Bihar is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as many other ancient
monuments. The Mahabodhi Temple (literally: "Great Awakening Temple"), a UNESCO
World Heritage site, is an ancient Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location
where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya (in Gaya district) is
about 96 km (60 mi) from Patna. The Khuda Bakhsh Library, which has one of the world's
largest collection of books, rare manuscripts and paintings is located in Patna.
Nalanda Mahavihara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is among the oldest universities in
the world, situated in Nalanda, Bihar. It comprises the archaeological remains of a
monastic and scholastic institution dating from the third century BCE to the 13th century
CE. It includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and
important art works in stucco, stone and metal. Nalanda stands out as the most ancient
university of the Indian subcontinent. Archaeological Survey of India has recognised
72 monuments in Bihar as Monuments of National Importance.
Furthermore, Archaeological Survey of India has recognised 30 additional monument
as protected monuments in Bihar.
Rajgir, located in Nalanda district of Bihar, is a prominent tourist destination known for
its historical, religious, and natural attractions. Once the capital of the Magadha empire,
Rajgir holds significance for Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus alike. In recent years, it has
emerged as a modern eco-tourism hub with the addition of attractions like the Rajgir
Glass Sky Walk Bridge;[191] India’s first of its kind offering panoramic views from atop the
Vaibhav Hill. Another major draw is the Rajgir Zoo Safari,[192] spread over 191 hectares,
which allows visitors to observe wildlife like lions, tigers, leopards, and bears in open
enclosures via guided safaris. Together, these sites combine heritage with adventure,
making Rajgir a unique blend of ancient legacy and modern tourism.
Bihar has many places for ecotourism, which includes Valmiki National Park, famous for
its national park and tiger reserve. Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary is home to the
endangered Gangetic Dolphin. Bihar has many wildlife sanctuaries such as Bhimbandh
Wildlife Sanctuary, Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaimur Sanctuary, Udaypur
Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Pant Wildlife Sanctuary. Bihar is host to many species of
migratory birds at bird sanctuaries like Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary and the Nagi Dam
Bird Sanctuary.
Many tourists visit Bihar because of the religious significance of the area.
The Hindu Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, is believed to have been born
in Sitamarhi in the Mithila region of modern-day Bihar.[193][194] Gautama Buddha is
believed to have attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, a town located in the modern
day district of Gaya in Bihar. Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara was born
in Champapuri, Bhagalpur. Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born
in Vaishali around the sixth century BCE.[195] The Śrāddha ritual performed in the Pitru
Paksha period is considered to be most powerful in the holy city of Gaya, which is seen
as a special place to perform the rite, and hosts a fair during the Pitri Paksha period. [196]
Transport
Main article: Transport in Bihar
Airports
Main article: List of airports in Bihar
Bihar has a total of three operational airports as of 2020: Lok Nayak Jayaprakash
Airport in Patna, Gaya Airport in Gaya, and Darbhanga Airport in Darbhanga. All three
airports have scheduled flights to major cities around India. Gaya Airport is the only
international airport in Bihar, having seasonal flights to countries like Thailand, Bhutan,
and Myanmar.
Railways
Railways in Bihar form a crucial component of the state's transport infrastructure, with
the East Central Railway (ECR), headquartered at Hajipur and rail network length of
3,794 km (2,357 mi) in 2020.[197] All major cities, districts and towns are well connected.
Major stations in bihar are Patna, Ara, Buxar, Gaya, Samastipur, Sasaram, Siwan, Chapra,
Barauni, Hajipur, Saharsa, Rajgir, Muzaffarpur, Jamalpur and Bhagalpur. Eastern
Dedicated Freight Corridor passes through Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, and Gaya with
a total length of 239 km (149 mi) in Bihar.[198] The following are the three division in ECR
zone:
Division Zone Headquarter
Danapur East Central Railway Danapur (Patna)
Sonpur East Central Railway Sonpur (Saran)
Samastipur East Central Railway Samastipur
State Expressways and highways
Main article: List of state highways in Bihar
Gaya-Darbhanga Expressway (access controlled highway) will be Bihar's first
expressway, with a length of 189 km. It is expected to be completed by 2024.[199] Bihar
also has state highways with a total length of 4,006 km (2,489 mi) and national
highways with a total length of 5,358 km (3,329 mi).
Metro transit
Patna will be the first city in Bihar to have mass rapid transit system. Patna Metro with
network of 31 km (19 mi) length is under construction as of 2022.[200] However, it is
currently delayed due to land acquisition process.[201]
Bus transit
Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) runs interstate, intrastate, and
international route buses.[202] BSRTC has a daily ridership of around 100,000. Its fleet
includes non-electric and electric buses, and AC and non-AC buses. Delhi, Ranchi, and
Kathmandu in Nepal are some of the destinations served outside Bihar. BSRTC has
undergone significant expansion and modernisation since 2020. BSRTC runs intercity
and local buses, and it has introduced new low-emission, air-conditioned buses
(including electric and CNG models) equipped with Wi-Fi, GPS tracking, CCTV surveillance
cameras, panic buttons, and mobile charging points.[203] In 2021, BSRTC launched
the Chalo mobile application to provide live bus tracking and enable cashless e-ticketing
via mobile passes, encouraging more commuters to use public transport.[204] Urban
transport infrastructure has also been upgraded, notably with the opening of
the Patliputra Inter-State Bus Terminal in Patna in 2020 the state’s first modern
ISBT[205] and a 24-acre central bus depot called Parivahan Parisar in 2023 as a hub for all
Patna city and intercity buses. For rural areas, the Mukhyamantri Gram Parivahan
Yojana (launched in 2018 and expanded in recent years) provides a 50% subsidy (up to
₹1 lakh) for selected panchayat-level beneficiaries to purchase passenger vehicles,
improving village connectivity and creating transport jobs for disadvantaged groups.
[206] The state has also introduced women-only “Pink Bus” services in 2025 across six
cities to enhance safety and inclusivity for female travellers – deploying 22-seater buses
run by female conductors (with plans to train women drivers) and outfitting them with
CCTV, GPS and panic-button alarms as security measures.[207]
Inland Waterways
National Waterways-1 runs along the Ganges river. Gaighat in Patna has a permanent
terminal of inland waterways for handling cargo vessels.[208] The Ganges is navigable
throughout the year, and was the principal river highway across the vast Indo-Gangetic
Plain. Vessels capable of accommodating five hundred merchants were known to ply
this river in the ancient period, when it served as a conduit for overseas trade. The role
of the Ganges as a channel for trade was enhanced by its natural links to major rivers
and streams in north and south Bihar.[209]
Education
Main articles: Education in Bihar and Literacy in Bihar
See also: List of educational institutions in Bihar
Historically, Bihar has been a major centre of learning, home to the ancient
universities of Nalanda ( 450 CE), Odantapurā (est. 550 CE), and Vikramashila (est. 783
CE). Nalanda and Vikramshila universities were destroyed by the invading forces
of Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1200 CE.[210] Bihar saw a revival of its education system during the
later part of the British rule, when Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library was established in
1891 by Sir Khan Bahadur Khuda Bakhsh which is currently one of the world's largest
functioning library and boasts more than five million items. It is known for its paintings
and rare manuscripts.[211]
Patna University, the seventh oldest university on the Indian subcontinent, was
established in 1917.[212] Some other centres of high learning established under British
rule are Patna College (est. 1839), Bihar School of Engineering (est. 1900; now known
as National Institute of Technology, Patna), Prince of Wales Medical College (est. 1925;
now Patna Medical College and Hospital), Science College, Patna (est. 1928), Patna
Women's College, Bihar Veterinary College (est. 1927), and Imperial Agriculture
Research Institute (est. 1905; now Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University,
Pusa). The Patna University, one of the oldest universities in Bihar, was established in
1917, and is the seventh oldest university of the Indian subcontinent. NIT Patna, the
second oldest engineering college of India, was established as a survey training school
in 1886 and later renamed as the Bihar College of Engineering in 1932.
Today, Bihar is home to eight Institutes of National Importance: IIT Patna, IIM Bodh
Gaya, AIIMS, Patna, NIT Patna, IIIT Bhagalpur, NIPER Hajipur, Khuda bakhsh Oriental
Library, and the Nalanda International University. In 2008, Indian Institutes of
Technology Patna was inaugurated with students from all over India[213] and in the same
year the National Institute of Fashion Technology Patna was established as the ninth
such institute in India.[214] The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya was
established in 2015. In March 2019, the government of Bihar sent a proposal to the
centre government to upgrade Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital into an AIIMS-
like institution.[215] Bihar is home of four Central universities which includes Central
University of South Bihar, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Central Agriculture University and Nalanda University. In 2015, the central government
proposed the re-establishment of Vikramshila in Bhagalpur and had designated ₹500
crores (₹5 billion) for it.[216] Bihar also has the National Institute of Fashion Technology
Patna, National Law University, Patna Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Footwear
Design and Development Institute, Bihta and Central Institute of Plastic Engineering &
Technology (CIPET) Center. CIPET and IHM was established in Hajipur in 1994 and 1998
respectively. Bihar Engineering University was established under Bihar
Engineering University Act, 2021 of Bihar Government[217] with the purpose of the
development and management of educational infrastructure related to technical,
medical, management, and related professional education in Bihar.[218] Based on 2020–
21 data, Bihar Engineering University has 56[219] and Bihar medical science University
under the Bihar medical science University act, 2021. There are Pharmacy colleges,
15 Medical colleges, and 36 Nursing colleges after establishing this
university. Aryabhatta Knowledge University has 33 educational colleges, 8 community
colleges, and one vocational college.[220] Chanakya National Law
University and Chandragupt Institute of Management were established in the later half
of 2008 and now attracts students from not just within Bihar but also students from far
flung states. Nalanda International University was established in 2014 with active
investment from countries such as Japan, Korea, and China. The A.N. Sinha Institute of
Social Studies is a premier research institute in the state.[221] Bihar has eight medical
colleges which are funded by the government, including Patna Medical College and
Hospital, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical
Sciences, Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, Sri Krishna Medical College and
Hospital, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Bhagalpur, and five private medical colleges.
[222] Bihar has the seven old government engineering colleges; Muzaffarpur institute of
technology, Bhagalpur college of Engineering, Gaya college of Engineering, Nalanda
College of Engineering, Darbhanga college of Engineering, Motihari college of
Engineering, and the Loknayak Jai Prakash Institute of Technology.
Bihta, a suburb of the state capital Patna] is home of institutes like IIT Patna, AIIMS
Patna, BIT Patna and is now emerging as an educational hub.[223][224] With institutes
like Super 30, Patna has emerged as a major center for engineering and civil
services coaching. The major private IIT-JEE coaching institutes have opened up their
branches in Bihar and this has reduced the number of students who go to, for
example, Kota and Delhi for engineering/medical coaching.
Bihar e-Governance Services & Technologies (BeST) and the government of Bihar have
initiated a unique program to establish a centre of excellence called Bihar Knowledge
Center, a school to equip students with the latest skills and customised short-term
training programs at an affordable cost. The centre aims to attract the youth of the state
to improve their technical, professional, and soft skills, to meet the current requirements
of the industrial job market.[225] The National Employability Report of Engineering
Graduates, 2014,[226] puts graduates from Bihar in the top 25 per cent of the country,
and rates Bihar as one of the three top states at producing engineering graduates in
terms of quality and employability.[227]