Nalanda Ancient University Bihar, Nalanda Heritage Site India, Nalanda India, Nalanda Buddhist Site India

Nalanda is the name of ancient center of higher learning in Bihar, India. Nalanda is located in the Indian state of Bihar. Site of Nalanda is about 90 km from the capital of Bihar, Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE. It has been known as "one of the first great universities in the history. Nalanda had the honor of being visited by Lord Buddha a number of times, in His lifetime. Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great, consructed some buildings. The Gupta Empire also patronized some monasteries. It is assumed by historians that Nalanda flourished between the reign of the Gupta king Śakrāditya (also known as Kumāragupta, reigned 415-55) and 1197 CE, supported by patronage from Buddhist emperors like Harsha as well as later emperors from the Pala Empire.The university of Nalanda, apart from being the largest and oldest university of ancient time, was also first residential international university of the world. The campus was built with red bricks and its ruins occupy an area of 14 hectares. The university attracted scholars and students from as far away as China, Greece, and Persia at its peak. Nalanda was sacked by Turkic Muslim invaders under Bakhtiyar Khalji in 1193, a milestone in the decline of Buddhism in India. In 2006, Singapore, China, India, Japan, and other nations, announced a proposed plan to restore and revive the ancient site as Nalanda International University. The great library of Nalanda University was so vast that it is reported to have burned for three months after the Moguls set fire to it, sacked and destroyed the monasteries, and drove the monks from the site.

Major Toursist Attraction In Nalanda

Nalanda University comprises of numerous temples and monasteries. There is a small chapel in the university, which still retains a half broken statue of Lord Buddha. Nalanda is a major Buddhist site in India and travelled by lot of tourists from all over the world.

Surya Mandir
Surya Mandir, dedicated to the Surya (the Sun God) is adorned with many idols, of both Hindu as well as Buddhist deities.

Nalanda Museum
Nalanda Museum dates back to the year 1971 and houses a rich collection of ancient manuscripts, Buddhist statues and items like coins, pottery, inscriptions of the Maurya and Gupta period.

Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall
This Memorial Hall is dedicated to Hieun Tsang, a Chinese traveler who stayed in Nalanda for 12 years.

How to reach Nalanda

By Air
The nearest airport of Patna is around 90 km from the village and is well linked with Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, etc.

By Rail
The railway station of Bakhtiyarpur, 38 km away, is the nearest to Nalanda. One can also go to the Gaya railway station, approximately 65 km away.

By Road
There is a good road network connecting Nalanda with Patna, Gaya, Delhi, Kolkata, etc.

Nearby Cities
Rajgir - Approximately 12 km
Bodh Gaya - Approximately 110 km
Gaya - Approximately 95 km

Bak to Tourist Destinations India