Bihar, known as the ancient land of Buddha, has a rich history and culture shaped by its distinct regions: Magadh, Mithila, and Bhojpur. The state experiences three seasons and celebrates various festivals, including Chhath, which is unique to its culture, alongside other Hindu festivals. Travel tips emphasize safety and health precautions for visitors, advising against consuming roadside food and suggesting measures to ensure personal safety.

2. Introduction Of Bihar
❏ Bihar, the ancient land of Buddha, has witnessed golden period of
Indian history. It is the same land where the seeds of the first republic
were sown and which cultivated the first crop of democracy.
❏ Such fertile is the soil that has given birth to innumerous intellectuals
which spread the light of knowledge and wisdom not only in the
country but in the whole world.
❏ The state has its capital at Patna, which is situated on the bank of the
holy river Ganga. The state as it is today has been shaped from its
partition from the province of Bengal and most recently after the
separation of the tribal southern region now called Jharkhand.

3. History of Bihar
❏ The history of Bihar is one of the most varied in India. Bihar consists
of three distinct regions, each has its own distinct history and culture.
They are Magadh, Mithila and Bhojpur.
❏ Chirand, on the northern bank of the Ganga River, in Saran district,
has an archaeological record from the Neolithic age (about 2500–1345
BC).
❏ Regions of Bihar—such as Magadha, Mithila and Anga—are
mentioned in religious texts and epics of ancient India.
❏ Mithila first gained prominence after being settled by Indo-Aryan
peoples who established the Videha kingdom.

4. Climate In Bihar
❏ There are three well-defined seasons: the hot-weather season, lasting
from March to mid-June; the season of southwest monsoon rains,
from mid-June to October; and the cold-weather season, from
November to February.
❏ May is the hottest month, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90 °
F (32 °C), except in the extreme north. The coolest month is January,
with temperatures typically rising into the low 70s F (about 22 °C).
❏ The normal annual rainfall varies from about 40 inches (1,000 mm) in
the west-central part of the state to more than 60 inches (1,500 mm)
in the extreme north.

5. Culture of Bihar
❏ The land of Buddhism and Jainism is rich in culture and tradition.
People in Bihar celebrate a whole range of festivals. These festivals are
inherently linked with the lifestyle and culture of people of Bihar.
❏ People in Bihar celebrate Holi, Saraswati Puja, Durga Puja or
Dussehra, Diwali and Bhaiya Dooj. Other than these festivals which
are common among Hindus all across India, ‘Chhath’ is specifically
celebrated in Bihar.
❏ Holi festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Bihar. Holi songs,
locally called Phagua, are full of rhythms and melodious. Biraha, quite
popular among local people, has great history behind it.

6. Dances of Bihar
❏ Over thousands of years various traditional dance forms have evolved
in Bihar. The folk dance tradition in Bihar can be divided into three
groups. First, the dance performed during poetry performance.
❏ The second stream is those of the tribal people who are closer to
mother earth and their dances are heavily influenced by indigenous
development.
❏ The third stream relates to the other regions of south Bihar. Most of
the folk dances are religious in nature, in which, gods and goddesses
are invoked through dance, performed to the rhythm of folk songs and
music.

7. Religions
❏ Hinduism is a major religion in Bihar. Most of the people follow this
religion. The common people are so religious that it becomes a part of
their everyday life.
❏ There are several Hindu temples throughout the state. Many temple
sites are also famous pilgrimage sites like Gupteshwar Dham, Deo
Markandeya, Bhaluni Temple and Chaurasan Mandir.
❏ Islam is the second largest religion in Bihar consisting 17% of the total
population. There are numerous mosques within the state some of
them are of mediaeval time.
❏ Bihar used to be a main centre of Sufism in mediaeval time frequently
visited by many Sufi saints.

8. Fairs and Festivals of Bihar
❏ These festivals and fairs are showcase of culture and lifestyle of the
people of Bihar.
❏ While some festivals are of religious nature, some highlight the
cultural wealth of the state, vibrant in myriad colors and forms.
❏ Sonepur Cattle Fair, Nag Panchmi, Makar Sankranti Mela and
Pitrapaksha Mela are a few of the many names that come up in the
Bihar calendar of fairs and festivals.

9. Fairs and Festivals of Bihar
❏ Sonepur Fair: Situated on the confluence of rivers Ganga and
Gandak, Sonepur is 35 km from vaishali. The place hosts the Asia’s
largest animal fair, which starts from Karthik full moon day (Oct /Nov).
Sellers and buyers from across the country come here for transaction.
❏ Makar-Sankranti: The festival is known as Tila Sankranti among
locals. People believe that from this day onwards the days become
longer. Observed on January 14 every year, the festival shows the
benevolence of Indian people. People celebrate it by giving offerings
to the poor.

10. Fairs and Festivals of Bihar
❏ Chatth Puja: Chatth Puja is major festival celebrated in Bihar. People
worship the Sun god and offer prayers. For the people of Bihar,
Chhath is the most important festivals and they celebrate it no matter
where they are!
❏ Pitrapaksha Mela: Held in Gaya in the month of September, the
Pitrapaksha Mela attracts people from all over the country. Every
person prays god that he be blessed with a son who would offer him
pinda daan (lymph of rice) at Gaya. The ‘Pindaadan’ offered here by
the relatives of the dead is a must for the ‘moksha’ of the soul.

11. Bihar Travel Tips
❏ Women travelers should avoid wearing tight fitting or revealing
clothes, to prevent unwarranted risk.
❏ Late night strolls better be avoided, especially when you are alone.
❏ Refrain from getting overfriendly with strangers. Do not get too
personal with people like taxi drivers, auto drivers, tourist guides, etc.
❏ Never consume any eatable offered by strangers. If you accept it as
etiquette demands, make you do not eat.
❏ Keep all your cash and valuables under lock and key in your hotel
room. Avoid carrying and exhibiting them in busy streets.

12. Health Precautions
❏ Avoid consuming the roadside food. It might leave you with an upset
stomach, along with a satiated appetite.
❏ Do not have non-vegetarian dishes in cheap and lousy places.
Whenever you feel like eating meat or fish, it is advisable to go for
high quality and hygienic places.
❏ Whenever you visit a local eating joint, do not eat cut fruits and salads.
It is better to stick to cooked and fried food as far as possible.
❏ Ensure that you always drink bottled water with an intact seal. Keep
health hazards at bay and avoid drinking water at the roadside stalls,
dhabas and even the local restaurants.

13. Population Of Bihar
To get a clear idea of the population of Bihar in 2019 - 2020, we require
the population data of the past 5 years. They are as follows:
https://indiapopulation2020.in/population-of-bihar
-2020.html