Bihar Capital City - Patna

Mr and Mrs Mathur of Kanpur went to Patna to stay with their relations who lived there. They also planned to visit the holy city of Gaya on the banks of the Ganga.

This bustling urban metropolis was once the centre of ancient culture and learning, Pataliputra, and home to the great Gupta and Maurya empires. There are a some interesting sightseeing spots amidst the confusion and chaos, and a visit to the banks of the Ganga is also a pleasant experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

Golghar: This giant circular structure was built as a granary by the British in 1786. You climb up the staircase to the top to get a lovely view of the Ganga.
Patna State museum: Some of the best pieces of Mauryan and Gandhara sculpture are at display in this museum.
Khudabaksh Library: A rare collection of Persian and Urdu manuscripts and some exquisite miniature paintings can be seen here.
Harmandir Sahib: This is one of the holiest shrines for the Sikhs and is the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.
Kumrahar: This is the excavation site of the ancient Mauryan Empire; you can see many interesting buildings, and relics dating from the 2^nd century BC.
Jalan Museum: This is the collection of the Jalan family and ranges from Chinese jade, to Indian silverware and European antiques, including Napolean Bonapartes porcelain.