Sita Kund

✎ Sita Kund is a Hindu pilgrimage site in Sitamarhi district, in the Indian state of Bihar, which has an ancient Hindu temple.

✎ Sita Kund place is the honor of being the birthplace of Hindu Goddess, Sita.

✎ It is situated 5 km west of Sitamarhi town and a popular visitor’s attraction.

✎ Sita Kund is a holy hot water spring, situated near a temple.

✎ Punaura Dham Mandir is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Goddess Sita, located in Sitamarhi, Bihar, India. Millions of pilgrims visit the temple every year and most visited religious shrine in North India.

✎ Sitamarhi is the place where Sita was born, the main character of the epic Ramayana. The town is situated along the border of Nepal.

✎ This town was almost completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1939.

Nearby Sita Kund is a reservoir of cold water which is known as the Rama Kund.

✎ To the west of the Sita Kund lie the Lakshman Kund, Bharat Kund and Shatrugan Kund, named after the three brothers of Lord Rama.

✎ According to legend when Goddess Sita came out of the fire, she took bath in this pool and the heat of the body was absorbed by the water of the pool.

✎ The hot spring is now enclosed in a masonry reservoir and is visited by large number of pilgrims, especially at the full moon of Magh.

Kastaharni Ghat - Tourist Attraction of Bihar

✎ Kastaharni Ghat is a ghat or bathing place on the river Ganges, at Munger in Indian state of Bihar.

✎ The name “Kastaharni Ghat” literally means “The bathing place which expels all pains”.

✎ In the 26th Adhyaya (chapter) of Adi Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, it is mentioned that both Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana on their way back from the encounter with Taraka, the demoness, took rest at the spot. The relaxation they had given rise to the name of Kastaharni Ghat. According to another account it was on his return journey from Mithila to Ayodhya after marrying Sita that Lord Rama bathed at this place to relieve himself from fatigue.

✎ In the 6th century, C.E., a Hindu sage named Mudgal Muni appeared in the city and established two shrines, one at a rock at Kastaharni Ghat.

✎ According to Hindu folklore, one who takes a dip in this ghat receives solace and cure from bodily pains.

✎ Its significance is enhanced by the northerly flow of the river at this point, which is termed Uttarvahini Ganga.

✎ The ghat premises are managed by Sri Jagannatha temple trust of Munger.

✎ It is one of the wonderful places to spend one’s evenings and is one of the best loved tourist spots for the rich scenic beauty.

Chandika Sthan

✎ Chandika Sthan is Hindu temple, situated in Munger, in the Indian state of Bihar.

✎ It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, places of worship consecrated to the goddess Shakti.

✎ On the Northeast corner of Munger, Chandika Sthan is just 2kms away from the Munger town.

✎ Being a Siddhi- Peetha, Chandika Sthan is considered to be one of the most sacred and sanctified temples.

✎ Legendary tales and Hindu folklore says that it was to save the world from the anger of Lord Shiva, as he took the corpse of Sati and began dancing in a “Tandav Mudra”, as a result of which the earth began to shake and the whole creation was about to destroy. Lord Vishnu managed to cut Sati’s corpse in 64 pieces by his Sudarshan Chakra. The same legend says that the left eye of the Sati felt at Munger, which subsequently developed into a place of worship of the Divine mother Chandi.

✎ Chandika Sthan is famous for the cure of eye troubles, as per the traditional belief of the local folklore.

✎ Another legend connected with Chandika Sthan is regarding King Karna of the ancient Indian king of Anga, who used to worship Goddess Chandi Mata every day and in turn the goddess gave him 114 pounds (equivalent to 50kgs) of gold for distribution among the needy and downtrodden at Karanchaura, now a local name of vicinity.

✎ The architecture of the temple gives the view of an inverted could ran onthe Ganga and very close to it on the eastern side of the Samashan or cremation site.

✎ During the 10 days of Durga Puja all roads lead to Chandi Asthan on the 8th day (Ashtami day) Yogis, Sanyasis, Tantriks come here from Kamakshya to perform their Tantric Siddhis.

✎ It is still a place where goats are sacrified on every Tuesday.

Dungeshwari Cave Temple

✎ Dungeshwari cave temples, also known as Mahakala caves, is situated 12 km north-east of Bodhgaya, in Gaya District, Bihar.

✎ Dungeshwara temple was built in 7th and 10th century A.D. by Sakya prince.

✎ Gautama Siddhartha is believed to have piously meditated at this place for 6 years before he went to Bodhgaya for the final realization.

✎ Two small shrines are built to commemorate this phase of Buddha.

✎ A golden emaciated Buddha sculpture memorizing the rigid penance is enshrined in one of the cave temples and a large (about 6’ tall) Buddha’s statue in the other.

✎ A Hindu goddess deity Durgeshwari is also placed inside the cave temple.

✎ This temple is also popular as Sujata Sthan for local people.

✎ It is believed that when Buddha was doing his self-mortification, he became frail, feeble and starved then a village woman named Sujata offered him food. Buddha accepted her offerings and consumed the food; his explicit approval presented him with a divine truth that neither extreme self-indulgence nor self-abasement is the right way to attain enlightenment. Buddha attained the knowledge that following the middle path will lead to attaining the supreme nirvana. This temple stands as a symbol commemorating this event.

✎ Timings of the temple are 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

✎ Entry is free for all people in this temple.

Vishnupad Mandir - Ancient Temple of Bihar

✎ Vishnupad Mandir is an ancient temple in Gaya, Bihar, India. It is Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

✎ This temple is located along the Falgu River, marked by a footprint of Lord Vishnu known as Dharmashila, incised into a block of Basalt.

✎ The Brahmkalpit Brahmas are the traditional priest of the temple from ancient time who is known as Gayamal Tirth Purohit or Panda.

✎ Several legendary saints as Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Chaitanya, Mahaprabhu and Sri Ramakrishna have visited this shine.

✎ Once demon known as Gayasura did heavy penace and sought a boon that whoever sees him should attain salvation (Moksham). So Lord Vishnu asked Gayasura to go beneath the earth and did so by placing his right foot on Asura’s head and Lord Vishnu print remain on the surface that we see even today. Gayasura pushed into earth pleaded for food and Lord Vishnu gave him a boon that everyday someone will offer him food and whosoever do it, there soul will reach heaven.

✎ The footprints consist of nine different symbols including Shankam, Chakram and Gadham. These are believed to be weapons of the Lord.

The construction date of temple is unknown and it is believed that Rama and Sita had visited this place.

✎ The present day structure was rebuilt by Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, the ruler of Indore in 1787, on the banks of the Falgu River.

✎ A flight of 1000 stones steps lead to the top of the Brahmajuni hill, 1km southwest from the Vishnupad Mandir. There are many small temples near this temple.

✎ Inside the Vishnupad Mandir, the 40cm long footprint of Lord Vishnu is imprinted in solid rock and surrounded by silver plated basin.

✎ The height of this temple is 30 metres and it has 8 rows of beautifully carved pillars which support the pavilion.

✎ The temple is built of large gray granite blocks jointed with iron clamps.

✎ Its pyramidal tower rises up a 100 feet. The tower has sloping sides with alternately indented and plain sections. The sections are set at an angle to create a series of peaks joined at the top.

✎ Within the temple stands the immortal banyan tree Akshayat where the final rituals for the dead takes place.

✎ On the top of the temple is (Garv Ghiri) silver coated hexagon railing also known as (Pahal).

✎ Vishnupad Temple is open on all days and even on public holidays from 6:30a.m. To 7:30 p.m.

Sonepur Fair

✎ Sonepur Fair is held on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day) in the month of November in Sonepur, Bihar, on the confluence of river Ganges and Gandak. It is also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela and it attracts visitors from all over Asia. Till date, it is biggest cattle fair of Asia and stretches on from 15 days to one month.

✎ Sonepur Fair is held for one month i.e. from November to December.

✎ Sonepur is situated at the convergence of the sacred rivers Ganges and Gandak; the Hindus regard it as holy site.

✎ The fair commemorates the intervention of Lord Vishnu to end a great curse and long fight between elephant and crocodile in Hindu Mythology.

✎ There are many historical events associated with Sonepur Mela. In ancient times the royal Rajahs and Nawabs used to camp here, also the first meeting of the “Indian Association of Cow Protection” held at this place in 1888.

✎ Trade in elephants has been prohibited at Sonepur Mela since 2004 owing to strict enforcement of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and further denial of transfer of ownership certificate to the elephant owners.

✎ The venue of fair was Hazipur and only the performance of the puja used to take place at the Harihar Nath Temple of Sonepur.Under the rule of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the venue of the fair got shifted to Sonepur.

✎ The fair was also used at a recruitment ground by the provincial Congress Committee of Bihar and the Bihar Kisan Sabha (farmers union), these all events made this fair as the breeding grounds of the politics.

✎ Many farm animals can be bought at the Sonepur Mela from all breeds of dogs, buffaloes, donkeys, ponies, Persian horses, rabbits, goats and even the occasional camel. Many varieties of birds and poultry are also available. Haathi Bazaar is attracted to all where elephants are lined up for the sale.

✎ One will find a variety of goods in these stalls, ranging from garments to weapons and furniture, toys, utensils and agricultural implements, jewelry and handicrafts.

✎ A rail gram is setup by railways, where toy train is also erected for children.

✎ Sonepur Mela continues to attract foreign tourists who arrive with the motive of capturing various elements of rural settlement.

✎ Swiss cottages are set up by Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation at the Sonepur fair, with facilities of internet, motor boat ride river Gandak, food at the tourist village and pre-paid taxes from Patna Airport to Sonepur Fair.

✎ It is vibrant rural fair that combines spirituality, sexuality and animal trading, street magicians, religious gurus and tantriks, pilgrims, snack stalls, handicrafts, amusement rides, circus performers and dancing girls all create a carnival like no other.

✎ In 2014, extra stalls were added, selling clothing, agricultural equipment, automobiles and fast moving consumer goods. A food plaza was also setup with branded national chains. There was sports competition and adventure sports such as para-sailing, hot air balloon, water-skiing, water-canning and all-terrain vehicle rides.

✎ Sonepur Fair is administered by District of Chapra with support from Bihar government and promoted by the Tourism Ministry of Bihar. The administration also arranges health and welfare camps, sanitation, drinking water facilities for visitors.

Barabar Caves

✎ The Barabar hill caves in India, mostly dating from the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE), some with Ashokan inscriptions, located in the Makhdumpur region of Jehanabad district, Bihar, India,24 km north of Gaya.

✎ These caves are situated in the twin hills of Barabar (4 caves) and Nagarjuni (3 caves); caves of

the 1.6 km (0.99m) distant from Nagarjuni Hill are sometimes singled out as the Nagarjuni caves.

✎ These rock cut chambers date back to the 3 rd century BCE, Mauryan period of Ashoka (reigned 273-232 BCE) and his grandson, Dasharatha Maurya.

✎  The sculptured surround to the entrance to the Lomas Rishi cave is the earliest survival of the ogee shaped “chaitra arch” or chandrashala that was to be an important feature of Indian rock-cut architecture and sculptural decoration for centuries. The form was clearly a reproduction in stone of buildings in wood and other plant materials.

✎ The caves were used by ascetics from the Ajivika sect, founded by Makkali Gosala, a contemporary of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and of Mahavira, the last and 24 th Tirthankara of Jainism.

✎ Most caves at Barabar consist of two chambers, carved entirely out of granite, with a highly polished internal surface and exciting echo effect.

✎ It contains four caves Karan Chaupar, Lomas Rishi, Sudama and Vishwakarma.

✎ Sudama and Lomas Rishi are the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India, with architectural detailing made in the Mauryan period. The Barabar caves greatly influenced the architecture of rock-cut architecture in the Indian subcontinent.

✎ Lomas Rishi cave has an arch-like shape façade that imitates contemporary timber architecture. On the doorway, a row of elephants proceed towards stupa emblems, along the curvedarchitrave. Sudama cave was dedicated by Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka in 261 BCE. The arches of Sudama cave have bow shape. The canvas consists of a circular vaulted chamber with a rectangular Mandapa. Karan Chaupar consists of single rectangular room with polished surfaces, contains inscription which could be dated to 245 BCE. Vishvakarma cave, reachable by Ashoka steps hewn in the cliff, consists of two rectangular rooms.

✎ Lomas Rishi Cave: It is most famous of the caves of Barabar, because of its beautifully carveddoor. It consists of two rooms: a rectangular rom measuring 9.86*5.18 m, and a circular, semi-hemispherical room 5m in diameter, which is accessed from the rectangular room by a narrow

rectangular passage.

✎ Sudama Cave: It is located on Southern side of Barabar granite hill. It consists of two rooms: a rectangular room measuring 9.98*5.94 m, and a semi-hemispherical room 6min diameter,which is accessed from rectangular room by a narrow rectangular passage. The ceilings of the Sudama cave are arched. The cave is composed of a circular vaulted chamber and a vaulted room with the rectangular form of Mandapa. The interior walls of the cave represent a technical feat; they are perfectly flat and polished granite surfaces, creating a mirror effect. The plane surfaces reverberated sound, creating a very pronounced echo phenomenon.

✎ Karan Chaupar Cave: Karan Chaupar, also known as karna Chaupar, is on the north side of the Barabar granite hill. It consists of a single rectangular room with polished surfaces, 10.2*4.27m in dimensions. It contains an inscription of Ashoka dating from the 19 th year of his reign, about 250 BCE, located outside, immediately to the right of the entrance. His cave was planned for

Buddhist monks. The cave has a rock-cut bench at one-end, probably to sit or sleep. In the entrance hall an inscription from the Gupta period mentions “Daridra Kantara” (“the caves of the beggars”). A mound decorated with Buddhist sculptures is also near the entrance, another of many elements accrediting the belonging of this cave to the Buddhist.

✎ Vishvakarma Cave: The Vishvakarma cave, also called Viswa Mitra, is accessible by the “steps of Ashoka” carved in to the cliff. It is a 100 meters and a little east of the main granite hill. It consists of a rectangular room entirely open to the outside, a sort of elongated porch, and an unfinished semi-hemispherical room: the rectangular space measures 4.27*2.54m, and the

circular room is 2.8m in diameter. One goes from the rectangular room to the half- hemispherical room by a narrow trapezoidal passage. On the floor of the porch, 4 holes were made, which are thought to allow the cave to be closed with a wooden picket fence.

✎ Nagarjuni Caves: They are 1.6kms east of the Barabar Caves. The 3 caves are:

1) Gopi Cave: Gopi also called Gopi-ka-kubha or simply, Nagarjuni, Gopika cave is the largest of all the caves of the Barabar complex and on the southside of the hill. It consists of a single large oblong room of 13.95*5.84m. It was dug by king Dashratha, grandson of Emperor

Ashoka, according to the inscription that was engraved above the front door.

2) Vadathika Cave: Vadathika cave or Vadithi-ka-kubha cave is located in a crevasse in the rock in the north side of the hill. It consists of single rectangular rom of dimensions

5.11*3.43m, with a porch at the entrance of 1.83*1.68m. This cave was consecrated by Dashratha Maurya, the grandson and successor of Asoka, for the sector of Ajivikas.

3) Vapiyaka Cave: Vapiyaka cave also called well cave or Vapiya-ka-kubha cave is located in north side of the hill. It consists of single rectangular room of dimensions 5.10*3.43m. This cave also has a beautiful vaulted hall, entirely made of perfectly polished granite.

✎ Technology: the caves were carved out of granite, an extremely hard rock, then finished with a very nice polishing of inner surface, giving a mirror effect of a great regularity, as well as an echo effect. This large scale polish is reminiscent of polishing on smaller surfaces of the Mauryan statuary, particularly visible on the pillars and capitals of the Ashoka pillars.