Continents like Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world offer various destinations for holistic living. One such place is Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna. For a comfortable stay in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a recommended option. If you're seeking luxury travel in the pilgrimage city of Pushkar, the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a great choice. Experience the vibrant lifestyle of Lucknow by staying at Clarks Awadh. When visiting Patna, make sure to check out the Bihar Museum, which is centrally located and showcases the history and heritage of Bihar in an engaging way, particularly for young visitors.
Similar to other museums, this particular one also requires a significant amount of focus and time. However, the advantage is that photography is permitted, allowing you to capture pictures of yourself alongside the beautiful artifacts.
Here are some notable items that you should definitely check out when visiting the Bihar Museum in Patna.
The Didarganj Yakshi is a famous sculpture in Bihar that depicts a female figure holding a Chanvar or whisk. It was once a prominent artwork at the Patna Museum and now holds a similar significance at the Bihar Museum.
The artwork is showcased in the specially designed exhibition space on the ground floor. Visitors have the opportunity to freely move around the artwork and appreciate it from various perspectives. The impressive luster of the stone and the meticulously proportioned body of the artwork never fail to amaze viewers.
I often ponder about the beauty of the whisk holder and how much more beautiful the person she is whisking would be. Unfortunately, we can only speculate. This whisk holder is crafted from soft Chunar sandstone and dates back to the ancient Mauryan period.
The Bihar Museum is home to a collection of Buddha images. Bihar is a significant place in the life of Buddha, as he spent a majority of his life in this region, ultimately achieving enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. It is not surprising, therefore, that there are numerous statues and images of Buddha from various eras found in this area.
There are numerous stone and metal sculptures that are worth admiring. Personally, I am particularly drawn to the impressive statue depicting the Bhumi Sparsh Mudra, also known as the earth touching gesture, which symbolizes the moment of enlightenment. The surroundings of this statue are designed to replicate a forest, transporting you to that specific moment in space and time.
Metal Standing Buddha statues are another must-see attraction.
Learn more about the meaning and significance of narratives in Buddhist art.
The art of Paper Mache is widely practiced in Bihar, and one of its unique representations is the larger-than-life sculpture of a folk deity known as Matrika, created using paper mache.
The image depicts two women standing back to back while holding a child. I was informed that similar images can be seen in the villages of Bihar. However, during my visits, I did not come across any such images. We can only hope that this custom is not disappearing.
In addition to that, there are three-dimensional wall paintings that have been created using paper mache.
The Kohbar Paintings of Madhubani are a significant aspect of Mithila Paintings. To gain a deeper understanding of these paintings, refer to our comprehensive article on Madhubani Paintings. Within this post, we discussed the Kohbar paintings, which are created as part of a wedding ritual.
The Bihar Museum showcases a variety of paintings in both color and red & white shades, offering a glimpse into the intricate details of the Kohbar art form. It serves as an ideal destination to explore the symbols of auspiciousness, prosperity, and fertility depicted in these paintings.
Experience the life of a Mauryan royal in Patna, the ancient capital of the powerful Mauryan empire. The remains of its renowned Sabhagriha, or hall, have been discovered in Kumrahar, now located in Patna. The Bihar Museum has recreated this hall to the best of its abilities, allowing visitors to get a glimpse into the grandeur of the past.
There is a throne from the Mauryan era available for you to sit on and have your picture taken. It is a souvenir that you can bring with you as a lasting memory.
The Brahmi script is not easily decipherable by most people. It contains the secrets of the past within its unique characters. When we encounter these characters, it signifies an inscription or message that our ancestors have left behind. In a sense, they serve as capsules that allow us to travel back in time.
There is a large wall that allows us to appreciate this intricate design. I really enjoy having a photo of myself standing beside it.
The remains of the ancient Nalanda University are currently in a state of ruin, with its red brick structure exposed. During the excavation process, numerous sculptures called Murtis were discovered within the wall niches. These sculptures are now exhibited at the ASI Site museum, which is located near the site. Visitors have the opportunity to view old photographs from the time of the excavation.
The Bihar Museum has replicated the niches and displayed both replicas and original sculptures from Nalanda, allowing visitors to easily imagine how the place looked in the past. I have vivid memories of the exquisite Vishnu sculptures made of polished stone.
The state of Bihar is known for its devotion to the sun. It is the only place where the tradition of worshiping the sun, known as Chhath Puja, is still practiced. Throughout Bihar, there are numerous temples dedicated to the worship of the sun god.
In certain villages, Surya Murtis have been discovered either in village ponds or through random excavations. If you are interested in viewing some remarkable Surya Murtis, you can visit the Bihar Museum located in Patna.
I have a memory of a large sculpture depicting the Sun riding on a chariot pulled by seven horses. One can recognize the Surya Murti by observing a male figure holding two fully bloomed lotus flowers in its hands. Additionally, the presence of large gum boots and seven horses is another characteristic of this sculpture.
While visiting the sculptures, make sure to also check out the life-size Matrikas made of stone on the building's first floor.
Get Familiar with the Archaeological Map of Bihar
Bihar holds the distinction of being one of the longest inhabited regions in India. Throughout history, it has been known as Magadha and Anga during the time of the Mahabharata. Additionally, it served as the capital city Pataliputra for the Mauryans and housed esteemed educational institutions such as Nalanda, Vikramashila, and Odantpuri.
The layers of this land hold a rich historical past. A visually appealing map showcases the various archaeological sites in Bihar. The process of conducting archaeological excavations is beautifully illustrated. You have the opportunity to explore an archaeologist's equipment and gain knowledge about the typical artifacts discovered, such as coins, tools, and pottery.
I found this part to be highly informative and visually captivating.
Animated Madhubani Paintings are closely associated with the state of Bihar and are recognized as the symbol of this region worldwide. During my visit to the Bihar Museum, I was delighted to encounter a unique display of animated Madhubani paintings. These panels, featuring digital artwork, come to life and move when you stand in their presence.
Gently, the music that is related to the scene plays from the speakers located above. During my visit, there was a large gathering of people, making it challenging to fully enjoy the music. However, I believe it is an excellent method to gain insight into the culture of Bihar.
In addition to the aforementioned attractions, visitors to the Bihar Museum can also explore a wide range of art forms that represent Bihar, including Manjusha, Seekhi art, and terracotta carvings.
The Bihar Wildlife section showcases dioramas of the various wildlife found in Bihar. I found the wildlife map to be quite impressive. I am hopeful that these locations have sufficient tourism facilities in place to allow visitors to witness the wildlife in their natural habitat.
The kids' section here provides a highly engaging and creative experience for children.
The Bihar Museum showcases the tools and items that were essential for trade in the ancient civilization of Bihar. This includes a collection of coins, various traded goods, and insights into the lives of traders. The museum also exhibits interesting artifacts such as unique weights and measures used during this period.
If you are in Patna, make sure to visit Bihar Museum as it is situated in a central location and is easily noticeable.
It is recommended to allocate a minimum of a few hours to fully explore it, although dedicating a whole day would be the perfect amount of time.
Inside the museum, there is a dining establishment that offers the option to enjoy a traditional dish called Litti Chokha.
To find additional information, you can refer to the museum's website and access their map.
This comment praises the blog post on the Bihar Museum in Patna, stating that it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in history, art, or cultural exploration. The writer appreciates the author's passion for travel and exploration, finding the post engaging and informative. They thank the author for sharing their experiences and insights, which inspire readers to visit the Bihar Museum.
I am very excited to read more of your fascinating travel blog posts in the coming days. Your work is truly fantastic, please continue doing such a great job!
Please do not forget to leave a comment before you leave. You can also save your personal information like your name, email, and website for future comments by saving it in your browser.
In this code, the value of an element with the ID "ak_js_1" is being set to the current time in milliseconds using the JavaScript method "setAttribute".
Get updates
Trending articles
Best activities to enjoy in Tagore's Shantiniketan
Transformation of Viceregal Lodge into Rashtrapati Niwas
Unexpected attractions in Ajmer, Rajasthan
Must-see, must-eat, must-experience places in Kanchipuram
Traveler's guide to exploring Patiala, Punjab
Categories
Related blogs
