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About the place: This ancient city in Bihar is considered to be the academic jewel of India. Nalanda houses one of the oldest residential universities in the world. Although it is in ruins, the revered Buddhist monastery continues to interest and draw tourists year after year. It is said to be located in the kingdom of Magadha, or present-day Bihar. Nalanda once thrived under the Gupta Empire. In its prime, the university welcomed students from near and far, especially from China, Korea and Central Asia. And apart from Buddhism, Nalanda has been an important centre for Hinduism and Jainism, too. The UNESCO has already declared it to be a World Heritage Site, and if you are planning on visiting it, here is a quick guide for you. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
How to reach: If you are flying, the airport in Patna is the nearest. From here, you can book a taxi. Alternatively, you can alight at the Rajgir railway station, which is some 13 km from Nalanda city. Buses are also available from Patna, Rajgir, Gaya and Bihar Sharif. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
Best time to visit: Right now is a good time to visit Nalanda. The months between October and March are ideal. Summer months are uncomfortable and heavy showers during monsoon months can spoil your exploration plans. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
Places to see: Depending on the time you have in your hands, there are a few must-visit places that you have to include in your itinerary. Among them is the ancient Nalanda University. Once upon a time, it was known as the Nalanda Mahavira. Under the Gupta Empire, many monasteries were constructed in what is known as the 'Kusan' style of architecture. It is said that Emperor Ashoka also built a few temples and monasteries here. The university was once a centre of vedic learnings, and was believed to have been visited several times by Lord Buddha. But, it became immensely popular when Chinese scholar Hiuen Tsang visited and wrote about it. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
The next place on your list should ideally be the Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall. As mentioned earlier, the Chinese scholar had written extensively on the university life and culture. The memorial hall is dedicated to him. You can find his writings preserved here. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
While you are exploring the university, you must also check out the Great Stupa, which is present among the ruins. It is believed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka in the third century. The structure is shaped somewhat like a pyramid. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
The Nalanda Archaeological Museum should feature next on your list, especially if you are a history buff and want to know more about the place. The museum houses some ancient relics that once belonged to the original Nalanda University. Here, you will get to understand better the culture of Nalanda. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
Food: When all the travelling makes you feel hungry, indulge in some local food. Nalanda has a lot of Buddhist influence, so the cuisine will pretty much be simple and healthy. You must hunt for some popular local snacks like aalu kachaalu, jhaal mudi, ghughni choora, dahi choora, etc. And when in Bihar, you absolutely cannot miss the famous sattu drink. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
