Bihar Tourist Places & Travel Guide

Ashoka Lion Pillar & Ananda Stupa at Kolhua

Kolhua, Vaishali District, Bihar 844128

Erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, the Kolhua Lion Pillar is one of the best-preserved Ashokan pillars in India. Carved from a single block of polished red Chunar sandstone, it is crowned by a finely sculpted seated lion gazing towards Kushinagar where Buddha achieved Mahaparinirvana. Adjacent stands the brick Ananda Stupa and the ancient Ramkund tank.

INR 25 (Indians), INR 300 (Foreigners) View Spot →

Baba Ajgaibinath Temple, Sultanganj

Sultanganj, Bhagalpur District, Bihar 813213

Perched dramatically upon a rocky island granite hillock rising directly from the holy waters of the Ganges, Baba Ajgaibinath Temple is celebrated for rock-cut carvings from the Gupta and Pala periods. It is the sanctified starting point of the Shravani Mela, where millions of Kanwariya pilgrims collect sacred north-flowing Ganga water to carry barefoot on a 105 km trek to Deoghar.

Free (Boat fare INR 20-50) View Spot →

Hidden Gem

Barabar Caves & Lomas Rishi Cave

Barabar Hills, Jehanabad District, Bihar 804405

Carved into colossal granite boulders in the 3rd century BCE during the Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka, the Barabar Caves are the earliest rock-cut architectural feats in Indian history. Lomas Rishi Cave features an exquisite sculpted archway with a frieze of moving elephants, while its subterranean chambers possess mirror-like polished granite surfaces producing mind-bending acoustic echoes.

INR 25 (Indians), INR 300 (Foreigners) View Spot →

Hidden Gem

Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram

Bhitiharwa Village, Gaunaha Block, West Champaran, Bihar 845455

Established on November 20, 1917 by Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi during the watershed Champaran Satyagraha, this serene ashram served as the epicenter for India's first civil disobedience movement against British indigo oppression. The ashram houses an original spinning wheel (charkha) used by Gandhiji, historic photographs, and Kasturba's original schoolroom.

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Bihar Museum, Patna

Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bailey Road, Patna, Bihar 800001

Spread over 13.9 acres along Bailey Road and designed by renowned Japanese architectural firm Maki and Associates, the Bihar Museum is one of South Asia's finest modern cultural institutions. It displays world-famous stone and bronze sculptures, immersive historical galleries, folk arts of Madhubani, and the celebrated 3rd-century BCE Didarganj Yakshi.

INR 100 (Indians), INR 500 (Foreigners) View Spot →

Hidden Gem

Bimbisara's Prison Ruins

South of Rajgir Valley, Bihar 803116

Surrounded by thick defensive stone walls in the heart of the Rajgir valley, this archaeological site is where Emperor Bimbisara was imprisoned in the 5th century BCE by his son Ajatashatru. History recounts that the pious king requested a cell situated precisely so he could look through the window and watch Lord Buddha walking upon the crest of Griddhakuta.

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Buddha Relic Stupa, Vaishali

Near Abhishek Pushkarni, Vaishali, Bihar 844128

Originally built of mud and bricks in the 5th century BCE by the Licchavi republic, this stupa enshrined their eighth share of Gautama Buddha's mortal ashes after his cremation. Archaeological excavations here in 1958 uncovered the stone casket containing authentic bone relics, ashes, a copper punch-marked coin, and gold leaf, now preserved at the Patna Museum.

INR 20 View Spot →

Hidden Gem

Dhua Kund & Sita Kund Waterfalls

Kaimur Hill Range, near Sasaram, Bihar 821115

Located in the rugged hills south of Sasaram on the Kaimur plateau, Dhua Kund is a vigorous cascade fed by the Kudra River. It derives its name (meaning Smoke Pool) from the dense mist generated when water violently strikes the rocky boulders below. Annually during Raksha Bandhan, a vibrant traditional fair is celebrated around the falls.

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Hidden Gem

Dungeshwari Cave Temples (Mahakala Caves)

Dungeshwari Hills, near Bodh Gaya, Bihar 823003

Perched on rugged hill slopes northeast of Bodh Gaya, the Dungeshwari (Pragbodhi) Caves mark the austere retreat where Gautama Siddhartha underwent severe fasting and deep contemplation for six years before moving to the Bodhi Tree. The cave contains a golden emaciated statue of Buddha depicting his ascetic discipline, alongside a shrine to Hindu goddess Dungeshwari.

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Hidden Gem

Gandak River & Valmiki Barrage

Valmiki Nagar Barrage, West Champaran, Bihar 845107

At Valmiki Nagar, the mighty Gandak River (known as Narayani in Nepal) cascades out of Himalayan gorges onto the lush plains of northern Bihar. The international barrage on the Indo-Nepal border provides panoramic views of the swirling turquoise waters, forested hills, and nesting grounds of the critically endangered Gharial crocodile.

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Ghora Katora Lake

Near Giriak, Rajgir Valley, Bihar 803116

Nestled in a bowl-shaped valley surrounded on three sides by lush green hills, Ghora Katora (Horse Bowl) is an eco-tourism haven where motor vehicles are strictly banned. At the center of its crystal waters rises a magnificent 70-foot standing pink sandstone statue of Buddha. Visitors can explore via tranquil paddle-boating, tongas, or scenic eco-battery carts.

INR 20 (Boat ride extra) View Spot →

Golghar, Patna

Near Gandhi Maidan, Patna, Bihar 800001

Commissioned in 1786 by Captain John Garstin to prevent famines, Golghar is an architectural marvel built without internal supporting pillars. Its massive 29-meter beehive structure features twin external spiral staircases of 145 steps that climb up to an open summit platform providing panoramic sweeping vistas of Patna city and the flowing Ganges River.

INR 20 View Spot →

Griddhakuta (Vulture's Peak)

Griddhakuta Hill, Rajgir, Bihar 803116

Shaped naturally like a vulture with resting wings atop Ratnagiri's sister ridge, Griddhakuta was the cherished meditation sanctuary of Gautama Buddha in ancient Rajagriha. Accessible via the ancient Bimbisara stone pathway, this windswept rocky platform is celebrated as the sacred setting where Buddha delivered many of Mahayana Buddhism's fundamental discourses.

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Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall

Near Nalanda University Ruins, Nalanda, Bihar 803111

Constructed in traditional Chinese imperial architecture amidst serene manicured gardens, this memorial honors the 7th-century Chinese monk Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) who spent years studying and teaching at Nalanda University. The hall features an impressive bronze statue of Xuanzang, intricate narrative frescoes of his epic Silk Road journey, and precious Buddhist relics.

INR 20 View Spot →

Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple

Temple Road, Bodh Gaya, Bihar 824231

Constructed in 1972 by Japanese Buddhist communities, this tranquil temple showcases authentic Japanese wooden pagoda architecture. Inside its minimalist cedar sanctuary rests a serene statue of Buddha brought from Japan, accompanied by delicate Japanese lacquer wall murals illustrating pivotal episodes from Buddha's life.

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Jal Mandir, Pawapuri

Pawapuri, Nalanda District, Bihar 803115

Jal Mandir (Water Temple) in Pawapuri is one of the supreme pilgrimage sites of Jainism, marking the spot where the 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira, was cremated after attaining Nirvana in 527 BCE. Built entirely of dazzling white marble in the center of a 16.8-acre water tank filled with blooming red lotuses, it is connected to the shore by a 600-foot stone bridge.

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Hidden Gem

Jarasandha Ka Akhara

Rajgir Valley, Nalanda, Bihar 803116

According to the Mahabharata epic, this ancient earthen wrestling arena is where Bhima and King Jarasandha fought their famous 27-day duel overseen by Lord Krishna. The site features exposed rectangular stone masonry plinths and retains profound mythological resonance for visitors exploring Rajgir's epic past.

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Kakolat Falls

Kakolat Hill, Govindpur Block, Nawada District, Bihar 805102

Kakolat Falls is situated on the picturesque Kakolat hill in Nawada district bordering Jharkhand. The waterfall plunges dramatically from a height of 150 to 160 feet into a natural rock pool shaded by sal and mahua forests. Legend connects the spring with the Mahabharata, where King Nimi was cursed to reside as a python until released by the Pandavas.

INR 20 View Spot →

Hidden Gem

Karkat Waterfall & Eco Park

Chainpur Block, Kaimur District, Bihar 821103

Surrounded by rolling forested hills in the Kaimur range, Karkat Waterfall is a scenic natural cascade and eco-tourism sanctuary on the Karamnasa River. The waterfall creates a broad calm reservoir popular for boating, nature hikes, and tranquil riverside picnics.

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Kesaria Stupa

Kesariya, East Champaran District, Bihar 845424

Standing 104 feet tall with a staggering circumference of nearly 1,400 feet, Kesaria Stupa is one of the tallest ancient stupas on Earth, larger in height than the Borobudur stupa in Java. Built during the Mauryan, Licchavi, and Gupta eras, its multi-tiered polygonal brick terraces feature Buddha shrines commemorating Buddha's final sermon to the Licchavis before passing.

INR 20 View Spot →

Hidden Gem

Kumhrar (Ancient Pataliputra Excavations)

Kumhrar, Patna, Bihar 800026

Kumhrar is the premier archaeological site uncovering the ancient imperial capital of Pataliputra, ruled by Chandragupta Maurya and Emperor Ashoka. The excavated ruins showcase polished sandstone pillar bases from the legendary 80-pillared Mauryan hypostyle hall, ancient brick drainage canals, and the monastic complex of Arogya Vihar.

INR 25 View Spot →

Hidden Gem

Kundalpur Digambara Jain Temples

Kundalpur, near Nalanda, Bihar 803111

Located just 4 km from ancient Nalanda, Kundalpur is revered in Digambara Jainism as the holy birthplace of Lord Mahavira and the primary disciple Gautama Gandhara. The sacred complex features majestic white marble temples with towering shikhara spires and an 11-foot idol of Lord Mahavira in padmasana posture.

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Hidden Gem

Lauriya Nandangarh Ashoka Pillar & Mound

Lauriya, West Champaran District, Bihar 845453

Erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE, the Lauriya Nandangarh pillar stands 32 feet high carved out of polished red Chunar sandstone, complete with a crowning lion capital. It contains six well-preserved major pillar edicts in pristine ancient Brahmi script. Nearby lies the colossal Nandangarh mound, an ancient brick stupa exceeding 80 feet in height.

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Mahabodhi Temple Complex

Bodh Gaya, Gaya District, Bihar 824231

The Mahabodhi Temple is an ancient brick Buddhist temple marking the revered location where Siddhartha Gautama attained supreme enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi Tree around 588 BCE. The towering 55-meter central pyramidal spire is embellished with intricate relief carvings, votive stupas, and ancient sandstone railings dating back to the Sunga and Gupta dynasties.

Free (Camera fee applicable) View Spot →

Mandar Hill (Mandar Parvat)

Bousi, Banka District, Bihar 813104

Rising 700 feet from the surrounding plains, Mandar Hill is steeped in ancient Hindu legend as Mount Mandara, used by the Devas and Asuras as the churning rod during the Samudra Manthana (Churning of the Cosmic Ocean). It is equally holy to Jains as the Nirvana site of 12th Tirthankara Vasupujya. A modern ropeway ascends to its summit temples and Papaharini lake.

Free (Ropeway INR 100) View Spot →

Mucalinda Lake (Serpent King Lotus Pond)

South of Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, Bihar 824231

Situated within the tranquil southern grounds of the Mahabodhi Temple complex, Mucalinda Lake is a historic lotus-filled waterbody. At its center stands a sculpture depicting the mythological serpent king Mucalinda sheltering Gautama Buddha from a ferocious rainstorm with his hood during Buddha's sixth week of post-enlightenment contemplation.

Included in temple entry View Spot →

Mundeshwari Devi Temple, Kaimur

Pavra Hill, Ramgarh, Kaimur District, Bihar 821110

Perched atop Pavra Hill at a height of 608 feet in Kaimur district, Maa Mundeshwari Temple is officially acknowledged by the Archaeological Survey of India as the oldest surviving functional temple in India, with continuous worship dating back to 108 CE. Its rare octagonal Nagara stone sanctum contains sacred carvings of Lord Shiva, Devi Durga, and Surya.

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Hidden Gem

Munger Fort & River Promontory

Munger City, Bihar 811201

Munger Fort is a formidable historical fortress built atop a rocky promontory jutting into the flowing Ganges River. With recorded histories tracing from the Guptas and Pala dynasty to Nawab Mir Qasim and the British, the fort grounds contain historical ramparts, the Tomb of Pir Shah Nafah, the palace of Mir Qasim, and panoramic sunset viewpoints over the river.

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Nalanda Mahavihara Archaeological Ruins

Bargaon, Nalanda, Bihar 803111

Nalanda Mahavihara was the world's first global residential university, operating from the 5th to the 12th century CE and accommodating over 10,000 scholars and 2,000 teachers from across Asia. The expansive red-brick excavation complex reveals monumental monastic colleges, meditation dormitories, and Temple 3 (Sariputta Stupa) with breathtaking tiered votive stupas and terracotta carvings.

INR 40 (Indians), INR 600 (Foreigners) View Spot →

Hidden Gem

Padri Ki Haveli (St. Mary's Church)

Patna City, Bihar 800008

Founded in 1713 by Roman Catholic Capuchin friars and redesigned in 1772 by Venetian architect Tirreto, Padri Ki Haveli is the oldest church in Bihar. The church features grand neoclassical columns, arched ceilings, and a historic cathedral bell gifted in 1782 by Prince Bahadur Shah of Nepal in gratitude for medical care.

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Patna Museum (Jadu Ghar)

Near Kotwali Thana, Buddha Marg, Patna, Bihar 800001

Established during the British Raj in 1917, the Patna Museum is housed in a stately Indo-Saracenic palace combining Mughal and Rajput design cues. The museum showcases over 50,000 priceless artifacts including a 200-million-year-old fossilized pine tree trunk measuring 53 feet in length, Buddhist terracotta figurines, and sacred relic caskets.

INR 20 View Spot →

Rajgir Aerial Ropeway & Chairlift

Ropeway Base Station, Rajgir, Bihar 803116

Originally gifted by Japan in 1969 and complemented with a modern cabin ropeway, this famous chairlift ascends the steep forested slopes of Ratnagiri Hill to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. The 7-minute ride offers riders a bird's-eye perspective of ancient Magadha's rugged ridges, wild valleys, and winding pilgrimage trails.

INR 100 - 150 (Round trip) View Spot →

Hidden Gem

Rohtasgarh Fort

Kaimur Plateau, Rohtas District, Bihar 821311

Perched at an elevation of 1,500 feet atop the precipitous Kaimur plateau overlooking the Son River valley, Rohtasgarh is one of India's largest hill forts, encompassing an astounding 28 square miles. The fort has 83 gateways and houses royal palace complexes built by Mughal general Raja Man Singh, monumental stepwells, and ancient temples.

INR 25 View Spot →

Sabhyata Dwar (Civilization Gate)

Ganga Riverfront, Samrat Ashok Convention Centre, Patna, Bihar 800001

Standing 32 meters high on the serene riverfront campus of Samrat Ashok Convention Centre near the Ganges, Sabhyata Dwar is taller than the Gateway of India. Built of red and white sandstone in Mauryan architectural style, it features inscriptions celebrating Megasthenes, Ashoka, Buddha, and Mahavira, with an Ashoka lion capital crowning its summit.

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Hidden Gem

Son Bhandar Caves (Golden Treasury Caves)

Vaibhara Hill foothills, Rajgir, Bihar 803116

Carved into the southern rock face of Vaibhara Hill in the 3rd-4th century CE, Son Bhandar consists of twin rock chambers with vaulted ceilings reminiscent of Mauryan cave architecture. Folktales assert that Emperor Bimbisara's fabulous gold treasure remains locked behind an uncut interior doorway inscribed with yet-undeciphered ancient Sankhalipi script.

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Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Gurdwara Harimandir Ji)

Harmandir Gali, Patna City, Bihar 800008

Takht Sri Patna Sahib is one of the five highest spiritual seats (Takhts) of Sikhism, built at the exact birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who was born here in 1666. Reconstructed in gleaming white marble by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the shrine preserves personal relics of the Guru including his childhood golden cradle, swords, and sacred sandals.

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Hidden Gem

Telhar Kund Waterfall

Bhabhua-Adhaura Road, Kaimur Hills, Bihar 821102

Telhar Kund is a breathtaking plunge waterfall nestled deep in the sal forests of the Kaimur hill range along the Durgavati River. The waters plummet over an 80-meter vertical cliff into a deep turquoise pool framed by dramatic red canyon walls and wild wilderness, making it one of eastern India's most picturesque natural spectacles.

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The Great Buddha Statue (80-Foot Buddha)

Near Japanese Temple, Bodh Gaya, Bihar 824231

Unveiled by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1989, this monumental 80-foot statue portrays Lord Buddha seated in deep Dhyana mudra upon a blooming lotus pedestal. Sculpted over seven years with the collaborative labor of 12,000 stonemasons, it is flanked by ten life-sized standing statues of Buddha's principal disciples in landscaped serene gardens.

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The Sacred Bodhi Tree & Diamond Throne (Vajrasana)

Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya, Bihar 824231

Situated directly behind the main sanctum of the Mahabodhi Temple, this holy pipal tree (Ficus religiosa) is a direct descendant of the original tree under which Gautama Buddha meditated. Beside its trunk lies the polished sandstone slab known as the Diamond Throne (Vajrasana), placed by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE to mark the unshakeable center of enlightenment.

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Hidden Gem

Tomb of Hasan Khan Suri (Sukha Rauza)

Near Grand Trunk Road, Sasaram, Bihar 821115

Constructed by Sher Shah Suri around 1535 CE for his father Hasan Khan Suri, this octagonal tomb sits within a large walled courtyard with ornate arched gates. Known as the Sukha Rauza (Dry Tomb) because it is surrounded by gardens rather than water, it showcases the early stylistic evolution that culminated in Sher Shah's own water tomb.

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Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, Sasaram

Sasaram, Rohtas District, Bihar 821115

Built between 1540 and 1545 CE by master architect Aliwal Khan, the tomb of Emperor Sher Shah Suri is a magnificent red sandstone octagonal mausoleum standing on a high square stone plinth in the middle of a vast artificial lake. Rising 150 feet with a 22-meter dome, domed kiosks (chhatris), and stepped causeways, it represents the pinnacle of Indo-Islamic architecture.

INR 25 (Indians), INR 300 (Foreigners) View Spot →

Valmiki National Park & Tiger Reserve

Valmiki Nagar, West Champaran District, Bihar 845107

Situated in the Himalayan Terai foothills along the international border with Nepal, Valmiki Tiger Reserve spans nearly 900 square kilometers of dense moist sal forests, alluvial grasslands, and rugged ravines. It is home to Royal Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, one-horned rhinoceroses, sloth bears, and over 250 species of birds.

INR 150 (Safari charges extra) View Spot →

Venuvana (Bamboo Forest Monastery)

Near Kund Road, Rajgir, Bihar 803116

Venuvana was the very first monastery gifted to Gautama Buddha and the monastic order by King Bimbisara of Magadha. Today, it is an exquisitely landscaped historic park with groves of soaring bamboo, flowering pathways, and the sacred Karanda Tank where Buddha bathed and spent several monsoon rainy season retreats.

INR 20 View Spot →

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary

Ganges River stretch, Bhagalpur, Bihar 812001

Covering a 60-kilometer stretch of the holy Ganges River between Sultanganj and Kahalgaon, this is India's only sanctuary established for the preservation of the endangered Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica). Visitors can take boat safaris to spot dolphins surfacing for air alongside smooth-coated otters, river turtles, and migratory wetland birds.

Boat hire rates vary View Spot →

Vikramshila University Archaeological Ruins

Antichak, Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur District, Bihar 813203

Founded in the late 8th century CE by Pala Emperor Dharmapala, Vikramshila was one of ancient India's two foremost Buddhist universities alongside Nalanda. The excavation site features a monumental cruciform central stupa rising 15 meters high adorned with terracotta plaques, an expansive quadrangular monastery with 208 monastic cells, and a library.

INR 25 (Indians), INR 300 (Foreigners) View Spot →

Vishnupad Temple

Chandoura, Gaya, Bihar 823001

Located on the holy banks of the Falgu River in Gaya, the Vishnupad Temple enshrines a 40 cm footprint of Lord Vishnu pressed into solid basalt rock, known as the Dharmasila. The existing octagonal grey granite temple was reconstructed with towering craftsmanship in 1787 by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. It is the premier sacred destination in India for performing Pind Daan rituals.

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Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir (World Peace Pagoda)

Ratnagiri Hill, Rajgir, Bihar 803116

Crowning the summit of Ratnagiri Hill at an altitude of 400 meters, this 160-foot pure white dome was inaugurated in 1969 by Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii. The pagoda features four gilded golden bronze statues illustrating the four stages of Lord Buddha's spiritual existence, commanding panoramic views across Rajgir's surrounding five green hills.

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Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Vaishali

Abhishek Pushkarni lakeside, Vaishali, Bihar 844128

Built by the Nipponzan Myohoji sect under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii in 1996, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Vaishali is a pure white pagoda rising gracefully beside the historical Abhishek Pushkarni tank. It houses sacred relics of Lord Buddha and four niches featuring gilded bronze statues illustrating his profound teachings.

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Wat Thai Bodh Gaya (Royal Thai Monastery)

Bodh Gaya, Gaya District, Bihar 824231

Established in 1957 by the King of Thailand and the Indian government to commemorate 2,500 years of Buddhism, this magnificent monastery features authentic Bangkok-style Buddhist architecture with steeply tiered curved roofs and golden trim. Inside stands a majestic bronze Buddha image amidst intricate gold-leaf ornamentation.

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