Bihar Sharif Junction (Station Code - BEHS) is the main railway station serving the city of Bihar Sharif, the district headquarters of Nalanda District, Bihar. The city was the location of ancient Odantapuri Mahavihara, established in 8th Century CE. It is also a important place of Sufism and also has some tourist destinations. The city is surrounded by several tourist spots like Nalanda, Pawapuri, Rajgir, Kundalpur and some unexplored ones like Giriyak and Telhara.
∆ Part of Sufi Circuit of Bihar
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# Tourism Spots
• Picture 1 - Religious places ( Clockwise from top left)
1. Badi Dargah - The shrine and resting place of the Sufi Saint Sheikh Makhdoom Sharfuddin Ahmed Yahya Maneri also called Makhdum-ul-Mulk, is located near the ruins of Odantapuri. The inscription over its entrance mentions that the tomb was completed in 1569. Urs is celebrated at the shrine each year in the month of Shawwal on the Hijri calendar.
2. Chhoti Dargah, Bihar Sharif - This is the dargah of Makhdum Sultan Saiad Shah Ahmad Charampose Teg Barhana. He was an important Sufi saint of the 13th century. The shrine was built in his honour when he died in 1335 CE.
3. Local House of Worship (Bahai Temple), Bihar Sharif - An Underconstruction Bahai Temple in Bihar Sharif.This would be only the second House of Worship for India's nearly two million Bahá'ís (the first being the well-known Lotus Temple in Delhi), and one of the first two local Bahá'í Houses of Worship in Asia. Originally announced in 2012, its foundation has been laid on 21st of February, 2021 and is expected to get completed by 2023.
4. Vajra Vidya Phulhari Thrangu Monastery - A Bhutanese Buddhist Monastery and Temple located in Bihar Sharif.
5. Baba Maniram Akhara Temple Complex - A temple complex dedicated to Baba Maniram, a religious figure of 15 th century CE. A famous Langot Fair is organised at Baba Maniram Akhara. The Akhara of Sant Maniram was founded by Raja Biththal to train youth in fighting. Here, several Hindu temples and a large religious tank is also located.
• Picture - 2 - Sight seeing (clockwise from top left)
1. Mora Talab Temple - A beautiful sun temple and ancient tank dating to 3rd century BC located Mora Talab, adjacent to NH 20.
2. Badi Pahadi Hill ( Hiranya Parvat) - A hill located at the western rim of the city that dominates its skyline. The hill has a rich history. It is said that Buddha spent his last monsoon in the vicinity of this hill. After his death, a monastery called the "Kapotica" or Pigeon Monastery was built thereon. Xuan Zang visited the monastery and mentioned it. A large park, a temple and a mausoleum is located on the hilltop making it a popular destination in the city. The views of Sunrise and Sunsets are worth watching.
3 View of City from Badi Pahadi Hill - A mesmerizing view of the city especially at the dusk and dawn.
4/5. Tomb of Malik Ibrahim Baya -
The mausoleum of Syed Ibrahim Mallick Baya is presently located on the top of the hill known as Badi Pahadi (Hiranya Parvata). It was built in 1350s. He became the first Muslim conqueror and governor of Bihar. Malik Ibrahim Baya tomb is protected under Archaeological Survey of India and is a tourism spot in Bihar Sharif.
• Picture - 3 - Tourism destinations near the City ( clockwise from top left)
1. Giriyak Stupa - The ancient stupa of Sariputta is located on the top of Chhathagiri hills in Giriyak, around 25 km from the Bihar Sharif Junction.The cylindrical stupa stands 30 ft tall and is visible from about 15 km away. There is also remains of a Gupta period brick temple near it. The remains are from three periods Mauryan ( 3rd to 1sr century BC), Gupta age (4th - 5th century AD) and Pala period (8th - 12th century AD).
2. Kundalpur - Kundalpur Digambar Jain Teerth Kshetra, Nalanda. It is about 12 km away from Bihar Sharif Junction.
3. Nalanda - A small town located near the city of Bihar Sharif. It is the location of ancient Nalanda Mahavihara, a UNESCO world heritage site and several other tourist destination. It is about 16 km away from Bihar Sharif Junction.
4. Pawapuri - One of the holiest places of Jainism located about 16 km away from Bihar Sharif Junction.
Note - Rajgir, one of the most visited place in Bihar is located about 23 km from Bihar Sharif Junction.