4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bihar

Known as the ancient land of Buddha, Bihar was a haven of learning and an epicentre of cultural and political powers.

Though the glorious tale of the state is a time long gone, it is an exploration you must not miss. Therefore, for your trip to the land of monasteries include the cultural UNESCO world heritage sites in Bihar in your itinerary to witness four important gems of the Indian treasure chest. Read along to learn about them in detail.

List of Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bihar

Follow the list below to plan your tour keeping in mind the operational hours of these heritage sites, and the most suitable time to visit them:

1. Mahabodhi Temple Complex (2002)

Established in the 3rd century BC by the greatest Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, Mahabodhi Temple encompasses the remaining period of antiquity, 5th-6th century AD. It is among the 4 holy sites in India that depicts the life of Gautama Buddha, especially his attainment of Enlightenment.

Location: Bodh Gaya
Ideal Time to Explore: November to February
Hours of Operation: 5 AM to 9 PM; stays open every day a week
Entry Fee: No fees

2. Nalanda University Ruins (2016)

A symbol of Asian unity and strength, Nalanda University reminds us of the rich heritage of ancient India. The archaeological ruins of an educational and monastic centre are dated between the 3rd century BCE and the 13th century CE. Tourists across the globe visit to explore the viharas, temples, stupas and artwork of stone, stucco and metal.

Location: Nalanda District
Ideal Time to Explore: October to March
Hours of Operation: 9 AM to 5 PM; stays open every day a week
Entry Fee: For Indians ₹15/person, for children below 15 years free, for foreigners ₹200 /person and for tourists from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries ₹15/person.

Tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bihar

The Ruins of Ancient Vaishali and the Remains of Vikramshila Ancient University are the only sites that are on the tentative list of Unesco World Heritage Sites in Bihar. Here follows a brief description of the two:

3. Ruins of Ancient Vaishali

This site got its name from a King of the Mahabharata age, named Vishal. Vaishali is believed to be the first republic in the world. Furthermore, it is said that Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his nirvana in this place. Along with being a great Buddhist pilgrimage, it is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.

Location: Kolhua
Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year
Hours of Operation: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: For Indians ₹20/person, for foreigners ₹250/person, for SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors ₹20/person.

4. Remains of Vikramshila Ancient University

Nalanda, Takshashila, and Vikramshila were the three best universities of ancient India. It is said that Vikramshila (established in the 8th century CE) University was a monastery where the sacred work of copying, translating and preserving Buddhist scriptures were performed. Inscriptions, plaques and artworks depicting Buddhist and Hindu deities also cover the walls of this university.

Location: Antichak
Ideal Time to Explore: October to June
Hours of Operation: 6 AM to 5 PM
Entry Fee: For Indians ₹20/person, for foreigners ₹250/person, for SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors ₹20/person.

Note: Prices are updated as of April 2023 and may vary

What Are the Criteria for Listing Places in UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

The UNESCO Committee has set the following 10 cultural and natural criteria to list a place as a World Heritage Site.

The site needs to interchange human values related to developments in landscape design or town planning, architecture or technology, or monumental arts.
It must attest to cultural significance.
The place should have a unique testimony of either culture or civilisation that may be living or extinct.
It needs to include natural habitats of biological diversity comprising endangered species of distinct universal significance.
The place should testify to creative brilliance.
It must feature notable examples of buildings or landscapes that hold a significant position in history or technology, or architecture.
The site should represent excellent instances of ongoing significant ecological and biological processes responsible for the evolution and development of nature.
It needs to be directly or tangibly related to existing traditions, beliefs, events, literary and artistic aspects, and ideas that are universally significant. This parameter is evaluated along with the rest.
The place should have an endangered traditional human settlement caused due to irreversible changes. It should also represent a culture or human interaction with nature.
It needs to illustrate noteworthy stages of the earth’s history, including physiological or geomorphic characteristics. Also, it must show a record of life and significant geological processes developing landforms that are in progress.

This is all the information on the 4 UNESCO world heritage sites in Bihar. The wonders of this sacred land are of a unique kind. Be it sightseeing, religious tour, cultural tourism, heritage walks, and culture, Bihar will offer an unforgettable memory.

FAQs About UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bihar

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What are the places to visit in the Nalanda Complex?

You can visit places like the Stupa of Sariputta, Nalanda Archaeological Museum, Surya Mandir, Xuan Zang Memorial, Black Buddha Temple, etc. Also, visit ruins of brick temples and monasteries, Nalanda Vipassana Centre, etc. within the Nalanda Complex.

What are the places to visit near Mahabodhi temple?

You can visit places such as Muchalinda Lake, Archaeological Museum, the Bodhi Tree, Dungeshwari Hills and Vietnamese Temple near Mahabodhi Temple.

Who demolished Vikramshila University?

Vikramshila University was destroyed by Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji around 1193. He did this primarily to destroy the roots of Buddhist and Ayurvedic knowledge of treatment.