Cool Bihari

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Mahabodhi Temple - Blissful Bihar

The Mahabodhi Temple (महाबोधि मंदिर) (Literally: "Great Awakening Temple") is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya is located about 96 km (60 mi) from Patna, Bihar state, India. Next to the temple, to its western side, is the holy Bodhi tree. In the Pali Canon, the site is called Bodhimanda, and the monastery there the Bodhimanda Vihara. The tallest tower is 55 metres (180 ft) tall.Bodhgaya Temple and the tree are sacred in Buddhism. "Bodhi" means enlightenment, and the tree itself was actually a kind of ficus (or pipal) tree, which has been propagated from a sapling of the original tree under which he sat. The current living tree is 80 feet high and about 115 years old. Under the tree is a red sandstone slab that is said to be the Vajrasana, the diamond throne that Prince Gautama sat on when he attained nirvana.

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Labels: Bihar Tourism, Blissful Bihar, Bodh Gaya, Brand Bihar, Mahabodi Temple

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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Buddha, A Film by David Grubin

Watch the full episode. See more The Buddha.

This documentary for PBS by award-winning filmmaker David Grubin and narrated by Richard Gere, tells the story of the Buddha’s life, a journey especially relevant to our own bewildering times of violent change and spiritual confusion. It features the work of some of the world’s greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia, have depicted the Buddha’s life in art rich in beauty and complexity. Hear insights into the ancient narrative by contemporary Buddhists, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Join the conversation and learn more about meditation, the history of Buddhism, and how to incorporate the Buddha’s teachings on compassion and mindfulness into daily life.

Labels: Bihar Heritage, Bihar Tourism, Bodh Gaya, Brand Bihar, Lord Buddha

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Friday, September 03, 2010

Bodh Gaya: Center of the Buddhist World

Labels: Bihar Culture, Bihar Heritage, Bihar Tourism, Bodh Gaya, Buddha Stupa

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Sunday, January 03, 2010

Bihar's Growth Story : The Road Ahead

For many, the news of Bihar’s remarkable turnaround growth of 11.3%, second highest in the country has come as a big surprise. Surprising as it may sound, it was expected growth for those who have been following the plethora of slow but steady fundamental changes which Bihar economy has been undergoing over the past few years. Undoubtedly, the leadership of the state deserves all the due credit and the much maligned bureaucracy also needs to be appreciated for the remarkable turnaround.

The latest CSO data shows that in the five-year period between 2004-05 and 2008-09, Bihar's GDP has grown by a stunning 11.03%.In this period, Bihar - traditionally a laggard state that actually saw a 5.15% negative growth in 2003-04 - is the second fastest growing state, just a shade behind Gujarat's well-publicized growth of 11.05%. Last 3 years the growth has been at around 17-18%.

In my view, this is just tipping point of the much awaited change and thankfully the state didn’t miss its last chance to make up for the colossal losses of the past. Bihar’s GDP in real numbers is still one of the lowest in the country and there is much effort needed to give the state its due which has been denied so far. The growth has been primarily fuelled by reinstating basic governance model in place and considerable effort of the current administration has been towards doing damage control of the past. The state would have done much better if it hadn’t been for the natural calamities and half hearted support from the central govt for few of its critical projects.

India Today reported on the some of the highs of the year for Bihar.

· Bihar initiative of reserving 50 % seats for women in Panchayat Raj Institutions and local bodies was adopted by the country.

· A large number of companies and private institutions reached Bihar.

· Bihar registered a quantum leap in tourism sector. Bihar Administrative Reforms Mission Society Constituted.

· Bihar's percentage per capita growth of 12.07 per cent is not much behind the all India per capita growth rate of 12.73 per cent.

· According to Bihar economic survey for 2008-09, State has registered impressive growth trends in three sectors in the state - construction (21.53%), communications (16.01%) and trade, hotels and restaurants (12.03%).

· Among all States and union territories, Bihar with a crime rate of 118 stood at 28th position in the country.

· In the education sector Bihar remained a viable centre for quality learning, as the already functional branches of Indian Institute of Technology, Chanakya Law University and Chandragupta Institute of Management-which were established during the earlier years- continued to draw top talents.

· Besides, a panel led by Nobel laureate Amartya Sena is also in the process of setting up an international university at Nalanda. Process is underway to accord the status of central university to Rajendra Agriculture University.

Read detail report here ,also read Patna for Prosperity.

Labels: Amartya Sen, Bihar 2.0, Bihar Economic Development, Bihar Finance, Bihar Govt., Bihar Tourism, Brand Bihar, Nitish Kumar, Urban Reforms

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Monday, July 27, 2009

Cruise along Ganges river @ Patna Floating restaurant

A state-of-the-art floating restaurant in Patna will add to the attraction for tourists visiting Bihar.A 75-seater luxury yacht will take the visitors on a cruise through the Ganges River, as they dine in the fine surroundings of the restaurant. It will be operated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation on the Ganga river twice every day.The floating restaurant will be made available to the locals on rent, forprivate functions like marriages, parties and other social functions.With the launch of this restaurant, the government hopes toattract tourists to the state and provide a boost to the industry.

Labels: Bihar Tourism, BSTDC, Cruise, Floating Restaurant, Ganges, Yatch

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Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Revisiting Bihar

It always a great experience to take photos in Bihar. In the last two weeks I had the chance to take some shots in my native village Minapur near Muzzafarpur and also had the privilege to visit Vaishali again after a long time.

Historically important, Vaishali, on the left bank of the Gandak river, is spiritually supreme. Lord Buddha visited this place frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha - Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali, Lord Mahavir was born in 540 B.C. in vaishali and died in 468 B. C. in Pawapuri. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past.

On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double storied Buddhist monastery. Buddha often discoursed here. Much against his wishes, he extended spiritual enfranchisement to women by admitting them to the Holy Order which was founded here. Legend has it that on one of his visits, several monkeys dug up a tank for his comfortable stay and offered him a bowl of honey. This is regarded as one of the great incidents in the legends of Buddha, who announced his approaching Nirvana and preached his last sermon here. The Lichchhavis came a long way to bid him farewell on his way to Kushinagara and finally, they were stopped by a river created by Buddha. He once again paused to have a last of his much loved city. As a piety for Vaishali, he had already given his alms bowl which remained here for long time.

A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana. The lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Adjacent to this is the tank associated with the monkeys offering honey. Nearby are the skeletal remains of a monastery where Buddha resided and a votive stupas dot the region.

Ashokan Pillar : Emperor Ashoka built The Lion Pillar at Kolhua. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund. This pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon.

Budha Stupa-II : Excavation at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of another casket containing the ashes of the Lord Buddha.Kundalpur:Birth place of Lord Mahavira. It is believed that the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir was born over 2550 years ago. Mahavir is said to have spent the first 22 years of his life here.

On one side of the Abhishek Pushkarni is the Vishwa Shanti Stupa(World Peace Stupa) that adds to the glory of Vaishali. It is sixth in the series to be created in India after Rajgir, Dhauli, Leh, Wardha and Darjeeling by Nipponzan Myohoji under the guidance of Rev.Fuji guruji of Japan. The 125 feet tall peace pagoda, inaugurated on Oct 23, 1996, was constructed over the ruins of the sixth century BC stupa that also contained the casket with the ashes of Buddha. Buddha is believed to have preached his last sermon here which was the sixteenth chapter, Saddharmapundarika Sutra.

Labels: Ashoka Pillar, Bihar Culture, Bihar Heritage, Bihar Images, Bihar Tourism, Brand Bihar, Buddha Stupa, Jainism, Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavir, Minapur, Muzaffarpur, Peace Pagoda, Vaishali

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Thursday, July 03, 2008

Bihar has turned the corner

I remember preparing this so called “wish list” when the Nitish’s new govt came to power in 2005.There was a time when the state made news for only lawlessness and crime ,the new wave of development which the state has witnessed in the last few years are more than just a welcome change. Recent survey released by HT and TOI reports on the sea changes which Bihar has shown bear testimony to the paradigm shift.Nitish Kumar’s scorecard shows more than just mere statistics, just proves that the state and its people have been getting a raw deal over the years. The findings are not surprising.

• 73% Biharis think the current govt is more efficient that the previous one

• 68% agree that Bihar has turned the corner

• 38% feels Bihar is safer than ever before

Things have changed. Bihar has turned around. During the next half of the government’s tenure these changes will be consolidated,” Nitish says.“Our government has started 41 new schemes. We have adopted roughly 100 plus innovations in governance,” says Sushil Modi, the chief minister’s trusted deputy. One such scheme is to give a cycle to every girl who goes beyond ninth standard. “A girl riding a cycle to the school induces change in the thinking of the society,” says.

“He has put on track the fundamental institutions of state and is using it for the welfare of people,” says Shaibal Gupta, of Asian Development Research Institute.

Brand Bihar has undergone transformation it terms of attracting more tourists as well. Number of tourist visiting Bihar has seen three four increase over the last 3 years. According to the figures provided by the tourism department about 1.75 lakh tourists visited Bihar in 2007 against only 63,321 in 2005 and 94,446 in 2006.

The man who turned around Bihar deserves kudos for displaying exemplary leadership and integrity in driving the new development agenda for the state. Millions hope and dream of a better Bihar and he has the support of one and all in making this change happen.

Labels: Bihar 2.0, Bihar Economic Development, Bihar Tourism, Nitish Kumar, Revival of Bihar

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Sunday, January 13, 2008

Kapil's Eleven in Patna

Veteran Cricket and former India Captain Kapil Dev was in Patna recently to inaugurate his “Elevens” restaurant. The only Indian cricket captain who made India proud by winning the only World Cup India has. The president of Indian Cricket League or ICL had been to the state capital for inauguration of his restaurant at Fraser Road. He spoke about the good things which have been shaping up in Bihar and asked the citizens of the state to show more accountability towards bringing about a culture of positive change.

With his usual smile he thanked patnaites and invited them to his restaurant that takes challenges for a difference in taste and style.

Talking to media persons he reacted over the bad umpiring issue that galloped Indian team in Australia. "Steve Buckner should think himself what he did to the match, actually his bad umpiring has embarrassed the game at a whole". Watch the video of his interview here.

Labels: Bihar 2.0, Bihar Cuisines, Bihar Tourism, Kapil Dev's Eleven, Lifestyle

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Sunday, November 25, 2007

Bihar on roller coaster

Labels: Bihar 2.0, Bihar Culture, Bihar Heritage, Bihar Tourism

Posted by Ajit Chouhan at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Branding Bihar

Positive efforts are being made to brand Bihar as a social and cultural hub.To project Bihar’s rich cultural heritage in the international market and attract foreign tourists, the state government has decided to clinch a deal offered by Air India (AI) to brand one of its aircrafts, a Boeing 747, ‘Bihar’. The deal will cost the state Rs 40 lakh a year, but the government feels it is worth the cost. It will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Air India.

Explaining the salient features of the deal, Anjani Kumar Singh, principal secretary, department of tourism, said Air India had made them an offer to inscribe ‘Bihar’, apart from its own insignia, on one of its soon-to-be-acquired aircrafts. Besides, the interior of the aircraft will have four different posters on heritage sites in Bihar. The airline will also run a 8-10 minute film and a 15-minute commentary on Bihar and its tourist destinations.

As part of this package, a four-page glossy pamphlet on Bihar and its ancient glory will be kept in the flap of each and every seat of the aircraft. The state government can change the in-flight posters every three months to avoid monotony. It has already prepared the film and audio commentary to be shown on board the aircraft and sent it to AI authorities, Singh said.

At the same time, the state is leaving no stone unturned to woo tourists from Buddhist countries, particularly Japan. Bihar’s tourism minister Nand Kishor Yadav and Anjani Kumar will soon go to Tokyo to participate in a world travel fare. The Indian ministry of tourism will organise a road show and a seminar with FICCI on the sidelines of the fare to showcase its tourism products to tour operators in Japan. Bihar wants to use the opportunity for aggressive marketing of its ‘Buddhist circuit’ in Tokyo, said Anjani Kumar.

“We have prepared a 30-minute documentary in Japanese for the occasion. Twenty-five minutes of the documentary have been dedicated to Buddhist sites,” he said.

Bihar is currently playing host to a group of hundred Buddhist followers from five Southeast Asian countries in a bid to promote Buddhist sites as tourist destinations.

"This delegation (ministers, officials and leaders of religious bodies) which has come from the five nations, are all believers of Buddhism. We are showing them around and we hope that when they return to their countries, they would promote the places of Buddhism in Bihar. We hope that the number of tourists would increase," said Anjani Kumar Sinha, Secretary of Tourism Department.

The delegation visited the Patna Museum, which houses some rare Buddhist antiques."As I am a Buddhist and all are Buddhists, we are proud that we have visited the land of Buddha. We are very pleased," said Nabhaspor Bhutto Richal, Councillor, Ministry of External Affairs, Thailand.The visit, part of the Mekong-Ganga project, has been initiated by the Indian Government to promote Buddhist heritage sites in the country.

Labels: Bihar Culture, Bihar Heritage, Bihar Tourism, Brand Bihar

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Sunday, September 02, 2007

Sher Shah Suri's monument at Sasaram

Interesting article by A V S Rao in Deccan Herald on the finest monuments built by Sher Shah Suri at Sasaram, located in Bhojpur district of Bihar.

Sasaram is a small town in Bhojpur district of Bihar and is well-known for its group of beautiful mausoleums built during the time of Sher Shah Suri, who ruled Delhi from 1540 to 1545 AD. There are three magnificent structures of the Sur dynasty and one, a memorial to the architect who built them.

However, it is strange that the finest monuments built by Sher Shah are at Sasaram, a place he loved most, though it was far away from his capital. He desired to ensure that the mausoleums of the Sur family should be the finest in style.

He procured the services of Ali Wal Khan, an experienced master builder and a trained architect in Imperial tradition. The fine mausoleum built for Sher Shah at Sasaram, during his lifetime itself, is considered a class apart. It is one of the grandest and most imaginable architectural conceptions in the whole of India.This mausoleum is about 76 metres wide, producing immense pyramidal layers of orderly laid masonry in five different stages, rising to a height of about 46 metres.

The monument is constructed out of the best red sand stone procured from the historic quarries of Chunar situated very near Sasaram. Finely dressed large blocks are laid with good joints.

Although the structure was built for the solemn purpose, it was intended to convey the grand impression of its massiveness and beautiful ornamentation. Even to this day, one can see the remains of glazed and painted decorations on the exterior walls. The composition of this mausoleum is unique and unrivalled in setting as the entire structure has been built in the centre of a vast lake.

To know more about the famous tourist places around this place click here.

Labels: Bihar Culture, Bihar Heritage, Bihar Tourism, Sasaram, Sher Shah Suri

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