Discover 15 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Patna (India). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Srikrishna Science Centre, and Patna Zoo. Also, be sure to include Mahavir Mandir in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Patna (Bihar).
Table of Contents
Indira Gandhi Planetarium
Also known as: पटना तारामंडल
The Indira Gandhi Planetarium, also known as the Patna Planetarium, is located in Patna's Indira Gandhi Science Complex. The planetarium was constructed through Bihar Council on Science & Technology at a total cost of about ₹110 million. It was conceptualised in 1989 by Bihar Chief Minister Shri Satyendra Narain Sinha with construction commencing in the same year, and opened for the public from 1 April 1993. It is named after senior Indian National Congress leader and former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi.
The Indira Gandhi Planetarium is one of the largest planetariums in Asia. It attracts many domestic as well as foreign tourists. The planetarium has regular film shows on subjects related to astronomy. It also holds exhibitions, which attract many visitors.
The planetarium uses traditional opto-mechanical projection of celluloid film.[1]
Srikrishna Science Centre
Museum in Patna, India. Shrikrishna Science Centre is a science museum in Patna, Bihar, India which was named after the first Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Krishna Sinha. It was inaugurated on 14 April 1978, by the Minister of Education, Shri Thakur Prasad Singh. Shrikrishna Science Centre forms a unit of the National Council of Science Museums, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It is located in the southwestern corner of the Gandhi Maidan. The science centre has been set up for the benefit of the public, especially students. A new innovation hub also been set up to promote critical thinking through activities in science. Various facilities like 3D printing, broadband internet facilities as well as advanced labs are available.[2]
Patna Zoo
Zoo in Patna, India. Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan is located off Bailey Road in Patna, Bihar, India. The park was opened to the public as a zoo in 1973. The park is Patna's most frequented picnic spot, with more than 36,000 visitors on New Year's Day alone in 2011.[3]
Address: Sanjay Gandhi Botanical and Zoological Garden, Patna, Patna
Mahavir Mandir
Countertop store in Patna, India. Mahavir Mandir, Patna one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman, located in Patna, Bihar, India. Millions of pilgrims visit the temple every year. Acharya Kishore Kunal is the secretary of the Mahavir Mandir Temple Trust, Patna.[4]
Address: New Market Station Rd, 800001 Patna
Bihar Museum
Also known as: बिहार संग्रहालय
Museum in Patna, India. Bihar Museum is a museum located in Patna. It was partially opened in August 2015. 'The children's museum', the main entrance area, and an orientation theatre were the only parts opened to the public in August 2015. Later, in October 2017 remaining galleries were also opened. More than 100 artifacts were transferred here from Patna Museum.
It was planned as a history museum for the state of Bihar, and began construction in Bailey Road, Patna in October 2013 with an estimated budget of ₹498 crore (US$65 million).[5]
Address: Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, 800001 Patna
Patna Museum
Also known as: पटना संग्रहालय
Museum showcasing regional artifacts. Patna Museum is the state museum of the Indian state of Bihar. Started on 3 April 1917 during the British Raj to house the historical artefacts found in the vicinity of Patna, it is in the style of Mughal and Rajput architecture and is known locally as the Jadu Ghar. Most of the early collections have now been transferred to Bihar Museum.
The KP Jayaswal Research Institute (KPJRI) which carries out research in the field of history and archaeology also operates out of Patna Museum and was established by the Bihar Government.[6]
Kumhrar
Also known as: कुम्रहार परिसर
City in India. Kumhrar or Kumrahar is the area of Patna where remains of the ancient city of Pataliputra were excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India starting from 1913. It is located 5 km east of Patna Railway Station.
Archaeological remains of the Mauryan period (322–185 BCE) have been discovered here, this include the ruins of a hypostyle 80-pillared hall The excavation finding here dates back to 600 BCE, and marks the ancient capital of Ajatshatru, Chandragupta and Ashoka, and collectively the relics range from four continuous periods from 600 BCE to 600 CE.[7]
Statue of Mahatma Gandhi
Tourist attraction in India. The statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi Maidan, Patna, is a public monument of India's father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi. The statue is the world's tallest bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi. It was unveiled on 15 February 2013 by the then chief minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar. It was established by Government of Bihar at a cost of ₹35 crore. The second tallest Gandhi statue turuvanur Chitradurga taluk and district karnataka[8]
Mahatma Gandhi Setu
Also known as: महात्मा गाँधी सेतु
India's longest bridge over a river. Mahatma Gandhi Setu is a bridge over the river Ganges in Bihar, India, connecting Patna in the south to Hajipur in the north. Its length is 5,750 metres and it is the third-longest river bridge in India. It was inaugurated in May 1982 in a ceremony in Hajipur by the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi. From 1982 to 2017, Mahatma Gandhi Setu remained as the longest bridge in India. Later, Gandhi Setu rehabilitation project was undertaken to install triangular steel trusses on Mahatma Gandhi Setu.[9]
Agam Kuan
Agam Kuan is an ancient well and archaeological site in Patna, India. It is said to date back to the period of Mauryan emperor, Ashoka. Circular in shape, the well is lined with brick in the upper 13 metres and contains wooden rings in the remaining 19 metres.
The Agam Kuan is set within an archaeological site identified by the Archaeological Survey of India which also contains the adjacent Shitala Devi temple where the folk deity Shitala Devi is venerated. Inside this temple, the pindas of the Saptamatrikas (the seven mother goddesses) are worshipped. The temple is widely revered for its belief in curing smallpox and chicken pox.[10]
Buddha Smriti Park
Memorial park in Patna, India. Buddha Smriti Park also known as Buddha Memorial Park is an urban park located on Frazer Road near Patna Junction in Patna, India. This park has been designed by Vikram Lall and developed by the Bihar Government to commemorate the 2554th birth anniversary of the Buddha. This park was inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama.[11]
Address: Near Railway Station, Patna
ISKCON Temple
Mandir in Patna, India. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement or Hare Krishnas, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. ISKCON was founded in 1966 in New York City by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Its core beliefs are based on Hindu scriptures, particularly the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. ISKCON is "the largest and, arguably, most important branch" of Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which has had adherents in India since the early 16th century and American and European devotees since the early 1900s. ISKCON was formed to spread the practice of Bhakti yoga, the practice of love of God in which those involved (bhaktas) dedicate their thoughts and actions towards pleasing Krishna, whom they consider the Supreme Lord. Its most rapid expansion in membership have been within India and (after the collapse of the Soviet Union) in Russia and other formerly Soviet-aligned states of Eastern Europe.
ISKCON claims to have around one million congregational members worldwide.[12]
Address: Budh Marg, 800001 Patna
Kamaldah Jain temple
The Kamaldah Jain temple, located in Patna, Bihar, is one of the oldest Jain temples.[13]
Golghar
Also known as: गोलघर
Historical landmark in India. The Golghar or Gol Ghar, is a large granary located to the west of the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, capital of Bihar state, India.[14]
Address: West of Gandhi Maidan, Patna
Ramchaura Mandir
Hindu temple in Hajipur, India. The Ramchaura Mandir is a Hindu Temple in the city of Hajipur, Bihar, India. Dedicated to Lord Rama, it is located at Rambhadra near Helabazar, Hajipur. As per local folklore, it is said to have been in existence since Ramayana period and Lord Shri Ram is believed to have visited this place on his way to Janakpur, where his footprints are worshiped. The Ramchaura Mandir has tradition of celebrating Rama Navami, the birth anniversary of Rama, every year. A small fair is also organised on the eve of Rama Navami.
Archeological objects excavated from Ramchaura are kept at the Patna Museum[15]