Patna: Uncover the Hidden Magic of World’s 2nd Oldest City
Patna is the capital of Bihar, and not only Bihar it has been the capital of Akhand Bharat for more than 1000 years. All the ancient kingdoms shows Patna as their capital which was formerly known as Patliputra and it has a history of over 3000 years. Till this date, it continues to lead as the most vital and important place of Bihar. Interestingly, it is the second oldest and continuously inhabited cities in the world after Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
In this article, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of Patna’s glorious history, its names and important tourist destinations of Patna.
Here we have provided a Table of Contents which will guide you through this article. Additionally, you can navigate as per your wish.
Table of Contents
How Patna got its Name? Origin and History
The current name is believed to be derived from ‘Patan’ Devi who is the presiding deity of the city. The ancient Patan Devi Mandir in Patna is among the 51 Shakti Peeth of Mata Sati.
While some others speculate that the name is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Pattan’ which means port. And it is true in case of Patna, as it is surrounded by four rivers namely Ganga, Sone, Gandak, and Punpun. And due to the same reason Patna was also known as “water fort” which made it strategically important for the rulers. The rivers provided additional layer of safety to the city. And this is one of the reasons why Patna was suitable for being the capital of many ancient empires.
Meanwhile, the ancient name i.e. Patliputra is believed to be derived from the name of wife of King Putraka who ruled the region in ancient times. The the name of the queen was Patali and hence the area was initially named ‘Patligram’ (which means village of Patali). Further, the name Patliputra was chosen after the birth of Queen Patli’s son (Putra means son in Sanskrit – so the name Patliputra means son of Patli).
Patna was also known as Kusumpura and Pushpapura according to Buddhist and Jain religious texts which are synonyms of ‘flower’. These multiple names from different sources and from different times reflect the rich history of the city.
History of Patna
As we have already discussed, Patna is one of the oldest cities in India with a rich history that spans over 2600 years. The city has seen the rise and fall of major empires of India.
Ajatshatru, who was the king of Magadha during the 5th century BCE, built a fort on the banks of river Ganga marking the origins of Patna city. As the strategic location of the city made it a suitable centre for administration. And due to this, it has been the capital of the Maurya Empire, Nanda Empire, Gupta Empire etc.
Greek historians like Megasthenes described the city’s grand architecture and advanced city planning. Chinese Buddhist monks also mentioned Patna and highlighted its religious importance.
However, its importance started declining after the Gupta Empire. And in the medieval period during the Mughal Era its prosperity diminished further. Despite this, it continued to be an important administrative hub. It was even named Azimabad after the Mughal subedar, but later on the name Patna was re-introduced. The city has remained spiritually important because of the flow of river Ganga.
Patna’s Top 5 Must Visit Tourist Places
Patna is home to many historic monuments that are a must-visit for everyone. But, to keep it short, we’ll talk about the Top 5 Tourist Destinations of Patna.
1. Mahavir Mandir– It is one of India’s most famous and important Hanuman temples. Also, it is the second highest revenue generating temple in North India. The Naivedyam laddu (prasad/offering) is famous all over India for its purity and quality. The special thing about Mahaveer Mandir is that all the income and donations of the temple are utilized for providing free healthcare facilities to poor people. The Mahavir Mandir Trust operated 9 such world class hospitals for free or minimal charges. It is situated just beside the Patna Junction Railway station.
2. Sri Badi Patan Devi Mandir – The mention of Patna will be incomplete without Patan Devi as we have already discussed. Patan Devi Mandir is one Shakti-peeth among all the other 51 other Shakti-peeth of Mata Sati where her left shoulder fell. It is a energy-powerhouse and must visit for all devotees. Generally, all the 51 divine Shakti-peeth have to be visited in tirth-yatra. That’s why Patan Devi Mandir is a must visit.
3. NIT Ghat Ganga Aarti – If you are fond of Banaras Ganga Aarti, then you can gain the same spiritual experience here in Bihar’s capital city. The city is situated on the banks of river Ganga that’s why Ganga Aarti is a regular ritual here as well. The evening aarti is just serene and magical and a must visit for all travellers. Visitors can also opt for boat rides in the Ganga River.
Apart from NIT Ghat, Ganga Aarti is also performed on Patna’s Digha Ghat and Marine Drive. In fact the Digha Ghat hosts musical Ganga Aarti just like the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi.
4. Takht Sri Patna Sahib – Notably, Bihar has a special connection with Sikhism as it is the birth place of 10th guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Takht Sri Patna Sahib is one of the five sacred takht of Sikhism and that’s why it holds immense spiritual significance. Sikhs from all over India come atleast once to visit their sacred site. Everyone must visit this place and experience the calm and spiritual atmosphere of Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
5. Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park (Patna Zoo) – This is a nice and chill spot for watching different animals and birds. The Zoo has a special place for multiple aquariums which are house to multiple species of small and large size fishes. The Bihar government has recently added some extra features like an artificial waterfall and a toy train which will take your overall experience to the next level. The zoo has lion, tiger, zebra and other prominent birds. Complete walk-through the botanical garden is an exciting experience.
Best Time to Visit Patna
The most suitable time to visit is the winter months from October to March. At this time, the weather is cool and pleasant with temperature ranging between 10°C and 25°C. These months are ideal for sightseeing the city’s raw beauty, exploring historic sites, monuments and taking part in religious celebrations like Patna’s famous Ganga Aarti.
The most iconic festival of Bihar – Chhath Mahaparv is also celebrated during the months of October – November. So visiting at this time will be your golden opportunity to witness one of the grandest festivals of India where lakhs of devotees gather at the ghats and offer prayers to Sury Dev and Chhathi Maiya.
On the other hand, summers (April to June) are quite hot and humid, with temperatures soaring above 40°C. This period is not ideal for those who are not accustomed to high temperatures. Therefore, winter months are the most preferred by tourists, pilgrims, and history enthusiasts planning to explore key attractions like Takht Sri Sahib Gurudwara, Patan Devi Temple, and the Bihar Museum.
How to Reach Patna?
Patna being Bihar’s capital city is well-connected by air, rail, and road, making it easily accessible from all major cities in India.
Connectivity By Air : Recently, the new terminal of Jay Prakash Narayan airport was inaugurated. Now, even international flights will be available making the city easily accessible to any part of the world. The Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport serves as the primary air terminal for Bihar.
Connectivity By Rail : The Patna Junction Railway Station is one of the busiest and most important stations in Eastern India, with multiple trains running daily to and from major cities.
Connectivity By Road : The city is well connected by a dense network of national and state highways. The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) operates regular bus services. Apart from the government buses, privately owned and operated buses are also available here. For local commuting, you can conveniently use auto-rickshaws or Ola/Uber services.
So whatever mode you choose, travelling and exploring it will be a hassle free experience for you. There are easily available hotels in every part of the city, there is something for everyone whether you are a luxury seeker or budget-conscious tourist.
You can also enjoy free wifi in the route from NIT Ghat to Danapur Railway Station. It is the world’s longest free Wi-Fi zone which was launched in 2017.
Conclusion
Patna is not just a random city in India but a historical powerhouse which has carried the legacy of our ancient Indian empires and most importantly Akhand Bharat. Even today, it is one of the most important cities in India. We have tried to cover the origin, history, etymology and top tourist destinations with the help of this brief article. We promptly advise you to visit the city once and experience the real Bihar – the real and authentic India. One thing is for sure, it has more than enough to amaze you!
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