Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Pavapuri, Sonepur, Jamshedpur and many others. For those keen on wildlife sanctuaries and hill resorts the nearest airport is Ranhi. There are daily Indain Airlines services connecting Ranchi with Patna, Calcutta, Lucknow and Delhi.

ACCOMMODATION

There are hotels, and lodges to suit all pockets both at Patna and Ranchi. State Tourism Corporation (Tel. : 06119-5273) offer air-conditioned as well as non air-conditioned rooms at reasonable rates. For five-star comfort you can try Centaur Hokke Hotel (Tel. : 06119 -5245/5231). Or the Tourist Corporation's Kautilya Vihar Hotel which offers modern comforts at really affordable rates. At Ranchi there are Government Rest Houses and Birsa Vihar run by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC, Tel. : 0651-314826). There is a wide choice of places to stay at both Patna and Ranchi.

If you are keen on spending a day or two in the place of your choice there are several options to choose from. At Bodhgaya you could stay at Hotel Siddhartha Vihar run by BSTDC (tel. : 0631 - 400445) run by ITDC. Both are moderately priced. All tourist spots have similar accommodations and can be reserved before hand. The wildlife sanctuaries have Forest Department Rest Houses. In addition to these there are private hotels and lodges everywhere.

GETTING AROUND

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSSTD) operates daily deluxe coach services to and from places of interest. There are buses to Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Pavapuri, Sonepur and others. Taxis are also available for details contact Tourist Bhawan, Veer Chant Patel Marg, Patna 800 001. Tel. : 0612-225411/222611. Fax : 0612-236218.

SHOPPING AND CUISINE

Bihar is known for its Madhuban art, leather and sujini work, jute and brass-ware, Bhagalpursilk and tribal crats. Unless you have some-one local to take you shopping it is best to stick to State Emoria. Typical cuisine includes Kachori of various kinds, specially sattu-ki-kachori, baigan-ka-choka, litti, thhekua and dal-bhari, among others.

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INDUSTRIAL TOWNS

Jamshedpur is known as the Steel City of India. A major industrial centre with a chain of multiple industries set amidst picturesque surroundings, Jamshedpur is very well connected by road with all Bihar's important towns.

Jubilee Park in the heart of the city is a well planned garden like Vrindavan in Mysore.

Dimma Lake lose to the city is a popular picnic spot.

Dhanbad 171 km from Jamshedpur, the mining town of Dhanbad has some of India's richest coal-fields.

Bokaro, India's biggest steel complex located on the southern bank of river Damodar is 47 km. from Dhanbad. An important railway station on the Eastern Railway, Dhanbad is very well connected with Patna, Calcutta and other important cities in India. It is also well connected by road.

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CALL OF THE WILD

Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary : Nestling in low hilly terrain which stretches over 184 square km of plains, undulating country, sleep hills and deep meadows, the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary is a delight to visit. The best time is early spring. Numerous observation towers scattered all through the Sanctuary make it easier to have a closer encounter with the wild. You can expect to find wild bear, sambhar, chital and nilgai gambolling and enjoying themselves near water holes. If you are lucky and patient you may come across sloth bear, panther or even the tiger!

Belta National Park : The Belta National Park in Palamau with its thick tropical forest and a rich variety of fauna stretches over 232 sq. km. Easily accessible by road Belta is 140 km. from Ranchi and 1,000 feet above sea level. Palamau shot to fame as early as 1932 for its tiger census - the first of its kind in the world. In 1974 it became one of the country's first reserve. The best time to visit it is between February and April when you are sure to confront large herds of gaur and chital. Elephants are visible after the monsoons. Tiger, panther, sloth bear, wild bear, sambhar, nilgai, kakr and mouse-deer are all permanent residents of the Park as are large families of langurs. As in the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, the Forest Department provides jeeps for viewing wildlife. For an overnight stay there is BSTDC's Van Vihar, rest houses belonging to the Forest Department, private tourism lodges and cottages.

The Dalma Sanctuary : Dalma Sanctuary near Jamshedpur is the best elephant habitat in Bihar.

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EXCURSIONS AROUND HAZARIBAGH AND NETARHAT

Parasnath : This is well-known Jain pilgrimage centre on Hazaribagh's eastern margin which rises to a height of 4,480 feet and is the highest hill in Bihar. No fewer than 20 out of 24 Tirthankaras including Parsvanath are said to have attained salvation on this hill. Parsvanath, the 23rd Tirthankar was greatly loved by the tribals of Chotanagpur. Both the Shwetambar and Digmbar Jains have many beautiful temples here on the hill.

The Tilaiya Dam : Across the Barakar river, 55 km away from Hazaribagh, the reservoir lined with hills offer a breathtaking sight. A few km from the dam is the Urwan Tourist Complex developed by Bihar State Tourism where you can enjoy boating.

Rajrappa Falls : 90 km from Hazaribagh the area is famous for the Chinna masa Temple, situated where the river Bhera joins the river Damodar, falling from a height of 30 feet. There are some spectacular rock formations in this area.

Konar Dam :51 km from Hazaribagh the dam is yet another tranquil spot for a quiet outing.

Places of Interest at Netarhat Include : The upper and lower Ghagri falls, View Tower on the Koel River which offers a panoramic view of Natarhat. The Lodh Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Bihar where water falls from a height of 468 feet. The Sadni Falls where the water twirls down like a snake. All these are popular picnic spots.
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