Bihar

Of all India's states, Bihar is the one most intimately linked to the Buddha's life, resulting in a trail of pilgrimages which have come to be known as the "Buddhist Circuit". The very name Bihar is derived from the word vihara, which means Buddhist monastery. Bihar is also a religious center for Jains and Hindus.
Bihar has an international border with Nepal, and also borders the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. The River Ganges flows across it from west to east. The Chotanagpur plateau in the south of the state produces 40% of India's mineral wealth. Bihar's capital is an important business centre of eastern India and a gateway to the Budhist and Jain pilgrimage centres of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodhgaya and Pawapuri. The Patna museum contains a collection of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures. The Khuda Baksh Oriental Library has rare Muslim manuscripts including some from the University of Cordoba in Spain. Also worth visiting are Golghar, Harmandirji, Jalan Museum, Martyrs' Memorial, Kumrahar, Pathar Ki Masjid, and Agam Kuan.