Area : 107.08 sq. km
Altitude : 53 metres above the sea level
Climate : The temperature often rises to 43 degC in summers and falls to around 5 deg C or even below during the winters.
Languages : Hindi and English
Best time to visit : October to March
STD code : 0612
History Of Patna
Patna was original known as Pataliputra or Patalipattan and its recorded history dates back to the 600 B.C. It was the capital of Chandragupta Maurya, the first recorded emperor of India, but gradually it lost its importance after the decline of the Mauryan Empire. During the medieval era, it rose to prominence again under Shershah Suri who ruled at the beginning of the 16th century A.D. People have the belief that Patna was founded by Ajatashatru and he adopted several measures to protect the town from the incessant foreign invasions. The great Mauryan emperor Ashoka also ruled from here. The later Guptas, including Chandragupta Vikramaditya and Samudragupta, made Pataliputra their capital.
The famous Chinese travelers Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang visited this town in the 3rd and 7th century respectively. Patna was a repository of knowledge and wisdom in the historic times. Scholars like Kautilya created their remarkable works by staying here. The grandson of Aurangzeb, Azim-us-Shan came to Patna in the year 1703 as its governor. Due to his efforts he transformed Patna into a gorgeous town gave it the name "Azimabad". The city came under the control of the British after the decline of the Mughals. They had started a factory here in 1620 for the trade of calico and silk. In the year 2000, a separate state called Jharkhand was separated from Bihar.
Culture
Though geographically located in the Magadh region of Bihar, many residents of Patna are natives of one of the four other regions of Bihar -Bhojpur, Mithila, Vajj and Ang, which differ only slightly from each other. Intermarriages and cultural intermixing among the people of the five regions has been so common that it may be difficult for an outsider to discern the differences. Intermixing of people is also common at the village level (e.g. resident of Gulni include people from Gaya, Ganga-par and other villages).
Family orientation in Patna : People are religious and family-oriented, and their lives are deeply rooted in tradition. The interests of the family take precedence over that of an individual. Families are generally large, though the government is actively encouraging family planning to curb rapid population growth. Extended families often live together in one home because of economic necessity. Although the culture is same among the regions, the dialects spoken are quite different. Many talented people of Bihar have emigrated for better opportunities.
Sightseeing In Patna
Gandhi Setu
Gandhi Setu was built to connect Patna with Hajipur. The bridge also connects north and south Bihar. The bridge is 5450 meters in length and the longest in the world. Gandhi Setu has helped in better traffic management and speedy transportation in the entire region.
Mahatma Gandhi Setu stands on forty piers and for better navigational purposes the span arrangement has been done in such a manner that it does not affect the movement of ships and big boats. To accommodate free movement of ships, height has been kept optimum except for the last few spans on the Hajipur side, which covers a length of 305 m. An excellent specimen of better plan and execution, Gandhi Setu has served an example.
Phulwari Sharif
Phulwari Sharif is an important medieval and religious city of Bihar. It is located seven kilometers away from the Patna. This place has a long and rich religious history that is closely attached with the birth and development of the Sufi culture in our country. Sufi saints of the medieval times had made Bihar one of the important centers of religious, social and cultural developments. Phulwari Sharif was one such place from where the Sufi saints had spread their message of love and toleration to other parts of the country. Being a very important mediaeval site in Phulwari Sharif has some exquisite mediaeval structures. These are Khanqah Mujeebia, Sheesh Mahal, Shahi Sangi Masjid and Imarat Sharia. 
history that is closely attached with the birth and development of the Sufi culture in our country.
These structures clearly manifest the influence of Mughal architectural style. Among various structures here Sangi Masjid is an architectural master piece. It is not only influenced by Mughal style but also bears influences of local style of architecture prevalent in this region at that time. This beautiful mosque was built by Mughal Emperor Humayun. As the important characteristic of that period it is built in red sand stone. It is not only an attraction of Muslims but also for all tourists from all parts of the globe. The importance of Phulwari Sharif is also lies in being an important religious educational institution and popularly known for an inside Madrasa which has played a significant role in spreading education to the poor masses of the region.
Maner SharifPhulwari Sharif is an important medieval and religious city of Bihar. It is located seven kilometers away from the Patna. This place has a long and rich religious history that is closely attached with the birth and development of the Sufi culture in our country.
HajipurHajipur was known as Ukkacala in ancient times. According to Buddhist scriptures, Lord Buddha gave one of his many discourses at Ukkacala. Some Buddhist sources also say that ashes of Lord Buddha's disciple Ananda were kept in a Stupa at Ukkacala.
administrator. He erected this mosque at Patna to commemorate his victory over the Mughal emperor Humanyun. The mosque, built in Afghan architectural style, has a tomb inside the compound which is topped by an octagonal stone slab. The Sher Shah Masjid is considered among best looking mosques in India.
According to Buddhist literature, Ananda was the closest disciple and personnel attendant of Buddha. The same sources tell an interesting incident about Ananda- when Ananda realized that his life was drawing to its close, he decided to head towards north from Rajgir. Later on when King Ajatashatru came to know about it he went to meet Ananda and asked him to stay in his capital. Similarly, people from near by Vaishali came and asked him to stay at their place, which made the situation quite tricky for Ananda.
As Ananda was in conflict where to go and whom to visit, he reached in the middle of river and in order to avoid disappointment and possible conflict, Ananda rose into the air and disappeared into a ball of flames. As the legends have it, people gathered on both sides of the river and collected the ash which was poured from above. Later on many Stupas were erected enshrining the same ash.
Though the whereabouts of these stupas is not known, one mound on the bank of river Ganges is evidence of one such stupa's existence at the spot. Historians are of the opinion that stupas might have been erased by Ganges flood overtime and some Hindu temple has come into existence now. From historical evidence and Buddhist literature, archeologists have concluded that the modern Hajipur is ancient Ukkacala.
Sher Shah MasjidSher Shah Suri was a celebrated Afghan ruler and a good administrator. He erected this mosque at Patna to commemorate his victory over the Mughal emperor Humanyun. The mosque, built in Afghan architectural style, has a tomb inside the compound which is topped by an octagonal stone slab. The Sher Shah Masjid is considered among best looking mosques in India. .
This impressive landmark of Patna built in Afghan style of architecture is the biggest mosque in Patna. Inside the mosque is a big dome built specifically to cater huge gathering of masses. Other than the huge dome, the mosque has four small gathering rooms. The mosque was made according to the need of hug
e gathering to accommodate collective prayer. The specialty of the plan of the mosque is that the domes are so placed that only three of them can be seen at a time from whichever angle one sees.
Owing to its huge size, Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park is considered among one of the biggest zoos in India. The park houses more than three hundred species of trees including of orchids, ferns and roses.
Patna MuseumPatna Museum was established in the year 1917. The aim behind the establishment of the museum was to impart a scientific vision to understand the evolution of history.Kumhrar
Kumhrar is the site that consists of the archaeological excavations of Patliputra
and marks the ancient capital of Ajatshatru.
How to Reach Patna
by Air: Patna being the capital city of Bihar has excellent air connection to many important Indian cities like, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata. Several Airlines serve this airport with regular flights.
by Road: An extensive road network links Patna to major cities and tourist detonations within Bihar and neighboring states. Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Ranchi, Siliguri are conveniently located by road to Patna.
by Road: An extensive road network links Patna to major cities and tourist detonations within Bihar and neighboring states. Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Ranchi, Siliguri are conveniently located by road to Patna.
Wild Life Parks