Bihar has immense Tourism Enthalpy, There are hundreds of less known sites which have significant place in our History. Hundreds of tales are associated with them. The Latest in such is Ramayan Circuit in Bihar. Various places in Bihar whose reference occurs in Ramayan are included in this Circuit. These places are well known among localites, but lack a wide reputation and are hardly known outside Bihar. If channlised preperly, these have the potential to become a major Pilgrimage and Tourism Hub. Here we present few such places which serve as nodes to the Ramayan Circuit.
Tar (Bhojpur):
This is one of Ramayana Sites, situated around 10 kms North West of Piro. This place is named after Tarka, a demon killed by lord Rama. There is an old tank in the village which is famous for being the wrestling ground of Tarka. This is one of the important places covered under Ramayana Tour Package Bihar.
Ahirauli (Buxur):
As per Ramayana Story it is situated around 5 kms north-east of Buxur. This place village has a temple of Devi Ahilya. It dates back to the pre historic ages according to the local sources and tradition. Devi Ahilya was transformed into stone as a result of curse of her husband, Rishi Gautam and she could be redeemed only when Lord Ram Chandra visited her place.
Ram Rekha Ghat (Buxur):
This is one of the most important Ramayana Sites According to mythology, God Ram and his younger brother Lakshman along with their teacher Rishi Vishwamitra had crossed the Holy River Ganga here on their way to Janakpur where he later took part in the Sita swayambar (the public ceremony of Sita’s Marriage).
Pretshila Hills (Gaya):
The 873 feet high Pretshila Hills is around 8 kms North-West of Gaya, literal meaning is the Hill of ghosts and it is sacred to yam, the Hindu god of hell and forms one of the sacred places of pilgrimage. There is a small temple on the top of the hill, appropriately dedicated to Yam (The God of death).
Giddheshwar (Jamui):
According to Hindu Mythology the epic fight between the vulture Jatayu and the demon Ravan took place here on the hill that is situated about 13 km south of Jamui, while the latter was abducting Sita. There is a temple of Lord Shiva, here draws big crowds especially on the occasion of Shivratri and Maghi Purnima.
Kako (Jehanabad):
As per local legends and Ramayana Story, Lord Ramchandra’s step mother, Rani Kekaiy of Ayodhya lived here for some time and the village took its name after her. It is situated 10 km away of Jehanabad Railway station. This place has also a tomb of Hazarat Bibi, Kamal Sahiba; a great muslim lady saint. It is said that this lady was the aunt of Haryat MaKEYWORD DESCRIPTIONum Saheb of Bihar Sharif and Possessed devine powers.
Singheshwar Asthan (Madhepura):
There are many stories about the establishment of the Singheshwar temple, the widely & popularly accepted is related to Rishi Shringi. In ancient time Singheshwar was situated on the bank of the river Kosi and was surrounded by dense and lush green forest. It was ideally situated for ‘Tapasya’ (Meditation) and Vibhandak Rishi along with is son Rishi Shringi dedicated all his time in deep meditation. This is the most important place for pilgrimage tour.
Phullahar (Madhubani):
It is situated about 6 kms west of Umgaon which falls under Harlakhi P.S. The village has the temple of Goddess Girija. It is said that Goddess Sita used to come here every day to worship. Here Lord Rama saw Goddess Sita for the first time.
Sita Kund (Munger):
This village is around 6 Kms East of the Munger town having a hot spring known as the Sita Kund / spring. Lord Ram after rescuing his wife Goddess Sita from the demon king Ravana, suspected her honour and Goddess Sita to prove her chastity agreed to enter a blazing fire. She came out of the fiery or deal unscathed, and imparted to the pool in which she bathed, the heat she had absorbed from the fire. The hot spring is now enclosed in a masonry reservoir and is visited by large number of pilgrims especially at the full moon of Magh.
Ramchura (Vaishali):
Situated in Vaishali where a fair is held every year on Ram Nawami day. As per local tradition God Ram Chandra had a stopover here for a bath on his way to Janakpur. There are some marks on stone, which are said to be his footprints. This is also an important place for pilgrimage tour
Ahilya Asthan (Darbhanga):
This village is situated about 24 kms North West of Darbhanga and about 4 kms from Kamtaul. It is known for the temple of Ahilya Asthan associated with the well known legend of the sage Gautam and his wife Ahilya as told in the epics and Puranas. Inside the Shrine is a flat stone said to contain the foot prints of Sita Mata as the main object of worship.
Janki Temple (Sitamarhi):
This temple seems to have been built about 100 years ago. Traditionally this temple is considered to be the birth place of Sita Mata.
Janki Temple (Punausa):
Around 5 kms South West of Sitamarhi this place also claims to be the birth place of Sita and is considered to be sacred place where people go for a pilgrimage.
Haleshwar Asthan (Sitamarhi):
As per myths the King of Videha on the occasion of Putrayesthi Yojna, founded this temple. This is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva about 3 kms North-West of Sitamarhi.
Panth Pakar (Sitamarhi):
It is said that when Sita left Janakpur in a Paanquin for Ayodhya after the marriage to Shri Ram, she was given rest for a while under this very banyan tree. An age old banyan tree still stands here about 8 kms North-East of Sitamarhi.
Chanki Garh (West Champaran):
This village is situated about 9 kms East of Ram Nagar is also known as Janaki Garh. There is a large mound in the eastern part of the village. It is a 90 feet high mass of solid bricKEYWORD NAMEork. Originally it was probably a Fort and the remains of fortification can still be seen. As per local belief it was a Fort of king Janak.
Valmiki Nagar (West Champaran):
42 kms North-West of Bagaha this is a village on the Indo Nepal border which it is connected by a metal led road. A barrage has been constructed here on the Gandak river for the purpose of irrigation. In this place there are ancient temple of Nara Devi and Gauri Shankar Besides an old Shiva temple constructed by the Bettiah Raj. There is a Valmiki Ashram, which is said to be the place where Maharshi Valmiki was living. Every year On the occasion of Makar Sankranti a fair is held on the bank of River Gandak.
(Special Thanks to Department of Tourism GOB for the Contents )
