Nalanda is situated around 62km from Bodhgaya and 90km from Patna, in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. It is famous by the ancient seat of learning, the oldest university that flourished into one of the best as well.
Nalanda came into prominence when Lord Buddha himself visited Nalanda to deliver sermons and speeches, but though Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, it shot to fame later, during 5th-12th centuries.
Huen Tsang, a Chinese scholar and traveler, gaves an account of Nalanda being the perfect environment for education. Nalanda bears the record of being the first international university with strength of 2000 teachers and 10000 learners.
Nalanda University was founded in the 6th century AD and since the time of Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira, it was an ancient famous university place of historical importance.
Nalanda was a territory of Rajgir in ancient times. The name goes as Nalam meaning “Lotus” and Da meaning “to impart”, but in contraction it literally means imparting knowledge. A source of ancient record states that the philosophers, alchemist, and nagarjuna of 2nd century taught and studied in the temple built by King Ashoka.
Besides of the ruins of Great Nalanda University, which is the prime attraction of the visitors and scholars from all over the globe, visitors also get to see some wonderful collections in Nalanda Archaeological Museum, that contains Hindu and Buddhist bronze statues, the most of them are statues of Lord Buddha founded in the area.
But the main attraction definitely is the two huge terracota jars of the first century.
There are many other important historical places in Nalanda. Some of them are the Huen Tsang Memorial Hall; the Surya Mandir that is a temple enshrined by the sun god, its statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities are distinct features of this temple and the big statue of Parvati standing five feet tall proves to be the main attraction of the visitors.
Also, don't forget the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara which is an institute completely dedicated to study and research in Pali Literature and Buddhism; the Lauria Areraj is a 11.5 m high Ashokan column was erected here in 249 BC.
The polished sandstone pillar has six edicts on it; and the Lauria Nandangarh, is a site, 23 km from Bettiah and 14 km from Shikarpur, has the famous lion pillar erected by Ashoka. The 8.5 m polished sandstone column also has an edict engraved on it. Nearby there are the remains of Nandangarh Stupa, believed to contain the ashes of the Buddha.
Nalanda’s weather has a severe winter and scorching summer. In this way the best season for visit this place is from October to March. About language Nalanda’s people speak Hindi and English.
All amenities of modern mobility are available for traveling. Flight operation is available from Patna the capital city at 89 km from Nalanda. Major cities like Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Katmandu, Ranchi and Lucknow are accessible by aircraft transportation. The nearest rail service can be attained from the Rajgir Railway Station at 12km distance.
This station can connect visitors to and from all places of India especially from cities of Patna, Delhi, Varanasi and Calcutta among others.