Nalanda is in the Bihar state of India and marks the site of the once famous Buddhist university also known as the Nalanda University, which has also been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Nalanda was a Buddhist university established in 450CE, and was the longest running university in Indian history. Among its many notable guests were the Buddha and Mahavira, and at its zenith accommodated over 10,000 students and over 2,000 faculty. However, it was destroyed by Turkish Muslim invaders in 1193, when the students and teachers were massacred and the massive university library was burnt down, and all that remains are extensive ruins that are spread over an area of 14 hectares.
- Great Stupa. Remains of the stupa has terraces and smaller stupas. ₹100 (for foreigners). The ticket office is just across the road from the entrance. Mind the beggars and shopkeepers.
- Nalanda Archaeological Museum. 9AM-5PM, closed Fr. The museum houses a significant collection of Pala and Mauryan statues. The six air conditioned (!) rooms show off stone and metal statues that were found during the excavations of Nalanda and surrounding villages. The statues are a little detailed and full of expression than other museums in the area. Entrance ₹5.
- Nalanda Multimedia Museum. Great place to visualize the History of Nalanda. It runs a 20-minute (₹50) movie about the history of Nalanda using 1990s style 3D animation. About half the information contained in the show can be gained from signs around the university ruins. It's interesting and actually worth it if you have a little extra time and a spare ₹50. To get there, keep walking up the road from the university ruins/official museum about 200 m and it will be on your right.
Great Stupa. Remains of the stupa has terraces and smaller stupas. ₹100 (for foreigners). The ticket office is just across the road from the entrance. Mind the beggars and shopkeepers.
Nalanda Archaeological Museum. 9AM-5PM, closed Fr. The museum houses a significant collection of Pala and Mauryan statues. The six air conditioned (!) rooms show off stone and metal statues that were found during the excavations of Nalanda and surrounding villages. The statues are a little detailed and full of expression than other museums in the area. Entrance ₹5.
Nalanda Multimedia Museum. Great place to visualize the History of Nalanda. It runs a 20-minute (₹50) movie about the history of Nalanda using 1990s style 3D animation. About half the information contained in the show can be gained from signs around the university ruins. It's interesting and actually worth it if you have a little extra time and a spare ₹50. To get there, keep walking up the road from the university ruins/official museum about 200 m and it will be on your right.
There are many roadside stalls near the entrance to the Nalanda historical site an museum. Nothing flash, but samosas and snacks can be bought to sustain you. For a meal, there's a restaurant just down from the ticket office towards the (non-multimedia) museum. There's also a nice Garden Restaurant Run in the Nalanda Multimedia Museum - open peak season.
Prefer packed drinking water bottles and surely look for a reputed brand.
- Bodh Gaya (89 km). There is a direct bus during peak season, but the more reliable way is to get a bus to Gaya (sometimes involving changing in Rajgir), then a bus or Rickshaw (₹200) down to Bodh Gaya.
- Rajgir (15 km). About every half hour (₹8)
- Patna (80 km). By train it will take about three hours, the fastest one is the Budhpurnima Express that departs 11:45PM and arrives in Patna Junction 2:10AM. The easiest way by road is to get a bus from the Nalanda main road up to Bihar Sharif (about every half hour, ₹8), then change for an eight-hour bus to Patna (₹70) from the same bus station. Beware Patna traffic jams, and be ready to add an extra few hours to your journey in bad cases.
- Deo (130 km). The city of the Sun Temple.
[[Bodh Gaya]] (89 km). There is a direct bus during peak season, but the more reliable way is to get a bus to Gaya (sometimes involving changing in Rajgir), then a bus or Rickshaw (₹200) down to Bodh Gaya.
[[Rajgir]] (15 km). About every half hour (₹8)
[[Patna]] (80 km). By train it will take about three hours, the fastest one is the Budhpurnima Express that departs 11:45PM and arrives in Patna Junction 2:10AM. The easiest way by road is to get a bus from the Nalanda main road up to Bihar Sharif (about every half hour, ₹8), then change for an eight-hour bus to Patna (₹70) from the same bus station. Beware Patna traffic jams, and be ready to add an extra few hours to your journey in bad cases.