Nalanda
Discover Nalanda
Nalanda (नालंदा Nālandā) is the site of a famous Buddhist university or mahāvihāra in the Indian state of Bihar. The university complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nalanda was a Buddhist university established in about 450CE, and was the longest running university in Indian history. At its zenith it 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.
What to Experience in Nalanda
Taste of Nalanda...
There are many roadside stalls near the entrance to the Nalanda historical site and 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 museum. Prefer packed drinking water bottles and surely look for a reputed brand. Many visitors to Nalanda prefer to stay in Rajgir as there is a greater choice of accommodation.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsNalanda is rather well served by train for being such a small town. There are a few direct trains from both New Delhi and Kolkata as well as major cities in Bihar, including Patna. However, nearby Bihar Sharif, being a railway hub, offers plenty more choice. A more luxurious option is the Mahaparinirvan Express excursion train. Operated by Royal Indian Trains, this train visits important Buddhist sites across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Shared jeeps plying the route between Rajgir (15 km) and Bihar Sharif (35 km) make a stop at the turn off for Nalanda. Rickshaws and other vehicles are available from here to the main gate, a distance of 2 km. Bus facilities are available from Patna, Gaya, Bihar Sharif and Rajgir. See the 'Go next' section below for more details. The main way to get around Nalanda is by Tonga (horse-drawn cart)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The main way to get around Nalanda is by Tonga (horse-drawn cart). A trip from the main road (where a bus or jeep will drop you off), up to the university ruins and museum should cost you ₹50 for the whole cart, or ₹10 per person in a shared cart with other people. There are many roadside stalls near the entrance to the Nalanda historical site and 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 museum. Prefer packed drinking water bottles and surely look for a reputed brand. Many visitors to Nalanda prefer to stay in Rajgir as there is a greater choice of accommodation.
Where to Stay
Many visitors to Nalanda prefer to stay in Rajgir as there is a greater choice of accommodation.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Nalanda
A group of stone structures sitting on top of a dirt field
Xuan Zang, a Chinese Buddhist, travelled to Nalanda University and various other great centers of learning in India from Xian in China and returned to Xian in 645 AD after traveling a distance of 50,000 km in 17 years. This statue is at his memorial in Nalanda. Nalanda university was discovered based on his chronicles. The memorial has many maps tracing the route Mr Zhang travelled from Xian along the edge of gobi desert on the ancient silk route to Ferghana valley, Smarkhand and through the mountain passes of Hindu Khush mountains he entered the river valleys of northern India from where he travelled to central, western and southern parts of India.
Honouring Xuan Zang
a grassy area with a bunch of bricks in it
A bunch of flowers that are sitting in the grass
Deer on fear
Sacred Assembly
Don’t underestimate the power of a sleeping lion
Nalanda: Where history whispers tales of brilliance, and even imagined sculptures stand tall in the mind's eye
Nalanda: Where history whispers tales of brilliance, and even imagined sculptures stand tall in the mind's eye
A group of stone structures sitting on top of a dirt field
Xuan Zang, a Chinese Buddhist, travelled to Nalanda University and various other great centers of learning in India from Xian in China and returned to Xian in 645 AD after traveling a distance of 50,000 km in 17 years. This statue is at his memorial in Nalanda. Nalanda university was discovered based on his chronicles. The memorial has many maps tracing the route Mr Zhang travelled from Xian along the edge of gobi desert on the ancient silk route to Ferghana valley, Smarkhand and through the mountain passes of Hindu Khush mountains he entered the river valleys of northern India from where he travelled to central, western and southern parts of India.
Honouring Xuan Zang