Nalanda was an ancient center of higher learning in Bihar, India. The site is located about 88 kilometres south east of Patna, and was a religious center of learning from the fifth century AD to 1197 AD. Nalanda flourished between the reign of the Sakraditya (whose identity is uncertain and who might have been either Kumara Gupta I or Kumara Gupta II) and 1197 AD, supported by patronage from the Hindu Gupta rulers as well as Buddhist emperors like Harsha and later emperors from the Pala Empire.
Hot Spring
At the foot of Vaibhava Hill, a staircase leads up to the various temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes through spouts from Saptdhara, the seven streams, believed to find their source behind the "Saptarni Caves", up in the hills. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature of 45 degree Centigrade.
Giriyak Hill
It is the name of the hilltop where an important remains of a stupa is situated The base pedestals measure about 10’ high and the cylindrical brick stupa on it is about 28’ in diameter and the height 21’. There is an ancient stone path about 20’ wide that leads to the peak till the stupa.
Shanti Stupa
The Vishwa Shanti Stup is located on a 400 meter high hill. The stupa is built in marble and on the four corners of the stupa are four glimmering statues of Buddha. To reach the top of this hill one has to come through the “Ropeways”. This place is also called the GriddhKoot.
Nalanda University Ruin
Nalanda International University (also known as University of Nalanda or Nalanda University) is the name of a proposed university in Rajgir, near Nalanda, Bihar, India. The first academic session is set to start from 2014. The university is a plan for reviving and re-establishing Nalanda University which was one of the oldest ancient center of higher learning. Originally the university was established in 5th century AD by Gupta Kings.
Zuan Zang Memorial Hall
The Zuan Zang Memorial Hall was built by Chinese as a peace pagoda. There is also an international centre for the study of Buddhism established in 1951.
Pawapuri
A sinless city it is a great pilgrimage center of the Jains. Lord Mahavira, the greatest propounder of Jainism had delivered his last sermon took Mahaparinirvana and was cremated here. Jalmandir and Samosharan are two beautiful temples here of exquisite architecture built in white marble.
