Presentation made on:-

Tourism destinations of Bihar

Subject Name:- Destination Marketing

Faculty Name:- Mrs. Chandra Badan

Given By :-
Ravi Ranjan
 Introduction
Bihar is situated in the eastern part of India with the Himalayan
Kingdom of Nepal to its north and the states of West Bengal, Uttar
Pradesh and Jharkhand flanking its sides. It is blessed with
boundless fertility of its soil, mineral wealth, other natural resources
such as forest wealth and potential manpower embodied in its
population. Bihar is the land origin of religions like Buddhism and
Jainism. The word ‘Bihar’ owes its origin to the "Viharas" built by Lord
Buddha who attained spiritual enlightenment on this land and
preached love, peace and tolerance. The erstwhile capital city of
Patliputra of Emperor Ashoka is the present day state capital Patna.
Bihar is the land of the magnificent Ganges, beautiful flora and fauna,
attractive tourist destinations like the world famous ancient seats of
learning like Nalanda & Vikaramshila, Madhubani Paintings (Mithila
Arts), enchanting Sujuni work, gorgeous Bhagalpuri Silk, rich mineral
resources, world famous fruits such as the delicious litchi (lychee)
and mangoes.
 Best time to visit Bihar
From exotic wildlife reserves to historical monuments, Bihar
harbours all. Some of the most revered pilgrimages of India
are also located in Bihar. The spiritual grandeur of the state
unfolds in the form of many temples, mosques and
monasteries. The ideal time to visit Bihar is during the
relatively cool winter months i.e. from November to February.
By this time, the summer heat is long gone and the sweeping
monsoon downpour cloaks the place in fresh verdure. The
various water bodies also swell with renewed spirit. This is
the time when the state promises a fun-filled holiday.
 The other attractions of Bihar as a tourism destination
1) Fairs:-
a) Shravani Mela:-
Shravani Mela is organized in the Hindu month of Shravan; that is, the lunar month
of July- August. Lakhs of "kanwarias" or pilgrims, wearing saffron, collect water
from the sacred river Gangaat Sultanganjand walk barefoot to Deoghar in
Jharkhand where they bathe a sacred Shivalinga with the water brought from
Sultanganj as their holy offering or service.

b) Sonpur Mela:-
Sonepur is located in Saran district of Bihar, 22 km away from Patna, at the
confluence of two mighty rivers, the Ganga and Gandak. It is a small town amid
picturesque surroundings, close to the Mahatma Gandhi Setu, the longest road
bridge in Asia. Sonepur is famous for hosting one of Asia's largest cattle fairs. The
month-long event, better known as Sonepur Mela, is held in the month of
November every year.
2) Festival

a) Chhath Puja:-
A week after the festival of lights, Diwali, is celebrated chhath. For one
night, people of Bihar virtually live on the banks of river Ganga and other
water pools to offer obeisance to Sun god.
Since the obeisance has to be offered from mid-water, the ideal venue
for this unique festivity is .the banks of rivers. The festival is dedicated to
the worship of Sun god and is, therefore, also known as Surya Shashti
Chhath is considered to be an opportunity to thank Sun god for
bestowing the bounties of life on earth and also to pray for fulfilment of
wishes.
3) Arts and craft:-
a) Madubani Paintings:-
For centuries, the villagers had decorated the mud-plastered walls of their
homes with the vivacious style of the Madhubani. Whenever a festival was
in the offing or when the family gathered to celebrate the wedding of a
younger member, the women of the clan undertook the task of decorating
their homes. A fresh coating of cow dung plastering was applied on the
walls and flooring of the house. When the ochre surface took on a silken
smoothness, it was made the background of a fascinating array of wall
paintings. Every inch of the space was filled up. The paintings had
curvaceous floral borders and in the center the favorite theme-the
marriage of Shiva and Parvati, was painted. The art form is practiced even
now in the region though at the lesser scale.
b) Bangle Making:-
In Muzaffarpur, the principal city in this domain, bangle making
is a cottage industry, in the truest sense, for every household
is a manufacturing unit of these lac turnery beauties. The
adjoining forests of the state provide the basic raw material for
bangle making. With the help of simple domestic fire, and vivid
imagination, the craftsman breathes life into roundels of
lozenge pink, flaming orange, brilliant vermilion, regal purple or
even dignified ochre circles, to ornament the wrists of a bride.
 Important aspects for Bihar as a tourism
destination
1) The various transportation facilities available in the state
of Bihar.

2)The problems and other things related with Bihar Tourism

like:-
Safety and security issues, availability of lesser infrastructure, low
marketing policies and advertisement etc.
 Infrastructure facilities available
1) Airports:-
a) Patna Airport
Located five kilometres away from downtown Patna and is well connected with major
metropolitan cities of India. Indian Airlines is the major airline company operating at this
airport. Jet Airways, Air Deccan, and MDLR also have started their flights from the
place. Wheel chair accessibility and assistance for physically challenged, aged and
infirm are available.

b) Gaya Airport
Gaya Airport, better known as Bodhgaya Airport, offers flights to some of the major
cities of India. Indian Airlines is major airlines which operate flights from here. Gaya is
also connected with Bangkok, and Colombo. Thai Airways International, Indian
Airlines, Drukair, and Mihin Lanka offer international flights from Gaya. The airport has
2,286 meters long runway of Asphalt. The airport has capacity of 25 flights per day
each for departure and arrival.
2) Trains:-
The railway network in Bihar is excellent and provides first-
rate citizen centric railway services to the people. Most of the
cities have a railway junction that facilitates railway travel
across the state. You can easily travel from one part of the
state to the other by trains. 

3) Buses:-
State-transport as well as privately owned buses run
throughout Bihar. Options, in the form of local buses, semi-
deluxe buses, deluxe buses etc, are available for commuting
from one city to the other. Most of these buses run on a daily
basis. Mini buses also offer short distance services within the
city. 
2) Taxis:-
Taxis are another mode of public transport that helps travelling from
one part of the state to the other as well as for travelling within a
particular city. Metered taxis are most convenient for short distance
travel. 

3) Auto Rickshaws:- 
Auto Rickshaws (metered) and tempos (not metered) are the most
preferred modes of transport for traveling short distances, especially
within the confines of a city. Auto rickshaws are very convenient if
you travel in a group. The tempos on the other hand are often jam-
packed. It is always better to avail metered autos if you are familiar
with the route. Otherwise, you can negotiate the fare beforehand.
 
 The problems related with the development of Bihar
tourism:-
a)Naxal and the safety problem for the tourists.
Bihar being a state has been highly infected by the naxal activities and a major
number of destination falls under this. So the state tourism board along with the
central government should must take strong steps like deployment of extra forces
and police to the areas which has the potential for to attract tourist from India and
abroad.

b) No proper marketing and advertisement of the destination.

Bihar tourism is lacking behind in sense of proper marketing and advertisements
and the government of state as well as the central government is paying lesser
interest for the same. Bihar has a wide range of tourism destination present and if
we do the categorization they will come into circuits of Buddhism, Jainism, and
Sufism.
c) Lack of proper infrastructure facilities at the various destinations.
The destinations of Bihar is lacking in the presence of good infrastructure
facilities like airports, good network of railways and roadways, the
presence of good accommodation and restaurant is also a serious
problems related with the destinations of Bihar.
d) Lack of awareness.
The people of state has less or is not aware of the benefits of tourism.
e) The lack of education.
The state is lacking behind the literacy rate and this rate causes the lesser
knowledge for the tourism trade.
f) Lack of tourist inflow into the state.
The state is lacking into the tourism inflow as compared to other
equivalent destinations.
How to promote Bihar as a tourism destination.
1) By proper advertisement.
We can promote the destinations of the state by having a proper
advertisement for the same and that can be by various ways like giving
advertisements in print media as well as media, then we can go for the
big hoardings, distribution of pamphlets. Then we may can go for the
FAM tour of various Travel agents and tour operators so that they can
promote and sell Bihar as a tourism Destination. The same can be done
on international basis.
2) By construction of proper infrastructure.
The infrastructure means the presence of airports, good roadways,
proper linkage of railways, and also proper transportation facilities to the
various destinations of the state. As well as there should be presence of
good accommodation facilities with restaurants and some recreational
centers as well centers for entertainment.
3) By having a proper marketing goals.
The government should must try to formulate a proper
marketing set up for the promotion of tourism in Bihar and the
central should assist in providing assistance to the state for the
development of the same.
4) By creating awareness.
The state government should try to create awareness in the
people towards the advantages of the tourism to the state and
the people of the state.
Thank You