| An Ancient university - Nalanda |
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| An ancient university named Nalanda was one of the world's first residential universities located in Bihar. From 427 to 1197 CE Nalanda was a Buddhist center of learning. "One of the first great universities in recorded history" is the name given university of Nalanda. Gupta emperors found the great university in the 5th century with thousands of students and teachers. The university was considered an architectural masterpiece, and was marked by a lofty wall and one gate. Every field of learning is covered in the subjects taught at Nalanda University. The study of scriptures of Mahayana and Hinayana Schools of Buddhism, Brahminical vedic texts, Philosophy, logic theology, grammar, astronomy, mathematics and medicine were also covered in the subjects taught in university. Nalanda is a Sanskrit word that means giver of knowledge. |
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| In the Buddha's time Nalanda was an influential and prosperous town, thickly populated according to the Kevatta Sutta. The town was the victim of a severe famine during the Buddha's time as mentioned in the Samyutta Nikaya. The right hand disciple of the Buddha, Sāriputta was born and died in Nalanda. It was also the residence of Sonnadinnā. Nālandā was evidently a centre of activity of the Jains and Mahavira is believed to have attained Moksha at Pavapuri, which is located in Nalanda. In the memory of Sariputta, King Asoka (250 BC) is said to have built a stupa. |
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| The University of Nalanda was established 450 CE indicate in historical studies under the patronage of the Gupta emperors, notably Kumaragupta. The entrance of many of the viharas in Nalanda University ruins can be seen with a bow marked floor; bow was the royal sign of Guptas'. |
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| One of the world's first residential universities and also one of the most famous universities, Nalanda had dormitories for students. Over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers were accommodated in the period of Guptas. Eight separate compounds, ten temples, meditation halls and classrooms were also housed in the university. Meticulous copies of texts were produced in the library was located in a nine storied building. Pupils and scholars from Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and Turkey were attracted by the university. In the 7th century a Tang Dynasty Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang left detailed accounts of the university. |
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| At the time Buddhist the library of Nalanda, known as Dharma Gunj means Mountain of Truth or Dharmagañja means Treasury of Truth, was the most renowned repository of Buddhist knowledge in the world. Hundreds of thousands of volumes were housed in the library, so extensive that it burned for months when set aflame by Muslim invaders. Ratnasagara means Sea of Jewels, Ratnodadhi means Ocean of Jewels, and Ratnarañjaka means Delighter of Jewels are three main buildings as high as nine stories tall in the library complex. |
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| Opposite to the entrance to the ruins of the university is a small but beautiful collection of Buddhist and Hindu bronzes and a number of undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha that were found in the area. The collection includes copper plates and stone inscriptions, coins, pottery and samples of burnt rice (12th century AD) found among the ruins here Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is devoted to study and research in Pali Literature and Buddhism. |
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| The Surya Mandir, a Hindu temple in ruined structure still survives. Number of manuscripts and many items that have been excavated that present in the Nalanda Museum. |
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| Nearest airport is Patna 93 Kms. Bakhtiyarpur 38 Kms is the nearest railway station. Nalanda is connected by Road to Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Delhi and Calcutta. |
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