Nalanda

…had one of the oldest & finest Universities known all over the world
Nalanda University was a Buddhist learning centre established back in the 427 B.C. King Ashoka, a Mauryan Emperor was one of the ardent followers of Buddha who has contributed mostly in building of this Nalanda University. The famous Chola Dyansty had also inspired Buddhist teaching as well as in building of several Monasteries at Nalanda.

It is said that the British Archaeologist had first discovered the remains of the Nalanda University near Baragon village. Nalanda is located just 55 km away from Patna. It is written in various scriptures that Nalanda had been a place of regular visit for Lord Buddha. Therefore, revolves around several stories and controversies if we go back centuries back.

Nalanda : The Buddhist Pilgrimage

As gateway of Buddhist pilgrimage travellers from various parts of the world had come to excavate this Buddhist learning centre. One of the ardent travellers was Hiuen Tsang who cam and studied Buddhism in and around 7th century A.D. Nalanda got patronage from the king Kumaragupta at the time of 5th century when he thought of introducing more than 10,000 students in this university. It was the centre for Buddhist and Vedic studies at that period of time. The famous Buddhist Astronomer had been a student at Nalanda University.

Nalanda was that one famous university where scholars from all around the world came to study Buddhist philosophy. Over 10,000 scholars came to study at Nalanada University. It should also be noted that at that century, studying at Nalanda was a matter of pride and prestige. The great scholar Aryabhatta, who invented zero as a number, was a student of Nalanda. Not to mention, the great traveller Huieng Tsang had also studied at Nalanda. The Nalanda Museum is the major attraction for the tourists as several handwritten scriptures are preserved which had been excavated by the archaeologists.

Its 9-storey library is definitely the best attraction as it will give you a very fine and comprehensive view of excavation of the ruined university. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, a modern centre for Pali is another major attraction for Buddhist Travel and Tour in India.

Till date the ruined complex of university, can be viewed where lay the well structured classrooms built majestically, its temples and meditation halls are indeed the architectural charm of Buddhist period.

Unfortunately, it was in the year 1193, the invasion of Bhaktiar Khilji had ruined the Nalanda university, only leaving behind its remains.