INTRODUCTION
Nalanda is located in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. Once a great seat of learning,Nalanda the world's earliest university came into prominence in the 5th century and remained so until a thousand years ago when the Muslim invaders sacked it.Hiuen Tsang,the famous Chinese pilgrim traveler visited this great temple of earning in the 7th century and spent 12 years both as a student and a teacher.
Even today the ruins of Nalanda lie 90kms south of Patna.An international centre for Buddhist Studies was set up in 1951.It derived its name from Na-alam-da, meaning Insatiable in Giving, one of the names by which the Lord Buddha was known.
HISTORY
Nalanda has a very ancient history. Lord Vardhamana Mahavir and Lord Buddha frequently visited it in the 6th century BC.During his sojourns, the Lord Buddha found this place prosperous, teeming with population and containing mango groves. It is also supposed to be the birth place of Sariputra, one of the chief disciples of Lord Buddha. The University of Naanda was founded in the 5th century by the Gupta emperors. 
There were thousands of students and teachers. The courses of study included scriptures of Buddhism, Vedas, Hetu Vidhya, Shabda Vidhya; Chikitsa vidya Etc.The University received royal patronage of the great emperor Harshavardhana of Kannauj and also Pala Kings. It became a great centre of learning and students from countries were also attracted to this university.Hiuen Tsang received here the Indian name Mokshdeva.Nalanda acquired a celebrity spread all over the east as a centre of Buddhist theology and educational activities. Its importance as a monastic university continued until the end of the 12th century.
LOCATION
Nalanda lies in the state of Bihar at a distance of 62 km from Bodhgaya and towards east of Patna.
BEST SEASON
The ideal time to visit Nalanda is between the months of October to March.
FAIRS AND FESTIVELS
BUDDHA JAYANTHI
TVesak is the birthday of the Buddha and the most important festival in Buddhism. On the first full moon day in May, Buddhists all over the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha in a single day. The name "Vesak" comes from the Indian month of that name in which it is held. The Buddha Birth Day Festival is a celebration of the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha, who was born over 2,500 years ago in India as Prince Siddhartha.
This annual Brisbane event is held each year in the South bank Parklands and the organizers claim it to be the largest event of this type in the world. Judging by the crowds I wouldn't disagree with the claim. The aim of the festival is to promote peace and harmony in our society and multi-faith interaction amongst people from diverse backgrounds. This fun 3 day event included multicultural performances, displays, various activities, and a large international food fair.
CHHATH PUJA
Unique in Nalanda is the Chhath Puja, or worship of the Sun god. The most famous one is at the Sun temple in Baragaon near Nalanda, where new paddy, sweets, and fruits are offered in worship.
PLACE OF INTEREST
NALANDA UNIVERSITY
The total area of excavation is about 14 hectares. All the edifices are of red brick and the gardens are beautiful. The buildings are divided by a central walkway that goes south to north; the monasteries or "Viharas" are east of this central alley and the temples of "Chaiyas" to the west. The Vihara 1 is perhaps the most interesting with its cells on two floors built around a central courtyard where steps lead upto what must have been a dais for the professors to address the students. A small chapel still retains a half broken statue of the Lord Buddha.
NALANDA ARCHAELOGICAL MUSEUM
This museum lies opposite to the entrance of the university ruins and houses a small but beautiful collection of Buddhist and Hindu brone statues and a number of undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha that were found in the area. Two enormous terracotta jars of the first century stand intact behind the museum in a shaded enclosure. The collection includes copper plates and stone inscriptions, coins, pottery and samples of burnt rice found among the ruins here.
HIUEN TSANG MEMORIAL HALL
The Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall is said to have been built in the memory of Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveler who came to India in around 5th century AD. Hiuen Tsang was attracted by the glory of Nalanda University and stayed there for 12 years both as a student and as a teacher. He gave detailed and vivid description of the Indian political and social conditions of that time.
NAVA NALANDA MAHAVIHARA
Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is devoted to study and research in Pali literature and Buddhism. This is a new institute where students from foreign countries also study. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is situated to the south of the complex of Nalanda University and was established in the year 1951.
SURAJPUR BARAGOAN
Situated on the north of Nalanda, this is a lake with a temple dedicated to Sun God. The temple houses number of statues of Buddhist and Hindu gods. Most impressive of them all is a 5 feet high statue of Goddess Parvati. The temple sees most rush of pilgrims during Indian month of 'Vaishakha' (April-May) and 'Kartika' (October-November). However the best time to visit the temple is during Chhath Puja which is the festival for worshiping Sun God. The colorful celebrations have to be seen to be believed.
BUDH GAYA
Bodh Gaya is situated at a distance of about 105kms from Patna and 15kms south of Ganga.The life of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is associated with the town of Bodh Gaya.It is one of the holiest cities of Buddhist faith. This is one of the four greatest places of Buddhist pilgrimage to which the devout Buddhists from all over the world congregate.Bodh Gaya is a place which should be visited or seen by a person of devotion and which would cause awareness of the nature of impermanence. Apart from a pilgrim centre Bodh Gaya is also an important center for the study of Buddhism.
SHOPPING
Though there is nothing much to shop in Nalanda you can see shops selling decorative items and gift articles are found all over the place. The handicraft material is one of the items, which can be purchased. There are also stone and sea-shell items which are very popular among tourists who travel to Nalanda.
EAT OUTS AND ACCOMMODATION
Nalanda, being a small town, does not offer very good accommodations for tourists. There are some monasteries built by Buddhist countries and government guesthouse where tourists can stay. But a better option would be to stay in Gaya or Patna, which are not too far from Nalanda.Some of the famous hotels in Patna are
1.Hotel Chanakya
Beer Chand Patel Marg
Patna - 800 001
91 612 2223141 - 42
2.Hotel Maurya
Bihar Hotels Limited
South Gandhi Maidan,
Patna, 800 001,
INDIA
91 612 2203040 - 57
3.Hotel Nand
Rajendrapath,
Bhattacharya Road Corner,
Patna,
Bihar 800001
0612 2322732
4.The Ambassador
Rajendra Path,
Near CDA Building,
Station Road,
Patna, 800001,
India
0612 2321903
5.Hotel Samrat International
Fraser Road
Patna
800001
Bihar
0612-2220560
6.Hotel Windsor
Exhibition Road,
Patna - 800 001
0612 2203250 - 8
7.Hotel Patliputra Ashok
Beerchand Patel Path,
Patna - 800 001 (Bihar),
India
91-612-250-5270 - 76
8.Hotel President
Fraser Rd
Patna,
Bihar 800001
9.Hotel Republic
Exhibition Road,
Patna- 800 001 ( India),
91-612-685021/5022/5023/5024