Patna, on the south bank of the Ganga, was Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka and later of the Gupta Empire. Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador, described its wooden walls in the 4th century BCE. It is also the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
The things to do in Patna include the outstanding Bihar Museum, the old Patna Museum, the beehive-shaped Golghar granary, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the Mauryan ruins at Kumhrar, evening aarti on the Ganga, and the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library. Chhath Puja, in October or November, transforms the ghats. Vaishali and Nalanda are easy day trips.
One to two days is enough. October to March is the most comfortable time.
For how to get there, when to go and where to stay, see our Patna travel guide.
Quick answer: best things to do in Patna
- Explore the Bihar Museum
- See the Didarganj Yakshi and Patna Museum
- Climb Golghar for the view
- Visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib
- See the Mauryan ruins at Kumhrar
- See Agam Kuan
- Watch the Ganga aarti at Gandhi Ghat
- Visit the Khuda Bakhsh Library
- Walk in Buddha Smriti Park
- Eat litti chokha
Interested in the history? See our guide to the best museums in India.
Planning a pilgrimage? See our guide to the Panj Takht Yatra.
Museums
Explore the Bihar Museum
The Bihar Museum, opened in 2015 in a striking modern building, is one of India's best museums, with galleries on the region's history from prehistory to the Mauryan, Gupta and Pala periods, Buddhist and Jain art, and Bihar's folk traditions. It is closed on Mondays.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Good for
- Everyone
See the Patna Museum
The Patna Museum, in an Indo-Saracenic building from 1917, has fine stone and bronze sculptures, a fossil tree and, famously, a casket said to contain relics of the Buddha. The Didarganj Yakshi, a polished Mauryan-era statue, is now displayed at the Bihar Museum.
Visit the Khuda Bakhsh Library
The Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library, opened in 1891, holds rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts, Mughal paintings and a manuscript said to have been in Emperor Akbar's collection.
- Good for
- History lovers
Heritage and faith
Climb Golghar
Golghar, built in 1786 as a granary after a famine, is a beehive-shaped building with two spiral staircases winding around the outside to the top. The view over the city and the Ganga is excellent, and a light and sound show is held in the evening.
- Best time
- Late afternoon
Visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib
Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Harmandir Sahib), in the old city, marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh in 1666 and is one of the five Takhts, or seats of authority, in Sikhism. The gurudwara has a museum and serves langar. Cover your head and remove your shoes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
See the ruins at Kumhrar
Kumhrar, in the south of the city, has the excavated remains of a Mauryan pillared hall from around the 3rd century BCE, part of ancient Pataliputra, in a quiet park.
See Agam Kuan
Agam Kuan, an ancient well linked in legend to Emperor Ashoka, stands near a Sitala Devi temple.
Visit Mahavir Mandir and Patan Devi
Mahavir Mandir, a Hanuman temple near the railway station, is one of the busiest temples in Bihar, known for its naivedyam laddus. Patan Devi, in the old city, is an important Shakti shrine.
The Ganga and parks
Watch the aarti at Gandhi Ghat
Gandhi Ghat, where some of Gandhi's ashes were immersed, holds a Ganga aarti on weekend evenings. Boat rides on the Ganga are available from nearby ghats.
- Best time
- Evening
Walk in Buddha Smriti Park
Buddha Smriti Park, built for the 2,554th birth anniversary of the Buddha, has a stupa, a museum, a meditation centre and a sapling of the Bodhi Tree.
See Gandhi Maidan
Gandhi Maidan, the city's great open ground, has a tall statue of Gandhi and has hosted many historic rallies.
Celebrate Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja, dedicated to the sun god, is Bihar's most important festival, held six days after Diwali. Millions gather on the Ganga ghats at sunset and sunrise to make offerings standing in the water.
- Best time
- October or November
Food and day trips
Eat litti chokha
Litti chokha, baked wheat balls stuffed with roasted gram flour, served with a mash of roasted aubergine, tomato and potato, is Bihar's signature dish. Try khaja, thekua and malpua as sweets.
- Good for
- Food lovers
Visit Vaishali
Vaishali, about 55 km north, is linked to the Buddha's last sermon and the birth of Mahavira, with an Ashokan pillar topped by a lion and ancient stupas.
Go to Nalanda and Rajgir
Nalanda's ruins and Rajgir's hills are about 90 to 100 km south-east, a full day trip or an overnight stay.
See the Sonepur Mela
The Sonepur Mela, held in November across the river at the confluence of the Gandak and the Ganga, is one of Asia's largest traditional fairs.
- Best time
- November
By season
October to March
Pleasant weather; Chhath Puja and the Sonepur Mela in autumn.
April to June
Very hot; visit museums at midday.
July to September
Monsoon rains and a swollen Ganga.
Things to do in Patna by type of traveller
History lovers: The Bihar Museum, Kumhrar, the Khuda Bakhsh Library and a trip to Vaishali.
Pilgrims: Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Mahavir Mandir and the Ganga aarti.
Families: The Bihar Museum, Golghar, the zoo and Eco Park.
What to do in Patna with one day
Spend the morning at the Bihar Museum, then visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib in the old city. Climb Golghar in the late afternoon and end with the Ganga aarti at Gandhi Ghat.
Practical tips for Patna
- Patna has an airport and major railway junctions.
- Bihar is a dry state; alcohol is prohibited.
- Traffic in the old city is heavy; allow extra time.
- The Bihar Museum closes on Mondays.
Plan the rest of your Patna trip
Patna things to do: FAQs
What are the best things to do in Patna?
Explore the Bihar Museum and Patna Museum, climb Golghar, visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib, see Kumhrar and Agam Kuan, watch the Ganga aarti, visit the Khuda Bakhsh Library and eat litti chokha.
How many days are enough for Patna?
One to two days.
When is Chhath Puja?
Six days after Diwali, in October or November.
What is the best time to visit Patna?
October to March.
Things to do near Patna
- Vaishali: Ashokan pillar and stupas
- Things to do in Rajgir: hills and Nalanda
- Things to do in Bodh Gaya: the Mahabodhi Temple
More things to do in Bihar
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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