Nalanda

Nalanda in Bihar is known for the archaeological remains of an ancient Buddhist monastic and scholarly complex. The Mahavihara operated from the fifth to the thirteenth century and became one of South Asia’s major centres of learning. Its extensive ruins include brick monasteries, temples, stupas and shrines. The site’s layout shows how residential and teaching buildings were arranged around courtyards. Archaeological remains also include works in stone and metal. Nalanda is often visited as part of a Bihar Buddhist heritage route that also includes Rajgir and Bodh Gaya.