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Hinduism is the most followed religion in Bihar, followed by nearly 82.7% of total population as per 2011 Census. Islam is the second-most followed religion which is followed by nearly 16.8% of population. There is also a significant population of Jains and Christians in the state.
Hindu Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, is believed to have been born in Sitamarhi district in the Mithila region of modern-day Bihar. [1] [2] It was the Ancient Bihar that give birth to new Indic religions: Buddhism and Jainism. Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, a town located in the modern day district of Gaya in Bihar. Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara was born in Champapuri, Bhagalpur. Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Vaishali around the sixth century BC. [3] Bodh Gaya in Bihar is an important pilgrimage center for the global Buddhists. The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, was born here in 1666 and spent his early years here before moving to Anandpur. [4] The Gurdwara at Patna Sahib marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. [4]
The main religions in the Indian state of Bihar are Hinduism (practiced by 82.7% of the population) and Islam (16.9%) as of 2011.
As Per Recently Released Bihar caste-based survey 2022,Hinduism is Practised by 81.99% and Islam is Followed by 17.70%. [5]
| Religion (in no.) [6] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | 2001 Census | 2011 Census | 2023 Census [7] [8] [9] |
| Hinduism | 69,076,919 | 86,078,686 | 107,181,681 |
| Islam | 13,722,048 | 17,557,809 | 23,138,379 |
| Christianity | 53,137 | 129,247 | 75,238 |
| Sikhism | 20,780 | 23,779 | 14,753 |
| Buddhism | 18,818 | 25,453 | 111,247 |
| Jainism | 16,085 | 18,914 | 12,523 |
| Other | 52,905 | 13,437 | 166,000 |
| not stated | n/a | 37,817 | 2146 |
| Total | 82,998,509 | 103,998,509 | 130,725,310 |
| Religion (in %) [6] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | 2001 | 2011 | 2023 [10] [11] [12] |
| Hinduism | 83.22 | 82.7 | 81.99 |
| Islam | 16.5 | 16.9 | 17.70 |
| Christianity | 0.06 | 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Sikhism | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.011 |
| Buddhism | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.0851 |
| Jainism | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.0096 |
| Other | 0.06 | 0.01 | 0.1274 |
| Non-religious | n/a | 0.2 | 0.001 |
Hinduism is the main religion of the state, being practiced by 82.7% of the total state population. The Hindu population in Bihar is 86,078,686 as of 2022
census report. Hindus are majority in all the districts in Bihar except Kishanganj. Most of the festivals stem from it. There are many variations on the festival theme. While some are celebrated all over the state, others are observed only in certain areas. But Bihar being so diverse, different regions and religions have something to celebrate at sometime or the other during the year. So festivals take place round the year.
On arrival in any part of this state, tourists find around them evidence of the extent to which religion enters into the daily life of the people. The calendar is strewn with festivals and fairs of different communities living together. Many of these are officially recognised by the days on which they take place being proclaimed as Government holidays.
The battle cries of the Bihar Regiment, consisting of 17 battalions, are "Jai Bajrang Bali" (Victory to Lord Hanuman ).
Hindu pilgrimage sites in Bihar are as follows:
The name Bihar derives from the Sanskrit word vihāra , an important institution of Buddhism meaning "abode". The land of Bihar is considered important in Buddhism as Siddhartha Gautama was said to have attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya under the Bodhi Tree, making Bodh Gaya the holiest site in Buddhism and a key place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bihar's Gaya district. Gautama Buddha preached many sermons in different places in Bihar, including Vaishali and Rajgir. Even after his Mahaprinirvana, disciples carried on the doctrine of Buddhism in the regions of Magadha, Bihar. Gautama Buddha's disciples opened several monasteries and universities such as Nalanda University and Vikramshila University. Magadha emperor Ashoka the Great became a Buddhist and made Buddhism the state religion, spreading its doctrine to different parts of India and abroad.
Buddhist pilgrimages in Bihar are as follows:
The capital of Bihar, Patna, is one of the holiest cities in Sikhism. The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, was born here in 1666 and spent his early years here before moving to Anandpur. [4] The Gurdwara at Patna Sahib marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. [4] Patna was visited by Guru Nanak in 1509 as well as Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1666. Takht Shri Harmandir Saheb (also known as Patna Saheb) is one of the Five Takhts of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev visited Patna and stayed in GaiGhat in 1509, and later same place was visited by Guru Tegh Bahadur along with his family in 1666. [13] Gurdwara Pahila Bara (commonly known as Gurdwara Ghai Ghat) is dedicated to these two Guru and is situated at the same holy place.
Other shrines are Gurdwara Gobind Ghat [14] and Gurdwara Guru ka Bagh. [15] Gurdwara Bal Leela [16] is directly related to the childhood of Guru Gobind Singh. Gurdwara Handi Sahib was built in the memory of Guru Teg Bahadur, who stayed here in 1666 with Mata Gujri and Bala Preetam. [17]
After the partition of India in 1947, many Sikhs came to Patna. [18] The total population of Sikhs in Bihar is only 20,780. Most of Bihari Sikhs are Nanakpanthi. Most of the Sikhs are residing in Patna and mainly they are self-employed or in business.
Sikh pilgrimages in Bihar are as follows:
Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Vaishali around sixth century B.C. [19] Rajgir is birthplace of Munisuvrata, the twentieth Jain tirthankara and Pawapuri is nirvana place of Mahavira the last Jain tirthankara. Pataliputra and Vaishali is significant religious place in Jainism. Champapuri is a Jain pilgrimages where all the five kalyanaks of lord Vasupujya have taken place. The tallest statue of Jain tirthankara Vasupujya which stands 31 Feet in height was built in Champapuri in 2014. The Panch Kalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav of the statue was done from 27 Feb to 3 Mar 2014.
Jain pilgrimages in Bihar are as follows:
Islam constitutes second largest religion in Bihar. According to 2011 Indian census, there were 17,557,809 Muslims in the state. [20]
Padari ki haveli is a Roman Catholic church of centuries. Holy Saviour Church of Arrah is also historically important site.
In 2012, plans were announced for the construction of a local Baháʼí Faith House of Worship in Bihar Sharif. [21] This would be the second Baháʼí House of Worship in India (the first being the well-known Lotus Temple in Delhi), [22] and one of the first two local Baháʼí Houses of Worship in Asia (the other being in Battambang, Cambodia). [21]
In 2013, the Baháʼí World Centre released an hour-and-a-half-long video in five languages entitled Frontiers of Learning, showing Baháʼí community-building activities in four cities from different continents, the fourth of which is Bihar Sharif. [23]
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Sarnaism has a presence among the tribal populations.
Rajgir, meaning "The City of Kings," is a historic town in the district of Nalanda in Bihar, India. As the ancient seat and capital of the Haryanka dynasty, the Pradyota dynasty, the Brihadratha dynasty and the Mauryan Empire, as well as the dwelling ground of such historical figures as The Buddha and The Mahavira, the city holds a place of prominence in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain scriptures. As of 2011, the population of the town was reported to be 41,000 while the population in the community development block was about 88,500.
Pawapuri or Pavapuri is a holy site for Jains located in the Nalanda district of Bihar state in Eastern India. It is located about 19 kilometers from Rajgir and 101 kilometers from Patna, the capital of Bihar. Pawapuri is the place of Mahavira's nirvana and a pilgrimage site for Jains.
Jainism (/ˈdʒeɪnɪzəm/), traditionally known as Jain Dharma, is an ancient Indian religion. Jain dharma traces its spiritual ideas and history through a succession of twenty-four leaders or tirthankaras, with the first in current time cycle being Lord Rishabhanatha, whom the Jain tradition holds to have lived millions of years ago, the twenty-third tirthankara Parshvanatha whom historians date to 8th or 7th century BCE, and the 24th tirthankara, Mahāvīra around 500 BCE. Jains believe that Jainism is an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras guiding every cycle of the Jain cosmology.
Takht Sri Patna Sahib also known as Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib, is one of the five takhts of the Sikhs, located in Patna, Bihar, India.
Yātrā, in Indian-origin religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, generally means a pilgrimage to holy places such as confluences of sacred rivers, sacred mountains, places associated with Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and other sacred pilgrimage sites. Visiting a sacred place is believed by the pilgrim to purify the self and bring one closer to the divine. The journey itself is as important as the destination, and the hardships of travel serve as an act of devotion in themselves.
Gurdwara Pahila Bara, commonly known as Gurdwara Gai Ghat, is a holy Gurdwara of Sikh religion. It is located in the city of Patna, Bihar, India and dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev. The Gurdwara is part of "Guru Circuit" - A Government of Bihar initiative connecting important Sikh religious destinations in Bihar to attract more pilgrims.
Gurdwara Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ghat, also known as Gurudwara Kangan Ghat, is a Sikh place of worship on the banks of the Ganges River approximately 650 m (710 yd) from Takht Sri Patna Sahib. In sikh historical sources, this is the place where Guru Gobind Singh threw his gold bangle (kangan) and passed on the knowledge of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to Pandit Shiv Dutt, a devotee of Sri Ram Chandra.
The state of Bihar in eastern India, is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world with a history going back 3000 years. The rich culture and heritage of Bihar is evident from the innumerable ancient monuments that are dotted all over the state. Bihar is home to many tourist attractions and is visited by large numbers of tourists from all over the world. Around total 6 million tourists visit Bihar every year.
Bihari culture refers to the culture of the Indian state of Bihar. Bihari culture includes Angika culture, Mithila culture, Bhojpuri Culture and the culture of Magadha.
Hazur Sahib, also known as Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, is one of the five takhts in Sikhism. The gurdwara was built between 1832 and 1837 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839). It is located on the banks of the Godavari River at the city of Nanded in the state of Maharashtra, India.
A takht, or taḵẖat, literally means a throne or seat of authority and is a spiritual and temporal centre of Sikhism. There are five takhts, which are five gurudwaras that have a very special significance for the Sikh community. Three are located in Punjab whilst the remaining two are located outside of it.
Patna City, popularly known as Patna Saheb or Patna Sahib, is a city and one of the 6 Sub-divisions (Tehsil) in Patna district, Bihar, India. Patna City is an old area of Patna. Patna City history belongs to Patliputra. It is regarded as very sacred by the Sikhs in India. The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh was born there. The Patna Saheb Gurudwara is considered to be one of the holiest of the five "Takhts" or seat of authority of the Sikhs. The place is named Harminder Takht though the Sikhs respectfully call it Patna Sahib. The famous Guru Gobind Sahib Gurudwara is an important shrine for Sikhs from all over the world. Ashok Rajpath (road) connects Patna City to Patna.
Tourism in Marathwada refers to tourism in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state in India. Aurangabad is a regional headquarters in Marathwada, and the tourism capital of Maharashtra state. Out of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra, two are in the Marathwada region. There are also 110 monuments in Marathwada which are protected by Government of Maharashtra and recognized by Archaeological Survey of India.
The Jal Mandir or Water Temple is situated in Pawapuri, in the Indian state of Bihar. It is a major pilgrimage destination of Jains and the temple is dedicated to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, which marks the place of his cremation. Mahavira attained Nirvana (death) in Pawapuri in 527 BC. The temple was originally built by King Nandivardhan, elder brother of Mahavira, within the pond which is filled with red coloured lotus flowers. It is one of the five main temples in Pawpuri, where the "Charan Paduka" or foot impression of Mahavira is deified.
Jainism in Bihar trace a long history since the times of twenty-fourth Tirthankara Mahavira, who was born in Vaishali. The state of Bihar is considered to have played an important role in the development of Jainism.
Religious tourism in India is a focus of Narendra Modi's national tourism policy. Uttarakhand has been popular as a religious and adventure tourism hub.
The 350th Prakash Parv or birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh ji was celebrated in January 2017 in Patna, India. 2017 is the year of the 350th anniversary of the 10th Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. At the date of this anniversary, a number of events was organized on the occasion in Patna marking a grand celebration in their history.
Prakash Punj or Bahu Uddeshiya Prakash Kendra and Udyan is under construction park at Guru Ka Bag near Bazzar samiti in Patna Sahib area.
