Localities in Nalanda
Nalanda reminds the outside world of the great ancient university of bygone eras. Apart from this university ruins, Nalanda has much more to offer to its tourists. It is an abode of popular pilgrim centres and holy places. A walk through the alleys of Nalanda feels like walking through the doorsteps of various centuries. It is an ideal place, a must visit for those, who want a glimpse into India’s rich culture and glorious past.
For the purpose of administration, the district of Nalanda has been divided into twenty blocks. While some of them are known for their tourist destinations, a few others are important as commercial areas. Here is a list of few important localities and areas in Nalanda.
Bihar Sharif
It is the head-quarters of Nalanda district. It was an active cultural centre and an important seat of Muslim learning. Presently, almost all the government offices are located in Biharsharif. It has the town hall called the Karpuri Bhavan, near the residence of the district magistrate. The Government Hospital is located in the Hospital Mod, also called Aspatal Chauraha. Kachahri Mod, Bihar Sharif railway station, Ramchandrapur bus stand, Government bus stand located near Nagarpalika market, Kargil Mod are some of the important localities in this place.
Industrial Areas in Nalanda
Biharsharif is an important industrial centre of Nalanda. Most of the enterprises are located in the BIADA (Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority) Industrial Estate in Ramchandrapur. Apart from Industrial units manufacturing agricultural implements, readymade garments, stainless steel utensils, engineering work etc also have their presence in the area. There are also agro based and leather related industries. Handloom industry is well developed in Biharsharif owing to a large number of tailors and weavers. Ekangarsarai in Nalanda is quite developed in terms of civil infrastructure and business activity.
Commercial and Residential areas in Nalanda
Biharsharif is one of the most important commercial as well as residential areas in Nalanda. It has a number of schools, colleges, shoppinig centers, hospitals, park, theaters, fast food stalls etc, making it one of the busiest localities in Nalanda. Banks situated in Ramchandrapur and Ranchi road play an important role in the economy of Nalanda. There are a host of electronic showrooms, apparel shops as well as footwear stores in Ranchi Road. Chowk bazaar houses a number of jewellery shops and is called as Sonar Pati or Purana Bazar and is one of the oldest commercial areas of Nalanda. Beach Bazar, Gonawan Road are commercial areas in Harnaut. Dakbanglow Road in Harnaut is quite important as it has many administrative offices and is linked to various schools, tuition centres, playground etc.
Market Areas in Nalanda
Sohsarai in Nalanda is a big market of saris, dress materials and other clothes imported from Surat and therefore known as ‘Mini Surat’. Pulpar is famous for cloth market, food plaza, hotels and restaurants, cycle store, showroom, delicious sweet shops and many small and big markets, shops etc. Garhpar is famous for furniture, steel trunk, electronic goods shop, cloth market, and many small general stores. Sabji Bajar and Khandakpar are other market areas. Bazaar Samiti, machili market in Ramchandrapur draw huge crowds. Chiksaura Bazar is a small village cum market in Hilsa. It is surrounded by green land and is visited by people of surrounding villages to buy fresh vegetables and household articles.
Tourist Areas in Nalanda
Nalanda is known for its plethora of tourist centres and religious places of worship. The ruins of the ancient Nalanda University, Archeological Museum, Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Surajpur Baragaon Temple attract thousands of tourists, pilgrims, religious scholars and archeologists from all over the world. Apart from these Biharsharif houses a large number of tombs, mosques and other religious shrines among which the Tomb of saint Baba Maniram, Tomb of Malik Ibrahim Vaya, Mosque of Makhdum Shah Sharif-ud-din, Odantapuri University ruins etc are noteworthy.