Patna is the capital and largest city of the state of Bihar in India. Also known as Pataliputra, the history of this ancient city dates back to 2,500 years. With all its historical monuments and beautiful cityscape, this city is worth a visit. While visiting Patna, travellers can indulge in many activities such as shopping, sightseeing and gorging on the local cuisine of Patna. This prehistoric city was founded as Pataliputra during the fifth century B.C.E. by Ajatashatru, who was the king of Bihar.

Things to do in Patna
Explore the history of Nalanda
Witness Patna Planetarium’s sky show
Driving across Mahatma Gandhi Setu Bridge

PLACES TO VISIT

Kumhrar
Golghar

FOOD

Litti Chokha
Mal pua
Maner Ladoo
Dal Peetha
Khaja

LIFE STYLE

The lifestyle of Patna is a perfect blend of traditional and modern culture. The city is ever-evolving and is at the crossroads of development. People of Patna essentially had a traditional lifestyle and were known to be simple people. The unique local culture & traditions of Patna are very well depicted in its numerous festivals, mesmerizing songs and the colorful costumes. Like the rest of India, the city of Patna is making rapid progress and taking giant steps towards modernization & world-class infrastructure. But despite the wide-spread modernization the people of Patna are still rooted to their ancient traditions thus showcasing a perfect blend of modern lifestyle with traditional values.

The Indian capital isn’t a place that delivers a gentle introduction. It grabs you by the arm and hauls you into its overwhelming world of swirling sounds and smells. It’s a mighty metropolis of mayhem. Of course, the chaos won’t come as much of a surprise, but what will are the hidden corners of calm and culture that have seen modern Delhi embrace its arty, cosmopolitan side.

What to see

National Gallery of Modern Art
Gandhi Smiriti
India Gate
Chandni Chowk
Jama Masjid
Rajpath

Where to eat

Bruges excels in the culinary department and I book myself into De Vlaamsche Pot, whose owner, Mario Cattoor, is an ambassador for Flemish cuisine. He’s also something of a celebrity around these parts, with several cookbooks to his name, most of which have been translated into English. Mario oversees a kitchen that makes ‘simple, easy food with not a lot of posh’. His prices are reasonable and portions massive.  

“We’ve traditionally been a locals’ restaurant,” Mario tells me, placing a steaming pot of rabbit stew and a bowl of chips in front of me. “But now there is a lot of interest in Flemish food and we have a lot of foreign people coming here as well.”