This center of coal mining and industries lies 171 km from Jamshedpur and is famous for the picturesque Topchanchi lake near by. Dhanbad is one of the most important industrial centres in India and Bokaro Steel Complex is 47 km away.

The Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, under the Bodhi Tree, 10 km from Gaya. It is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center as Buddhism was born here. Gautam attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha. It was visited by pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China between 7^th and 10^th century AD. Bodhgaya is a quiet and peaceful place.

Near Madhupur lies Giridih. Now a district town of Bihar. Usri falls is only 11 kms away from Giridih.

A small hill resort 93 km from Ranchi and 616 m above sea level. It is very famous for its wildlife like bear, nilgai, sambar, chital, tiger, panther, kakar, etc. The 1970 census has established the presence of 14 tigers, 25 panthers and 400 sambars. It has beautiful waterfalls around, like Upper Ghagri and Lower Ghagri.

This is the place where the foundation of Indian Steel Industry was laid in the end of the last century. Late Jamshedji was the founder of this city who founded the Tata Steel Company at this site. This city is named after the founder and has two names Jamshedpur and Tatanagar. Industrial giants like TELCO, TISCO are situated here.

Popularly called the 'Queen of Chhotanagpur', Netarhat is a plataeu covered with thick forests situated at a height of 3700 feet or 1128 metres. Visit this place to enjoy the breath taking views of sunrise and sunset.

Palamu is a very beautiful place. It is 140 km from Ranchi. Betla National Park is nearby where gour, chital, elephant, sloth bear, wild bear, sambar, nilgai, kakar, ckinkara, mous, deer, tiger and panther are found. Palamu has the distinction of being the forest where the world's first tiger census was enumerated in 1932. February - March and October - November are the best seasons and excellent accommodation is available here.

As you would expect of one of India's most densely populated states, Bihar's capital in noisy, crowded, and typically chaotic. It sprawls along the southern bank of the Ganges, which at this point is very wide; between Varanasi and Patna, it is joined by three major tributaries and triples in width. The Mahatma Gandhi Seti, one of the longest bridges in the world at 7.5km, crosses the Ganges here.

This was the capital of the Magadha Empire until Ajatashatru moved to Pataliputra(Patna) in the 5^th century BC. Today, Rajgir is a minor Indian holiday centre. In winter, visitors are drawn by the hot springs and the healthy climate of this hilly region, 19km south of Nalanda.

Rajgir is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site since Buddha spent 12 years here, and the first Buddhist council after Buddha attained nirvana was held here. it's also an important place for Jains, as Mahavir spent some time in Rajgir and the hills are topped with Digambara shriners. A mention in the Mahabharata also ensures a good supply of Hindu pilgrims.

Founded in the 5^th century BC, Nalanda was one of the world's great universities and an important Buddhist center until it was sacked by the Afghans in the 12th century. when the Chinese scholar and traveller Xuan Zhang was here in the early 7th century AD, there were 10,000 monks and students in residence.

The brick-built remains are extensive and include the Great Stupa, with steps, terraces and a few intact votive stupas around it, and the monks' cells. There's an interesting archaeological museum (closed on Friday; Re.1) housing the Nalanda University seal, sculptures and other remains found on the side

The Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, the newest building here built as a Peace Pagoda by the Chinese. There's also an international center for the study of Buddhism, established in 1951. There are Burmese, Japanese and Jain dharamsala at Nalanda as well as PWD Rest House.