VANAMCOVE 
Ancient capital on the Ganga
Why this weekend?
The day-by-day plan
Day 1 · The capital city
- Museum morning
- Golghar
- Kumhrar
- Ganga sunset
Day 2 · Ruins out
- Nalanda or Rajgir day
- Old-city evening
- Departure
Geography & terrain
Patna lies long and low on the Ganga's south bank in Bihar — the state capital strung for 20 km along the great river, the world's oldest continuously inhabited urban site , its river bridges, old-city lanes and the modern streets running parallel to the water.
History & culture
Founded around 490 BCE as Pataliputra, the city ruled Mauryan and Gupta empires when the Ganga's bend made it Asia's great capital; the ruined pillars of Ashoka's era lie buried under today's streets, and the colonial Patna of museums, maze-like bazaars and the 1912 capital buildings overlay three millennia of continuous story.
Where to stay
Budget
₹1,500–3,500/night
Mid-range
₹3,500–7,000/night
Comfort
₹7,000+/night
Things to do
- Patna Museum
- Golghar
- Kumhrar ruins
- Ganga ghats
- Old bazaars
Eat & drink
- Litti chokha
- Sattu paratha
- Thekua (wheat sweets)
- Kadhi bari
Getting there
- Fly
- Patna (PAT) / Gaya (GAY)
- Train
- Patna Junction — on the Howrah–Delhi mainline
- Road from Patna
- varies by district — 30–300 km
- Getting around
- Autos and city buses
Budget snapshot
- Total
- ₹6,000–14,000 (2 days)
- Per day · Stay
- ₹1,500–7,000/night
- Per day · Food
- ₹600–1,000
- Per day · Transport
- ₹600–1,000
- Per day · Activities
- ₹1,000–1,400
Month by month
- Jan · Best
- 7–21°C · Light rain
- Feb · Good
- 10–25°C · Light rain
- Mar · Good
- 15–31°C · None rain
- Apr · Hot
- 21–38°C · None rain
- May · Hot
- 26–42°C · None rain
- Jun · Pre-monsoon
- 28–40°C · Moderate rain
- Jul · Monsoon
- 27–35°C · Heavy rain
- Aug · Monsoon
- 26–34°C · Heavy rain
- Sep · Monsoon tail
- 25–34°C · Moderate rain
- Oct · Good
- 18–33°C · Light rain
- Nov · Best
- 12–28°C · None rain
- Dec · Best
- 8–23°C · None rain
Practical info
- Language: Hindi (English understood in tourist spots)
- Best window: Oct–Mar
- Connectivity: good 4G in towns
- UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops
Practical tips
- The Ganga sunset is the city's best hour — the ghats after 4 pm
- The museum's Yakshi deserves the full slow circuit
- The old city lanes are maze-narrow — autos before cars
Frequently asked questions
Why does Patna matter?
The site of Pataliputra — capital of the Mauryan and Gupta empires — now the lively Ganga-side state capital.
What's the best museum piece?
The Didarganj Yakshi, a 3rd-century BCE figure of astonishing polish, is the crown.
How long should I stay?
Two days — the city's monuments and a day for Nalanda and Rajgir beyond.
Ancient capital on the Ganga
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