Why Every Bihari Should Know Their Glorious History & Heritage | Bihar Diwas Special. In ancient times, Bihar was called by the name Vihar. Its meaning in Sanskrit is a place where pilgrims and citizens on a spiritual journey can stay and where there is facility for meditation, knowledge acquisition and rest. And that is why since ancient times Bihar has been known for its spiritual richness, history and vibrant culture, said the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha while addressing the celebrations of Bihar Diwas. We all know that during that period Magadha was the main region of Bihar. It is famous not only in the country but also in the world as a centre of education, culture and power.It was in Bihar that the Maurya Empire of India arose, which succeeded in establishing a united India. Bihar is the only state in the whole of India which has pilgrimage sites for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. Bodh Gaya Mandir, Shri Harmandir Saheb ji, Kundagrama and Pawapuri. The presence of so many holy places together in one state is in itself no less than a divine blessing. There is a long line of those devotees in Bodhgaya. Apart from Bodhgaya, in Rajgir and Chitrakut too, where Mahatma Budha did most of his preaching. During the period when Buddhism was at its peak, Bihar was considered the world’s largest centre of higher education. Students from all over the world came to study at Nalanda University and Vikramshila University. On the basis of historical facts, the library of Nalanda University still has the distinction of being the largest library in the world. Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Kundagram near Vaishali. And he attained great nirvana in near Rajgir in Pavapuri. Guru Gobind Singh ji was born in Patna. And his birthplace Harminder Sahib is one of the five major shrines of the Sikhs. Bihar is also counted among the most prosperous states in the field of literature. Whether Chanakya, Banabhata, Aryabhata or Vidyapati, or author of Panch Tantra Vishnu Sharma, we can take many such names. If I talk about India’s freedom struggle, then Bihar has played a very important role. There would hardly be any area where a revolutionary or freedom fighter was not born. Dr Rajendra Prasad, Jai Prakash Narayan, Shri Krishna Singh, Sachidanand Sinha, Veer Kunwar Singh, Hari Ram Bose, we can take many names. These major freedom fighters are from Bihar. From technology to education, innovation and utility world, people of Bihar have made their mark in all these fields. Bihar has a significant contribution in art, dance and music too. In Hindustani classical music, Gaya style Drupad’s Darbhanga singing is discussed all over the world. Madhubani painting is famous all over the world. Today, on the occasion of Bihar Diwas, I am extremely happy to say that in the last few years, Bihar has started setting new records in terms of development. It is moving towards regaining its ancient glory. Last year in a programme at Chmparan district in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, whenever in history Bihar has prospered, India has prospered. The worship of the rising sun was done in the country, but the worship of the rising sun also started due to the people of Bihar. The Lieutennat Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha concluded with a few lines from Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s poem: हो जहाँ सत्य की चिनगारी, सुलगे, सुलगे, वह ज्वाल बने, खोजे अपना उत्कर्ष अभय, दुर्दांत शिखा विकराल बने आगे वह लक्ष्य पुकार रहा, हाँकते हवा पर यान चलो, सुरधनु पर धरते हुए चरण, मेघों पर गाते गान चलो। बदली थी जो पीछे छूटी, सामने रहा, वह तारा है, आकाश चीरते चलो, अभी आगे आदर्श तुम्हारा है।