Anand Mahindra stumbles upon video of Rajgir & decides to read more; what he discovers about Bihar's 2,500-year-old history leaves him calling it 'tourism gold mine'

Industrialist Anand Mahindra has sparked a conversation about Bihar's untapped tourism potential after sharing a video of Rajgir and exploring the state's rich historical and cultural heritage. In a post on X, Mahindra said he had previously known little about Rajgir as a tourist destination but was intrigued enough by a video to research the ancient city. His exploration led him to describe Bihar as a state sitting on a "tourism gold mine", drawing reactions from social media users who welcomed the spotlight on its historical significance.

Anand Mahindra explores Rajgir's historical significance

In his post, Mahindra said he had come across a video of Rajgir in Bihar and decided to read more about the destination. He described the exploration as rewarding, pointing out that Rajgir was once the capital of Magadha more than 2,500 years ago.

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He also highlighted the city's association with both Gautama Buddha and Lord Mahavira, who spent time there. Another fascinating feature he mentioned was Rajgir's massive stone wall, which stretches for nearly 40 kilometres and was built without mortar.

Mahindra also drew attention to the city's modern attractions, including its glass skywalk, ropeways, forested hills and ancient monuments.

From Bodh Gaya to Nalanda, Mahindra highlights Bihar's tourism potential

His exploration of Rajgir prompted him to look at Bihar's wider historical and cultural significance. Mahindra mentioned several destinations that have played an important role in India's history.

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These included Bodh Gaya, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment; Nalanda, once among the ancient world's greatest centres of learning; Vaishali, associated with one of the earliest republican systems of government; and Pataliputra, the capital of Ashoka's Mauryan Empire.

Pointing to the concentration of historical and heritage sites in the state, Mahindra questioned why Bihar receives relatively little attention as a tourist destination beyond its established pilgrimage circuits.

"I can't help feeling that Bihar is sitting on a tourism gold mine," he wrote, adding that his thoughts were prompted by just one video of Rajgir.

He ended his post with the hashtag #SundayWanderer, reminding people of the many places across India that remain unexplored.

Netizens react to Anand Mahindra's post on Bihar tourism

Mahindra's observations received responses from social media users, with several welcoming his effort to draw attention to Bihar's heritage and tourism possibilities.

One user thanked the industrialist for sharing the post, observing that many people in southern India primarily associate Bihar with its hardworking blue-collar workforce and the UPSC rankers it produces. The user said it was refreshing to see the state's extraordinary ancient heritage being highlighted positively.

Another user pointed out that Bihar was not the only state with underexplored tourism potential. Several destinations across India, the user said, remained underrated despite their potential to attract visitors. The commenter also wondered whether certain factors had contributed to some destinations receiving less attention while others flourished.

Another social media user highlighted Bihar's significance for followers of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism. The commenter pointed to the Buddhist and Jain heritage associated with Nalanda, Rajgir and Bodh Gaya, while noting Patna's importance to Sikhism. The user also mentioned the Ramayana circuit connecting Janakpur and Sitamarhi.