Author: Bihar Say | Amrita | NandanGarh Festival Returns After Nine Years – A Celebration of Heritage & History The Grand Comeback of NandanGarh Mahotsav After nearly a
After nearly a decade, the much-anticipated NandanGarh Mahotsav is making a grand return! The historic town of Lauria-NandanGarh in Bihar is set to host an extraordinary cultural event. District Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Rai and senior officials have meticulously planned the festival to captivate visitors once again. Minister Janak Ram will inaugurate the event at Sahu Jain High School Grounds on Sunday. The festivities will run from 4 PM to 9 PM.
Attendees will enjoy spectacular performances by local and state artists. They will also explore the historical significance of Lauria and NandanGarh. The administration has ensured strong security and seamless arrangements to make this festival memorable.
Once a magnificent palace, NandanGarh stands as a symbol of the Nanda Dynasty and Buddhist heritage. Historians call Lauria the ‘Mother of History’, tracing its origins to Lohitya Nagar, mentioned in Shanti Awadhesh’s book on Pataliputra.
The ancient Nanda Empire, under Samrat Mahapadma Nanda, stretched from the Shivalik foothills to the Vindhya range. He expanded his kingdom and married Maurya, a young woman from Kushinagar’s Rampur Janpad. Their son, Chandragupta Maurya, emerged as a warrior. As a young commander, Chandragupta led several significant battles, shaping his destiny and laying the foundation for the Mauryan Empire.
Lauria-NandanGarh holds deep Buddhist significance. According to Havaldar Tripathi’s book ‘Bhagwan Buddha and Bihar’, Gautam Buddha passed through this region while traveling to Kushinagar for Mahaparinirvana. Before crossing the Ganges and reaching Kesariya, Buddha stopped in Lauria. Here, he shaved his head and declared it his place of enlightenment. His sacred hair was enshrined in a mound, while his followers sent the remaining relics worldwide. Even today, Buddhist monks and devotees from across the world visit Sahu Jain’s ancient mound, offering prayers and circumambulating the sacred site. They also revere the Ashoka Pillar and NandanGarh mound, where Buddhist monks practiced Vedic and Tantric rituals for centuries.
This year’s NandanGarh Mahotsav is more than history—it revives culture, traditions, and heritage. The festival will showcase soulful performances by regional and national artists, engaging the audience with music, dance, and theatrical acts. Visitors will also dive into Lauria-NandanGarh’s glorious past, experiencing its rich cultural essence firsthand.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-decade celebration! Join this journey through history, culture, and legacy. For regular updates and to be part of our 10K+ global community, visit www.biharsay.com now!
