When most people think of Bihar, the usual keywords pop up—politics, migration, or outdated stereotypes. But walk into the Nalanda Literature Festival, and you’ll witness a completely different Bihar—vibrant, soulful, and brimming with creativity.

This festival isn’t just about writers and books. It’s about reviving Bihar’s cultural heartbeat and putting it back on the global map. Imagine thousands of visitors arriving in Nalanda, Patna, or Rajgir. They don’t just attend sessions—they savor litti chokha at a roadside stall, pick up a Bhagalpuri silk saree, admire Madhubani paintings, or carry home sweets like thekua and khaja. They discover Sikki and Sujani crafts, and in doing so, they support artisans and small businesses. Culture here isn’t just celebrated—it fuels the local economy.

What makes this festival truly special is its celebration of Bihar’s voices—Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi, Bajjika, Angika—alongside languages from the North-East. These aren’t “dialects,” they’re living identities. For migrants, hearing their mother tongue on such a stage feels like a homecoming. For visitors, it’s a revelation of the richness that Bihar carries within.

And here’s the larger picture: the Nalanda Literature Festival is reshaping Bihar’s image for the world. Tourists who come for the sessions also travel to Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, or Vikramshila. They leave with memories of Bihar not as a land of struggle, but as a place of wisdom, art, food, and resilience.

For too long, Bihar has been seen through a narrow lens. This festival widens the view. It tells a new story—one where Bihar isn’t defined by the past, but by its living culture, creativity, and global potential.

A different Bihar. A Bihar the world is finally beginning to see.

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The Flame That Never Died: Nalanda

When we think of the great centers of knowledge that shaped human civilization, few names shine as brightly as Nalanda. More than just a university, it was a beacon of ideas, a living library of human curiosity, and a symbol of India’s deep intellectual tradition.

Founded in the 5th century, Nalanda drew scholars, monks, and seekers from across the world. Here, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and literature were studied with equal rigor. The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, who spent years at Nalanda in the 7th century, wrote about its grandeur—its thousands of students, vast libraries, and debates that stretched late into the night. In a way, Nalanda was the world’s first truly global classroom.

But history has its tragedies. In the 12th century, the great libraries of Nalanda were set ablaze. The flames, legend says, burned for months. Thousands of manuscripts—centuries of wisdom painstakingly written and preserved—were reduced to ash. The destruction was not just of buildings, but of memory, knowledge, and voices that had once shaped civilizations. For a long time, Nalanda survived only in the writings of travelers and in whispered legends of its brilliance.

And yet, the flame never truly died. Memory has a strange resilience. Archaeologists, in later centuries, uncovered the remains of monasteries, temples, sculptures, and inscriptions that spoke of Nalanda’s glory. Travelers’ accounts—by Xuanzang, Yijing, and others—kept the story alive. Nalanda became not just a place in history, but a symbol of resilience: the idea that knowledge, once lit, can never be fully extinguished.

That is why the Nalanda Literature Festival feels so much more than a gathering of writers and thinkers. It is, in many ways, a resurrection. Every poem read, every debate sparked, every story told is part of the same continuum of knowledge that Nalanda once stood for. The festival is not just about literature—it is about reviving an ancient spirit of inquiry, dialogue, and imagination.

Standing amid the ruins, one cannot help but feel the silence of the past mixing with the voices of the present. The stone walls may be broken, but the energy of conversation breathes life into them again. Nalanda is no longer a story of loss—it is a story of rediscovery, of memory, of continuity.

In today’s world, where noise often drowns out reflection, Nalanda offers a reminder: true knowledge is about exchange, curiosity, and openness. It is about asking difficult questions and celebrating diverse answers. It is about keeping the flame alive—not for one culture, but for the world.

The libraries of Nalanda may have burned, but the spirit of Nalanda still glows—every time a reader opens a book, a thinker shares an idea, or a festival celebrates the written word.

The flame never died.

Nalanda lives on.

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“Stories in Songs, Silk, and Spirit: The Nalanda Literature Festival”

The Nalanda Literature Festival is not only about books. It is also about the culture, music, and dress of Bihar.When people come here, they hear folk songs, the beat of the dhol, and the sweetness of Maithili and Bhojpuri music. It feels like stories are not only written in books but also sung in songs.

The festival also shows the beauty of Bihar’s dress. Women wear tussar silk sarees of Bhagalpur, handwoven clothes, and traditional designs that reflect simplicity and pride. The colors and fabrics make the festival even more lively.

Every district of Bihar adds its own charm. Nalanda is known for the ruins of the ancient university. Gaya for the Mahabodhi Temple. Madhubani for its paintings. Bhagalpur for silk. Muzaffarpur for litchi. Darbhanga for Maithili culture. Vaishali for the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. Champaran for Gandhi’s satyagraha and its famous mutton curry. Sasaram for Sher Shah Suri’s tomb. Sitamarhi for the birthplace of Sita.

Other districts also shine Katihar with bananas, Purnea with maize, Aurangabad with Magahi paan, Siwan as the land of Rajendra Prasad, Begusarai for industries, and Khagaria for fertile fields. Each place brings something special, and the festival becomes a mirror of all of Bihar.

That is why the Nalanda Literature Festival is more than a festival of books. It is a festival of life, where music, dress, food, and culture all come together to celebrate Bihar’s identity.

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“Where Culture Meets Diplomacy: Nalanda on the World Stage”

The Nalanda Literature Festival is more than just a celebration of books. It is a place where India shows its culture, knowledge, and influence to the world. Long ago, Nalanda University welcomed scholars from China, Korea, Tibet, and Southeast Asia, making India a center of learning and culture. Today, the festival continues that tradition, showing that India is not only a growing economy but also a country with rich culture and ideas.

By organizing the festival and reviving Nalanda University, India strengthens its connections in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. While military and economic power are important, cultural events like this help India build friendships and understanding with other countries. The festival shows that dialogue, knowledge, and shared heritage are also powerful ways to influence the world.

The festival also brings scholars, artists, and writers from countries like Japan, China, Myanmar, and Korea. This reminds everyone of the shared history and culture between India and these countries. It also supports India’s role in regional cooperation, trade, and cultural exchange.

At a time when the world faces conflicts and competition, the Nalanda Literature Festival shows that India’s true strength comes from its heritage, learning, and culture. It is a subtle but strong way for India to lead through ideas, traditions, and dialogue, not just money or military power.

The Unmatched Miracle of Mithila Painting

A Wall Transformed

The station wall I had always known—smudged with paan stains and gutka marks—suddenly stood reborn. Splashed in colors, adorned with patterns, it looked alive, almost sacred. For a moment, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Could this really be the same lifeless wall?

Who had performed this miracle? Santa Claus? Shri Ram? The government? I had no clue. All I knew was that something extraordinary had happened.

Like any curious traveler of our times, I did the obvious—I clicked a selfie with the radiant mural and posted it on Facebook with a simple plea: “Does anyone know the story behind this?”

A Reply from Madhubani

Days later, a message appeared beneath my post: “Contact me on this email ID…”

The trail led me to Bhairavi Devi, a soft-spoken yet fierce artist from Madhubani, Bihar. It was she, along with her team, who had given new life to that infamous wall through the timeless art of Mithila Painting.

Sensing my excitement, Bhairavi Ji invited me to her Kala Kendra. A week later, seated among brushes, handmade papers, and half-finished canvases, I listened to her story.

Ram, Sita, and a Journey Through Time

The mural at Dhanbad Station, she explained, depicted Ram, Sita, and Laxman on their forest exile—a poignant episode from the Ramayana.

Mithila Painting, she told me, is more than art—it is heritage. Its origins reach back to the Tretayug. Legend has it that the first paintings were made to celebrate the wedding of Shri Ram and Devi Sita by King Janaka’s courtesans. Since then, Mithila Painting has survived wars, invasions, and centuries, carrying forward the stories of our epics with brushes and colors.

Women, Colors, and Independence

The keepers of this tradition have mostly been women—Maithlaanis—who paint scenes from the Puranas, Upanishads, and Mahakavyas. With every brushstroke, they preserve not only mythology but also dignity, carving out financial independence in villages where opportunities are scarce.

Bhairavi Ji’s voice sparkled with pride as she described the two celebrated styles of this art:

• Bharni — filling every figure with bright, bold colors.
• Kachni — relying on intricate lines and fine strokes for detailing.

And the canvases? Limitless. Walls, floors, pots, handmade papers, even humble bamboo baskets—all become vehicles of storytelling.

The Sigh Behind the Smile

And yet, after narrating this glorious lineage, Bhairavi Ji sighed:

“There are immense possibilities in Mithila Painting, but equally scarce platforms to showcase them. May Mahadev protect the livelihoods of these artists.”

Her words carried both hope and heartbreak. Here was an art form as old as the Ramayana, yet still struggling for visibility in modern India.

Nalanda: A New Beginning

It was at that moment that I extended an invitation—to the Nalanda Literature Festival 2025. I assured her that the festival would not just host her, but celebrate her. That this would be a stage where folk art meets literature, where Bihar’s soul—its stories, colors, and songs—comes alive.

A Call to All Art Lovers

Friends, if you love art, music, literature, and living traditions, Nalanda Literature Festival 2025 is where you belong. Come meet artists like Bhairavi Devi, who carry forward centuries of heritage with each brushstroke. Come celebrate Bihar—not through stereotypes, but through its unmatched creativity.

Because sometimes, the miracle isn’t just on the wall. It’s in the people who paint them.

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The Flame That Never Died: Nalanda

When we think of the great centers of knowledge that shaped human civilization, few names shine as brightly as Nalanda. More than just a university, it was a beacon of ideas, a living library of human curiosity, and a symbol of India’s deep intellectual tradition.

Founded in the 5th century, Nalanda drew scholars, monks, and seekers from across the world. Here, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and literature were studied with equal rigor. The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, who spent years at Nalanda in the 7th century, wrote about its grandeur—its thousands of students, vast libraries, and debates that stretched late into the night. In a way, Nalanda was the world’s first truly global classroom.

But history has its tragedies. In the 12th century, the great libraries of Nalanda were set ablaze. The flames, legend says, burned for months. Thousands of manuscripts—centuries of wisdom painstakingly written and preserved—were reduced to ash. The destruction was not just of buildings, but of memory, knowledge, and voices that had once shaped civilizations. For a long time, Nalanda survived only in the writings of travelers and in whispered legends of its brilliance.

And yet, the flame never truly died. Memory has a strange resilience. Archaeologists, in later centuries, uncovered the remains of monasteries, temples, sculptures, and inscriptions that spoke of Nalanda’s glory. Travelers’ accounts—by Xuanzang, Yijing, and others—kept the story alive. Nalanda became not just a place in history, but a symbol of resilience: the idea that knowledge, once lit, can never be fully extinguished.

That is why the Nalanda Literature Festival feels so much more than a gathering of writers and thinkers. It is, in many ways, a resurrection. Every poem read, every debate sparked, every story told is part of the same continuum of knowledge that Nalanda once stood for. The festival is not just about literature—it is about reviving an ancient spirit of inquiry, dialogue, and imagination.

Standing amid the ruins, one cannot help but feel the silence of the past mixing with the voices of the present. The stone walls may be broken, but the energy of conversation breathes life into them again. Nalanda is no longer a story of loss—it is a story of rediscovery, of memory, of continuity.

In today’s world, where noise often drowns out reflection, Nalanda offers a reminder: true knowledge is about exchange, curiosity, and openness. It is about asking difficult questions and celebrating diverse answers. It is about keeping the flame alive—not for one culture, but for the world.

The libraries of Nalanda may have burned, but the spirit of Nalanda still glows—every time a reader opens a book, a thinker shares an idea, or a festival celebrates the written word.

The flame never died.

Nalanda lives on.

Regional Writers at NLF 2025: Voices Rooted in Soil and Soul

Writing is never born in isolation. It flows from within, shaped by the soil we come from, the stories we inherit, and the surroundings that mold us. Growing up in Nalanda, I was enveloped by the tales carried through generations, the majestic hills of Rajgir, and the echoes of the great philosophers who once walked the corridors of Nalanda University. The serene charm of the Phalgu River and the cultural heartbeat of Bihar continue to inspire not just memories, but also the words that form our stories. This is the essence of a regional writer—leaving traces of their roots in every line they craft.

The Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF) celebrates and nurtures this essence. It provides a platform where regional writers are not just recognized but cherished, where their voices become bridges between memory, culture, and modern literary imagination.

The Soil in the Story

The very identity of a writer is inseparable from their region—the soil, the dialect, the folklore, and the lived realities they carry within. History reminds us of this repeatedly: Rabindranath Tagore infused the soul of Bengal into his verses, R.K. Narayan’s Malgudi opened a window into Tamil life, and Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s poetry echoed the fire and rhythm of Bihar.

At NLF, this connection comes alive through the voices of Bihar’s own storytellers. Writers from the Magahi belt enrich literature with their lyrical traditions, while those writing in Maithili, Bhojpuri, Angika, Bajjika, and Surjapuri capture the cultural identity of their people with authenticity. Each language is more than communication—it is a cultural map, etched with folk songs, oral traditions, festivals, and the wisdom of everyday life.

Beyond Bihar: The Northeast Joins In

The festival also embraces the Northeast, celebrating literature in Bodo, Assamese, Manipuri, and other regional languages. The writings from these regions are like invitations to step into their hills, rivers, and villages—painting vivid landscapes of lived traditions. To read them is to momentarily live in those states, feeling the pulse of their music, myths, and communities.

Voices to Watch at NLF 2025

The festival features prominent names who have kept regional expression vibrant. From Bihar:

• Manoj Bhawuk – poet and researcher breathing new life into Bhojpuri literature and cinema.
• Vandana Rag – whose Hindi writings are steeped in Bihar’s cultural fabric.
• Prabhat Ranjan and Yatindra Mishra – literary voices carrying regional flavors into the mainstream.
• Jay Ram Singh – a speaker and writer deeply attuned to Bihar’s cultural nuances.
• Vidya Choudhary – archaeologist, historian, and celebrated Bajjika writer, devoted to preserving and promoting Bajjika identity.

From the Northeast:

• Arup Kumar Dutta, Rituparna Neog, Upen Rabha Hakacham, and Santa Khurai—writers whose words carry the rhythm, resilience, and richness of their homelands.

Why Regional Literature Matters

Writing in regional languages is more than an artistic choice—it is an act of cultural preservation. It helps younger generations remain connected to their roots while creating fresh, magical expressions of identity. Through these dialects, traditions continue to live and thrive, ensuring that our heritage is never silenced.

When regional writers weave their memories, dialects, and cultural codes into literature, they do more than tell stories—they preserve voices that might otherwise fade away.

A Living Archive

This is why the Nalanda Literature Festival is more than just a gathering of writers. It is a living archive of Bihar’s and the Northeast’s diverse linguistic and cultural heritage. It brings together voices from different soils and creates conversations that not only bridge regions but also remind us of India’s collective richness.

At NLF 2025, regional writers do not merely represent their languages—they embody their lands, their histories, and their people. And through them, we are reminded that literature is not just about stories; it is about keeping roots alive, one word at a time.

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NLF 2025: Bihar’s First Literary Festival of Its Kind

“Vacate the throne, for the people are coming.” These powerful words by Bihar’s Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar capture the spirit of change, awakening, and cultural pride exactly what the Nalanda Literature Festival 2025 (NLF 2025) stands for. Scheduled from December 21 to 25 at the Rajgir Convention Centre, Nalanda, this five-day celebration is not just a literary gathering but a revival of Bihar’s timeless legacy, bringing its hidden treasures into the spotlight for the world to witness.

Legacy, Language & Literature

The theme for this year “Legacy, Language & Literature” focuses on “States of Stories: Bihar & The North East.” It is a journey into the cultural and linguistic heart of two regions that embody India’s diversity. The North East’s storytelling captures the magic of its landscapes, while Bihar speaks through the soul of its languages: Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, and Bajjika. Each language echoes centuries of lived experiences, wisdom, and emotions. By uplifting regional voices, NLF 2025 ensures these languages do not fade but instead become living bridges across generations, inspiring youth to embrace their roots while opening the door to global conversations.

A Stellar Line-Up

What makes NLF 2025 remarkable is its lineup of celebrated personalities. The unveiling event in Mumbai featured Shatrughan Sinha as the chief guest, joined by Padma Shri Kailash Kher, Akhilendra Mishra, Sudhanshu Pandey, Ashoke Pandit, and Koral Dasgupta. The speakers’ list is equally prestigious, including Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Pavan K. Varma, Prof. Ganesh Devy, Abhay K, Prabhat Ranjan, and renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Their presence makes NLF 2025 not just a regional celebration but a national and international platform for literature, culture, and thought.

Beyond Literature

The festival is designed as an immersive cultural experience. Attendees can look forward to workshops, language labs, heritage walks, folk art exhibitions, cuisine festivals, and musical evenings. A highlight of the festival will be the live performance by Kailash Kher on December 24. Adding a global dimension, the festival also welcomes participation from diaspora communities and collaborations with countries such as Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Laos, ensuring Bihar’s cultural essence resonates beyond borders.

A Cultural Renaissance

More than a festival, NLF 2025 marks a cultural renaissance. It gives hidden talents a platform, encourages the youth to rediscover their cultural heritage, and reclaims Bihar’s identity as a land of creativity, wisdom, and knowledge. As Shatrughan Sinha rightly described, it is a “historic cultural renaissance” a grand confluence of India’s literary, linguistic, and artistic brilliance.

The Mindful Traveller’s Guide to Nalanda and Rajgir

Experiencing life is the best way of living it. If you truly wish to feel alive, travelling is the key. Beautiful experiences never leave your mind  they hold a place in your heart and give you strength to live meaningfully.

Bihar is one such place that takes your travel experience to another level. Every state hides a pure gem that enhances its beauty, and for Bihar, those gems are Nalanda and Rajgir. These two destinations will take you from lush greenery to deep-rooted history. The greenery reflects the present rhythm of life, while history reminds you how people here once lived  happy, healthy, and intellectual.

The mindful art and culture of these places will truly blow your mind and fill your heart with peace and inspiration.

Rajgir: Where Nature Meets Serenity

After checking into your hotel, start your journey with the authentic food of Rajgir  earthy and rich, much like the land itself.

Begin your exploration from Venu Van (Bamboo Grove Garden), once Buddha’s favorite retreat. The quiet pond, swaying bamboos, and calm air make it perfect for reflection. Next, visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a gleaming white peace pagoda perched atop Ratnagiri Hill. The ropeway ride to the top offers breathtaking views and a moment of stillness above the valley.

The Glass Bridge adds an exciting touch  standing on transparent glass with a vast green valley below gives you both thrill and awe. At Ghoda Katora Lake, nature speaks in silence. The horse-shaped lake, surrounded by hills, is ideal for boating and soaking in calmness.

Don’t miss the Rajgir Zoo Safari, where you can witness Bengal tigers, lions, and deer roaming in their natural surroundings  a true paradise for wildlife lovers.

Pandu Pokhar is a lively eco-park, while Swarn Bhandar, believed to be the treasure house of King Jarasandha, still hides local legends. The Hot Springs (Garam Kund) are famous for their healing qualities  taking a dip in the warm, mineral-rich water is said to rejuvenate both body and mind.

You can also visit Ajatshatru Fort or Jarasandh Ka Akhara, where history meets myth. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, take a cycling trail from Venu Van to Ghoda Katora Lake. And for food lovers, explore Rajgir Market to enjoy local Bihari delicacies like litti-chokha and sweet khaja.

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आज के युवाओं के लिए नालंदा क्यों जरूरी है ?

नालंदा और नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय पर्यायवाची शब्द है । नालंदा कहने से बिहार के एक जिला का बोध बाद में होता है, पहले नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय की छवि हमारे सामने आती है । नालंदा के इतिहास से आज के युवा बहुत कुछ सीख सकते हैं । युवाओं के भीतर ऊर्जा की कोई कमी नहीं होती । सीखने की उत्सुकता से हर युवा हमेशा भरा होता है । हर शासन काल में शासकों ने शिक्षण संस्थानों को निशाना बनाया । युवाओं के पढ़ लिख लेने से शासकों की गुलामी नहीं हो सकेगी और नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय को जलाया जाना इसके एक प्रमुख उदाहरणों में से एक है । अंग्रेजों ने भी अपने मुताबिक गुलामी हेतु शिक्षा व्यवस्था बनाई । युवाओं को जैसा सीखने को मिलेगा, वैसी ही समाज की संरचना होगी । मानसिक रूप से गुलाम युवा गुलाम बनने की ही शिक्षा देगा । विश्वविद्यालय युवाओं को निर्भीक बनाने का काम करती है और युवाओं का निर्भीक होना स्वतंत्रता का परिचायक है । हाल में हार्वर्ड विश्वविद्यालय ने अंतरराष्ट्रीय छात्रों को लेकर सरकार के फैसले को चुनौती दे यह साबित किया कि निर्भीक और स्वतंत्र विश्वविद्यायल से ही निर्भीक समाज की स्थापना होगी । आज नालंदा से हर युवा ज्ञान के महत्व को सीख फिर किसी विश्वविद्यालय को आग की लपटों में जाने से रोक सकता है । आज युवाओं के लिए नालंदा जरूरी है कि फिर कोई शासक किसी विश्वविद्यालय की नालंदा जैसी स्थिति न कर दे । आज संसार में मुख्य रूप से धन प्राप्त करने की शिक्षा मिलती है । आज कागज के पत्तों के चक्कर में मनुष्य अवसाद ग्रस्त हो चुका है । नालंदा को जानकर एक युवा स्वयं को और आत्मज्ञान के महत्व को जान सकता है । स्वयं को जानना ही मुक्त होना है और मुक्ति ही नालंदा का मार्ग है । नालंदा बुद्ध और महावीर की धरती है । ज्ञान, विज्ञान, साहित्य और दर्शन की भूमि है । नालंदा को महसूस करना ही नालंदा को आत्मसात करना है । युवाओं के ही कंधों पर नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय की फिर से नींव रखी गई है । ज्ञान के प्रवाह की अविरल धारा की जिम्मेदारी युवाओं के ऊपर ही है । युवा के द्वारा ही नालंदा फिर अपने पुराने अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्वरूप को प्राप्त करेगा और संसार के उद्धार में अपना स्थान पुनः सुनिश्चित करेगा ।

जय नालंदा महाविहार

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नालंदा (बज्जिका)

जे धरती प,

नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय रहलक र,

उ धरती प ज्ञान आ विज्ञान के,

कहियो,

कमी न होए के चाही,

हां ई बात मानलिओ की,

अब खाली खंडहरे बच्चल हओ,

तइओ नालंदा के इतिहास से,

बहुत कुछ सीख सकछहु,

अब त राजगीर में,

नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय,

पुनः स्थापित होलइ ह,

किताब आ इमारत के जलावे से,

विचार थोरे न मर जतई,

ज्ञान, विज्ञान, साहित्य, दर्शन, आ वर्तमान में,

नालंदा के विचार अभीओ जिंदा हइ,

आ हमेशा कण-कण में जीवित रहतइ,

हमेशा से ज्ञान आ ज्ञानी पर,

मुरख स आधिपत्य जमावे के कोशिश करलई,

हमेशा ज्ञानी एक्कर पुरजोर मुकाबला करलई,

चांद आ सुरज गवाह हइ,

की नालंदा के जरूर,

इमारत आ किताब जलायल गेलइ,

तइयो नालंदा जीवित हई आई भी,

ई अप्पन स के जिम्मेदारी हई,

की नालंदा कहियो मरे के न चाही,

नालंदा साहित्य महोत्सव 2025,

एहे विचार के जीवित रखे के,

एगो कड़ी हई,

नालंदा,

आत्मा हई ज्ञान के,

आत्मा अमर हई,

एहे परकार,

नालंदो अमर हई,

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Ancient Nalanda’s Trade and Cultural Connections Across Asia: The Lighthouse of the Eastern World

 Rising from the fertile plains of Magadha, Nalanda was not just a university, it was an idea. An idea that knowledge could travel farther than armies, that wisdom could be traded more richly than gold, and that faith, logic, and art could speak one universal language.

Nalanda thrived at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the sea lanes of the Indian Ocean, arteries through which caravans carried silk, incense, and coral, but also sutras, stories, and dreams. Trade caravans that brought spices to Samarkand often returned with scriptures bound for Chang’an. Ships that sailed from Bengal to Java carried not only goods but monks whose chants echoed the philosophy born in Nalanda’s courtyards.

The most famous of these travelers was Xuanzang, the intrepid Chinese pilgrim who, in the 7th century, journeyed for 17 years across deserts and kingdoms to reach Nalanda. When he finally walked through its ornate gates, he found a living wonder: thousands of scholars debating logic, astronomy, medicine, and metaphysics. “The great monastery of Nalanda,” he wrote, “is a sea of learning where every drop sparkles with wisdom.” He carried back hundreds of manuscripts that would ignite the Buddhist renaissance in China. His student, Yijing, followed soon after, mapping the spiritual geography that connected Asia from Bengal to Beijing.

The lifeblood of this cultural web was trade itself. Historical sources such as Xuanzang’s Records of the Western World and Yijing’s Account of Buddhist Monasteries describe the vibrant movement of goods and ideas through eastern India. Chinese silk, lapis lazuli from Central Asia, and Persian silver found their way into the markets of Magadha, while Indian spices, ivory, cotton textiles, and medicinal herbs flowed outward along land and sea routes. Archaeological finds from Nalanda and nearby Rajgir, such as foreign coins, ceramics, and glassware suggest active participation in international trade networks. The Tang Annals record the exchange of “fine cloth from Magadha and pearls from the southern seas,” hinting at the deep intertwining of commercial and spiritual routes that sustained Nalanda’s cosmopolitan life. Even the manuscripts and Buddhist icons that traveled to Southeast Asia were part of this precious cargo, gifts exchanged between scholars, patrons, and merchants alike.

But Nalanda’s story wasn’t just written on palm leaves, it was carved in stone and bronze. The temple towers of Borobudur in Java, the serenity of Sri Lanka’s monasteries, and the fierce compassion in Tibetan thangkas all carry whispers of Nalanda’s art and thought. Even today, in the great Tibetan monasteries of Lhasa and Dharamshala, the philosophical debates quick, precise, and fiery, mirror the methods born in Nalanda’s lecture halls.

Trade gave Nalanda its reach; culture gave it soul. The merchants brought offerings, the kings gave patronage, but the real exchange was invisible  an exchange of ideas that shaped Asia’s shared identity. Nalanda taught that enlightenment was not isolation but a connection between nations, between faiths, between hearts.

When the university’s libraries finally burned in the 12th century, legend says the flames raged for months, devouring nine million manuscripts. Yet its real legacy never turned to ash. It lives on wherever knowledge crosses borders, wherever learning unites rather than divides. Nalanda was and remains Asia’s eternal classroom, where the world once learned that wisdom is the finest trade of all.

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Chhath Puja and the Nalanda Literature Festival: Bridging Cultural Devotion and Literary Renaissance

As the four-day festival of Chhath Puja recently concluded, it offers an apt and inspiring lens to discuss the literary and cultural aspirations of Bihar, particularly in light of the inaugural edition of the Nalanda Literature Festival. Chhath Puja holds deep literary and cultural significance, especially in Bihar, where it is not just a festival but a form of communal identity, ecological awareness, and the preservation of folk tradition. We find references to this festival in the major epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, where rituals performed by Sita, Draupadi, and Karna link the story of penance and gratitude. Folk tales, local legends, and ritual narratives surrounding the festival enrich its literary presence and give voice to rural culture and the ecological wisdom of communities bound to the rhythms of the land. Apart from folk stories, songs associated with Chhath Puja, sung by generations of women and popularized by artists like Sharda Sinha, are an important part of Bihar’s oral literature, embodying themes of devotion, endurance, and familial bonds.

Apart from Chhath Puja’s cultural and literary significance, this festival also holds ecological importance in the current context of environmental degradation, as it symbolizes the symbiotic relationship between nature and humans. Its rituals emphasize purity, minimalism, biodegradable offerings, and deep reverence for rivers, soil, and the Sun.

As Chhath Puja is deeply intertwined with Bihar’s culture and identity, standing as one of the region’s most celebrated and symbolic festivals, the Bihari population across India and the world celebrates Chhath Puja to reconnect with their roots and public identity, reinforcing its role as a “Cultural Passport.” Similarly, the Nalanda Literature Festival is going to become a “Literary Passport” of Bihar.

The aim of the Nalanda Literature Festival is to revive and honor Bihar’s linguistic, literary, and cultural diversity, spotlighting languages such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Vajjika, and others alongside those of the North-East. The festival will provide a platform for literary authors, emerging voices, and the global Bihari diaspora. This literary festival is going to start a literary and cultural renaissance that will bridge tradition and modernity. It will provide a platform to showcase the folk narratives, classical and contemporary literature of Bihar and the North-East, and it will foster intellectual collaboration and cultural exchange to inspire future generations.

As Chhath Puja reflects Bihar’s living cultural spirituality and folk tradition, similarly, the Nalanda Literature Festival engages with Bihar’s intellectual heritage and literary renaissance, connecting the ancient scholarly tradition of Nalanda with contemporary voices. In conclusion, together, both these festivals will form essential pillars of Bihar’s cultural and literary identity.

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Science and Spirituality at Nalanda: Two Sides of One Coin

Long before telescopes scanned the skies or laboratories gleamed with glassware, a different kind of light illuminated the plains of Bihar. It came not from fire or flame, but from the minds gathered at Nalanda Mahavihara, the world’s first great residential university, where science and spirituality were twin paths to the same truth.

Founded in the 5th century CE under the patronage of the Gupta emperors, Nalanda was less a university and more a living cosmos of ideas. Its red-brick monasteries and lofty towers echoed not only with the chanting of monks but also with the rhythm of reasoning minds. Within its walls, philosophy conversed with physics, and meditation met mathematics. For Nalanda’s scholars, to seek truth was to explore both the outer and the inner universe.

Imagine the mornings there: monks in ochre robes debating under the peepal trees, the scent of ink and incense mingling in the breeze. In one corner, students studied Aryabhata’s revolutionary theories of zero and planetary motion; in another, they explored the depths of Nagarjuna’s Madhyamaka; the “Middle Way” that dissolved illusions of permanence. The tangible and the transcendental were not rivals here; they were dance partners in the grand waltz of wisdom.

The great Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang), who journeyed thousands of miles to study at Nalanda in the 7th century, described it as a city of learning that never slept. He recounted how debates would stretch from dawn to dusk, where even the simplest question, “What is the nature of reality?”,could ripple into days of discussion. Logic was sharpened like a blade, yet used with the gentleness of mindfulness.

Nalanda’s scholars believed that knowing the world and knowing oneself were inseparable pursuits. Astronomy was not just about mapping stars but understanding cosmic order. Medicine healed not just the body but the balance between mind and matter. The library complex, Ratnasagara (Ocean of Jewels), Ratnodadhi (Sea of Jewels), and Ratnaranjaka (Jewel-Adorned), symbolized the boundless treasures of human understanding. Knowledge was sacred, not because it was mystical, but because it illuminated the mystery of existence.

Anecdotes tell of scholars who could explain eclipses and recite sutras in the same breath, who debated the logic of perception in the morning and meditated on compassion in the evening. For them, there was no dividing wall between experiment and enlightenment. The Buddha’s teaching of mindful inquiry and the mathematician’s pursuit of precision were seen as different routes to the same summit of truth.

When Nalanda was eventually razed in the 12th century, its libraries reportedly burned for months,yet the flame it had kindled in humanity’s collective consciousness never went out. Tibetan monasteries, Chinese academies, and later Indian thinkers all carried forward its legacy: that true wisdom unites intellect with insight.

Today, as we grapple with questions of artificial intelligence and spiritual emptiness, Nalanda’s story feels like a whisper from the past: that knowledge is most powerful when it’s both scientific in method and spiritual in purpose. Science tells us how the universe works; spirituality asks why it matters. Nalanda’s greatness lay in seeing both as one grand, endless quest, two sides of the same radiant coin.

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Storytelling Roots: How Nalanda Connects India’s Past & Future

Nalanda stands as one of the greatest symbols of India’s intellectual and cultural heritage. Once the world’s first residential university, Nalanda was more than an academic center – it was a living embodiment of India’s pursuit of wisdom, dialogue, and discovery. Established in the 5th century CE, it attracted students and scholars from as far as China, Korea, Tibet, and Central Asia, making it one of the earliest hubs of international learning.

The ruins of Nalanda whisper stories of philosophical debates, spiritual evolution, and the exchange of ideas that once shaped Asian thought. It was here that subjects like astronomy, mathematics, medicine, grammar, and logic flourished alongside Buddhist philosophy. The harmony between science and spirituality defined Nalanda’s essence, setting it apart from any other institution of its time.

Today, Nalanda connects India’s glorious intellectual past with its modern aspirations. The revival of Nalanda University, established near the ancient site, signifies a commitment to carrying forward that legacy of knowledge and openness. It reflects the idea that education should not just inform but transform – promoting empathy, dialogue, and understanding across cultures.

Nalanda’s story is not merely about history; it is about continuity.

 It reminds us that true progress lies in rediscovering the values that once made learning a sacred pursuit. In connecting India’s ancient wisdom with its modern vision, Nalanda continues to tell the story of how knowledge can unite generations, ideas, and civilizations.

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Why Bihar’s Lit Scene Deserves Your Attention

Bihar has always been a land of intellect, philosophy, and storytelling. From ancient learning centers like Nalanda and Vikramshila to the modern rise of regional literature, the state has continuously contributed to India’s literary and cultural identity. Today, Bihar’s literary scene is experiencing a quiet yet powerful revival, blending its historical depth with contemporary voices.

The region’s literature has long reflected the essence of resilience, social consciousness, and rootedness. Poets like Vidyapati shaped Maithili literature centuries ago, while present-day writers and poets are exploring new forms in Hindi, Bhojpuri, and regional dialects. Themes of identity, migration, inequality, and belonging are finding authentic representation through Bihar’s emerging storytellers.

Literary festivals, poetry gatherings, and digital platforms have further amplified these voices, connecting Bihar’s writers with global audiences. What makes this evolution unique is its honesty – it isn’t influenced by trends but driven by lived experience and cultural pride.

Bihar’s literary legacy reminds us that great writing doesn’t only emerge from metropolitan cities. It thrives in places where life, struggle, and imagination coexist naturally. The blend of history, folklore, and modern realities makes Bihar’s literature both introspective and socially relevant.

Recognizing Bihar’s literary spirit means acknowledging that storytelling here isn’t a revival – it’s a continuation.

 From ancient scholars to modern poets, Bihar remains a cradle of creativity where words still carry the power to educate, transform, and inspire.

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Youth, Wisdom & Wanderlust: My Nalanda Experience

Nalanda remains one of the most extraordinary symbols of ancient India’s wisdom and openness to learning. Founded during the Gupta period, it became the heart of intellectual exchange, drawing scholars and students from all over Asia. It wasn’t just a university – it was a community devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and spiritual growth.

The vast ruins of Nalanda reveal the scale and sophistication of its learning environment. Monasteries, lecture halls, libraries, and temples once stood harmoniously, nurturing a culture of inquiry and respect for diversity. Subjects like medicine, astronomy, grammar, and logic were taught alongside Buddhist philosophy, creating a balance between science and spirituality that remains relevant today.

Nalanda’s spirit reflects the idea of learning without boundaries. The concept of “education for all,” deeply rooted here, resonates strongly in the modern world. The revival of Nalanda University in contemporary times seeks to rebuild this bridge between the past and the future – a space where global understanding and sustainable wisdom can thrive together.

In essence, Nalanda symbolizes an enduring connection between youth and wisdom, curiosity and compassion. Its ruins are not silent relics; they are reminders of what humanity can achieve when knowledge becomes a shared mission. Nalanda stands as a timeless example that education, when rooted in purpose and harmony, can inspire generations beyond its own era.

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Rajgir Trails and Literary Tales

Rajgir, nestled among five majestic hills, is a place where history, spirituality, and storytelling intertwine. Once the capital of the Magadha Empire, it holds immense significance in both Buddhist and Jain traditions. The city’s serene landscapes and ancient trails tell tales of kings, sages, and seekers who once walked these very paths in search of truth and enlightenment.

Every stone in Rajgir carries a story – from the teachings of Lord Buddha at Griddhakuta Hill to the philosophical dialogues of Mahavira. The city also finds mention in ancient literary texts like the Mahabharata and Buddhist scriptures, marking its place as a center of cultural and intellectual life.

Beyond its spiritual importance, Rajgir’s charm lies in its storytelling spirit. The natural surroundings, the calm of Venu Vana, and the echoes of old monasteries inspire poets, writers, and thinkers even today. The region blends myth with memory, history with imagination – making it a living canvas of India’s narrative tradition.

Rajgir’s literary essence continues to evolve through modern interpretations of its timeless stories. Whether through travel writing, poetry, or historical fiction, the place continues to inspire those who seek meaning in history and creativity in silence. Its connection with Nalanda and its enduring role in India’s intellectual map make Rajgir not just a destination, but a continuing chapter in the story of ideas, wisdom, and expression.

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Comparing Nalanda and Takshashila: Two Ancient Models of Knowledge     

Ancient India fostered two extraordinary institutions of learning, Takshashila and Nalanda which embody diverging paths in the history of academic development. Takshashila, established around the 5th century BCE in present-day Pakistan, flourished as a cosmopolitan city of teachers offering a flexible, decentralized educational ecosystem. Individual gurus operated independently, and the curriculum was shaped by the interests and expertise of both teachers and students. Subjects ranged from the Vedas and Buddhist philosophy to law, military science, linguistics, and medicine. Notable teachers, such as Chanakya (Kautilya) and Panini, exemplified the institution’s emphasis on disciplines that spanned spiritual as well as civic life. Unlike regulated admission or a central examination system, students at Takshashila could choose their mentors and subjects freely, learning within a tradition that prioritized personalized mentorship and practical knowledge over formal certification.

In marked contrast, Nalanda University, which thrived between the 5th and 12th centuries CE in Bihar, India, was the world’s first great residential university. It drew students and scholars not only from every part of India but also from regions as distant as China, Tibet, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Nalanda had a formal structure with a central administration, extensive library complexes, and a comprehensive residential system for both students and teachers. Its curriculum was centered on Mahayana Buddhist philosophy but extended to logic, grammar, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and the arts. 

The presence of renowned scholars, such as Xuanzang and Dharmapala, further attests to Nalanda’s global scholarly reputation and strict intellectual discipline. 

Nalanda University’s daily life revealed much about its structured curriculum and emphasis on debate and dialectics. One striking example comes from the biography of Shilabhadra, the famed abbot who taught Xuanzang, the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim. Xuanzang describes how Shilabhadra guided students through logic, meditation, and Mahayana Buddhist texts using seminar-style debates where students would publicly defend their reasoning and be cross-examined by peers and teachers. This approach helped to cement the university’s reputation for rigorous intellectual training and opened its doors to a cosmopolitan community of thousands, including international scholars such as Atisha and Dharmakirti, who traveled from distant lands seeking the intellectual challenges of Nalanda’s learning halls.

In the case of Takshashila, the learning model was starkly different and exemplified by the relationship between Chanakya and his students. Chanakya, who authored the Arthashastra and played a pivotal role in shaping the Mauryan Empire, mentored Chandragupta Maurya personally. Takshashila’s lack of centralized structure allowed Chanakya to teach statecraft, governance, and economic policy by engaging students directly in real-world governance tasks and strategic planning. Instead of formal classrooms, Chanakya’s teachings happened in informal gatherings, with apprentices learning by observing and participating in day-to-day political activities and debates. This mentorship fostered adaptable leaders and thinkers who learned by exposure to diverse disciplines and pragmatic scenarios, emblematic of Takshashila’s flexible, guru-centered tradition.

The pedagogical methods at Takshashila were informal but deeply immersive, anchored in the guru-shishya tradition of personalized, oral teaching. Here, learning relied on recitation, memorization, storytelling, demonstration, and practical application. Teachers tailored instruction to each learner, focusing on both moral development and intellectual mastery, and evaluation depended on the holistic judgment of the collective guru community. In this environment, debate and inquiry thrived without rigid boundaries imposed by centralized authority. On the other hand, Nalanda operated with formal group instruction, systematic seminars, structured discussions, and regular public debates. 

Its teachers, while authoritative, encouraged dissent and dialectical reasoning within the established framework. This balance between discipline and academic freedom, with a pronounced emphasis on reasoned debate and shared inquiry, set Nalanda apart as a prototype of the organized university system.

Both Takshashila and Nalanda promoted value-based education, integrating ethical training with intellectual development. The former’s model embodies academic pluralism and adaptability; the latter, structured inclusivity and rigorous scholasticism. Importantly, both institutions encouraged the pursuit of knowledge for social good and personal transformation, reflecting the foundational Indian values of karma (action), satya (truth), and dharma (ethical law). These qualities ensured their influence far beyond the Indian subcontinent, shaping educational models in other parts of Asia and, increasingly, providing inspiration for contemporary reforms in India. 

The current emphasis in Indian policy on holistic, multidisciplinary learning and value-based education can be traced to the unique synthesis of Takshashila’s flexible  mentorship and Nalanda’s integrated curriculum- two models that, together, articulate the spectrum of ancient Indian philosophy on education, character, and societal purpose.

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नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय और उन्मुक्त बौद्धिक वातावरण :

नालंदा भारत के प्राचीनतम विश्वविद्यालयों में से एक है। बिहार की धरती पर स्थापित यह विश्वविद्यालय 5वीं शताब्दी से ही अपने ज्ञान के प्रकाश से संपूर्ण विश्व को आलोकित कर रहा है।

तत्कालीन लिखित एवं संकलित ग्रंथ, अभिलेख, पांडुलिपियों एवं यात्रा वृतान्तों से हम उस समय के बारे में आज पर्याप्त जानकारी की स्थिति में हैं। 7वीं शताब्दी में भारत आए दो महान चीनी यात्री ह्वेन त्सांग और इत्सिंग के वृतान्तों से हमें तत्कालीन नालन्दा के पाठ्यक्रम, पाठ्यक्रम का उद्देश्य और शिक्षण व्यवस्था के बारे में पर्याप्त जानकारी प्राप्त होती है।

 ह्वेन त्सांग ने लिखा है कि नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय में नामांकन के लिए किसी विद्यार्थी को नए और पुराने दोनों किस्म के ग्रंथों के गहन अध्ययन की आवश्यकता थी अर्थात् वेदों और उपनिषदों के अलावा सांख्य, वैशेषिक और न्याय आदि दर्शन तथा हीनयान और महायान पर हुए कार्यों संबंधी विभिन्न ग्रंथ । त्सांग के जीवनीकार भी इस तथ्य की पुष्टि करते हैं कि विश्वविद्यालय में नामांकन के लिए न केवल प्रमुख बल्कि साधारण जैसे हेतुविद्या, शब्दविद्या, चिकित्साविद्या, तंत्र (अथर्ववेद संबंधी), सांख्य आदि विभिन्न शास्त्रों की जानकारी अनिवार्य थी। इसमें संशय भी नहीं है क्योंकि स्वयं ह्वेन त्सांग ने नालंदा में शीलभद्र एवं अन्य गुरुओं से योगशास्त्र, न्याय-अनुशासन-शास्त्र, शब्द‌विद्या, महायान संबंधी सिद्धांत, कोश, विभाषा आदि का ज्ञान प्राप्त किया था।

ह्वेन त्सांग और इत्सिंग के यात्रा वृतांतों से हमें जानकारी मिलती है कि नालंदा वि.वि. के द्वारपाल भी विद्वान होते थे एवं वहाँ कठिन प्रवेश परीक्षा का प्रावधान था। नालंदा, चूंकि एक बौद्ध विश्वविद्यालय था इसलिए वहाँ धर्मशास्त्र की शिक्षा अनिवार्य थी लेकिन वहाँ गैर-धार्मिक और वैज्ञानिक विषयों की भी शिक्षा दी जाती थी।

 नालंदा अपने स्वतंत्र बौद्धिक वातावरण के लिए जाना जाता था। धर्मशास्त्र, तर्कशास्त्र और दर्शन उसकी रीढ़ थे। ह्वेन त्सांग ने लिखा है – “अलग-अलग शहरों से विद्वान लोग, जो चर्चा में शीघ्र प्रसिद्धि पाने की इच्छा रखतें हैं, अपने संदेहों का समाधान करने के लिए बड़ी संख्या में यहाँ आते हैं और उनकी ज्ञान की धाराएँ दूर-दूर तक फैलती हैं।”

नालंदा की सार्वकालिक देन है – वहाँ की उन्मुक्त और सौहार्दपूर्ण बौद्धिक चर्चा-परिचर्चा की परंपरा । नियमित संवाद और ज्ञान जगत में घटने वाली हर घटना के प्रति जागरूकता समाज के विकास के लिए अनिवार्य है। नालंदा में छात्र कक्षाओं से अधिक वाद-विवाद और परिचर्चाओं से सीखते थे। ह्वेन त्सांग लिखते हैं “सुबह से लेकर शाम तक वे चर्चाओं में व्यस्त रहते थे।” इत्सिंग लिखते हैं – “वहाँ (नालंदा और वल्लभी में) प्रतिष्ठित और निपुण लोग भीड़ में इकट्ठा होते हैं और संभव और असंभव सिद्धांतों पर चर्चा करते हैं।”

सभी तरह के विचारों का स्वागत और स्वस्थ परिचर्चा, विभिन्न मत- मतान्तरों वाले वर्तमान युग में भी समय की अनिवार्य मांग है। संवादों की कमी ही आज भी विश्व शांति में अवरोध बनी हुई है। लगभग 1500 वर्ष प्राचीन विश्वविद्यालय हमें वर्तमान में भी अपनी अकादमिक शिक्षा व्यवस्था पर पुनर्विचार करने को विवश करता है। अपनी महान विरासत और ज्ञान की स्वस्थ परंपरा को हमें फिर से ग्रहण करने की यथाशीघ्र आवश्यकता है।

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Architectural Marvels of Nalanda: When Design Met Devotion

When we were children, every school trip seemed destined to Nalanda. Teachers spoke with pride about its ancient glory, and we walked among those reddish ruins without truly understanding them. I remember looking at the broken walls and wondering what is there to see in ruins? But as I grew older and learned about architecture, I realized that it is history breathing through every brick.

Nalanda, once a flourishing university between the 5th and 12th centuries, was built with deep devotion and unmatched artistry. Its architects and artisans designed more than just buildings; they built an ecosystem of learning, spirituality, and beauty. The layout of the viharas (monasteries) large quadrangular courtyards surrounded by monk cells shows a perfect balance between practicality and peace. Each courtyard was open to light and air, symbolizing knowledge and clarity.

The stupas and temples, especially the grand Temple No. 3, reveal how architecture mirrored faith. This layered brick structure went through seven reconstructions, and its decorative stucco panels still bear the symbols of lotus, wheel, swans, and Bodhi leaves each representing purity, enlightenment, and the endless cycle of knowledge. Many walls carry carvings of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and Jataka tales, narrating moral lessons through form and sculpture.

Even the planning of the site was spiritual  aligned with the sun and wind, equipped with water channels and gardens, blending perfectly with nature. The Dharmaganja Library Complex known as Ratnasagara, Ratnodadhi, and Ratnarañjaka  once held thousands of manuscripts. When invaders set it ablaze, the fire reportedly burned for months, turning the university into ashes. Yet, the burnt bricks still whisper stories of wisdom and resilience.

Nearby, the Jivakarama Vihara and Venuvana Monastery at Rajgir continue this architectural narrative. Built centuries earlier, they reflect the roots of Nalanda’s design peaceful courtyards, meditation halls, and structures built in harmony with the earth. The circular Maniyar Math and Ajatashatru’s Stupa add another layer of sacred geometry to the region’s landscape, reminding us that design in Indian culture has always been an act of devotion.

In Nalanda, architecture was never just technical; it was emotional, spiritual, and deeply symbolic. Every motif on the wall, every carved lotus or wheel, carried meaning. The ruins may look silent today, but they still speak of artistry, faith, and the eternal bond between design and devotion.

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Eternal Wisdom, Renewed Spirit: The Cultural Renaissance of Nalanda

Across the serene plains of Rajgir, where the morning light caresses ancient stones, the breeze still carries the hum of wisdom. Once upon a time, Nalanda stood here – not just as an institution, but as the heartbeat of human curiosity. Scholars and monks journeyed from faraway lands – from Tibet, Korea, China, even Greece – drawn not by conquest, but by the promise of enlightenment. Nalanda was more than a university; it was an idea – a belief that learning is the truest form of worship. In its shaded courtyards, philosophy met poetry, and astronomy danced with art. Under the Bodhi trees, debates unfolded – not to win, but to understand. Knowledge was shared, not stored. For centuries, Nalanda’s flame guided seekers of truth, illuminating paths of reason, compassion, and reflection.

Then came silence. Fire devoured its manuscripts, and time buried its brilliance beneath ashes. But true wisdom never dies. It lingers – in memory, in stories, in the soil that once nurtured thought. Today, that ancient spirit rises again through the Nalanda Literature Festival, where the old quest for knowledge finds a new voice.

This festival is not just a celebration – it is a rebirth. It gathers thinkers, artists, writers, and wanderers who come to rediscover what Nalanda always represented: the harmony of intellect and imagination. Within its panels and performances, ancient sutras echo beside modern verses, and centuries-old philosophies find relevance in contemporary conversations. Each dialogue builds a bridge – between the silent ruins and the living mind, between the scholar of the past and the dreamer of today.

The culture of Nalanda was founded on openness. It welcomed every seeker, every school of thought, knowing that truth thrives in dialogue, not in division. The same inclusivity breathes through the festival today. When an academic reflects on Nagarjuna’s wisdom and a young poet reads about identity and hope, both are continuing the same legacy –  one that unites rather than separates.

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“शांति का दर्शन: एक विभाजित विश्व को नालंदा की देन”          

आज का विश्व सामाजिक,आर्थिक राजनीतिक, धार्मिक, सांस्कृतिक एवं नैतिक आधार पर भिन्न-भिन्न विचारधाराओं के संजाल में जकड़ा हुआ है। विश्व के विविध विभागों में अंतर्द्वंद एवं कलह बरकरार है। आज सारा संसार ही  अशांति के सागर के  किनारे खड़ा दिखाई देता है। ऐसे में नालंदा न सिर्फ ज्ञान-विज्ञान, अध्यात्म एवं साहित्य, सभ्यता एवं संस्कृति की भूमि है अपितु यह  बहुलतावादी संस्कृति को सर्वसमावेशी तरीके से सह-अस्तित्व एवं बंधुता की भावना को स्वीकार करते हुए जीने की सीख देता है । ऐसे समय में दुनिया के तथाकथित विकसित एवं सभ्य देशों में भी जब व्यक्ति में संस्कृतियों के बीच टकराव एवं सीमा पार से  आप्रवासन की समस्या हिंसक घटनाओं के रूप में तब्दील होते जा रही है, किस प्रकार से असहिष्णुता बढ़ती जा रही है।लोग एक दूसरे के विचारों को अपनाना तो छोड़िए सुनना  तक नहीं चाहते इस कदर आपसी विद्वेष फैल रहा है। ऐसे में नालंदा एक नज़ीर है आज की इस संकीर्ण सोच से उपजी व्यवस्था  को आईना भी दिखाती है। आज से सदियों पूर्व विद्यार्थियों एवं शिक्षकों का आना-जाना जारी था और यह आना जाना दो या दो से अधिक संस्कृतियों-सभ्यताओं के माध्यम से साहित्य-कला -विज्ञान- शिल्पकला को एक दूसरे से जोड़ने का सार्थक माध्यम था।आज के विश्व के नीति निर्माताओं को भी यह सोचने की आवश्यकता है,नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय से सीख लेने की अनिवार्यता है कि हम किस प्रकार से ज्ञान को निर्धारित खुराक के रूप में न रखकर इसे उपादान के रूप में पूरे विश्व में बांट सकते हैं और विश्व बंधुत्व और सही मायने में ‘ग्लोबल विलेज’ की अवधारणा को आत्मसात कर सकते हैं।

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Storytelling Across Generations: Preserving Nalanda’s Literary Heritage

Bihar, the land where the Buddha once walked, has long been a cradle of wisdom and learning. From the ancient halls of Nalanda Mahavihara to the lively streets of Patna, stories of the Buddha, local legends, and scholarly insights have passed down through generations. Yet, without written or digital records, many of these tales were altered, misremembered, or lost over time.

In earlier times, literacy was a privilege. Those who could read delved into manuscripts, while the majority relied on oral storytelling. Around village courtyards or under banyan trees, elders shared tales, each adding their own voice. As the saying goes, “You said it one way, I heard it another,” and so the true essence of these stories often became blurred.

The Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF) has emerged as a beacon of hope in preserving this heritage. Rooted in the ancient ethos of Nalanda, the festival celebrates languages, literature, and global cultural collaboration. It is more than an event; it is a movement to nurture literary consciousness and keep Bihar’s rich storytelling traditions alive.

Importantly, the festival is embracing the digital era to safeguard its heritage. Through online workshops, virtual storytelling sessions, live-streamed panel discussions, and digital archiving of literary works, NLF ensures that Bihar’s oral and written traditions are preserved for future generations. Tales that were once at risk of fading are now recorded, shared, and celebrated across the world. This blend of tradition and technology bridges the gap between the past and the present, making Nalanda’s stories timeless and accessible to all.

The revival of Nalanda University further strengthens this mission. Established in 427 CE by King Kumaragupta I, Nalanda was a global center of knowledge, attracting scholars from across Asia. Today, restoring its historic glory is not just about reconstructing buildings it is about reviving the spirit of learning and inquiry that defined Nalanda.

Through these combined efforts, Bihar is not merely remembering its past; it is actively preserving and promoting it. The fragmented stories of the Buddha, once scattered, are now being woven into a coherent narrative. By connecting oral traditions with digital innovation, the Nalanda Literature Festival ensures that the legacy of Nalanda continues to inspire and guide generations to come.

In an age of rapid change, Bihar shows how heritage can be preserved through both tradition and modern technology. Storytelling across generations remains vibrant, meaningful, and everlasting, proving that the wisdom of the past can illuminate the path for the future.

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The Nalanda Ethos: Compassion as an Educational Philosophy

Indian Knowledge Traditions have evolved through an intersection of processes.The journey of self awareness positioned around the man’s search for a meaningful existence to creating a harmonious relationship with the world outside has undegone a series of debates, discourses and vivid disagreements too. 

The Nalanda ethos is nothing short of an inspiring saga of education as a transformative journey fueled by compassion, a philosophy that does not just seek to fill minds but to awaken hearts and souls. Imagine a place where learning is a sacred dialogue, a dance of ideas sharpened by rigorous debate and gentle humility. Known from the 5th to 13th centuries, Nalanda wasn’t merely a university; it was a vibrant nexus where scholars from Korea, China, Tibet, and beyond gathered not for grades or jobs, but to explore wisdom that transcended nations, aiming for peace and understanding among all beings.

 A young scholar at Nalanda was struggling to understand a complex philosophical text and felt isolated by his difficulties. One evening, as the university’s great library quieted, an elder monk noticed the student’s distress. Rather than simply offering an explanation, the monk sat beside him in silence and listened to the young scholar’s worries. Recognizing that compassion often starts with listening, the monk gently shared his own story of past learning challenges. Together, they revisited the textt, not just as teacher and student, but as sympathetic companions on a shared journey. 

Where Karuna stood at par with Jnana, the journey of the seeker as per the Nalanda Ethos, was enriched only by the feeling of manifesting a peaceful coexistence with the fellow seekers. The idea that the world can thrive on the precepts of competition, Nalanda characterised the real meaning of self development as the motive that is fuelled by the Compassion that one holds for their fellow beings in that process. 

The cultivation of compassion at Nalanda was practiced through meditation,  mindfulness, and ethical training, echoing passages from Shantideva’s Bodhicarayavtara , which defined compassion as taking responsibility for others’ suffering as if it were one’s own. This translated into an educational community where empathy, nonviolence, and a sense of global responsibility flourished.

The guru-shishya relationship simplified into a profound mentorship where teachers ignited students’ spirits to develop intellect alongside moral courage. 

The modern education system now includes the Compassion Focused Therapies to redefine the ways and means of a child’s education. The perception of success, the blind race for material well-being and ownership of assets has become the motive of education. The K-shaped development model is producing gaps that can only be filled with compassion and the realisation of the pain, that someone in some other part of the world might be enduring, silently. 

Nalanda Ethos are an anchor to the present day challenges being posed in the real world in the process of imparting education. The inequalities that persist in the society, the realisation that every individual is different and may require different approach in the process, the conflicts around the world and the unhinged exposure have complicated the process that once lead to the liberation of human mind. 

Compassion emerges as that lively canvas that can let people thrive within themselves and provide enough space for the others to flourish.

The lofty Nalanda vision reminds us education must ignite universal ethics, social harmony, and leadership with heart. It teaches that true learning is a lotus blossoming in compassion, critical thinking, and curiosity, rooted deeply in human kindness. More than an institution, Nalanda is a timeless call to make education a force for living wisely and loving generously, lighting pathways toward a peaceful, enlightened future.

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हुएनसांग की भारत यात्रा

आज के समय में, जब भारत देश से बच्चे अच्छी शिक्षा प्राप्त करने के लिए विदेश जाते हैं, तो बड़ी पीड़ा होती है। पीड़ा इस बात पर नहीं है कि हमारे देश के युवा विदेश जा रहे हैं, बल्कि इस बात पर कि हमने अपनी विश्व-स्तरीय शिक्षा व्यवस्था को खो दिया है।

लोगों को नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय के बारे में जानते हुए बड़ा आश्चर्य होता है। आश्चर्य और भी होता है जब हमें हुएनसांग जैसे छात्र के बारे में पता चलता है। नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय आने के लिए इस चीनी बौद्ध भिक्षु ने कई सारी कठिनाइयों को पार किया। हुएनसांग को किसी प्रकार की संपत्ति या क्षेत्र प्राप्त करने की भूख नहीं थी, बल्कि उनमें सीखने, समझने और जानने की भूख थी। उनका मुख्य उद्देश्य भारत से सीख कर अपने क्षेत्र और लोगों को शिक्षित करना था। जिस मार्ग का उपयोग कल तक केवल व्यापार तक सीमित था, अब उसी मार्ग का उपयोग हुएनसांग ने भारत भूमि के ज्ञान को अपनी भाषा में प्रज्वलित करने के लिए किया।

उन्होंने बौद्ध धर्म के मूल ग्रंथों की खोज में, सन् 627 ईस्वी में चीन के चांगआन से अविस्मरणीय पश्चिम की अपनी यात्रा आरम्भ की । उस समय तांग राजवंश के शासन काल के दौरान चीन में गृह युद्ध और आकाल की स्थिति थी, जिसमें जनता को अपने देश से बाहर जाने की अनुमति नहीं थी । इसके बावजूद, उन्होंने रेगिस्तानी मार्ग, बर्फीले पहाड़ और डाकुओं से भरे खतरनाक रास्तों को पार कर ज्ञान की भूमि भारत देश में प्रवेश किया ।

विभिन्न स्थानों का भ्रमण करते हुए, लद्दाख में एक वर्ष तक रह कर वहां के विभिन्न मठों के बारे में जाना । उन्हें चार वर्ष का समय लगा नालंदा पहुंचने में, जहां उनके गुरु शीलभद्र उनका इंतजार कर रहे थे । कठिन प्रवेश परीक्षा को उत्तीर्ण कर हुएनसांग ने नालंदा विश्व विद्यालय  में प्रवेश लिया । उन्होंने सारनाथ, कपिलवस्तु, बोध गया और वो सभी स्थान जो महात्मा बुद्ध से सम्बन्धित थे उनका भ्रमण करा । उन्होंने भारत देश को समझा, यहां के लोगों को जाना और अपने प्रमुख उद्देश्य – बौद्ध धर्म ग्रंथों को आत्मसात किया जो उस समय मात्र नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय के पुस्तकालय धर्मागंज में मौजूद थे ।

हुएनसांग 645 ईस्वी में अपनी शिक्षा समाप्त कर, चीन लौट गए और अपने साथ महात्मा बुद्ध की कई सारी प्रतिमाएं, अनुवाद किए और बिना अनुवादित करीब 657 बौद्ध धर्म ग्रन्थ , पेड़ पौधों के बीज जो चीन में मौजूद नहीं थे, इन सभी को साथ ले गए । हुएनसांग का चीन में तांग राजवंश के राजा ताईजोंग द्वारा भव्य स्वागत करा गया और राजा ने उनके सामने राज्य के प्रमुख कार्यों को संभालने का प्रस्ताव रखा जिसे उन्होंने अस्वीकार कर दिया और जीवन पर्यन्त बौद्ध मठ में रहकर भारत से लाए बिना अनुवाद किए धर्म ग्रंथों का चीनी भाषा में अनुवाद करते रहें ।

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बिहार की साहित्यिक परम्परा : विद्यापति से लेकर आज के शब्दलिपियों तक

बिहार के गीत, संगीत और यहां की कहानियों में साहित्य, धारा – प्रवाह रूप से बहती है । यहां पर साहित्य से पहली बार, बच्चों को उनके बड़े बुजुर्ग अवगत कराते हैं । दादी – नानी की कहानियों से उन्हें नैतिक शिक्षा मिलती है । गीत और संगीतों से भाषा सुदृढ़ होती है । यहां हर एक पर्व त्योहार का अपना लोकगीत होता है । बिहार की हवा, यहां की मिट्टी, खुले आसमान, यहां के हल चलाते किसान, मेहनती लोग, बहती गंगा मईया की निर्मल धारा में साहित्य कूट – कूट कर भरा है ।

केवल हिन्दी ही नहीं यहां के लोकभाषा में भी साहित्य का सृजन होता रहा है । आज भी मिथिला क्षेत्र के लोग मैथिल कोकिल महाकवि विद्यापति के गीतों को बड़े प्रेम से गाते हैं । विद्यापति का रचनाकाल 14 वीं शताब्दी का है, जिसमें उन्होंने संस्कृत, अवहट्ठ, और मुख्य रूप से मैथिली में रचनाएं करी । उनके द्वारा लिखी गई “पदावली” जिसमें राधा – कृष्ण की भक्ति रस से जुड़े पद हैं, उनकी अमर कीर्ति मानी जाती है ।

बात करें भोजपुरी की तो भिखारी ठाकुर (1887-1971) (भोजपुरी का शेक्सपियर) को कौन भूल सकता है ? इन्होंने अपनी रचनाओं के माध्यम से भोजपुरी साहित्य को समृद्ध करने का काम करा । इनके द्वारा लिखे बिदेसिया, बेटी बेचवा, विधवा विलाप, नकल बहार आदि नाटकों का मंचन आज भी गांव देहात में होता है ।

हिंदी साहित्य की बात की जाए तो अनेकों नाम मिल जाएंगे, जिनका संबंध बिहार से रहा है । राष्ट्रकवि रामधारी सिंह दिनकर (1908-1974) बिहार के बेगूसराय जिले से संबंधित हैं । उनकी रचनाएं वीर रस के भाव से ओत प्रोत थी, जिसने स्वतंत्रता संग्राम में, अंग्रेजों के खिलाफ क्रांतिकारी भाव पैदा करी । राष्ट्रवादी चेतना से जुड़े कवियों में अन्य नाम है, कलम के जादूगर रामवृक्ष बेनीपुरी (1899-1968) का । इनका जन्म मुजफ्फरपुर, बिहार में हुआ । इन्होंने कई विधाओं में विपुल साहित्य की रचना करी । दरभंगा जिले के बाबा नागार्जुन (1911-1998) (असली नाम वैद्यनाथ मिश्र) हिंदी में और मैथिली में यात्री नाम से लिखते थे । हिंदी, संस्कृत, बंगला, और मैथिली भाषा पर इनकी विशेष पकड़ थी।

शिव पूजन सहाय (1893-1963) बिहार के बक्सर जिले से आते थे और “मैं धोबी हूं” रचना से इन्होंने हिंदी साहित्य जगत में प्रसिद्धि पाई थी । फणीश्वर नाथ रेणु (1921-1977) का जन्म पूर्णिया जिले में हुआ और इन्होंने हिंदी में आंचलिक उपन्यास की नींव रखी । इनके लिखे कालजयी रचना “मैला आंचल” आज भी पाठकों के बीच प्रसिद्ध है और खूब पढ़ी जाती है । आचार्य जानकीवल्लभ शास्त्री (1916-2011) ने निराला निकेतन, मुजफ्फरपुर की स्थापना करी । आचार्य जी छायावाद के अंतिम स्तंभ और सूर्यकांत त्रिपाठी निराला के शिष्य थे । इन्होंने संस्कृत और हिंदी दोनों भाषाओं में लिखा है।

वर्तमान समय में, यहां के अनेक रचनाकार साहित्य को समृद्ध करने का काम कर रहे हैं । अनामिका, अरुण कमल, आलोक धन्वा आदि नाम इनमें आते हैं । अनामिक जी को उनकी कृति “टोकरी में दिगंत” के लिए 2021 का साहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार मिला है ।

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The Timeless Relevance of Nalanda’s Motto: ‘Attha Deepa Bhava’ — Be Your Own Light

In a world overflowing with opinions, noise, and endless scrolling, the ancient words ‘Attha Deepa Bhava’ (Be your own light)  feel more powerful than ever. These words, rooted in the teachings of the Buddha and carried forward by the legendary Nalanda University, are not just a philosophical idea but they are a way of life, a call to awaken the inner flame of wisdom and self-awareness.

Nalanda, one of the oldest centers of learning in the world, wasn’t merely a university. Rather, it was a sanctuary for seekers, scholars, monks, and philosophers from across Asia. Its motto, ‘Attha Deepa Bhava’,  reflects the spirit of independent inquiry that defined Nalanda’s essence.

In those ancient corridors of wisdom, seekers were taught that true knowledge does not come from blind faith or imitation, but from inner understanding. To ‘be your own light’ meant cultivating clarity, compassion, courage, and these qualities turn learning into enlightenment.

We live in 21st century which is an age of information, but not always of understanding. Our devices overflow with data, yet our minds often feel scattered. Here, Nalanda’s ancient motto whispers a timeless truth: the light we seek outside must be kindled within.

It’s easy to follow trends, mimic successful people, or rely on external validation. But those who truly shine are the ones who think independently , who trust their instincts, take thoughtful risks, and learn from their own experience. They embody ‘Attha Deepa Bhava’ without even knowing it.

We must think of a student who is navigating in today’s education system. With so much pressure to score, conform, and perform, it’s easy to lose one’s voice. But the real learner from Nalanda-  questions, explores, and discovers their own truth beyond textbooks. That’s we called the light of self-guided learning.

Being your own light doesn’t mean rejecting guidance or wisdom from others. Rather, it’s about using that guidance to fuel your own insight. For example, a candle is being lit by another and it receives the flame, but burns with its own brightness. Similarly, every great teacher, book, or experience exists to help us find our own glow.

In moments of confusion or darkness, this motto becomes an anchor. It tells us that the answers we seek aren’t always “out there” but they often lie quietly within us, waiting for reflection, silence, or courage to emerge.

The beauty of ‘Attha Deepa Bhava’ lies in its simplicity and universality. It’s not confined to religion, culture, or time. Whether you’re an artist creating something new, a leader making difficult choices, or simply someone finding your way in life, this message applies: trust your inner light.

Nalanda’s ancient flame may have been extinguished once, but its wisdom continues to glow across centuries. And in our journey which is  filled with challenges, choices, and changes; ‘Be your own light’ remains not just advice, but a way to live brightly, truthfully, and fearlessly.

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When Scholars Were Diplomats: Nalanda’s Role in Cultural Diplomacy 

In today’s world, diplomacy often brings to mind officials in suits negotiating behind closed doors. Yet, centuries before modern diplomacy existed, ancient India practiced a remarkable form of soft power which was rooted not in politics or trade, but in knowledge, compassion, and cultural exchange. At the heart of this intellectual diplomacy stood Nalanda, the great Buddhist university that became a global beacon of learning and a bridge between civilizations.

Founded in the 5th century CE under the Gupta Empire, Nalanda Mahavihara was far more than a university; it was an ecosystem of ideas. Spread over several hectares with monasteries, temples, and vast libraries. It attracted students and scholars from China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, and Southeast Asia. More than 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers once lived and studied there, engaged in subjects ranging from Buddhist philosophy, astronomy, medicine, mathematics,art and literature.

In spirit, Nalanda embodied India’s timeless idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family). It was a place where intellectual pursuit transcended borders and knowledge itself became a form of diplomacy. In an age without embassies or international institutions, scholars served as ambassadors of culture. Chinese monks Xuanzang (Hsüan-tsang) and Yijing, who traveled thousands of miles to study at Nalanda, were among the most influential. Their journeys, writings, and translations carried Indian ideas of logic, medicine, and spirituality across Asia.

Xuanzang returned to China with hundreds of Sanskrit manuscripts, and his translations of Buddhist texts deepened Sino-Indian intellectual ties for centuries. Yijing’s accounts of monastic discipline and daily life at Nalanda offered the world a vivid glimpse of its scholarly rigor and cosmopolitan spirit. These scholars acted as cultural envoys, spreading mutual respect and shared heritage through learning rather than diplomacy.

Nalanda’s greatest strength was its belief that knowledge unites humanity. Students and teachers exchanged not only information but also worldviews and ethics. They debated with humility, understanding that wisdom thrives through dialogue, not dominance.

While Nalanda was a Buddhist university, it welcomed diversity. Hindu philosophers such as Adi Shankaracharya engaged with Buddhist thinkers in open debate, exemplifying an intellectual culture rooted in inclusivity and shared pursuit of truth.

Nalanda’s golden era ended tragically in the 12th century when invading forces destroyed its magnificent libraries. Yet, its spirit endured in the universities and monasteries it inspired across Asia. Tibetan monastic institutions, for instance, modeled their education systems on Nalanda’s emphasis on logic and reason.

In a fitting revival of this legacy, Nalanda University was re-established in 2010 near its original site in Bihar, supported by countries including China, Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. The new Nalanda seeks to renew the ancient tradition of cross-cultural learning and soft diplomacy through education, research, and intercultural understanding.

Nalanda’s story carries a timeless message: true diplomacy begins not with power, but with understanding. The scholars and monks of ancient India built bridges that outlasted kingdoms; bridges made of ideas, not iron.

As the modern world grapples with division and distrust, Nalanda reminds us that intellectual exchange is a profound act of peacebuilding. When scholars become diplomats then dialogue replaces conflict, and learning becomes the most enduring form of diplomacy.

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Food and Festival in Nalanda: Experiencing Local Culture

In Bihar, food and festivals are inseparable threads woven into the rich tapestry of local culture. Every celebration is incomplete without its traditional dishes, and every dish tells a story of history, spirituality, and community. The Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF) brings this vibrant culture to life, offering visitors not just literary experiences but also a journey through the flavors and traditions of Bihar.

Festival as Cultural Expression

Festivals in Bihar are living expressions of the region’s identity and heritage. Each festival is accompanied by specific dishes, often prepared with devotion. During Makar Sankranti, families relish Chura Dahi, a simple yet symbolic dish of flattened rice and yogurt, reflecting gratitude for a bountiful harvest. During Chhath Puja, offerings like Thekua and prasad are prepared meticulously, representing purity, devotion, and a connection with nature. Every grain, every recipe carries meaning, showing how food embodies the culture and values of the community.

Through the festival, the NLF emphasizes how these culinary traditions preserve history and foster communal bonds. Food becomes more than nourishment—it is a bridge connecting generations and a medium to pass on stories, rituals, and values. Litti Chokha, one of Bihar’s most iconic dishes, is a perfect example. Made with roasted gram flour (sattu) stuffed in wheat balls and served with spiced mashed vegetables, Litti Chokha tells the story of Bihari resilience and simplicity. Historically, it was preferred by farmers and travelers due to its long shelf life and nutritional value. Today, it remains a symbol of Bihari identity and communal spirit.

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Unapologetically Local: The Recognition of Bihar’s Languages

In an old aṅgan in Mithila, a grandmother hums a Maithili lullaby. In the streets of Muzaffarpur, the beats of dholak rise as Bajjika folk songs echo during festivals. In the houses of Siwan, Bhojpuri gaari is sung in the weddings. In Gaya, the sohar and jhumar of Magahi flow with the harvest. Along the riversides of Bhagalpur, Angika lokgīt still carry the wisdom of generations. For centuries, Bihar has spoken in many tongues: Maithili, Bajjika, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, and many more. Each one distinct, each one alive.

Yet somewhere along the way, these voices were silenced. Labeled “dialects” and “regional”. Many began shifting to only Hindi or English, believing their own mother tongues had no place in literature or learning. But the voices of  Bihar were never truly silent, they lived in lullabies, in nukkad conversations, in songs of migration, in drums of festivals and in whispers of sorrow. It is only now that the world has begun to listen.

The Nalanda Literature Festival is more than a gathering, it is a revival. Here, Bhojpuri is not just the language of migration, but of poetry and resistance. Maithili is not just the tongue of tradition, but of modern upanyās and novels. Magahi, Bajjika and Angika step onto the stage with confidence, shining with their rustic earthiness, reminding us that their absence from the textbooks was never their weakness, but our neglect. Every event, every speech, every performance of the festival is a declaration: “We exist. We matter. We create.”

Recognition of Bihar’s languages is more about dignity. A child learns pride when she learns that her lullaby is part of a recognised language. A poet discovers relevance when he writes in Bhojpuri and finds its readers abroad. When a storyteller narrates in Bajjika or Magahi and sees audiences nod in recognition, they know their words are timeless. Recognition tells us that language is not small because it is local, it is universal because it carries human experience.

Once, the Nalanda Mahavihara drew seekers from across the world. Today again, the festival draws those searching for stories, identities, and forgotten voices. In its gatherings, Bihar’s languages sit shoulder to shoulder with world literatures, no longer as guests, but as equals. Pride begins with recognition, and through festivals like this, the languages of Bihar step into the light: confident, vibrant, and unapologetically their own.

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“The Timeless Relevance of Nalanda’s Motto:

‘Attha Deepa Bhava’ — Be Your Own Light”

In a world overflowing with opinions, noise, and endless scrolling, the ancient whisper of “Attha Deepa Bhava” — Be your own light — feels like a call back to stillness. These words, born from the wisdom of the Buddha and carried through the sacred corridors of Nalanda, are not just a phrase; they are a way of being — a reminder that illumination begins within.

Nalanda was never merely a university. It was a living sanctuary — a confluence of seekers, sages, scholars, and wanderers who came not just to learn, but to awaken. Its motto, Attha Deepa Bhava, captured the heartbeat of that sacred pursuit: to question fearlessly, to seek earnestly, and to find one’s own flame amidst the vast sky of knowledge.

In those ancient halls, wisdom was not measured in verses memorised or doctrines followed, but in clarity cultivated and compassion lived. To be your own light was to walk the path of understanding , where curiosity turned into courage, and learning into enlightenment.

We live today in an age of abundance , information at our fingertips, answers at every click and yet, how often do we feel adrift? Our screens glow brighter than ever, but our minds grow dim with distraction. Here, the voice of Nalanda echoes through time: the light we seek outside must first be kindled within.

It is easy to follow trends, to echo what is loud, to imitate what is rewarded. But those who truly shine are the ones who dare to listen inwardly, who trust the quiet pulse of intuition, who take thoughtful risks, who turn experience into insight. They embody Attha Deepa Bhava without even naming it.

Think of a student today, caught in the whirlpool of grades, comparisons, and expectations. The spirit of Nalanda reminds them that learning is not conformity, but discovery; not competition, but illumination. The true learner does not just absorb; they awaken.

To be your own light is not to reject guidance , it is to let wisdom from others ignite your own understanding. Like one candle lighting another, the flame is shared but the glow is uniquely one’s own. Every teacher, every book, every experience is a spark, but the fire must burn within.

And when life dims, when confusion clouds the path, this ancient motto becomes a lantern. It reminds us that the answers we chase are not lost in the world, they are often waiting in the quiet chambers of our own heart, patient and persistent.

The beauty of Attha Deepa Bhava lies in its timeless simplicity. It transcends religion, geography, and generation. Whether you are an artist shaping dreams, a thinker navigating doubt, or a soul seeking purpose, this truth endures: trust your inner light.

Nalanda’s flame may have once been silenced by time and turmoil, yet its radiance endures through centuries, through us. And as we walk our own uncertain paths, filled with choices, changes, and challenges, may we remember:

To be your own light is not merely advice, it is the very art of living.

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From Inquiry to Glory

Lessons in Compassion: Applying Nalanda’s Wisdom Today

Now that I find myself more often in the gentle company of books and beneath the gracious gaze of Devi Saraswati, I can’t help but remember a lesson from my school days , one that shaped not just my understanding of history, but my relationship with knowledge itself.

It was during a routine history test that our class received a shock we would never forget. Our scores were disastrously low, an insult, we felt, to all our sleepless nights and relentless revisions. Bewildered and indignant, we marched straight to our teacher’s office, united in protest.

“Sir, this is beyond understanding!” we exclaimed. “We studied day and night, wrote exactly what you taught us about Nalanda, and yet… these marks?”

Our teacher listened patiently, a quiet smile on his face, and then said something that changed us forever:

“Because you wrote exactly what I told you, your marks are low. You conformed — and conformity kills curiosity. Had you cross-checked facts from your textbooks, questioned what I said, and analysed it with your own mind, your answers would have reflected true understanding.”

We stood speechless.

“Was it all deliberate, Sir?” one of us asked hesitantly.

He nodded gently. “Yes. I deliberately shared incorrect dates and facts, not to mislead you, but to test you. Nalanda was not built on memorization. It thrived on inquiry, debate, and verification. Yet none of you questioned me. You accepted every word as truth  and that is where learning stopped.”

Shame replaced our surprise. We realized that in chasing grades, we had betrayed the very spirit of Nalanda , the spirit of open inquiry and fearless questioning.

Sensing our remorse, Sir’s tone softened.

“Don’t drown in guilt,” he said. “Rise from it. True education begins when curiosity replaces conformity. Nalanda’s greatness was never in its walls or libraries, but in its courage to ask and its compassion to understand. Remember,

‘The world belongs to those who can see beyond its appearances.’”

That day, our history teacher gave us something no textbook could , the living essence of Nalanda’s wisdom.

Today, as I prepare to attend the Nalanda Literature Festival (21–25 December 2025), his words echo in my mind with renewed meaning. I go there not merely as a scholar, but as a seeker , one eager to listen, question, and grow.

And to you, my friends, I extend the same invitation my teacher once gave me: Come with questions, not just curiosity. The seats before me are waiting, empty for now, but reserved for all who wish to learn, inquire, and be their own light.

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Ancient Indian Methods of Critical Thinking and Debate

Long before the world heard of Socrates, Plato, or Aristotle, India was already a land of deep inquiry and disciplined reasoning. The spirit of critical thinking was not borrowed; it was born here in the verses of our scriptures, the strategies of Chanakya, and the dialogues of philosophers who debated truth as a sacred pursuit.

Chanakya Niti, one of the earliest and most profound treatises on governance, morality, and intellect, existed before many global philosophies had even taken shape. It reflected not just political wisdom, but also a framework of reasoning, foresight, and ethical analysis. While the West later celebrated thinkers like Aristotle for his theory of imitation, Indian philosophers had already discussed similar ideas centuries earlier  connecting art, life, and the imitation of nature through profound spiritual and moral lenses.

India’s culture of questioning was not confined to temples or royal courts  it was lived and practiced in the great universities like Nalanda. Situated in Bihar, Nalanda was not just an institution but a civilization of knowledge. It held countless manuscripts more than one could number on subjects ranging from logic and medicine to astronomy and philosophy. Monks and scholars engaged in daily debates that sharpened intellect and deepened wisdom. Visitors from China, Korea, and Tibet, including Xuanzang and Yijing, travelled great distances to witness this unparalleled culture of learning and dialogue.

These debates were not battles of ego, but rituals of the mind refreshments for the intellect and nourishment for the soul. Known as Shastrartha, they were conducted with discipline and purity, where the aim was not victory, but truth. It was believed that through logical discourse (Nyaya), valid reasoning (Pramana), and open inquiry, one could reach Tattva the ultimate essence of knowledge.

Thinkers like Nagarjuna, Dignaga, and Dharmakirti, nurtured within Nalanda’s walls, developed intricate systems of logic and epistemology long before modern philosophy used such terms. They explored the nature of perception, reason, and reality crafting arguments so sophisticated that even today, they inspire global scholars of logic and Buddhism.

Debate in India has always been an art form ancient, authentic, and intellectual. It represents a civilization where dialogue was considered divine, and disagreement was a step toward enlightenment. As we gather today in the spirit of the Nalanda Literature Festival, we are not reviving an old tradition we are continuing one. A tradition that reminds us that India has always been, and must always remain, the land where thinking is a virtue and questioning is sacred.

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Nalanda Literature Festival: A Step Toward Feminism and Freedom

The Nalanda Literature Festival is not just a gathering of writers and readers. It is also a place where women’s voices are heard and respected. It gives space to women to talk about their lives, struggles, and dreams.

Feminism is not about fighting men,it is about asking for equal rights, equal respect, and equal chances. The festival becomes a platform where women speak freely about their challenges and achievements. From poets and teachers to artists and students, every woman’s story shows strength and courage.

In Bihar, where women once faced many social barriers, the festival shows a new picture. Women now write, teach, create art, and lead. The weavers of Bhagalpur, the painters of Madhubani, and the writers from small towns all prove that feminism is not just an idea,it is happening in real life.

Young girls who attend the festival see women speaking with confidence. They learn that feminism means having a voice and using it with pride. It teaches them that equality is not a dream, but a right.

That is why the Nalanda Literature Festival is not just about literature,it is a movement toward freedom, equality, and women’s empowerment. It reminds everyone that when women rise, the whole society rises with them.

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The Linguistic Journey of Nalanda Continues

Close your eyes and imagine Nalanda. You don’t just see the weathered bricks or silent ruins—you hear voices. The chants of monks in Pali, the debates in Sanskrit, the conversations in Prakrit blending with the questions of travelers from distant lands. You sense the footsteps of Chinese pilgrims, the curiosity of Korean scholars, the awe of visitors from Central Asia. Nalanda was never only stone walls or manuscripts; it was a living orchestra of languages, weaving knowledge into a shared human tapestry.

Today, Nalanda speaks again—this time through the Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF). More than a celebration of books, it is a celebration of the languages that give birth to them. On its stage, regional, tribal, and classical tongues step into the spotlight, carrying stories that might otherwise remain unheard. In this chorus of voices, one can almost hear the echo of the ancient Nalanda: a place where diversity of speech was not a barrier, but a source of brilliance.

In ancient times, learning at Nalanda was inseparable from language. Sanskrit and Pali carried the weight of philosophical discourses, while Prakrit and local dialects rooted knowledge in everyday life. Together, they created what linguists today might call a linguistic ecology—a vibrant ecosystem where no single language ruled supreme, and every tongue contributed to the pursuit of wisdom.

The Nalanda Literature Festival carries this legacy forward. By bringing languages like Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Bajjika, Angika, Bodo, Assamese, Mizo, and many others into focus, it challenges the modern assumption that knowledge must flow only through dominant languages such as English or Hindi. Instead, it affirms a timeless truth: every language is a world in itself, a living archive of memories, traditions, and ways of seeing life.

For linguists and cultural enthusiasts alike, festivals like NLF are more than artistic gatherings—they are acts of revitalization. They breathe new life into languages threatened by globalization and neglect. As someone engaged in documenting my own endangered mother tongue, Palamua, I feel a personal connection to this cause. Preserving and celebrating languages is not merely an academic exercise—it is an act of cultural justice. By placing marginalized voices beside mainstream ones, the festival revives Nalanda’s ancient ethos of inclusivity and intellectual diversity.

Nalanda’s ruins are not silent. They whisper stories of scholars, debates, and languages that once shaped civilizations. The festival carries forward this essence: knowledge that is collective, multilingual, and timeless.

When we gather in Nalanda today to celebrate literature, we do more than honor books and writers—we revive a centuries-old tradition of linguistic pluralism. From ancient Sanskrit sutras to contemporary Bhojpuri ballads, from fragile manuscripts to living spoken word, the journey of Nalanda continues. It reminds us that languages are not only the truest keepers of our past, but also the surest guides to our future.

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“नालंदा : नवीनता और नवनिर्माण का केंद्र”

 ‘नालंदा’जैसा कि हम सभी ज्ञान के केंद्र के रूप में जानते हैं लेकिन ज्ञान की व्यापकता को देखें तो यह नवनिर्माण और नवीनता का भी पर्याय है। और यही बात ‘नालंदा’ के रूप में भी विशेष रूप से लागू होती है। महान मगध साम्राज्य के विस्तार से लेकर मौर्य, गुप्त और उसके बाद अनेक राजवंशों ने इस स्थल पर शासन किया चाहे बात करें हम बिंबिसार अजातशत्रु चंद्रगुप्त मौर्य, बिंदुसार, अशोक महान आदि शासको ने कमोबेश इस नगर को समृद्ध किया। हालांकि इसका परिष्कार गुप्त साम्राज्य में बड़े पैमाने पर हुआ ;जब कुमारगुप्त के शासनकाल में इस विश्वविद्यालय की नींव रखी गई तब से लेकर आज तक यह न सिर्फ अध्ययन मनन का केंद्र रहा है अपितु सृजन एवं नवनिर्माण का केंद्र भी रहा है। और यही नवनिर्माण की शुरुआत इस नगर को नवीनता के रूप में भी उल्लिखित करता है ।एक विशिष्ट स्थान प्रदान करता  है। नालंदा लिटरेचर फेस्टिवल आपका स्वागत करता है इस ज्ञान विज्ञान एवं नवीनता के पर्याय महान ऐतिहासिक विरासत एवं वैज्ञानिक समृद्धि , आधुनिक भाव विचार को लेकर यहां पधारें। विवेचना करें हम अपने अतीत में उन प्रमुख सृजन के तत्वों का एवं आज विश्व के सबसे बड़े लोकतंत्र के रूप में जब संसार के मानचित्र पर अंकित हैं तो अगर हम विश्व गुरु का सपना देख रहे हैं तो वह बिहार की धरती से ही प्रारंभ होगा और वह धरती नालंदा ही अपेक्षित है। भूतपूर्व राष्ट्रपति डॉ एपीजे अब्दुल कलाम ने भी कहा था कि बिहार के बिना भारत का विकास असंभव है और आज जब नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय के नए भवन नया आकर ले रहे हैं इसमें भी कलाम साहब के जीवन दर्शन का गनतम पक्ष हम देख सकते हैं। नालंदा यद्यपि अनेक नामचीन एवं गुमनाम प्रतिभाओं से संपन्न है और यह पुकार रहा है कि हम इस स्थल की पुनः गवेषणा करें।।

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Nalanda Literature Festival: A Bridge Between Society, Politics, and Thought

The Nalanda Literature Festival is not only about books and art,it is also a place where society meets politics through ideas. Writers, thinkers, journalists, and political leaders come together to discuss how India is changing. They talk about democracy, youth participation, women’s rights, social justice, and the meaning of freedom in today’s world.

Politics is not only what happens in assemblies or elections; it also lives in people’s everyday experiences. The festival gives a voice to these experiences. When a student questions inequality, or a writer talks about the power of truth, it becomes a political act.

The discussions at the festival often touch upon Bihar’s strong political history. From ancient republics like Vaishali ,the world’s first democracy to leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Bihar has always been a land where political thought has shaped India’s destiny. The festival continues this legacy by encouraging open debates on governance, policy, and the responsibilities of citizens.

It also provides a neutral space where people from different ideologies sit together. In times when political discussions often turn into divisions, the festival promotes healthy dialogue. It reminds us that the purpose of politics is not to separate, but to serve and unite.

Moreover, the festival highlights literature as a tool of political awareness. Many sessions explore how stories, poems, and plays reflect issues like corruption, poverty, migration, and environmental justice. Through literature, people begin to see politics not as something distant, but as something that touches their lives every day.

By bringing together social thinkers, activists, and youth voices, the Nalanda Literature Festival becomes more than a cultural event,it becomes a living platform for democratic thought. It teaches that real change begins with words, ideas, and the courage to question.

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Nalanda: Where History Still Speaks

Your next destination is Nalanda, the ancient seat of learning. Walking through the Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda Ruins) feels like stepping into history red-brick monasteries, ancient classrooms, and massive stupas whisper stories of knowledge and peace.

Nearby lies Kundalpur, believed to be Lord Mahavira’s birthplace, offering calm and spirituality. The Xuanzang Memorial Hall, dedicated to the great Chinese traveller and scholar, beautifully connects the legacies of India and China.

End your journey at Pawapuri Jal Mandir, a marble temple floating in a lotus-filled lake, where Lord Mahavira attained nirvana. Its serene beauty feels like time standing still.

Don’t you feel the names themselves are inviting? These destinations offer both beauty and knowledge, history and peace. So, if you want to make your winter truly memorable, plan a mindful journey to Nalanda and Rajgir  two timeless treasures that promise experiences you’ll carry forever.

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Unapologetically Local: The Recognition of Bihar’s Languages

In an old aṅgan in Mithila, a grandmother hums a Maithili lullaby. In the streets of Muzaffarpur, the beats of dholak rise as Bajjika folk songs echo during festivals. In the houses of Siwan, Bhojpuri gaari is sung in the weddings. In Gaya, the sohar and jhumar of Magahi flow with the harvest. Along the riversides of Bhagalpur, Angika lokgīt still carry the wisdom of generations. For centuries, Bihar has spoken in many tongues: Maithili, Bajjika, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, and many more. Each one distinct, each one alive.

Yet somewhere along the way, these voices were silenced. Labeled “dialects” and “regional”. Many began shifting to only Hindi or English, believing their own mother tongues had no place in literature or learning. But the voices of  Bihar were never truly silent, they lived in lullabies, in nukkad conversations, in songs of migration, in drums of festivals and in whispers of sorrow. It is only now that the world has begun to listen.

The Nalanda Literature Festival is more than a gathering, it is a revival. Here, Bhojpuri is not just the language of migration, but of poetry and resistance. Maithili is not just the tongue of tradition, but of modern upanyās and novels. Magahi, Bajjika and Angika step onto the stage with confidence, shining with their rustic earthiness, reminding us that their absence from the textbooks was never their weakness, but our neglect. Every event, every speech, every performance of the festival is a declaration: “We exist. We matter. We create.”

Recognition of Bihar’s languages is more about dignity. A child learns pride when she learns that her lullaby is part of a recognised language. A poet discovers relevance when he writes in Bhojpuri and finds its readers abroad. When a storyteller narrates in Bajjika or Magahi and sees audiences nod in recognition, they know their words are timeless. Recognition tells us that language is not small because it is local, it is universal because it carries human experience.

Once, the Nalanda Mahavihara drew seekers from across the world. Today again, the festival draws those searching for stories, identities, and forgotten voices. In its gatherings, Bihar’s languages sit shoulder to shoulder with world literatures, no longer as guests, but as equals. Pride begins with recognition, and through festivals like this, the languages of Bihar step into the light: confident, vibrant, and unapologetically their own.

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