Patna: Bihar is turning to its past to shape its future. The state cabinet has approved the construction of two five-star hotels in Rajgir and a luxury resort in Vaishali, hoping to match centuries-old heritage with modern hospitality.
Rajgir, nestled in the hills of Nalanda, has long been revered as a centre of Buddhist and Jain traditions, its hot springs, caves and monasteries attracting pilgrims for millennia. Vaishali, equally storied, is considered the world’s first republic and is closely tied to the life of Gautama Buddha. Today, both destinations remain magnets for tourists from across India and abroad, but their accommodation options have lagged behind the expectations of international travellers.
The new projects, to be developed in public–private partnership, aim to fill that gap. According to the tourism department’s plan, two hotels will be built on 10 acres near Mela Maidan in Rajgir, while a five-star resort will be constructed on 10 acres adjoining the newly inaugurated Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum-cum-Memorial Stupa in Vaishali.
S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat Department, said the developments will proceed under the Infrastructure Development Enabling (Amendment) Act, 2023, with land leased to private developers for construction and operation. “Rajgir and Vaishali receive large numbers of visitors every year. These projects will provide better amenities and quality accommodation for tourists,” he said.
Officials argue that the initiative is about more than comfort. A cabinet note underlined that modern facilities beyond Patna could transform Bihar’s tourism sector, stimulating local economies, creating jobs and expanding trade opportunities.
For travellers, the promise is clear: to step back into the era of Nalanda’s universities and Vaishali’s republic while enjoying the conveniences of five-star luxury. For Bihar, the hope is that heritage, paired with hospitality, will finally put the state on the map as a premier destination for cultural tourism.
