Nalanda - नालंदा

This was once an active seat of ancient learning visited and attended to by the likes of Hieun Tsang. Today this rich heritage sits forlorn, awaiting its occasional share of school-kids or picnickers and heritage seekers. True, it is part of the Buddhist circuit, home to one of the oldest Universities, which have had the fortune of Lord Buddha and Mahavira as teachers. Till today, traces of the architectural wonders stand tall, complete with eight separate compounds, 10 temples, classrooms, meditation halls, lakes and parks. Some of it is in ruins, but in the stupas and monks' rooms here, you can still get a whiff of how life must have been then.