Raj Darbhanga
The forts and havelis of Rajasthan take millions of tourist footfalls every year. Just as other
sites in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra hold fancy of both the domestic as well
as the foreign tourist. The mysticism and charm of much of India's "feudal" past, howeve'r,
still elude the modern traveller rounding up the Rajasthan-MP-Gujarat circuit by soaking in the
magnificence of Kashi or Varanasi, the oldest city.
Bihar's feudal relics offer oodles of fun, excitement, pilgrimage, photo-ops steeped in culture in myriad forms surviving the vicissitudes of time and elements. The land of the world's
first republic, the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism, the seat of the grand Mauryan Empire:
Bihar is all this and much more.
Bihar too had its fair share of kings and queens though technically their "royal highnesses" were but only zamindars. But as any keen student of history would tell you, the Rajas and
Maharajas from Bihar played important roles in the making of modern India. And what they
have left behind are sights both majestic and educative in one stroke.
Art, craft and architecture. Religion. Cuisine. Music. Bihar has a rich legacy of all this and
more. Most of these unexplored. A destination irresistible.
The erstwhile estates Raj of Darbhanga, Banaili, Bettiah and Hathwa beckon the tourist
looking for a cocktail of heritage filled with masti.
Darbhanga Raj used several insignias. One of the insignias was Gangetic Dolphin riding
waves. Second was a Gangetic Dolphin inside a six pointed Star. Third insignia was variation of
second one. The fish was curved upwards.
The insignias give a glimpse of Mithila's culture: Maachh (fish), Paan (betel leaf), Makhaan
(white ball). The three, to gether, represent Mithila's palate. The local cuisine however has a
spread far wider. If you are a foodie, you'll fall head over heels over gourmet Darbhanga.
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