As the minimum temperature hovers around 12-13 degrees Celsius, picnic spots in and around Patna are bustling with activities.

To make the most of the nip in the air, many visit the places to break away from the daily monotony. Piyush Kumar Tripathi of The Telegraph lists eight such hot spots, which make perfect winter destinations on weekends

Maner Sharif Mausoleum:

Where: Maner

Distance: Around 30km west of Patna

Time: 9am to 5pm

What’s hot: A popular medieval site and one of the finest monument of the Mughals in eastern India, Maner Sharif is undoubtedly a majestic heritage in the Sufi circuit. British scholar-historian Buchanan described the grand mausoleum of Hazrat Makhdoom Shah Yahyah Maneri as the best piece of the Mughal era in Bihar. Also, don’t forget to treat yourself to the famous Maner laddoos made of pure ghee.

Pocket pinch: Entry to Maner Sharif Dargah is free

Sabbalpur Diara

Where: Sandbar spread over an area of 4sqkm on Ganga behind Patna University

Distance: Around a kilometre diagonally opposite to Gandhi Ghat and Kali Ghat

Time: Sunrise to sunset

What’s hot: Get a feel of the Goa beaches. Take a ride on the floating restaurant or the good old country-made boats to reach the sandbar on either side of the Ganga. Take strolls or sit with family and friends and enjoy the serene ambience. You can take homemade food or buy snacks from the makeshift stalls

Pocket pinch: Free

Kumhrar Mauryan Palace Park

Where: On old Bypass Road near the southern ramp of Mahatma Gandhi Setu

Distance: Around 6km north of Patna Junction

Time: 9am to 5pm

What’s hot: Go deep into the history of Patna as the park embodies a buried 80-pillared hall, which represents perhaps the first evidence of ancient Pataliputra, the origin of the city in which we live today. It is believed that emperor Asoka used to hold meetings with the people of Pataliputra, his capital at the 80-pillared hall, which is at present buried at the north-eastern corner of the park. Apart from the excavated remains of the ancient Mauryan Palace, the park has a lush green garden on its premises

Pocket pinch: Rs 5 per head for adults and free entry for children up to 5 years of age

Sonepur Mela

Where: On the banks of Gandak at Sonepur

Distance: Around 35kms north of Patna

Time: 10am to 11pm (theatres and several other activities continue even post-midnight)

What’s hot: Asia’s largest cattle fair, the event started on November 5 and would conclude on December 4. Though elephants have left the fair, one can still see hundreds of horses and other cattle at the fair. Buy pets such as dogs and parrots from Chiraiya Bazaar or take your kids to the exciting rides of the giant wheel and similar games and enjoy folk songs or dances at the cultural programmes held at the main pandal throughout the day. Make sure you stay at the Swiss cottages, as its rent would come down to Rs 500 per day, which was as high as Rs 4,500 in the first week.

Pocket pinch: No entry charges

Vaishali

Where: Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Buddha Relic Stupa, Archaeological Museum and Abhishek Pushkarni at Vaishali; Asokan pillar and other excavated remains at Kolhua

Distance: Around 60km northwest of Patna

Time: Sunrise to sunset

What’s hot: Buddha relic stupa, enshrining one of the eight parts of the mortal remains of Lord Buddha after he attained Mahaparinirvana. Kolhua¸ an integral part of ancient Vaishali between 1st century BC and 3rd century AD are among the most revered Buddhist sites. Also, the drive between Hajipur and Vaishali would also be a memorable one with boulevard of trees

Pocket pinch: Rs 5 per head for adults and free entry for children up to 5 years of age

Bodhgaya

Where: Mahabodhi Mahavihara, 80-ft statue of Lord Buddha, foreign monasteries and Barabar Caves

Distance: Around 100km south of Patna

Time: Sunrise to sunset

What’s hot: Bodhgaya is commonly called the global Buddhist pilgrimage town. Pray for peace or meditate under Bodhi tree, where Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment. Spend a day or two visiting the different monasteries and interact with foreign nationals as well. Don’t forget to have coffee at Barista, Bodhgaya, the only outlet of the Italian coffee chain in Bihar

Pocket pinch: Entry to Mahabodhi temple and all other monasteries are free

Nalanda-Rajgir

Where: Ruins of ancient Nalanda University, Vishwa Shanti Stupa atop Ratnagiri Hills, Venuvan, hot spring and Pawapuri Jain temple

Distance: Around 100km southeast of Patna

Time: Sunrise to sunset

What’s hot: Rajgir and Nalanda have always been the most preferred destination when it comes to picnic for residents of Patna. Visit ancient Nalanda University, the ancient seat of learning, take a ride on the chair-type ropeway to reach Vishwa Shanti Stupa, take Tumtum ride to Ghorakatora. Spend a day or two amid the hills in Rajgir

Pocket pinch: Rs 5 per head for adults and free entry for children up to 5 years at the Nalanda University ruins. Entry to the sites except Venuvan is free

Blackbuck safari at Buxar

Where: Chunnilal and Hakimpur villages

Distance: Around 135km west of Patna

Time: Sunrise to sunset

What’s hot: Wildlife lovers from the state need not travel thousands of kilometers to reach places like Rajasthan and Haryana for spotting blackbucks. They can watch herds of these exotic animals right in front of their eyes in Buxar. Around 88 blackbucks, 14 blackbuck calves and 99 blue bulls have been documented around the two villages. Bihar Tourism Development Corporation has a single day and three-days and three-nights package from Patna and Buxar

Pocket pinch: Rs 4,000-6,000. Picture by Navin Kumar