Bihar is a state in East India, bordering Nepal. It is divided by the River Ganges, which floods its fertile plains. Important Buddhist pilgrimage sites include the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya’s Mahabodhi Temple, under which the Buddha allegedly meditated. In the state capital Patna, Mahavir Mandir temple is revered by Hindus, while Sikhs worship at the domed, riverside Gurdwara of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji.
| Bihar | ||
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| State | ||
 .jpg)   Clockwise from top: Great Buddha Statue at Bodh Gaya, Ruins of ancient Nalanda University, Madhubani paintings from Mithila region, Brahma Kund hot springs in Rajgir
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Location of Bihar in India
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| Coordinates (Patna): 25.4°N 85.1°ECoordinates: 25.4°N 85.1°E | ||
| Country |  India |
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| Formation | 22 March 1912 (Bihar Diwas) |
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| Statehood | 26 January 1950 | |
| Capital | Patna | |
| Largest city | Patna | |
| Districts | 38 | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Lal Ji Tandon | |
| • Chief Minister | Nitish Kumar (JD(U)) | |
| • Deputy Chief Minister | Sushil Kumar Modi[1] (BJP) | |
| • Legislature | Bicameral Legislative Council 75 Legislative Assembly 243 |
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| • High Court | Patna High Court | |
| Area[2] | ||
| • Total | 94,163 km2 (36,357 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | 13th | |
| Population (2011)[3] | ||
| • Total | 103,804,637 | |
| • Rank | 3rd | |
| • Density | 1,102/km2 (2,850/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Bihari | |
| GDP (2016–17)[4] | ||
| • Total | ₹3.32 lakh crore(US$46 billion) | |
| • Per capita | ₹29,178 (US$410) | |
| Languages | ||
| • Official | Hindi[5] | |
| • Other recognized | Maithili (recognized under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India),[6] Urdu(in 15 districts)[7] | |
| Time zone | UTC+05:30 (IST) | |
| UN/LOCODE | INBR | |
| ISO 3166 code | IN-BR | |
| Vehicle registration | BR | |
| HDI (2017) |  0.566[8] (medium) · 36th |
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| Literacy (2011) | 61.8%[9] | |
| Sex ratio (2011) | 918 ♀/1000 ♂[9] | |
| Website | gov |
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