Located in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar, Chamapnagar is yet another place that was visited by Gautam Buddha to deliver his sermons. The Buddha preached both Kandaraka Sutta from the Middla length Discourse and the famous Sonadanda Sutta from the Long Discourses here. It is also believed that Champanagar was the easternmost place Lord Buddha reached during His lifetime to preach Buddhism.

The town got its name long back from the various Champaka trees that grow around and spread the strong aroma of their flowers.


Buddhist Attractions

• Sarovan Talab : The talab was earlier known as the Gaggara's Lotus Lake and is famous for the beautiful lotus flowers that bloom in it. The bank of this talab dotted with champak trees, it is believed, was the favourite place of the Buddha where he stayed and preached during His visit to the city. In the early years of the 1900s, a project to clear silt from the lake water brought to surface a number of Buddha statues. About these statues very little, or perhaps nothing is known.
  
  

Other Attractions

• Jain Temples : Champanagar is also an important destination for the Jain community since it is considered the place where the Tirthankara Mahavira stayed for three rainy seasons in the course of his religious wanderings. The two Jain temples here are dedicated to Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara who was not only born in Champanagar but also attained all five 'Sanskaras' here as per the prevalent Jain tradition.
  
  
• Karna’s Castle : This castle gives Champanagar its other name, Karnagarh.
  
  

Quick Getaway

• Patna : Patna, the state capital, is around 220 km awayfrom Bhagalpur and is home to a number of tourists attractions. Prominent amongst them are Golghar, KhudaBaksh Library, Modern Palnetarium and Patna Museum.
  
  
• Vikramshila : Vikramshila is located 50 km from Bhagalpur and was home to great university of Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century.