Stand at the edge of the Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary in the early morning and the water stretches away in a wide oxbow curve, broken by the movement of migratory birds. This is the sight that defines Begusarai, a city on the northern bank of the Ganges in the Mithila region of Bihar and the administrative headquarters of its district.
Begusarai suits travellers who are drawn to wetlands, folk culture and the traditions of Mithila rather than to monument-lined city centres. The city is known for its rich folk culture and local festivals, and it is described as the cultural capital of Mithila.
This guide covers the places worth your time in and around the city, followed by a plan for a single day and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Begusarai
1. Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary
Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, also known as Kanwar jheel, is a wetland and sanctuary for migrating birds, and it contains rare and endangered migratory birds alongside a large oxbow lake. It has been declared a Ramsar Site, which signifies its international importance. In 1989, Begusarai district became home to the Kanwar jheel.
Give this the best part of your morning, when bird activity is at its height, and bring binoculars. The sanctuary sits at Kanwar Lake, so you can combine it with the Jai Mangla Temple, which is located there.
2. Jai Mangla Temple
The Jai Mangla Temple stands at Kanwar Lake. Its setting beside the wetland makes it a natural pairing with a visit to the sanctuary rather than a separate trip.
Visit it in the same outing as Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, either before or after your time on the water.
3. Naulakha Temple
The Naulakha Temple is one of the named places to see in Begusarai. It is a temple visit in the city itself, useful when you want to stay within Begusarai rather than travel out to the lake.
Pair it with the Begusarai Museum if you are spending the day in the city, and keep in mind that local festivals are part of the city's folk culture, so a temple visit may coincide with celebrations.
4. Begusarai Museum
The Begusarai Museum is listed among the places to see in the city. It is the indoor stop to keep in reserve for the middle of the day or for when the weather turns.
Combine it with the Naulakha Temple, since both are in the city, and treat the museum as a complement to the wetland rather than a substitute for it.
5. The city's folk culture and local festivals
Begusarai is known for its rich folk culture and local festivals, reflecting the traditions of Bihar, and it is regarded as the cultural capital of Mithila. Rather than a single venue, this is the texture of a visit: the music, festivals and everyday traditions you encounter while moving between the sights.
Ask locally what is being celebrated during your stay, and build your days around the temple and lake visits so that festival time is not spent travelling.
6. The Ganges and the Mithila setting
The district lies on the northern bank of the river Ganges in the Mithila region, and the city sits in the middle of the mid-Ganga plain with low-lying terrain. The river and its floodplain are the reason the wetland here matters, and they shape the landscape you cross to reach it.
Keep the river in mind as the frame for your visit to Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, and plan your travel knowing the terrain is low and flat.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, where the oxbow lake and the migratory birds are the reason to come. Continue to the Jai Mangla Temple at Kanwar Lake while you are there.
Afternoon: Return to the city and visit the Begusarai Museum, then the Naulakha Temple.
Evening: Spend the evening with the city's folk culture and local festivals, which reflect the traditions of Bihar and give Begusarai its reputation as the cultural capital of Mithila.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary known for?
It is a wetland and sanctuary for migrating birds, containing rare and endangered migratory birds and a large oxbow lake. It has been declared a Ramsar Site, signifying its international importance.
Which temples can I visit in Begusarai?
The Jai Mangla Temple, which is at Kanwar Lake, and the Naulakha Temple.
Is there a museum in Begusarai?
Yes. The Begusarai Museum is listed among the places to see in the city.
What else is Begusarai known for?
The city is known for its rich folk culture and local festivals, reflecting the traditions of Bihar, and it is the cultural capital of Mithila.
Use this guide to set your priorities, then start planning your trip around a morning at Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary and the city sights that follow.