Nalanda was a renowned Mahavihara, or a large Buddhist monastery, in India's ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar). The site, which is about 95 kilometers southeast of Patna near the town of Bihar Sharif, was a learning centre from the fifth century CE to 1200 CE. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The ruins of Nalanda make one wonder what the university would have been like in its prime. During the Nalanda Buddhist tour, one can see a vast array of compounds, dormitories, temples, meditation halls, libraries, and other educational infrastructures.